Jarron Aizen is the founder and CEO of Hapana, a leading fitness software platform empowering ambitious fitness businesses to accelerate growth and deliver exceptional member experiences. A seasoned industry veteran, he bootstrapped Hapana into a global force now serving thousands of clients across 17 countries, processing billions in transactions over the past decade. Under his leadership, the company recently secured a $17 million capital raise to fuel expansion, doubling its team size in the last year alone. Jarron’s hands-on expertise in product development, operations, and scaling continues to drive Hapana’s success as a critical tool for ambitious fitness businesses worldwide. When he’s off-duty, Jarron can be found spending time with his family and hitting the slopes.
Amanda Al-Masri is the vice president of wellness at Hilton. In this role, she serves as the wellness strategist across Hilton’s global portfolio of 24 world-class brands, enhancing Hilton’s current offerings and programs while developing innovative new, scalable solutions to meet rapidly evolving consumer expectations. A seasoned wellness leader, Amanda brings 20 years of experience to Hilton. Prior to joining Hilton, she assisted with the launch of Equinox Hotels and drove the overall strategy and execution of more than 90 Club Spas. She also served as Global Director of Spa Development & Operations for Starwood Hotels & Resorts, responsible for the company’s spa brands, partners and a global portfolio of more than 450 spas. She offers a deep understanding of how travel and access to wellness experiences have always served as critical points of intersection for consumers. Amanda graduated with a master’s in hospitality management from Cornell University, as well as from Connecticut College with a degree in French.
In 1983, at just 22 years old, Nerio Alessandri founded Technogym in his home garage by combining his passion for innovation (TECHNO) and that for sport (GYM). In the early 1990s Alessandri coined the concept of Wellness, a lifestyle that aims to improve the quality of life thanks to regular physical activity, a healthy diet and a positive mental attitude. Today Technogym is a world-leading brand in products and digital technologies for fitness, sport and health and is present in 100 thousand wellness centers and 500 thousand private homes in over 120 countries. Technogym has been the Official Supplier of the Olympic Games for over 20 years. In addition to Technogym, Nerio Alessandri also created the Wellness Foundation, a non-profit organization aimed at promoting wellness as a social opportunity for all stakeholders: Governments, Businesses and Citizens.
Nick Caldwell is the Chief Product Officer of Peloton. Caldwell oversees global product development, leading the hardware and software product teams to create new, innovative products and features for Members. With a proven track record of building and scaling products and services that excite customers, drive business growth, and deliver impact, Caldwell is helping to push the company into new areas of innovation. Caldwell previously served as Twitter's General Manager for Core Technologies, led Reddit through hyper-scale as the Vice President of Engineering, spent thirteen years at Microsoft, culminating in a role as General Manager of the Power BI product family, and served as the Chief Product Officer at Looker, which was acquired by Google. Caldwell received his Bachelor's degree in computer science and electrical engineering from MIT and his Masters of Business Administration from U.C. Berkeley Haas. He sits on various boards, including HubSpot and Bitly.
Jonathan (“Jon”) Canarick is a Managing Partner with over 20 years of consumer private equity investment experience. Since joining North Castle in 2001, Jon has actively managed North Castle’s investments across a variety of Healthy, Active, and Sustainable Living sectors and across all job functions at North Castle. Having started his NCP career as an Associate, Jon has played a crucial role in the development of North Castle and many of its portfolio companies. Jon currently sits on the Board of Directors of Therabody, Five Iron Golf, Echelon Fit, CR Fitness, Encore Vet Group, The Escape Game, Barry’s, and SLT. Previously, Jon served on the Board of Directors of Kettlebell Kitchen, Curves, Jenny Craig, Brooklyn Boulders, Palladio, Mineral Fusion, gloProfessional, Flatout, International Fitness, Enzymatic Therapy, Performance Bicycle, Avalon and DDF and was actively involved in the Firm’s investment in Grand Expeditions. Prior to joining North Castle, Jon worked in the investment bank of Bear, Stearns & Co., where he executed leveraged buyout transactions. Jon earned a B.B.A. from the University of Michigan and an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School.
Mary is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of CityPickle, the leading urban pickleball lifestyle brand. CityPickle opened New York City’s first indoor pickleball club, including a bar and restaurant, and operates venues across the City, including the iconic courts at Central Park’s Wollman Rink. CityPickle operates seasonal courts in Philadelphia and West Palm Beach and is poised for further national expansion. Mary began her professional career in Real Estate Investment Banking at Goldman Sachs, and her experience includes business development and investing roles with Starwood Hotels and investment firm Charlesbank Capital Partners. Mary received her MBA from Harvard Business School and her AB from Harvard College where she was a dual-sport varsity athlete.
Sarah Choi is the Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer at CorePower Yoga where she oversees all marketing, digital and commercial/revenue-driving initiatives. She is a strategic, consumer-obsessed, marketing and digital leader with over 25 years of experience in brand/corporate strategy, retail and digital. She is passionate about the world of wellness, yoga and fitness and has completed her CorePower Yoga 200-hour Teacher Training as well as her 50-hour Yoga sculpt Training. Prior to CorePower Yoga, she served in executive roles at Soul Cycle, Marc Jacobs and Sephora where she led digital marketing and loyalty initiatives. When she isn’t working with her teams, you can find her teaching Yoga Sculpt in the Denver Cherry Creek studio, cheering at her kids’ ice hockey games, traveling and/or training for Olympic and half Ironman triathlons.
Lauren Cody is an accomplished leader with over 25 years of experience driving growth and transformation for some of the world’s most recognized consumer brands. As Brand President of Orangetheory® Fitness, a Purpose Brands company, Lauren is at the helm of one of the largest and most innovative fitness brands where she is focused on driving demand and fueling long-term success for franchise partners and studios worldwide.
Lauren’s career includes leadership roles at McDonald’s, Panera Bread, and AlerisLife. She is known for her ability to deliver holistic, balanced, profitable, and sustainable growth. She has also served on multiple boards, including Swensons Drive-In Restaurants and Domino’s Pizza Norway.
Lauren holds an MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management and a BA&S from West Virginia University. A proud mother, wife, and former marathon runner, her passion for health and wellness fuels her commitment to helping others live longer more vibrant lives.
In search of life’s [im]perfect soundtrack, Brandon brings an edgy approach to entrepreneurship through the valuable experience he’s earned as a professional athlete turned business owner. Brandon hosts the entrepreneurial inspired podcast, Playing Guilty, and is the Co-Founder and Chief Concept Officer of MADabolic - the industry leaders in barbell-free strength & conditioning.
Matthew is the Managing Partner of Jordanelle Capital. Prior to founding Jordanelle, he was a partner at Peterson Partners for 10 years. Matthew has made numerous growth investments across a variety or sectors, including health and wellness, fitness, sustainable industry and real assets. Matthew lives in Park City, UT where he is an avid skier and outdoor enthusiast.
As a fitness industry veteran and successful gym owner, Benji has established himself as a prominent figure within the industry. With extensive knowledge and experience, he has become a trusted advisor and mentor to many aspiring gym owners and fitness professionals, offering invaluable guidance and support. Benji's exceptional networking and sales skills have been instrumental in his success, resulting in increased business growth and profitability for both himself and his clients. His ability to build and nurture relationships is unparalleled, making him a highly sought-after partner for businesses looking to drive growth and success. In addition to his success within the fitness industry, Benji brings valuable leadership skills to any role he undertakes, having served for 6 years as a platoon leader on operations and work in tactical assault group east and special forces units. This experience has instilled in him a tireless work ethic, exceptional teamwork skills, and a strategic.
With 25 years of experience in fitness and wellness, I bring a deep and broad knowledge of the industry, helping individuals and businesses achieve their goals. Nearly two decades in sales have refined my ability to connect with partners and customers, ensuring a consultative approach that prioritizes long-term success over short-term transactions. My strategy is built on trust, collaboration, and tailored solutions, aligning the right products and services with each client’s unique needs. Whether working with individuals striving for peak performance or organizations seeking impactful wellness solutions, I focus on building lasting relationships that drive results.
Susie Ellis is the chair and CEO of the nonprofit Global Wellness Institute, considered the industry’s leading global research and educational resource. She is also chair and CEO of the Global Wellness Summit, an organization at the heart of the multitrillion-dollar global wellness economy focused on facilitating collaboration amongst industry thought leaders. She is recognized as a leading authority on wellness trends. She sits on numerous academic and industry boards, including the EHL – Swiss Hospitality Management School in Lausanne, the Penn Center for Neuroaesthetics, and was also a member of the World Economic Forum’s “Accelerating Health and Well-being Initiative.” She holds an MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Eric is a Partner in McKinsey's Montreal office and leads McKinsey’s Fitness & Wellness group globally. He brings varied experience helping consumer-facing companies including in Fitness build strategies (including branding and innovation) or strengthen their value propositions (including advanced analytics) to accelerate growth. Eric has also built new businesses from scratch, acting as initial GM, both with clients and prior to McKinsey, and has led enterprise-wide transformations across industries including Fitness & Wellness, food, consumer goods and Financial Services.
Renowned as a pioneer in integrative and functional medicine, Dr. Frank Lipman is the founder of the Eleven Eleven Wellness Center, where he currently practices. He has a consulting company, consulting to a number of health-focused companies, and also serves as Chief Medical Officer at The Well. Specializing in longevity medicine and health optimization, he works closely with patients using cutting-edge diagnostics and treatments to design tailor-made plans for long and healthy lives. A New York Times bestselling author, Dr. Lipman has written seven health-focused books, including The New Rules of Aging Well and How to Be Well.
Jonathan J.J. Gantt serves as the Global Co-CEO of Barry's, the original global high-intensity interval training boutique fitness concept. He has been a driving force behind Barry’s success and growth for several years, first serving as Chief Financial Officer and then as President before assuming his current role as Global Co-CEO in 2024. Prior to officially joining Barry’s in 2018, Jonathan was a die-hard Barry’s client in New York City while serving as the Chief Financial Officer of a publicly-traded hotel real estate investment trust. Prior to this role, Jonathan was a member of the M&A and Treasury team at Starwood Hotels & Resorts. He also has experience with two private equity funds. Jonathan resides in Miami, Florida. He holds a BS degree from Cornell University and an MBA degree from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.
Anthony Geisler is a philanthropist and fitness entrepreneur who has built some of the world’s most successful boutique fitness brands. Raised in a working-class family in Southern California, he developed an entrepreneurial spirit early, launching and selling a web development startup after college. He later acquired LA Boxing, expanding it into a national brand before selling to UFC Gym in 2012.
Recognizing the growing demand for boutique fitness, he acquired and scaled Club Pilates, then founded Xponential Fitness in 2017, uniting brands like StretchLab, Pure Barre, and Rumble Boxing into the world’s largest boutique fitness curator.
Geisler has received numerous accolades, including Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year and induction into USC’s Entrepreneur Hall of Fame. A dedicated philanthropist, he supports education, healthcare, and military families, funding initiatives like the Geisler Family WINGS center and Thankful Giving, which provides meals to families in need.
Dr. Gloria Winters is the Chief Health Officer of the YMCA of the USA. She has over 25 years of healthcare experience. As Chief Health Officer, Winters supports the innovation of the YMCA in communities around the country as they improve the continuum of healthcare by linking the clinic to the community to affect the health of the whole person.
In this role at the YMCA, she is responsible for the development, advancement and implementation of industry-leading models that will standardize how communities can improve health equity, health outcomes and provide interventions to connect individuals to community and social services through local and national strategic partnerships.
Winters received her Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California. She is certified in manual therapy, orthopedics, dry needling, exercise and sports medicine and nutrition.
Mr. Gregianin has been with Smart Fit since 2009. Since 2017, he has been Smart Fit’s Chief Technology Officer – CTO. Prior to that, he worked as the software development manager for the group, implementing all systems currently used by Smart Fit’s Latin American operations. Before joining the group, Mr. Gregianin has worked as the head of software engineering for several Brazilian start-up companies, developing the core architecture for the systems of these companies. Mr. Gregianin has a bachelor degree in Computer Science, with more than 18 years of experience in the industry.
20 years track record in traditional sports marketing working with leading European soccer organizations, before joining the HYROX management team and leading their international expansion and the creation of HYROX365.
Nick Herrild is president of Anytime Fitness in the US, which is part of the Purpose Brands portfolio of companies, which also owns Orangetheory Fitness, Waxing the City, The Bar Method, Basecamp Fitness and Stronger U. Nick assumed the role in 2024 and leads the teams accountable for driving unit and business performance, franchisee support, operating efficiencies, brand execution, strategic performance initiatives, differentiation from competitive brands, and unlocked growth in the health and wellness space.
Nick previously served as president, Studio Brands, overseeing growth and expansion of Waxing the City, Basecamp Fitness, SUMHIIT Fitness and The Bar Method. He was appointed president of Waxing the City in 2019, where he lead the teams accountable for driving record footprint growth across the U.S., unit performance, operating efficiencies and new service innovations that stood apart from competitive brands, unlocking growth in the beauty and wellness space. Nick joined Waxing the City in late 2017 as vice president, franchise support, creating a scalable support function for operations, new studio openings, financial and P&L support, planning, and training for owners and managers. He also led the acquisition of a group of corporate studios, which now operate to support development of new initiatives and testing for the brand.
Prior to Purpose Brands, Nick worked for Caribou Coffee Co. in roles that spanned operations, field support, marketing, innovations and implementation, and strategic partnerships.
Nick graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin-Stout with a degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management.
Barak Hirschowitz is the President of the International Luxury Hotel Association (ILHA), the world’s leading network for luxury hospitality. A visionary in the industry, he works with top hotel executives to shape the future of travel, focusing on innovation, guest experience, and wellness.
Recognizing the growing demand for fitness in hospitality, Barak advocates for integrating wellness programs, state-of-the-art fitness facilities, and holistic health experiences into luxury hotels. Under his leadership, ILHA connects hoteliers with cutting-edge solutions that redefine wellness travel.
A sought-after speaker, Barak shares insights on industry trends, technology, and the evolving role of fitness in hospitality. His work ensures that luxury hotels not only meet but exceed guest expectations, making wellness a key differentiator in the competitive market.
Richard Idgar, COO of EōS Fitness, is a dynamic leader in health, fitness, and entrepreneurship. His journey began in 2003 with Gold’s Gym in Hollywood, where he honed his management, sales, and mentorship skills. He later founded Fit Food LLC, catering to top TV shows like American Idol and Glee, before selling the company in 2012. Richard then joined Equinox in New York City, playing a key role in the Equinox Sports Club West acquisition. In 2015, he joined EōS Fitness when the brand had just 16 locations. Now, with nearly 175 open gyms, or on the way nationwide, Richard drives expansion, innovation, and leadership development. His passion for fitness and mentorship continues to shape EōS into a premier fitness brand, elevating both the industry and those within it. With a strong entrepreneurial mindset and deep industry expertise, Richard remains committed to fostering growth and excellence in the fitness world.
Douglas Jerum is a principal at SABRE and the leader of the company’s National Advisory practice. He has over 30 years of retail real estate experience, 23 of those as a partner in Ferrara Jerum International. Highlights of his career include opening over 175 units for Starbucks Coffee Company and more than 55 Wal-Mart Supercenters, SAMS Clubs, and Walmart Neighborhood Markets in various markets around the country. He led Ferrara Jerum to over $1B of transaction volume and a successful sale of the company. Douglas has focused SABRE’s national advisory business on scaling brands in the healthy lifestyle vertical, a way of living the SABRE team identifies with. He believes people do their best when working with companies they care about and promotes the tenets of intellectual honesty, analytical precision, attention to detail, and polite persistence as keys to success.
Dr. Jessica Shepherd, MD, MBA, FACOG, is a board-certified OBGYN, the founder of Sanctum Med + Wellness, and Head of Medical Affairs at Pvolve. With an extensive educational background that includes her medical degree from Ross University, residency at Drexel University-Hahnemann Hospital, and an MBA from the University of Louisville, Dr. Shepherd is a leading expert in women’s health. Her practice spans both traditional and holistic care, making her an innovator in how women's health is approached, particularly in the areas of perimenopause and menopause.
Dr. Shepherd's work focuses not only on the biological changes that women experience during perimenopause and menopause but also on the broader lifestyle elements that are often overlooked. She believes that addressing the emotional, physical, and lifestyle aspects of these life stages is crucial for helping women thrive. Her passion for helping women navigate this journey is evident in her book, Generation M, which has positioned her as a trailblazer in the longevity and wellness movement for women.
As a regular on-air contributor for Good Morning America, Dr. Shepherd has gained widespread recognition for her insights into women’s health, with her work featured in Cosmopolitan, Vogue, Forbes, and Women's Health. In addition to her media presence, she is a sought-after speaker at national and international conferences, where she shares her expertise on women's health, longevity, and holistic wellness.
Dr. Shepherd’s dedication extends beyond the clinic, with a focus on empowering women to take charge of their health through education and advocacy. Whether through her medical practice, media work, or public speaking, she remains committed to advancing the conversation around women’s health, inspiring women to embrace longevity, well-being, and vitality at every stage of life.
Dr. Mark Kovacs, PhD, FACSM, CSCS, is an industry leader and innovator in the area of Health & Performance. He's committed to bringing the most innovative solutions and programs to Canyon Ranch—including our new Forth Worth Wellness Club—to help guests and club members achieve their goals and improve their wellness and athletic performance.
Lise Kuecker is the CEO and visionary force behind Studio Grow, the largest boutique fitness consultancy in the world. Leading the boutique fitness sector across 43 countries and counting, she is a driving influence in the industry and a sought-after expert in entrepreneurial excellence.
Having owned, scaled and sold six 7-figure businesses, Lise has empowered more than 50,000 fitness studio owners to date to grow their businesses to become impactful, profitable companies that foster freedom-filled lives. To further advance the industry, Lise created The Business of Boutique Fitness Podcast in 2016 to share weekly insights, intel and inspiration. She also co-founded The Boutique Fitness Coalition in March 2020 to spearhead advocacy and build a stronger community among studios of all sizes.
Lise’s refreshing combination of passion and brilliance makes her a popular podcast guest and keynote speaker with organizations around the world.
Fritz Lanman is the CEO of Mindbody + ClassPass. Prior to his current role, he served as President of ClassPass and Mindbody Marketplace and before that, CEO of ClassPass pre-acquisition.
Fritz grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and went on to study at Yale. He launched his career at Microsoft, where he held multiple Product Management and Corporate Strategy positions. There, he played a pivotal role in several major deals including Microsoft’s multi-million-dollar investment in Facebook. These experiences sparked an interest in tech and entrepreneurship, and Fritz began angel investing in 2010. In 2013, he led the seed and Series A financing rounds for ClassPass, helping the founders build the company.
Beyond Mindbody + ClassPass, Fritz has also backed Square, Pinterest, Wish, and several other successful companies. Before ClassPass, Fritz founded Livestar, Verst, and Doppler Labs.
Immediately following college graduation in 1993, Lou Lentine, set out to revolutionize innovative consumer products by creating his first company Viatek. In 2017, Lou pioneered a new company, Echelon Fitness Multimedia, that disrupted the connected fitness industry with its cutting-edge technology and engaging community. Lou leveraged his expertise in product development, brand marketing, and e-commerce to create dynamic fitness equipment, both for home and commercial use, with high-quality well-being content taught by world-class fitness Instructors. Today, Echelon Fitness class content is taught in more than a dozen languages; fitness centers, hotels and living complexes boast Echelon zones and Echelon and has expanded to include full Recovery and Wellness. At the end of 2024, the company launched ActiveMD Powered by Echelon, a new division promoting weight loss through the use of GLP1s. Customers can continue to keep their muscle mass while enjoying the benefits of weight loss.
Sadie Lincoln is the co-founder and CEO of barre3, a fitness and wellness company focused on teaching people to be balanced in body and empowered from within. Starting in 2008 with the flagship studio in Portland, Oregon, barre3 has grown to include more than 200 franchise studios powered by female entrepreneurs, plus an online workout platform with subscribers in 100+ countries. What began as a workout has transformed the fitness industry, creating space for people to embrace body positivity, build community, and commit to mindful movement.
Sadie is on the Forbes 50 over 50 list, Inc.'s Female Founders 100 list, the MO100 Impact list, has won EY Entrepreneur of the Year Mountain NW, and has been featured on NPR's How I Built This. She regularly speaks on the topics of mindful leadership, the power of body wisdom, and the movement to redefine what success in fitness means.
Darren MacDonald joined Tonal as Chief Executive Officer in September 2024. A lifelong strength training enthusiast, Darren was a Tonal Member even before joining the company.
Darren brings 25 years of professional experience to Tonal, most recently serving as Chief Customer Officer at Petco, where he was responsible for Marketing, Digital Experience, Product, Enterprise Analytics, Membership, and Customer Care. Prior to Petco, Darren was a key leader at Jet.com, which was acquired by Walmart in 2016 for $3.3B, before going on to lead Walmart.com’s Entertainment business, its largest segment. Earlier in his career, Darren built software and hardware at EMN8, an early stage startup creating kiosks for the restaurant and movie theater industries. He also helped lead the Global Business Development Group at Avery Dennison, a Fortune 500 company, and led shopping experiences at IAC as the CEO of the Pronto Network.
Darren holds an undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and an MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Business. He is married, has three children, and has been a lifelong athlete. His passion for strength training, which started in high school, and his experience as a Tonal Member were key factors in his decision to join the company.
Anne Mahlum is a seasoned entrepreneur with expertise in scaling businesses, raising capital, and executing successful exits. She is the Founder and former CEO of [solidcore], one of the fastest-scaling fitness concepts in the U.S. Anne grew the company to 100 locations, raised over $210M in private equity, and orchestrated a strategic exit in 2023, selling her shares for nearly $100M. She also founded Back on My Feet, a nonprofit helping the homeless through running, expanding it to 12 cities. Today, Anne invests across various sectors, advises founders, consults with private equity, and is a sought-after speaker.
Dane is the founder of The Athletic Clubs, a network of private member athletic clubs in New York City. The Athletic Clubs specialize in Squad Training, a unique training model where members work out with the same group twice a week under the guidance of a dedicated coach. This structured, team-based approach fosters accountability, consistency, and a strong sense of community—redefining the boutique fitness experience.
Calley is the co-author with his sister, Dr. Casey Means, of Good Energy: The Surprising Connection Between Metabolism and Limitless Health, which debuted at #1 on the NYTimes has sold 1 million copies in its first six months of release. He is the co-founder of TrueMed, a company that enables tax-free spending on food and exercise. He recently started an advocacy coalition with leading health and wellness companies called End Chronic Disease to lobby for change.
Calley is an informal advisor to Robert Kennedy and the Trump administration on health policy, and helped the endorsement between the two men. He is a graduate of Stanford and Harvard Business School. He has appeared on podcasts such as Tucker Carlson (where his episode was the most shared podcast of 2024), Joe Rogan, Skinny Confidential, Bari Weiss, and Tucker Carlson.
Bryan is the President & Chief Executive Officer for [solidcore] and is an active [solidcore] Coach. In his role as CEO, Bryan is responsible for all aspects of delivering business performance, including [solidcore]’s national footprint growth and building a strong, inclusive community of clients and employees.
Prior to joining the [solidcore] team in 2018, Bryan was a member of the leadership team of sweetgreen, the national leader in the healthy fast casual category. He joined sweetgreen in 2014 and, over the course of 4 years, wore many hats as he helped the company grow from a regional chain of 20 restaurants to almost 100 locations nationally. Bryan began his career as a consultant for The Boston Consulting Group, providing strategic advice on topics of growth, organizational design, and operational transformation.
Jack joined Princeton in 2021 and focuses on sourcing and executing transactions. He also provides operating support to our portfolio companies. Prior to Princeton, Jack was at Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors working on special situations transactions. Before Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, Jack was at J.F. Lehman & Company executing investments in the aerospace & defense and industrial services sectors. Jack began his career as an analyst at Morgan Stanley in the Financial Sponsors and Western Region Coverage groups.
Jack’s current investments include Barry’s, The International Franchise Professionals Group (IFPG), Stretch Zone, and D1 Training.
Andy Peat, a seasoned leader in the fitness industry with more than 18 years of experience, is the CEO of Fitness On Demand, a health and wellness platform that manages gyms’ digital fitness and member engagement needs. Andy’s expertise in driving innovation and transformational change is led by a firm belief in utilizing data and the latest technology to steer positive behavior change and forge strategic partnerships within the fitness landscape.
With roots as a personal trainer in New Zealand, Andy's journey reflects his passion for both fitness and business, and it’s no surprise he has built a strong reputation as a dynamic and forward-thinking leader within health, fitness, and wellness.
Alberto Perlman is the co-founder and CEO of Zumba, the world’s largest branded group fitness program, with 15 million participants across 185+ countries. Under his leadership, Zumba has grown into a global movement, blending fitness, music, and culture to create an electrifying experience.
A visionary entrepreneur, Perlman has led Zumba’s expansion into apparel, music, digital platforms, and instructor training, while also fostering a passionate community and driving Zumba’s charity efforts. He has been featured in Inc. Magazine, Bloomberg, Billboard, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and Athletech News for revolutionizing group fitness.
Beyond Zumba, Perlman is an investor, board member, and advisor in entertainment, fitness, music, and technology ventures. Passionate about innovation, he focuses on creating products that bring joy, connection, and health to people's lives.
Jeff is a leader in McKinsey’s M&A Practice and the global leader of the M&A Strategy service line having previously led the M&A capability building service line. He also serves as the McKinsey Boston Office Managing Partner.
Greg Schwartz is the Vice President of Global Partnerships for CrossFit. He brings 15 years of sports partnership experience to CrossFit, having previously worked for Learfield, the San Diego Padres, The IRONMAN Group, and the San Jose Sharks. Greg specializes in commercial strategy and revenue generation and has built successful sales teams at multiple organizations. He has an undergraduate degree from Oregon State University and an MBA from Point Loma Nazarene University.
I have over a decade of experience in the Halotherapy industry. My understanding of the disease states in which Halotherapy helps along with having been a multi-modality medical spa owner myself still thriving 10 years later has uniquely qualified me to offer my expertise and support.
My background includes 15 years in the pharmaceutical industry. I spent over a decade with Merck & Co. as a Lead Executive Specialty Representative interfacing with respiratory thought leaders. I spent several years with Bristol Myers-Squibb in the area of Dermatological Health. I have a master's degree from MSU (Michigan State University) in Kinesiology and have been advising, serving, and helping people get started in the Halotherapy industry for close to a decade.
I was appointed, the President of the World Halotherapy Association in 2023. The Salt Therapy industry continues to explode, expand, and diversify and the WHA is keeping pace. This is such an important inflection point for Halotherapy.
Renowned as the foremost authority in wellness real estate nationwide, Jay Siano epitomizes expertise in his roles as a New York-based entrepreneur, investor, and commercial real estate and wellness executive. At the helm of his core enterprises, SABRE and SABRE Business Xchange (SBX), Jay has been pivotal in advising and propelling some of the globe’s most renowned brands to unparalleled success.
From iconic names like Chipotle, Starbucks Coffee, Orangetheory Fitness, Massage Envy, and European Wax Center, Jay’s early career clientele reads like a who’s who of industry leaders. Today, he is hailed as a trailblazer in Wellness Real Estate, playing a pivotal role in shaping the nationwide expansion strategies of numerous top-tier brands. Notably, his recent triumph in catapulting [solidcore] from its origins in the DC Metro area to becoming the largest corporate group fitness company in the nation underscores his unmatched prowess.
In 2011, Mr. Siano co-founded SABRE Real Estate Advisors, swiftly establishing it as one of the nation’s most influential location-based real estate advisory firms. Throughout his illustrious 23 year career, Mr. Siano has consistently delivered, leveraging his profound understanding of consumer behavior, fitness trends, and strategic creativity to elevate brands with precision and velocity.
John Stellato is the President and CEO of Hydrow, the leading connected rower that brings the on-water experience of rowing straight to your home. John’s background includes strategic expertise across financial services, industrial and retail sectors, and mergers and acquisitions. In this dual role, John leads Hydrow’s organization, drives fundraising efforts and capital structure, oversees all financial activity, and manages investor relations.
Prior to joining Hydrow, Stellato served as President and CEO of LOYAL3, an online broker-dealer and investment platform, and before that, was Executive Vice President of The Pritzker Organization (TPO), where he served for nearly 20 years, leading investments across all sectors. John has also held strategic leadership roles with numerous privately held companies, including SMG, Baker Tanks, Purch, Business.com, and Volan Technologies. Prior to TPO, John held roles with Goldman Sachs and the Boston Consulting Group.
Troy Taylor is a globally recognized leader in human performance and senior executive with deep expertise spanning elite sports, fitness, and technology. With a proven track record of driving innovation, he has led high-performance programs across seven Olympic Games, supporting over 50 Olympic medalists. As Vice President of Performance Innovation, Troy spearheads strategic initiatives that shape the future of fitness, integrating cutting-edge research into product development, content strategy, and market execution. His leadership bridges science and technology to redefine how athletes and consumers achieve peak performance.
Sam Tooley is the co-founder and CEO of Alpha Fit Club, a rapidly-growing group fitness concept based out of New Jersey focusing on circuit-style classes that blend total body strength training and high-intensity cardio intervals. He's also the co-founder and CEO of The Garage Gym, a 24/7 members-only training facility in Westfield, NJ, and the founder & president of The Tooley Legacy Foundation, a non-profit organization helping local families during times of need.
Josh Walker is Co-Founder and CEO of Sports Innovation Lab where he oversees the company's innovative and proprietary market intelligence platform. Through market analysis and unbiased research, he empowers brands to develop and implement game-changing, breakthrough experiences in a new age of sports and entertainment fandom. His work at Sports Innovation Lab represents the convergence of his career as a researcher, advisor, entrepreneur, and sports journalist.
A former Vice President of Research at Forrester, Josh was responsible for launching the company’s Forrester Wave evaluation framework, designed to accelerate innovation by connecting technology buyers with the best vendors. He’s used this experience to develop fan intelligence strategies for the NFL, NHL, UFC, Google, the WNBA and other leading brands across sports, technology, and entertainment.
Josh spent time earlier in his career as Entrepreneur-in-Residence at General Catalyst evaluating venture capital investment opportunities and advising fast-growing companies including Brightcove, Kayak, and Demandware. He’s used his passion for technology and data to launch and grow several venture-backed companies such as CityVoter, Comlinkdata, Stattleship, and now Sports Innovation Lab.
Josh is a graduate of Middlebury College and Nottingham University. He currently resides in Manchester, Vermont, with his wife, two sons, and dog Hazel.
Jamie Weeks is a distinguished entrepreneur and a trailblazer in the wellness and fitness industry, with over a decade of experience scaling consumer health and wellness brands. As the founder of SWTHZ, he has redefined personal wellness by integrating contrast therapy into a luxurious, private experience designed for longevity and recovery.
With a knack for what he calls “reading tomorrow’s newspaper today,” Jamie has led SWTHZ to become one of the fastest-growing wellness brands in the world. With 50 locations open and 80 more set to launch in 2025, SWTHZ is on track to reach 1,000 global studios in the next five years. More than just building a business, Jamie is reshaping franchising itself, fostering a collaborative, team-driven approach between franchisors and multi-unit owners. At its core, SWTHZ is about more than just physical recovery—it’s a sanctuary designed to support mental health, reduce stress, and lower inflammation.
Before launching SWTHZ, Jamie was the largest Orangetheory Fitness franchisee, operating over 142 studios worldwide from 2014 to 2018 before successfully selling the business to private equity. He then founded Legacy Franchise Concepts, where he became one of the largest Dogtopia Daycare franchisees before opening the first SWTHZ location in 2019.
Through his leadership, Jamie continues to shape the future of modern wellness, creating innovative solutions that help people live healthier lives. His commitment to service, culture, and community drives his success—and inspires others to build businesses that prioritize both people and performance.
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