Recognized Wellness Program Developers Leaders 2025

Dr Tan Chi Chiu has is Chairman of the Lien Centre for Social Innovation at Singapore Management University, where he was also the invited Convocation Speaker in 2012. He is Board Member of the UBS Optimus Foundation Singapore, Tan Tock Seng Hospital Community Fund, National Healthcare Group Fund, Church Of Our Saviour, St Andrew’s Nursing Homes and World Harvest Initiative, a Christian international community development agency. He is a Fellow and member of the Senior Common Room of King Edward VII Hall, National University of Singapore. He retired from the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) in 2017 after 18 years as an elected member, but has been re-appointed Chairman of the SMC’s Medical Ethics Committee as a non-Council member for two further terms until 2023. He has been Chairman of the Working Committee for the Review of the SMC Ethical Code and Guidelines (2002 and 2016 editions), Chairman of the Registration Review Committee and remains Chairman of Complaints Committees. He was a member of SMC’s Credentials Committee and Supervisory Framework Review Committee. He is a member of the National Telemedicine Guidelines Review Committee. He has retired as Vice Chairman of SATA CommHealth after 8 years on the Board and he was appointed Adviser to the Board for a term. He was also previously Vice Chairman of Make A Wish Foundation Singapore and a Board Member of the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) and a member of the Board of Governors of the Anglo Chinese Schools. He was a Council Member of the National Youth Achievement Awards Council for over 20 years before retirement. He is active in the youth development and community service scene in Singapore and has been deeply involved in many overseas humanitarian, community aid and scientific expeditions for which he has received numerous international awards. He also led disaster relief expeditions to Sri Lanka (tsunami 2005), Pakistan Kashmir (earthquake 2005), Java (earthquake 2006), Haiti (earthquake 2010), Philippines (Typhoon Haiyan 2013) and also worked with the Red Cross in Nepal (earthquake 2015). His recent community development work included a social innovation development project in east Nepal and a medical development program in East Timor.

Jackie Newgent, RDN, CDN, is a distinguished culinary nutrition expert and thought leader who seamlessly bridges the worlds of professional cooking and nutritional science. As a classically trained chef and registered dietitian, she has established herself as a preeminent voice in plant-forward cuisine and innovative food education. With multiple award-winning cookbooks and a robust media presence, Newgent has emerged as a highly sought-after authority in culinary nutrition and wellness. A respected industry influencer, Jackie serves on the Forbes Health advisory board and leverages her extensive expertise as a national media personality and contributor to national health platforms like U.S. News & World Report. Her professional journey includes an impressive tenure as a chef instructor at the prestigious Institute of Culinary Education in New York City. Currently, she continues to shape culinary education as an instructor at The Gourmandise School in Santa Monica and through her private teaching. Newgent's professional portfolio extends beyond traditional roles, serving as a nutrition coach for My Peak Challenge and a strategic culinary nutrition advisor to major food companies and emerging plant-centered businesses. Her multifaceted approach to nutrition and cooking has positioned her as a unique and influential professional who is reshaping how we understand the intersection of food, health, and sustainability. Based in Los Angeles, Jackie continues to inspire and educate through her dynamic work across media, education, and culinary innovation.

My professional journey began over 27 years ago as a Mental Health Specialist at a psychiatric hospital, evolving into a successful hypnotherapy practice that has helped thousands of people overcome personal challenges. I hold a Diploma in Hypnotherapy from HMI College of Hypnotherapy, a Wellness Counseling Certificate from Cornell University, and a Specialization in Integrative Health and Medicine from the University of Minnesota. What sets my practice apart is the use of pioneering techniques that push the boundaries of traditional hypnosis. Through my award-winning book "The Magic in Metaphor," I've demonstrated how storytelling creates profound emotional shifts, using carefully crafted metaphors to help children reframe challenges and discover new perspectives. I've also produced a unique approach to suggestion delivery through "Close Your Eyes," a collection of sleep music that weaves hypnotic suggestions into lo-fi compositions. Most significantly, I've developed Placebo-Enhanced Hypnotic Intervention™, my signature method that harnesses the scientifically-proven power of the placebo effect to amplify hypnotic outcomes, essentially helping clients activate their own "internal pharmacy" for healing and change. These innovative approaches reflect my commitment to evolving hypnotherapy by combining evidence-based science with creative techniques. Through Zoom for Healthcare, I work with clients nationwide—without losing the human connection that makes hypnosis so effective. My extensive client feedback, documented case studies, and reputation among healthcare workers have established me as a trusted and sought-after professional.

I’m a seasoned professional in the healthcare industry, deeply committed to making a difference in mental and behavioral health. My journey is personal, shaped by the impact that mental health has had on the lives of my family and friends. Over the past decade, I’ve dedicated myself to advancing the quality and accessibility of care, and my time at Penn Medicine inspired me to develop Alpas, a company focused on creating better environments for healing across various healthcare fields. Graduating summa cum laude from Saint Joseph’s University in Healthcare Administration, I’ve always been driven to go beyond individual care and address broader public health needs. My mission is simple yet powerful: to transform healthcare for the better, one initiative at a time.

Erena DiGonis, LCSW-R is a New York State Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Health Coach, and Certified Clinical Anxiety and Trauma Treatment Professional. She is also certified in Brainspotting and trained in EMDR. Erena has twenty-one years of practical and professional experience as an active clinician, teacher, and supervisor. She has worked in a variety of community, psychiatric, in-home, and private practice settings with hundreds of complex cases. Erena is a sought-after writer, speaker, and consultant and has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Psychology Today, Reader’s Digest, Women's Health, and MEL magazine. She has reviewed book proposals for the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and is an Advisory Board Member for the CPTSD Foundation. Erena serves as the Founder and Continuing Education Director of EngagedMinds, a national Continuing Education business providing training for Counselors, Social Workers, and Therapists.

Dr. Sheila Walker Carroll is a dedicated practitioner of natural medicine, renowned for her holistic approach to health and wellness. With extensive training in integrative medicine, she specializes in personalized treatment plans that emphasize the body's innate ability to heal. Dr. Carroll is committed to empowering her patients through education, advocating for lifestyle changes that promote long-term health. Her compassionate care and deep understanding of herbal remedies, nutrition, and mind-body techniques make her a trusted resource for those seeking alternative health solutions. Whether addressing chronic conditions or promoting overall well-being, Dr. Carroll strives to nurture both the body and mind in her practice.

I am the CEO and Chief Marketing Officer of Paramount Wellness Retreat, where I've dedicated over 12 years to advancing behavioral health and helping individuals find their path to recovery. My journey in this field has been driven by a hands-on approach and a commitment to innovative strategies, making Paramount Wellness Retreat a beacon of hope for those struggling with mental health and substance abuse. My background in marketing, research, and team-building has been invaluable in navigating the substance abuse treatment industry, allowing me to build effective leadership teams and enhance the operational efficiency of our programs. I am deeply passionate about behavioral health and am grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of countless individuals seeking recovery.

Clara Withlow is a certified Women’s Wellness Coach and Sex Educator with over 10 years of experience and more than 150 women personally mentored. She specializes in sexual health, body confidence, and holistic well-being, with a focus on helping women over 40 navigate midlife transitions with clarity and self-trust. Clara combines evidence-based methods with trauma-informed coaching to address issues often overlooked in mainstream healthcare, e.g. female pleasure, body image, hormonal shifts, and emotional resilience. Her work includes one-on-one coaching, group programs, and educational workshops that have reached over 5,000 women worldwide.

Hello! I'm a board-certified radiologist, clinical leader, and founder of The Ergo Shoppe, an e-commerce store focused on ergonomic products and workplace wellness. For over 20 years, I have practiced in a busy Level 1 trauma center and currently serve as department chair at Mercy Hospital-Lincoln. My subspecialty is in musculoskeletal imaging, with a focus on sports medicine, injury evaluation, and return-to-play protocols. Since 2013, I've served as a consulting radiologist for the St. Louis Cardinals MLB team. Earlier in my career, I held similar roles with the Chicago Bears NFL team and NCAA Division I athletes at Northwestern University. My clinical expertise also includes arthritis imaging, oncologic imaging, and emergency medicine. In 2023, I launched The Ergo Shoppe to mesh my medical background with the world of ergonomics. My company offers curated products designed to enhance how people work and feel. I write much of the blog content myself, focusing on evidence-based insights around posture, productivity, and wellness. Outside of medicine and business, I'm interested in personal finance and investing—managing a portion of my portfolio while working with a financial advisor. I mentor early-career doctors on navigating burnout, building financial literacy, and making informed career moves—areas often overlooked in medical school and residency. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve become focused on fitness and healthy aging—particularly how strength training, mobility, and daily movement habits can improve long-term health, resilience, and overall quality of life.

Former Lawyer, Australian Loren Hogue is the Co-CEO of NEUROFIT. She is an official Master Coach with over 3000 hours experience and has worked with thousands of clients globally. Following an acute family tragedy, she spent 12 years identifying the best ways to heal her trauma, stress, burnout, and nervous system dysregulation, investing most of her 20’s to test different approaches. She walked away from her coaching business in 2021 and joined forces with Andrew Hogue (her husband) to start NEUROFIT after honing in on a growing gap in the post-COVID wellness market related to prolonged stress, burnout, and nervous system regulation.