Directors

Ryan Craig, J.D., is the President of Wellspring and a leader in education. Ryan has been a Director of four education companies and advised the U.S. Department of Education. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Bridgepoint Education. He received his bachelor's degree summa cum laude and his law degree from Yale University.  Ryan is a co-author of The Sierras Weight Loss Solution for Teens and Kids.

Daniel S. Kirschenbaum, Ph.D., ABPP, is Clinical Director and Vice President, Clinical Services of Wellspring. He is a licensed clinical psychologist in California, Hawaii, Illinois and New York and North Carolina was Director of the Eating Disorders Program at Northwestern University Medical School, where he is Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences. Dr. Kirschenbaum is a Fellow and Diplomate in Clinical Health Psychology of the American Psychological Association and former president of its Division of Exercise and Sport Psychology. Dr. Kirschenbaum has provided invited addresses at many professional conferences world-wide, received numerous grants for research, and published 10 books and more than 125 journal articles on weight loss, sport psychology, and related topics. His books include: Treatment of Childhood and Adolescent Obesity (1987); Weight Loss Through Persistence (1994); The 9 Truths About Weight Loss (2000); The Healthy Obsession Program (2005), and The Sierras Weight Loss Solution for Teens and Kids (2007). In 2000, the American Council on Exercise and its Board of Directors unanimously endorsed The 9 Truths About Weight Loss as “the best book ever written for the public on how to lose weight and keep it off.”

To review the impact of Dr. Kirschenbaum’s recent research and to see summaries of some of his work, please click here.

John Gordon, Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer, has worked in marketing and business intelligence fields for nearly two decades. Before joining Wellspring, John worked in senior positions with leading large and entrepreneurial education consulting and curriculum development companies. John has dedicated time to youth, winning Big Brother of the Year and serving a year-long service commitment as an inner-city volunteer teacher. John earned his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Notre Dame and MBA from Babson College.

Kim Mueller is Executive Director, Wellspring Camps – East and oversees Wellspring New York.  Kim has worked with Wellspring in both North Carolina and New York as well as sister program Wellspring Academies. Prior to joining Wellspring, she spent 5 years as a senior consultant for Accenture developing and implementing business solutions for the Federal Government and Fortune 100 companies. She left Accenture in 2003 to realize her long-time goal of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail and to pursue her passions: health, fitness and the outdoors. Kim is a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School’s Outdoor Educator program and a Leave No Trace Master Educator. She received a bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia and is currently completing a Master’s program in Public Health.

Josh Winnecour, RN, is Executive Director, Wellspring Camps – South and oversees Wellspring Pennsylvania.  Josh began working with Wellspring in 2006 while taking a “break” from his career as an emergency department nurse. As an emergency nurse, Josh became acutely aware of the impact that an unhealthy lifestyle has on young people. Inspired by the dramatic results of the program, Josh decided to combine his nursing skills with his passion for inspiring young people, which he previously developed working at Outward Bound for 6 years.  After witnessing Wellspring’s results first hand Josh never returned to the hospital and has since served multiple roles at Wellspring including Field Director for Wellspring Academy of the Carolinas, Program Director of Wellspring Adventure Camp and Senior Director overseeing multiple programs. .The opportunity to effect positive, safe, sustainable change in the lives of young people, their families and society informs Josh’s leadership at every level. Josh is also a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School US Army Airborne Infantry Veteran.

Judith Wood, MAis Executive Director, Wellspring Camps – West and oversees Wellspring Vancouver.  Prior to this, Jude served as Field Supervisor and then Program Director at Wellspring California. For the previous four years Judith worked as a Policy Officer for the Central Council of Physical Recreation in London, England. Specializing in health and young people, Judith worked directly with the UK and EU governments to promote physical activity as a tool for combating obesity. Judith sat on a number of advisory groups, was an elected member of the European Non-Governmental Sports Organization’s Youth Committee, and was involved in the London 2012 Olympic Volunteering Strategy. Judith is a graduate of Durham University and Warwick University Business School, where her time was divided between studying and playing sport. She competed in national competitions in both fencing and rowing, and is also a keen sailor and equestrian. Judith has hiked all over the world and spent three months on an expedition to Patagonia in the fall of 2007.

Kimberly Atwater is Admissions Director of Wellspring Camps. She is an alumna of Wellspring New York. After a successful and life changing experience, she returned to Wellspring New York and became Head Counselor prior to her appointment as Admissions Director. Kim has a passion for helping children and families, as well as for Wellspring’s mission to create permanent healthy lifestyle changes. She received her Bachelor’s degree in English from Elon University.

Will Bettmann, Program Director for Wellspring New York has been involved with Wellspring and Aspen Education programs since 1993, when he began leading wilderness trips in Southern Utah. Will graduated summa cum laude from Utah State University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He and his wife, Aly, live near Chapel Hill, NC with their children Mackenzie, Zoe and Eli.

Jane Morrison, Director, Wellspring Hawaii, is from the UK, but has spent much of the past 12 years working for therapeutic wilderness programs in the US. Jane's passion for the outdoors started at an early age when she participated in the Duke of Edinburgh outdoor education program, successfully gaining her bronze, silver and gold. Jane earned her B.Sc. in Environmental Science from the University of Plymouth and supplemented her education working as an outdoor instructor in the southwest of England.

Jessie Dean is Program Director of Wellspring Adventure Camp and has been with Wellspring Camps since 2004. She has worked as an outdoor instructor with children, adolescents and university students for the past decade, teaching rock climbing, kayaking and backpacking and snow sports. Jessie is also a professional ski instructor. Jessie received her B.A. from the University of North Carolina and studied Cultural Anthropology for six months at the University of Ballarat in Australia. She is certified as an Emergency Medical Technician and Wilderness First Responder. Jessie has traveled, kayaked and backpacked in Europe, New Zealand and South America and enjoys all outdoor and adventure activities. She strongly believes they can be the key to a positive outlook and a healthy lifestyle.

Martha C. Laugen, MPH, Program Director of Wellspring Wisconsin, started as the Activities Director for Wellspring New York in 2007 and served as Program Director at Wellspring Family Camp in 2008 and 2009. She has worked in activity promotion and obesity treatment since 1999, helping run one of the nation's largest public access rowing clubs, as well as coordinating clinical research in obesity medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital, one of the most renowned hospitals in the world. Martha currently serves on the board and is a founding member of Childhood Obesity Treatment in Action, a non-profit for the treatment of adolescent obesity.

Lora Tilson is Program Director of Wellspring Texas.  Lora graduated from the University of Akron with bachelor's degrees in both physical education and health education.  She has worked as a teacher and personal trainer, and has been with Wellspring since 2006.  Lora has served as Activities Director at Wellspring New York, and then Activities Director and Program Director at Wellspring’s flagship program, Wellspring Academy of California.

Ian Taylor is the founding Program Director for Wellspring Florida.  Prior to Wellspring Florida, Ian spent two summers as Program Supervisor at Wellspring New York, Wellspring’s largest program.  Ian has been involved with summer camps for nearly a decade, overseeing various programs around the U.S.  In working with young people over this period, Ian became aware of the growing childhood obesity issue in America.  Ian has always believed that time spent outdoors – and especially at camp – can have significant benefits for young people.  The additional scope of the scientifically-based Wellspring program strengthen and lengthen these benefits, as he saw firsthand while working in New York.  Ian is a certified Wilderness First Responder, and in his free time enjoys many outdoor activities, playing guitar, and film.

Jeremy Whitworth is Program Director for Wellspring California. Prior to this, Jeremy served as Program Director at Wellspring Wisconsin, and at Wellspring Academy of the Carolinas.  Jeremy has also served as a Supervisor at Wellspring California and Wellspring Academy of California. Jeremy has worked with a variety of populations in outdoor programs over the past decade. He believes in the power of simplicity and the value of challenges through adventure. Jeremy attained his Bachelor’s degree in Wilderness Leadership and Experiential Education from Brevard College in North Carolina. He was captain of Brevard's Cross Country and Track teams and was named to the NAIA All Conference Academic Team. Jeremy also received the Outstanding Senior award for his major and later served as an adjunct professor for his alma mater. Jeremy has developed and implemented a variety of climbing, backpacking, and outdoor programs around the country.

Jenni Laurie, Programme Director, Wellspring UK. Jenni has been involved with Wellspring since 2006, working during the summers as a general counsellor and more recentlly the programme supervisor at our New York campus. She has an honours degree in Psychology, as well as a diploma in Primary School Teaching. She currently lives in Edinburgh and loves to be outdoors running, skiing, hiking and rollerblading.

David M. Boeke, is Executive Director of Wellspring Academy of the Carolinas and Wellspring Family Camp. With 16 years experience helping young people develop better habits and life skills, David knows that success comes from a positive relationship between children and adults that is based on love, care and support. David believes providing youth with internal and external motivation for change through understandable and predictable practices will produce positive results. Originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, David moved to Western North Carolina to help struggling families, and has made it his home due to the exceptional people and natural surroundings. When not at the Academy, David enjoys spending his time exploring the outdoors with his family, whether it be hiking, biking or canoeing.

Eliza Kingsford, MA, LPC, is Admissions Coordinator for Wellspring Camps and Clinical Director for Wellspring Fit Clubs. Eliza received a Master’s degree in couple and family therapy with an emphasis on body image and eating disorders from the University of Colorado.  Eliza has a passion for working with young people and their families to promote physical and emotional health.  She has worked closely with adolescents, children, families, and the college age population in agency, camp, and coaching settings.

Kristina Pecora Kelly, Psy.D., Clinical Director of Wellspring New York & Wellspring Admissions Counselor. Kristina received her doctorate in clinical psychology with a health specialization from The Chicago School. She has worked for Wellspring since 2004, primarily in researching effectiveness of programs at camps and boarding schools, and recently as an Admissions counselor. She spent Summer 2009 in Upstate New York, as Clinical Director of at Wellspring’s all-female program there. Her clinical work focuses on behavioral management of weight with adolescents and adults, as well as stress management and cognitive therapy for depression. Kristina’s research interests include clinical intervention effectiveness in health settings and the interplay of culture and health behaviors. She lives in Chicago, where you can always find her running or trying out new lovable food recipes.

Dr. Mike Bishop, Executive Director of Wellspring. As a clinical psychologist, Mike brings 20 years of experience working with adolescents and families in a variety of settings. Mike is also a weight controller himself, having lost more than 80 lbs. by following the Wellspring Plan.

Greg Smith, Admissions Director of Wellspring Academies. As the owner of award-winning women’s fitness centers and a background with health publications, Greg has decades of experience and a passion for helping families learn a healthy lifestyle.

Sarah deLeon, Enrollment Coordinator – Sarah oversees all enrollment functions for Wellspring Camps.  Previously, Sarah served as Admissions Coordinator for Wellspring’s sister program, Wellspring Academies. As a Speech Communications major from California State University, Sarah has demonstrated a commitment to helping Wellspring families have a pleasant customer service experience.