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.

Daniel S. Kirschenbaum, Ph.D., is Clinical Director and Chief Program Officer of Wellspring. He is a licensed clinical psychologist in Illinois and California, 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. He has served as a consultant to the United States Olympic Committee, the National Basketball Association, the Ladies Professional Golf Association, the Chicago Bears, numerous professional journals, and several major corporations. Dr. Kirschenbaum has provided invited addresses at many professional conferences world-wide, received numerous grants for research, and published 9 books and 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); and, The
Healthy Obsession Program: Smart Weight Loss Instead of Low-Carb Lunacy (2006). 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.

Deb Sweeney Whitmore, Executive Director of Wellspring Camps, was born and raised in the United Kingdom and has been living in the U.S. for the last fifteen years. Deb is an avid outdoor enthusiast, earning her B.Sc. in Sports and Exercise Science from Manchester Metropolitan University. Her experience with the outdoors and camp life began at an early age with involvement in the British Scouting Association and five seasons as a camp counselor. Prior to becoming Executive Director of Wellspring Camps, Deb served as the Program Director at the original Wellspring Adventure Camp. Before joining Wellspring Camps, Deb was a program administrator, course director, whitewater/canoeing specialist, and instructor specialist with the North Carolina Outward Bound School. Her dedication to outdoor education has also given her the opportunity to work with the National Outdoor Leadership School teaching outdoor skills and Leave No Trace curriculum.

Kimberly Somma, Director of Wellspring New York, 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.

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.

Ryan Madamba is Executive Director of Wellspring Wisconsin. Ryan is one of the founders of Wellspring. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from Drury University where he swam on four national championship teams in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Ryan was also the NAIA champion in the 50 freestyle and earned NAIA All-American honors 23 times during his college career. Ryan has many years of experience working with adolescents to change their lives for the better. He has served as a residential counselor, outdoor educator, river specialist, whitewater/canoeing instructor, program supervisor and program director. Ryan founded Wellspring Adventure Camp in 2004 as the world’s first adventure weight loss program for children and adolescents. Ryan enjoys teaching students to lead a healthy lifestyle through a scientifically-based, balanced curriculum that also promotes character development.

David Melear, M.Ed., is Executive Director of Wellspring California and Wellspring Academy of California. David is a leader in the field of therapeutic education with experience extending back 16 years. Prior to joining Wellspring, David spent several years with Universal Health Services and served as COO of Coastal Harbor Treatment Center in Savannah, GA, and CEO of Provo Canyon School – one of the largest therapeutic programs in the country. David received a Bachelor’s degree in Education Magna Cum Laude from Western Kentucky University, and a Master’s degree in Education from Western Kentucky University.

Jane Morrison, Director, Wellspring California, 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.

Ondrej Jurik, MSc., is the founding Director of Wellspring Texas. Ondrej received his bachelor's degree in journalism from Charles University in Prague and his master's degree in interactive multimedia from University of Westminster in London. For over a decade, Ondrej has worked at summer camp programs helping children with a range of social, emotional, and learning issues. Prior to founding Wellspring Texas, Ondrej served as Outdoor and Logistics Director at Wellspring New York.

Todd Duncan, is  Program Director of Wellspring Hawaii and also Wellspring Australia. A native of Montana, Todd received B.Sc. degrees in Geology and Geography from the University of Colorado. He has guided student adventure programs on five continents, including on the Big Island of Hawaii, and has a passion for teaching natural history and environmental education to teens. Todd has managed conservation and research projects around the world for The Nature Conservancy, and has developed educational and professional training programs to serve students and scientists. A competitive athlete and avid woodworker, Todd is often found exploring new geographies with a surfboard and fly rod.

Ian Carter is Programme Director of Wellspring UK. Ian has been involved in outdoor education in the UK and around the world for over 15 years and is also a veteran of Outward Bound. He gained a BA (Hons) in Education from Lancaster University, specialising in Outdoor Education and Environmental Science and has a number of published articles in the field. Ian began his career with Brathay Development Training and Outward Bound in the UK and has also since had experience as an instructor, course director and administrator with Outbound Foundation in India and North Carolina Outward Bound School. Ian holds outdoor qualifications and training in summer and winter mountaineering, rock climbing, canoeing and caving.

Judith Wood, MA is Program Director of Wellspring Wisconsin. Most recently, Judith served as Field Supervisor at Wellspring California. For the prior 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.

Josh Winnecour, RN, is Director of Wellspring Adventure Camp North Carolina.  Josh began working with Wellspring as a nurse while taking a “break” from his career as an emergency department nurse. As an emergency nurse, Josh became acutely aware of the impact of unhealthy lifestyles 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 with challenging outdoor adventures, which he previously developed over his 6 years at Outward Bound as an Instructor and Course Director. The opportunity to effect positive, sustainable change in the lives of young people, their families and society drives Josh’s pursuit of excellence. Josh is also Wilderness Medicine Instructor, a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School’s Educator Course and a former Airborne Infantry Sergeant in the United States Army.

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 Family Camp, started as the Activities Director for Wellspring New York in 2007. She has worked in activity promotion and obesity treatment since 1999, coordinating clinical research in obesity medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital, one of the most renowned hospitals in the world.  Prior to this, Martha also helped run one of the nation's largest public access rowing clubs. Martha is an avid rower and coach herself, and holds a medal from the 2001 Head of the Charles Regatta. She earned her Bachelor's degree in public policy from Sarah Lawrence College in New York.

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.

Eliza Kingsford, MA, is Admissions Coordinator for Wellspring Camps. 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.

Josh Winnecour, RN, is Director of Human Resources for Wellspring Camps. Josh began working with Wellspring as a nurse while taking a “break” from his career as an emergency department nurse and subsequently served as Program Director of Wellspring Adventure Camp. As an emergency nurse, Josh became acutely aware of the impact of unhealthy lifestyles 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 with challenging outdoor adventures, which he previously developed over his 6 years at Outward Bound as an Instructor and Course Director. The opportunity to effect positive, sustainable change in the lives of young people, their families and society drives Josh’s pursuit of excellence. Josh is also Wilderness Medicine Instructor, a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School’s Educator Course and a former Airborne Infantry Sergeant in the United States Army.

Sarah deLeon, Enrollment Coordinator – Sarah joins the Wellspring Camps team after most recently serving 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.