Meet Our Board & Faculty

 Carla Heiser, MS, LDN, FAAMFM, ABAAHP, is an Advanced Practice Nutritionist, Nutrition & Metabolic Medicine Practitioner, Diplomat and Fellow of the American Academy of Anti-aging Medicine. Ms. Heiser owns a precision medical nutrition practice. She holds a Master’s in Nutrition with an emphasis in Nutritional Biochemistry from New York Medical College, Valhalla NY.  She has strong academic and research training. Incorporating science-driven approaches into practical strategies to optimize health is the hallmark of her expertise.

Ms. Heiser is also the founder and CEO of Triada World, building bridges- where others see silos- between agriculture and nutrition and lifestyle medicine, science and story, urgency and empathy. With her expertise in leading nonprofit and public health initiatives, she specializes in strategic outreach, board development, and emotionally resonant scientific communication. Her work spans biomarker stratification, environmental health campaigns, and consortium design, always with a focus on clarity, impact, and human connection.

Currently, Triada World is architecting a multi-sector farm-food-health consortium that integrates regenerative organic agriculture and personalized nutrition. 

Dr. Daniel T. Stein, MD, is a renowned physician-scientist whose career spans over three decades of leadership in endocrinology, diabetes, metabolism, and clinical research. Recently retired as Chief Science Officer at Mosaic Diagnostics, Dr. Stein played a pivotal role in advancing integrative health solutions through biomarker-driven diagnostics and collaborative research, including partnerships with the PEARL Study and Precise Health Solutions.

Before his role at Mosaic, Dr. Stein served for over 25 years at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where he held multiple academic and clinical leadership positions. As a Professor of Medicine in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, he served as a consulting and attending physician at Einstein-affiliated hospitals and clinics, including Montefiore Medical Center. He chaired the Institutional Review Board (IRB) from 2015 onward. He directed both the Biomarker Analytical Research Core and the Montefiore Biospecimen Repository, shaping the infrastructure for translational research and ethical oversight.

Dr. Stein’s earlier academic appointments include faculty roles at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, where he served as Clinical Director of the Parkland Hospital Lipid Clinic and LDL Apheresis Program. His foundational training includes a fellowship in endocrinology and an internal medicine residency at the University of Massachusetts Hospital.

Throughout his career, Dr. Stein has been a driving force in bridging clinical care with research innovation. His work has consistently focused on uncovering the biochemical and metabolic underpinnings of chronic disease and translating those insights into actionable diagnostics and therapeutic strategies. He remains a respected voice in the field of precision health, committed to advancing science that empowers both practitioners and patients.

Brad Cieslak is a seasoned healthcare business development executive with over a decade of experience driving growth, operational efficiency, and strategic partnerships across diagnostic laboratories and medical technology organizations. Based in the Greater Chicago Area, Brad currently serves in a senior leadership role overseeing business development, where he leads initiatives to expand clinical outreach and streamline operations for private practices and health systems.

Brad’s career reflects a consistent trajectory of leadership and innovation. As the founder of a healthcare consultancy focused on laboratory optimization, he built a platform dedicated to improving service delivery and patient outcomes. His prior executive and regional leadership roles within diagnostic testing and laboratory services have centered on territory expansion, client engagement, and revenue acceleration.

Earlier in his career, Brad supported surgical teams within the medical device field, assisting with equipment installations, troubleshooting, and in-theater technical support. His ability to translate complex clinical and operational needs into actionable business solutions has made him a trusted partner to healthcare leaders across multiple settings.

Brad is recognized for his hands-on approach, deep industry knowledge, and commitment to helping healthcare providers enhance efficiency, save time, and drive revenue. His work bridges clinical insight with strategic execution—making him a valuable asset in the evolving landscape of diagnostic and procedural care.

Wendy (Phillips) Piret is a senior executive with a multidisciplinary background spanning environmental science, analytical research, and organizational strategy. She graduated with distinction from both the United States Naval Academy and American University’s International Relations graduate program, where she specialized in negotiation and complex systems analysis. Her early career as a Naval Officer with multiple operational deployments established a foundation in data‑driven decision‑making, operational risk analysis, and cross‑functional coordination in high‑stakes environments, skills she has since applied across scientific, nonprofit, and corporate settings.

Wendy currently serves as Vice President of Development and Public Relations and Chief of Staff to the CEO at Catawater® LLC, where she leads strategic partnerships, enterprise‑level project management, and organizational execution. A PMP®‑certified Project Management Professional, she is recognized for translating complex technical and scientific initiatives into actionable strategies that align research, operations, and leadership decision‑making. Wendy brings extensive experience communicating complex concepts to diverse audiences and is committed to innovation, stewardship, and measurable impact at the intersection of science and implementation.

David Babcock specializes in Medical staff strategies & development; medical practice management & operations; medical practice mergers, spin-offs, acquisitions & integration; medical practice start-up & organization; physician recruitment; physician management; cession planning; marketing; data & communication systems; billing; practice management systems; electronic medical records; human resources; technology integration & leveraging

Damone Richardson is a Real Estate Broker associate who has lived in several diverse neighborhoods in Chicago including Sauganash, and Lincoln Park. He is dedicated to being involved in his community and has served as the former president of the West Loop Community Organization (WLCO) and an operating board member at the Chicago Maritime Arts Center. In his free time, he enjoys snowboarding, swimming, and yoga.

Melissa Kindred, RN, MSN, is a board‑certified Registered Nurse and Family Nurse Practitioner with a decade of clinical experience across medical and surgical settings. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Dubuque, earning degrees in Nursing and Psychology. Melissa has served in multiple leadership roles, including her recent position as Nursing Director for a Retirement and Memory Care Community, where she oversaw clinical operations and patient‑centered care.

Melissa currently serves on the faculty at Clark University, where she contributes to nursing education and integrative health curriculum development. She is also enrolled in Clark University’s doctoral program, advancing her scholarship in holistic, evidence‑based nursing practice.

In addition to her academic and clinical work, Melissa is the President of The Kindred Spirit Inc., where for the past seven years she has provided holistic and integrative health coaching services to individuals and businesses throughout Jo Daviess County. She completed her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a Holistic Nursing Concentration at Tennessee State University in Nashville and is completing a Post‑Master’s Certificate as an Adult‑Gerontology Nurse Practitioner at Spring Arbor University in Michigan.

Melissa brings a deeply holistic, integrative, and results‑driven approach to her practice. She is certified in aromatherapy, chromotherapy, cryotherapy, and herbology, and is a Usui Reiki Master Teacher. Her work reflects a commitment to whole‑person healing, compassionate leadership, and advancing the future of integrative nursing.

Vincent Williams is a founder, strategist, and community builder committed to creating spaces where people grow, connect, and thrive. With a background in nonprofit and faith-based leadership, marketing, and communications, Vincent has led organizations that mobilize communities, strengthen partnerships, and drive meaningful impact.

He is the founder of Stillwell, a hospitality and wellness group focused on building community-centered experiences. Vincent also serves as the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Zoi Arts, a Chicago-based arts education nonprofit dedicated to cultivating creativity, confidence, and access for all people.