Ryan Craig, President, B.A., J.D.

Mr. Craig is the President of Wellspring and a leader in education. He served as the first Executive Director of Wellspring Academy of California and is Executive Director of Wellspring Hawaii.  Ryan has been a Director of four education companies and advised the U.S. Department of Education. He received his bachelor's degree summa cum laude and his law degree from Yale University.

Daniel S. Kirschenbaum, Clinical Director, Ph.D.

Dr. Kirschenbaum is Clinical Director and Chief Program Officer of Wellspring. He is a licensed clinical psychologist in Illinois and California, Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Northwestern University Medical School, 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. Dr. Kirschenbaum’s 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: Smart Weight Loss Instead of Low-Carb Lunacy (2006); and The Sierras Weight-Loss Solution for Teens and Kids (2007).

John Gordon, Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer, B.A., M.B.A.

Mr. Gordon is Chief Marketing Officer for Wellspring. 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 as an inner-city volunteer teacher. John earned his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Notre Dame and MBA from Babson College.

Mike Bishop, Executive Director, Ph.D, M.B.A

Dr. Bishop is Executive Director of Wellspring Academy of the Carolinas (formerly Academy of the Sierras North Carolina). Mike is a clinical psychologist who brings to Wellspring Academy of the Carolinas 20 years experience working with adolescents in a variety of clinical settings. A weight controller himself, Mike believes in a scientifically based approach to long-term weight control which includes a low-fat diet, daily physical activity, and self monitoring. As a clinical psychologist, Mike has expertise in the cognitive behavioral approach to weight loss and is particularly interested in the connection between positive self-talk, increased self-esteem, and weight loss. In addition to clinical training Mike has an MBA from the University of Maryland and is a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School’s Wind River Wilderness Course. Mike enjoys canoeing, rafting, kayaking, hiking, and rock climbing. As an outdoor enthusiast, Mike believes an important aspect of the Wellspring Academy of the Carolinas program is exposing young weight controllers to a variety of enjoyable, healthy activities they will want to participate in after returning home.

Ryan Madamba, Executive Director, B.A.

Mr. Madamba is Executive Director of Wellspring Retreats and Wellspring Wisconsin.  He is also the founder of Wellspring Adventure Camp, the world's first adventure weight loss program for children and adolescents. Before his work with Wellspring, Ryan served in a variety of roles with programs dedicated to helping youth. Ryan earned his Bachelor's degree from Drury University where he swam on four national championship teams.

David Melear, Executive Director, M.Ed.

Mr. Melear 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.

Deb Sweeney Whitmore, Executive Director, B.Sc.

Mrs. Whitmore is Executive Director of Wellspring Camps. Deb has a wealth of experience helping in outdoor education with the North Carolina Outward Bound School, and also through her work with the National Outdoor Leadership School teaching outdoor skills and Leave No Trace curriculum. Deb is an avid outdoor enthusiast, earning her B.Sc. in Sports and Exercise Science from Manchester Metropolitan University.

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