EXPERIENCE AND INNOVATION
Our leadership team combines experience, innovation, and deep knowledge in health, wellness, technology, and behavior modification from the clinical, corporate and consumer worlds. That combination drives our ability to deliver comprehensive solutions across multiple platforms for the best results.
JORDAN TARADASH
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, CO-FOUNDER
ABOUT JORDAN
Jordan holds a BS in finance from The Pennsylvania State University, and a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from the University of Pittsburgh. His primary role is to drive a positively disruptive vision that meets the needs and goals of all of Spark360's stakeholders. "There is a deep and rapidly transforming relationship between organizations and the people who power those organizations. We are here to maximize the value both parties realize in that relationship."
DR. ZANE GATES
CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER, CO-FOUNDER
ABOUT DR. GATES
Dr. Zane Gates was raised by a single mother in an Altoona housing project. Despite childhood struggles, he grew up to complete pharmacy school, and then medical school, at the University of Pittsburgh. After medical school and a residency in internal medicine, he returned to Altoona, opening his own free clinic in a van to provide care to the working poor. After partnering with Altoona Regional Health System, this evolved into Partnering for Health Services, providing access to free health care to approximately 3,500 individuals in Altoona each year. All the while, he was focused on inventing a new model for providing better healthcare at a lower cost. That model eventually became Empower³ Center for Health.
CHRIS DOWNIE
CO-FOUNDER
ABOUT CHRIS
After earning a BA degree from the University of Cincinnati, Chris went to work for P&G, where he used proven health, goal-setting and motivation techniques to get fit, manage stress and create the fuel he needed to reach his goals. He left P&G to co-found an Internet company that became eBay's only pre-IPO acquisition. With the freedom and capital, Chris founded SparkPeople in 2001. Today, SparkPeople has more than 14 million members around the world, and operates eight websites. His innovations include SparkCoach, a personalized virtual coaching program that helps people reach their goals, and SparkAmerica, a national campaign to help people get more exercise, eat healthier foods, and enjoy active, healthy lives.
PATRICK REILLY
CO- FOUNDER & MANAGING PARTNER
ABOUT PATRICK
Patrick brings a wealth of insurance industry and business experience to his role as managing partner of Empower360. A licensed insurance broker since 1988, he previously worked as Vice President of Sales and Development for The P&A Group, a national employee benefit consulting and administration company. He is also a certified faculty member at Lorman Education Services, which provides continuing education credits for brokers, accountants, attorneys, and human resources staff serving the health insurance industry. Patrick holds licenses in New York, Pennsylvania, Maine, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida and California.
VAL MIGNOGNA
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
ABOUT VAL
Val has 30 years of healthcare experience predominantly related to physician practice operations. He has served as the Executive Director of a Federally Qualified Health Center, Director of Physician Relations and a Division Administrator for hospital systems, and has served in an administrative capacity for a variety of medical practices across many specialties. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Home Nursing Agency's Visiting Nurses Association and referees youth basketball for the Central Blair Rec Commission.
DR. KAYE KRAMER
CHIEF SCIENCE OFFICER
ABOUT DR. KRAMER
Kaye Kramer, DrPh, MPH, RN is the Chief Science Officer of Spark360, and Adjunct Associate Professor of Epidemiology in the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health. Previously, as the Director of the Diabetes Prevention Support Center at the University of Pittsburgh for more than a decade, her work focused on implementing and evaluating an adaptation of the lifestyle intervention shown to be effective in a large NIH funded clinical research trial, the Diabetes Prevention Program. In her current role with Spark360, Dr. Kramer's focus is on evidence-based population health promotion and disease prevention, with a specific emphasis on diabetes and cardiovascular risk reduction, as well as leading training efforts for health providers in delivery of the adapted DPP lifestyle curriculum for providers across the US.
DENISE MIRTICH
CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER
ABOUT DENISE
As Chief Information Officer, Denise brings more than 25 years of experience to guide, develop, and implement dynamic data driven strategies for Spark360's partners and clients. Prior to joining the team, she led the Informatics Practice for Oswald Companies, which consisted of Health Management Solutions, Data Analytics and Technology Solutions. Within Spark360, her focus will be to empower clients with vital and relevant information to make crucial business decisions, to focus on developing an ecosystem to support an alternative health care delivery model, and to increase engagement and member satisfaction. Denise earned her bachelor's degree in Computer Information Systems from Baldwin-Wallace University. She achieved her Executive MBA degree from Baldwin-Wallace University. Additionally, she holds a Certificate of Leadership and Project Management from Cleveland State University. She is licensed in Variable Life, Accident and Health in the state of Ohio.
DAVE HEILMANN
CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
ABOUT DAVE
Dave worked with Chris at eBay, and was a founding employee of SparkPeople in 2001. While at SparkPeople, Dave's biggest contribution was leading the creation of the tools, content, and community that led to getting 20 million people to join SparkPeople. In addition to leading digital product development at SparkPeople, Dave also led the editorial, support, and marketing teams. At Spark360 his primary role is to craft and execute our Technology, and to support and drive our Coaching, Coordinating, and Consulting. Dave holds a BBA in Information Systems and Finance, an MBA, and also has experience working around the world for General Electric.
KELLY CAMPS
EVP OF OPERATIONS
ABOUT KELLY
Kelly Camps is the Executive Vice President of Operations in Western Pennsylvania for Spark360. She holds a BS in Exercise Science from Slippery Rock University and an MS in Exercise Physiology from The University of Pittsburgh. Kelly worked at Innovative Wellness Solutions starting in 2014. When IWS and SparkPeople merged to form Spark360, Kelly assumed the role of VP of Operations. She has dedicated much of her time and energy to developing the POD structure within our company. In her current role, Kelly leads the strategy for Spark360's clientele in Western Pennsylvania, as well as the team of employees who support these clients.
AMANDA KANAGA
CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER
ABOUT AMANDA
Amanda is a strategic business development and revenue focused leader with a deep understanding of user engagement and digital platforms. Amanda has been leading partnerships and strategic growth at SparkPeople for 10 years. Prior to joining Spark360, Amanda launched the digital practice for Stella Rising, formerly Women's Marketing, Inc. with a focus on brands with purpose in the health, fitness nutrition and beauty categories. Amanda was also a leading digital media pioneer having spent a decade at Time Inc., a division of Time Warner, leading the company's digital and mobile partnerships with the largest global brands and managing over 70MM in revenue. She worked across the divisions to collaborate on building customized programs and campaigns that focused on connecting with consumers and business leaders and driving measurable business results. Amanda graduated from Fairfield University with a BA and MSE.