Directors
Deb Sweeney Whitmore, Executive Director, was born and raised in the UK, but has been living in America for the last fifteen years where she has become one of America's leading experts in helping young people with weight issues. Deb is an avid outdoor enthusiast, earning her B.Sc. in Sports and Exercise Science from Manchester Metropolitan University. Her experience with the outdoors began at an early age with her involvement with the British Scouting Association, and five seasons as a counselor. Prior to becoming Director of Wellspring UK, Deb served as Director of Wellspring Adventure Camp in North Carolina, one of Wellspring's original programmes. Deb has also been a programme administrator, course director, whitewater/canoeing specialist, and instructor specialist with North Carolina Outward Bound. Her dedication to outdoor education has also given her the opportunity to work with the National Outdoor Leadership School in America teaching outdoor skills and Leave No Trace curriculum.
Ian Carter, Programme Director, 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. Ian 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. He 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.
Shannon Byrne, Clinical Director, received her B.A. in Psychology from Kenyon College, and her M.A. in Counseling from Loyola College in Maryland. She is currently completing her Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Shannon is particularly interested in health and sport psychology, including weight loss, performance enhancement, and the psychological benefits of exercise. She has worked in a variety of settings, including outpatient clinics, hospitals, and athletic departments.
Ryan Craig, B.A., J.D., is the President of Wellspring and Wellspring Camps and a leader in education. He is also Executive Director of Wellspring New York. 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, Ph.D., is Clinical Director of Wellspring and Wellspring Camps and a professor at Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago. He has developed several very successful weight loss programs affiliated with hospitals, has been a consultant for the U.S. Olympic Committee, Weight Watchers, Novartis Nutrition, the National Basketball Association, the Ladies Professional Golf Association, the Chicago Bears, and is a Past President of the Division of Exercise and Sport Psychology of the American Psychological Association. Dr. Kirschenbaum is the recipient of numerous grants for research and the author of over 100 articles in scientific journals and nine books, including Treatment of Childhood and Adolescent Obesity and the 9 Truths About Weight Loss, the latter unanimously endorsed by the Board of Directors of the American Council on Exercise 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.
