At Kumanu, our team brings together deep expertise in behavioral science, technology, public health, and organizational strategy. United by a shared belief in the power of purpose, we’re building solutions that help people and organizations thrive—guided by science, grounded in values, and driven by impact.

Kumanu Leadership

Our senior leadership team brings a diverse blend of experience across technology, healthcare, public health, and enterprise strategy. Together, they guide Kumanu’s vision, culture, and growth—ensuring everything we build advances our mission to help people and organizations thrive with purpose.

Vic Strecher, PhD, MPH

Founder and CEO

Vic Strecher, Ph.D., MPH, is a pioneer in digital health and purpose science. A professor at the University of Michigan and founder of Kumanu, he’s known for advancing the science of behavior change and helping individuals and organizations lead more purposeful, thriving lives.

John Ternes

Chief Financial Officer

John Ternes is Chief Financial Officer at Kumanu, where he leads financial strategy, planning, and operations. A seasoned executive with deep experience in scaling startups, he played key financial leadership roles at HealthMedia and LLamasoft through major growth, funding, and acquisition milestones.

Robert Carr, MD, MPH, FACPM

Chief Medical Officer

Robert Carr, M.D., MPH, is Chief Medical Officer at Kumanu and former President of the American College of Preventive Medicine. A nationally recognized leader in population health and executive coaching, he brings decades of clinical, corporate, and academic experience to advancing purpose-centered wellbeing.

Breana Mercer

Chief Operating Officer

Breana Mercer is Chief Operating Officer at Kumanu, where she leads the delivery of purpose-centered wellbeing solutions and drives operational excellence across the organization. She brings deep experience in product, marketing, and client strategy from leadership roles at Stella, RedBrick Health, HealthPartners, and UnitedHealth Group.

Lisa Schutte, PhD

Chief Technology Officer

Lisa Schutte is Chief Technology Officer at Kumanu, where she leads the development of purpose-driven technology that empowers individuals and organizations to thrive. She holds a Ph.D. in engineering from Stanford and brings decades of experience building secure, human-centered platforms in health tech and enterprise software.

Julie O'Brien

Director, Client Success and Consumer Engagement

Julie O’Brien is Director of Client Success and Consumer Engagement at Kumanu. With a strong background in digital health and employee wellbeing, she brings deep expertise in account management, engagement strategy, and scaling high-growth startups to deliver meaningful results for clients and the people they serve.

Tim Pituch, MHI

Director, Product

Tim Pituch is Director of Product at Kumanu, where he leads the development of purpose-centered digital solutions that combine behavioral science, analytics, and AI. He brings a systems-minded approach to innovation, focused on creating scalable tools that advance workforce wellbeing and organizational impact.

Chris Bach

Principal Engineer

Chris Bach is Principal Engineer at Kumanu and an innovative technical leader with deep expertise in software development, cloud architecture, and security. He leads the development of scalable, high-performing systems and plays a key role in aligning technical strategy with Kumanu’s purpose-centered mission.

Science Advisory Board

Kumanu’s Science Advisory Board is composed of leading experts in behavioral science, public health, neuroscience, and organizational psychology. Their research and insights guide the development of our platform—ensuring it is grounded in evidence, driven by purpose, and designed to make meaningful, measurable impact.

Vic Strecher, PhD, MPH

Founder and CEO

Vic Strecher, Ph.D., MPH, is a pioneer in digital health and purpose science. A professor at the University of Michigan and founder of Kumanu, he’s known for advancing the science of behavior change and helping individuals and organizations lead more purposeful, thriving lives.

Ethan Kross, PhD

Kumanu Science Advisory Board Member

Ethan Kross, Ph.D., is a professor at the University of Michigan and director of the Emotion & Self-Control Laboratory. An award-winning psychologist, he is the author of the bestsellers Chatter and Shift, exploring the science of introspection and emotion regulation to enhance wellbeing and performance.

Anthony Burrow, PhD

Kumanu Science Advisory Board Member

Anthony Burrow, Ph.D., is a professor of psychology at Cornell University and a leading expert on the science of purpose. As a member of Kumanu’s Science Advisory Board, he brings deep insight into how purpose shapes identity, motivation, and wellbeing across the lifespan.

Emily Falk, PhD

Kumanu Science Advisory Board Member

Emily Falk, Ph.D., is a professor at the University of Pennsylvania and an expert in the neuroscience of communication and behavior change. She leads the Communication Neuroscience Lab and advises organizations on how messages spread, drive action, and foster connection.

Robert Carr, MD, MPH, FACPM

Chief Medical Officer

Robert Carr, M.D., MPH, is Chief Medical Officer at Kumanu and former President of the American College of Preventive Medicine. A nationally recognized leader in population health and executive coaching, he brings decades of clinical, corporate, and academic experience to advancing purpose-centered wellbeing.

Ken Resnicow, PhD

Kumanu Science Advisory Board Member

Ken Resnicow, Ph.D., is a leading expert in health behavior change and Professor at both the University of Minnesota and University of Michigan. His research spans motivational interviewing, health equity, and eHealth innovation, with a focus on underserved populations and culturally tailored interventions.

Robert Quinn

Kumanu Science Advisory Board Member

Robert E. Quinn is a co-founder of the Center for Positive Organizations and professor emeritus at the University of Michigan. A leading thinker in organizational change and purpose-driven leadership, his research inspires more purposeful, thriving workplaces.

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