Speakers
Dr. Desiree Cox, MD, PhD, CEO, ArtRegen and BioPep
IWF Bahamas
Dr. Desirée Cox, MD, PhD is a Rhodes Scholar, medical doctor, artist, author and global thought-leader with 25+ years of experience in regenerative biomedicine. She has earned degrees from McGill University (Canada), Oxford University (UK), and Cambridge University (UK). She is currently the CEO of three brands in the Regenerative Health space: ArtRegen, BioPep and HEALinc360. ArtRegen creates life-enhancing and transformative art for your inner and external space. BioPep is a research and development (R&D) biotech company that produces safe and scientifically-tested organopeptides that rejuvenate and heal. HEALinc360 – formerly the HEALinc Future Health Innovation Summit – is a conversational technology platform for matching healthcare professionals with advanced longevity and regenerative health solutions for people seeking alternative routes for their healing process.
A polymath and self-taught artist, Dr. Desirée is a leader in regenerative art, having been featured in over 25 exhibitions worldwide and in distinguished publications such as British Vogue and British House & Garden. She has also published numerous articles in academic journals and has been recognized by the British Medical Journal as a “Renaissance Woman.” In 2018, she was an invited presenter on regenerative medicine at the prestigious 4th Annual Vatican Global Health Conference alongside speakers such as Tony Robbins, Dr. Peter Diamandis, and Dr. Sanjay Gupta. She is the recipient of the 2019 International Regenerative Medicine Action Award at the World Stem Cell Summit. In 2013, the Bahamas (Dr. Desirée’s place of birth) issued a 70-cent stamp into circulation bearing her photograph.
Dr. Pepper Schwartz, Professor, University of Washington, Principal, Married at First Sight
IWF Washington State
Pepper Schwartz, Ph.D. received her Master’s in Sociology from Washington University in St, Louis and her Ph.D. from Yale University. She is presently Professor of Sociology at the University of Washington but also has been awarded the Pepper Schwartz Professorship on Sexuality and Ageing at the University of Minnesota Medical School at the Institute for the study of sexuality and gender health. Dr. Schwartz is the author or co-author of 25 books including the New York Times best sellers, American Couples and The Normal Bar, the surprising secrets of happy couples. She is Past President of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexualities and was the recipient of the American Sociological Association's honor for Public Understanding of Sociology. She has also served on many boards and is presently on the advisory committee of Ro.com. Dr. Schwartz served for over a decade as a columnist and the love and relationship ambassador for AARP and is presently one of the on-air experts for the hit Lifetime television show, Married at First Sight, now entering its 15th season. She lectures on marriage, relationships, sexuality, and women concerns around the world and has been a staple lecturer at Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico since 1983. She lives on a horse ranch outside of Seattle and has two adult children, four grandchildren, four large dogs and two medium sized horses.
Dr. Alyssa Semones, PT, DPT, CSCS, Healthy Baller
Alyssa Semones is a Sports Performance Physical Therapist and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist at Healthy Baller in Rockville, Maryland. Alyssa was a Division 1 lacrosse player where she attended both Penn State University and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) for her undergrad. She continued on to the Medical University of South Carolina where she earned her doctorate in Physical Therapy. Alyssa served as Class President of her graduating class in Physical therapy school where she helped to organize events and outreach programs in her community including Special Olympics and a Wheelchair Basketball game.
She has dedicated many hours a week working at the CAREs clinic, a non-profit organization, to help serve the underinsured community in the Charleston area. While working at the pro-bono clinic, Alyssa also was involved in multiple research studies and presented at the National Conference two years in a row. As an athlete, her passion has always been with helping athletes and active adults stay healthy. She currently focuses most of her time as a Sports Performance Physical Therapist and part time Strength Coach. As a former elite athlete and certified Strength and Conditioning Coach, Alyssa knows what it takes to rebuild, return to sport safely, and compete at the highest levels. She takes pride in connecting with her patients to help them gain strength, build confidence, and accomplish their goals.
Dr. Kate Zhong, MD, Director of Innovation, Department of Brain Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
IWF Nevada
Dr. Kate Zhong is a geriatric psychiatrist, pharmacologist, a trailblazer in Alzheimer’s and brain health research. She is the Director of Innovation and an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Brain Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Dr. Kate served as the Chief Strategy Officer for the Global Alzheimer’s Platform Foundation. She was the Senior Director of Clinical Research for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health where she led the research programs for Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and traumatic brain injury. She is the creator of Healthy Brains, an innovative platform to accelerate clinical trials and to empower the public to improve their brain health and reduce their risk for brain disorders.
Dr. Kate received her MD degree at age 22 from West China University of Medical Sciences in Sichuan, China. She earned her master’s degree in pharmacology and completed her residency in Psychiatry at University of Toronto. She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
Dr. Kate is passionate about supporting and empowering women. She created the “Perfectly Imperfect” freshwater pearl jewelry line and donated many pieces to charities to encourage women of all colors, races, and backgrounds to embrace their own beauty.
Dr. Kate serves on multiple boards locally and nationally. She was named “Alzheimer’s Ambassador” and was honored with many awards such as “Women of Distinction Award” and “Minority Lifetime Achievement Award.” Dr. Kate was featured in the PBS documentary “MAKERS: Women Who Make America,” profiling her as one of Nevada’s most influential women.
Retreat Emcee
Karen B. Caplan, CEO & President, Frieda's Specialty Produce
IWF Southern California
Karen Caplan knows jack…fruit, among many other exotic fruits and vegetables. After all, produce is in her blood. The eldest daughter of produce trailblazer (the late) Dr. Frieda Rapoport Caplan, founder of Frieda’s Specialty Produce and the first woman to own a produce company in the U.S., Karen graduated from UC Davis with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics and Business Management and entered into the family business.
Since 1986 she has been the co-owner, president, and CEO of Frieda’s, and is a recognized global produce industry leader. She was the first female chairperson of the United Fresh Produce Association and the first female president of the Southern California-based Fresh Produce & Floral Council. She has served on numerous boards and in leadership positions, including as chairman and vice chairman of the USDA Fruit & Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee and as a board member of the Federal Reserve Bank, Los Angeles branch, and the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. Karen currently serves on the boards of the global International Women's Forum, California Agricultural Leadership Foundation, CSU-Cal Poly Pomona's Huntley College Board of Advisors, and the University of California Agricultural Issues Center. She is also the immediate past president of The Trusteeship, the Southern California chapter of the International Women’s Forum.
Her personal mission is to change people's lives for the better and she lives in San Clemente, California with her life partner, Jack Daly, where they lead very active lives. She writes a globally distributed blog: Karen’s Blog. Her favorite vegetable is fennel and her favorite fruit is passion fruit.
