Our Wellness Retreat Team

Wyatt Chapman: CEO & Founder

As the CEO and Founder, Wyatt embodies VeraVia’s comprehensive mind, body, and spirit approach to health. He understands the importance of discovering the relationship among one’s internal elements (physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual) and mastering them to achieve the highest self, allowing for true success and an optimal life experience. Prior to starting VeraVia, Wyatt served as President and Principal Architect of award-winning architectural design firm. During this time, he led the cutting-edge sustainable design and construction of numerous large-scale projects across the country, including recreation and fitness facilities, comprehensive physical and mental wellness facilities, rehabilitation centers, dormitories, aircraft hangars and maintenance facilities, and more.   

Dr. Derek Lawrence: Director of Naturopathic Medicine

Dr. Derek is a licensed naturopathic doctor and the owner of his own private medical practice that specializes in using 100% natural therapies to treat illness, prevent disease, and promote health and vitality. At VeraVia, Dr. Derek builds respectful, therapeutic relationships with clients that motivate, empower, and inspire them to regain control of their health.  He specializes in wellness, detoxification, and natural foot care and treats a variety of conditions, including chronic pain and disease, weight gain, musculoskeletal injuries, endocrine imbalances, and digestive disorders.   

Christa Mantey: Director of Nutrition

Christa is a Registered Dietician and Certified Holistic Health Counselor with over 15 years of experience. She is also a Certified Lactation Educator and has trained at the Gottman Institute. She uses a holistic and integrated approach to wellness. Christa graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Delaware then went on to complete her Dietetic Internship the following year. The desire to learn more about holistic nutrition led her to the Institute of Integrative Nutrition where she obtained a Certification in Holistic Health Counseling.

Previously she has worked in a number of different roles including as a Registered Dietician and Health Coach at Canyon Ranch and Alere where she coached over 5,000 people in making healthy changes through proprietary wellness programs focused on heart health, exercise, healthy eating, weight loss, diabetes management, stress relief and smoking cessation. She has developed a Holistic Nutrition rotation for dietetic interns and served as a preceptor educating interns on the importance of the mind, body, spirit connection.

Most recently she has worked for herself as a health coach (in-person and virtually) for individuals to help them in achieving higher levels of health and wellbeing. She has also been a keynote speaker, facilitator and consultant offering programs for post-partum parents to help nourish and strengthen families leveraging the work of the Gottman Institute. She has also worked with major organizations (Independence Blue Cross, Philadelphia Gas Works, YMCA, Philadelphia Insurance Company, etc.) to create customized wellness programs to improve employee wellness, and has delivered keynotes and consulted to Microsoft, Great Place to Work Institute, and other corporations.

  

Kat Burris, MS, RDN: Registered Dietician

Kat Burris, MS, RDN is Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with a Masters degree in Human Nutrition from Drexel University. Kat has many years of experience as a hospital-based Clinical Dietitian providing Medical Nutrition Therapy for cardiac, renal, diabetic, pulmonary and oncology patients. During her dietetic internship Kat worked in the kitchens of the USMC Recruitment Depot and within the Sharp hospital system. Prior to becoming an RDN, Kat spent over a decade managing luxury resort spas where her passion for holistic health was ignited. Kat became a Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Massage Technician and Level 1 Sommelier to expand her knowledge and hone her craft. In addition to running her own private practice, Kat also partners with a local superfood company creating nutritious recipes using a variety of health-promoting products. 

Kat’s nutrition philosophy is to educate and empower clients to make healthy lifestyle changes that create positive habits for long term success. Using a food-first approach, Kat provides customized nutrition guidelines that embodies evidence-based research and mindful eating techniques. As a former Division 1 collegiate athlete, Kat is an avid runner and continues to run competitively, understanding the importance of fueling the body for optimal performance. She loves to inspire her clients to find physical movements they love and challenge them to create personal goals to conquer. When she is not working or running, Kat loves to cook and has a large vegetable garden where she makes garden-to-table meals. Kat is a San Diego native and lives with her husband and three sons who inspire her daily to live an active, healthy and well-balanced life.    

Dr. Megan Lewis: Director of Behavioral Health

Dr. Megan Lewis is our Director of Behavioral Health. Dr. Lewis brings a breadth of knowledge and over 18 years of clinical experience in the field of psychology and behavioral health. In addition to her more than ten years of experience in private practice, she has worked as an Adjunct Professor at Alliant International University and as a consulting psychologist at an inpatient psychiatric hospital, a detention facility, and a residential substance abuse program. She specializes in mood and anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and addictive behaviors. She has helped countless individuals overcome their struggles with obesity, food addiction and emotional eating patterns.   

Adrienne Penney: Senior Program Advisor & Reservation Specialist

Adrienne is the Senior Program Advisor and Reservation Specialist as well as being responsible for some of the day to day operational activities at VeraVia. By combining her love of science and working with people, Adrienne facilitates health programs within the office and arranges outings for VeraVia guests. Prior to VeraVia, Adrienne worked at a forensic toxicology lab as a lab assistant and in furniture sales at the Chapman Collection, where she met VeraVia CEO and Founder Wyatt Chapman. Adrienne has completed senior research on neurodegenerative diseases, specifically Corticobasal Degeneration, determining the effects of toxin accumulation on the human mind and body. Specifically, she studied the important role of antioxidants and vitamins in cell detoxification. At VeraVia she is able to combine her love of science and biology with her love for helping people. Adrienne earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) with a major in Biology and minor in Neuroscience from King’s College, Wilkes-Barre, PA.   

Abby Sullivan: Senior Client Experience Coordinator

Abby has worked in a variety of industries and hospitality roles since 2013. Her greatest joy has always come from helping others, particularly when it comes to their health.  In addition to her extensive customer service experience, Abby obtained her Nutritional Therapy Certificate in 2015 from The Nutritional Therapy Association in WA. She is also currently studying to become a Reiki Master and gaining another certification in Nutritional and Integrative Medicine for Mental Health.

Her passion for health and wellness comes from dealing with her own mental and physical health obstacles, which have driven her towards providing those around her with holistic healing strategies to improve their own lives.  At VeraVia, she proudly serves to support guests with any needs and requests to ensure that they have the best possible experience, while also supporting them throughout their health journey.

  

Natasha Edwina: Behavioral Health Specialist

Natasha is a behavioral health coach, psychotherapist, mind-body medicine practitioner, speaker, and author interested in helping individuals explore their potential, maximize their strengths, and manifest their dreams into reality. Natasha has nearly 20 years experience working in the mental health field, 10 of those serving in the public school system. It was in the public schools that Natasha learned flexibility and creativity to meet the needs of a system with multiple layers of stress, and perfected her truly integrative mind-body-spirit approach to helping clients efficiently and effectively achieve goals and achieve health.

  

Celeste Grader: Certified Personal Trainer & Group Fitness Instructor

Celeste has extensive experience as a group fitness instructor and personal trainer at boutique fitness studios and luxury wellness resorts. She teaches HIIT/Tabata, Mat Pilates, Spin, Bootcamp, Strength and Conditioning, Barre, TRX, Kettlebells, and multiple forms of Yoga (beginner, advanced, Vinyasa, Yin, Sculpt, and Restorative). She also designs personalized workout programs for clients and instructs them on proper body mechanics.

Previously she has worked in Healthcare and Senior Living as a Health Transitions Coordinator, Clinical Care Coordinator, and Certified Nursing Assistant. Including assisting patients and their families in navigating care services and coordinating communication and client care between patients, physicians, and clinicians. She has also worked in sales and marketing for healthcare companies.

  

Dr. Lila Lewenstein: Naturopathic Doctor

Dr. Lila Lewenstein is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor who received her Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University California. Additionally, she received her Masters of Science degree in Nutrition Education from American University, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular Biology and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Dr. Lila’s areas of focus include metabolic dysfunction, digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, autoimmune disorders and the optimization of one’s overall health and wellbeing.  Because of her own personal journey with functional medicine, she has a unique understanding of her patients’ therapeutic needs. She became passionate about naturopathic medicine at the age of 12, when conventional medicine had failed to help manage her various chronic conditions. Eventually, through naturopathic medicine and a functional medicine approach, she was able to restore her own health. Since then, it has been her mission and journey to help others take control of their personal health and wellbeing.   

Dr. Brian Myers: Naturopathic Doctor

Dr. Brian Myers is a board certified Naturopathic Doctor from the National University of Natural Medicine where he also served as class president and received an award for leadership. Following medical school, he ventured to Fairbanks, AK for residency prior to moving to southern California where he has resided since 2014. Dr. Myers comes from a family of healers – both his dad and sister are health care practitioners. He has been published twice, in the Journal of Pediatrics and the Annals of Neurology while part of a neonatal neurology research group in St. Louis, MO. When he isn’t in the clinic, he can be found cooking, backpacking, skiing (when the weather’s right), rock climbing, and enjoying live music and comedy.   

Travis Armbruster: Certified Personal Trainer

Travis has been a fitness professional for 8 years and is certified in ACE and NASM education programs. He specializes in balancing, strengthening, and improving flexibility through a variety of modalities. Travis utilizes specific techniques, like Rossiter, to help clients find fast pain relief and to assure long-term pain relief.   

Michele Rooney, MSPT: Physical Therapist & Certified Yoga Instructor

Michele is a Physical Therapist with over 20 years of experience assisting families with children with special needs. She is dedicated to assisting parents with optimizing their family’s lives through mindful movement, healthy nutrition, evolutionary relationships and conscious communication. Michele is also a certified yoga instructor and incorporates yoga based movements, breathing and meditation into my personal life as well as my professional practice. In 2018 Michele embarked on an incredible journey of reclaiming her health through movement, nutrition and confronting limiting beliefs.  She is a Christoff Certified Self Sabotage Coach, and is grateful to be able to pay forward this gift of alignment and overcoming self sabotage by helping others, especially busy parents who are dedicated to embodying health, wellness and vitality as the leaders of their families.   

Lisa-Anne French: Fitness Instructor

Lisa-Anne teaches a variety of fitness classes including Nia, Pilates, Aqua, Swimming, and Walking/Hiking. Lisa-Anne is a Certified Nia Black Belt, a Certified Nia 5-Stages Teacher, and Certified Pilates Practitioner. She received her Nia training through The Nia Technique in Portland Oregon. Pilates training through the PhysicalMind Institute in New York City, Balancepoint Pilates and BASI Pilates. Lisa-Anne has been an avid athlete her whole life and has performed and danced all over the world. Before becoming a serious dancer, Lisa-Anne was a competitive swimmer, water polo player and soccer player. Lisa-Anne loves to walk and practiced Racewalking for many years.   

Olivia Reid: Fitness Instructor & Certified Yoga Instructor

Olivia is a Certified Yoga Instructor in Hatha, Trapeze, and Yoga for Cancer Reovery. She teaches many styles of yoga featuring alignment based flow, functional, primal, gentle, inversions, therapeutic, restorative, etc. She is also an experienced fitness instructor specializing in group fitness classes, TRX, stand up paddle boarding, and many others.   

Holly Richelle: Lead Yoga Instructor and Guided Meditation & Mindfulness Instructor

Holly began practicing yoga in 2001 at the conclusion of a lifelong dance career. She came to yoga seeking the body awareness and joy of movement she had experienced as a dancer. Although the fluid movements on vinyasa / flow-style yoga were a natural transition from dance, she has studied many lineages and traditions of yoga over the last 15 years. Her studies in yoga have been a revolution in her life and overall wellbeing, a gift that she is passionate about sharing with her students. Holly is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200) with Yoga Alliance. She is currently pursuing her advanced 500-hour certification at the Soul of Yoga Institute. She is also a certified Level II practitioner of Usui Reiki and a certified crystal bowl sound healing practitioner. She holds a Master’s Degree (MA) if Romance Languages and Literatures from Harvard University and Bachelor’s Degrees (BA) in English Literature and French Literature from the University of Virginia.   

Stephanie Zito: Wellness Coach, Meditation & Mindfulness Instructor

Stephanie has worked in the personal development field for 20+ years. Stephanie found yoga 24 years ago as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Africa. She went on to study yoga in India, and certified as a Yoga + Meditation Instructor in 2009. Stephanie is a seasoned life coach and speaker, helping people gain clarity toward their life path, to break through mindset blocks and fears, and to clear blocks so they can move clearly toward their visions and goals.

Stephanie has a Master’s Degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University. She has worked in corporate team-building and leadership development, guiding groups in personal transformation through wilderness experiences such as backpacking, rock climbing, and kayaking throughout the Western US and Hawaii.

At VeraVia Stephanie brings her varied expertise to our guests through yoga, guided meditation, assisting with guided hikes and offering wellness workshops on a variety of topics.

  

Kate Koniakowsky: Holistic Practitioner

Kate received her degree in Health Science and Health Coaching, became a certified Holistic Health Coach and started her practice largely based around nutrition and exercise. A couple years into her practice she realized the body can only heal to the extent that the mind and spirit are healthy. During her own health journey, she discovered the immense benefits of meditation and breathwork and got certified in both. Kate’s desire is to help people reconnect to their own souls by living in the present, achieving true wholeness and peace no matter their circumstances.   

Adrian Van der Walt: Muscle Activation Techniques Specialist

Adrian has over 15 years of experience in Fitness and Performance Training. He is a Certified NASM Performance Enhancement, MMA Conditioning, and Corrective Exercise Specialist.  Along the way, he discovered (MAT) Muscle Activation Techniques, which is a revolutionary approach to strengthening and stabilizing the body.  He received his MAT Specialist Certification in 2013.   

Mark Haskins, L.Ac., Ma.O.M.:

Mark is the licensed acupuncturist at VeraVia and is available for individual sessions. He provides acupuncture, deep bodywork, herbal medicine, and energy medicine.   

Steve Halverson: Tennis Director at Aviara

The Tennis Director at Aviara, Steve Halverson, has been a member of Peter Burwash International for over 36 years, and he is currently in charge of their international wheelchair player program. Steve joined Aviara in 1997. He is able to teach tennis in four languages: English, Spanish, French, and Indonesian. Steve also has experience teaching and playing tennis in over 50 countries.