Club Wellness Summit

Willie Acrond is an experienced hospitality professional with over 15 years in the industry and a strong track record in operations, team leadership, and service excellence. As Director of Food & Beverage at River Bend Country Club, he oversees all dining and beverage operations, driving both performance and member satisfaction.

Throughout his career, Willie has held a variety of roles, including Bar Manager, Hospitality Manager, Executive Chef, and General Manager. This diverse background gives him a well-rounded perspective on the industry and a hands-on approach to leadership.

Known for his action-oriented mindset and ability to communicate effectively across all levels of an organization, Willie excels at building high-performing teams and fostering a culture of accountability and growth. He is passionate about developing people, enhancing the member experience, and delivering consistent, high-quality results.

Carol Phillips is the founder of BeauteeSmarts Global™ and a business strategist specializing in beautee and wellness performance, with a focus on spa, service, and retail-driven business models. With over 40 years of experience, she works with clubs, resorts, and hospitality groups to build and scale wellness programs that drive revenue, member engagement, and long-term growth.

Carol has collaborated with leading brands, including Hilton, Canyon Ranch, Glen Ivy Hot Springs, and Exhale Spas, and is known for designing the first Origins by Estee Lauder flagship spa experiences within a health club setting, bridging wellness, retail, and member experience long before it became an industry trend.

Known for helping organizations build beautee and wellness programs that are structured to perform from day one, Carol focuses on system-driven operations, service-to-retail integration, and creating consistent, scalable results across teams, blending salon, spa, medspa, wellness, and retail into cohesive, revenue-producing experiences.

Recognized as American Salon Retailer of the Year, Carol is known for helping organizations turn beautee and wellness into measurable, revenue-generating business assets through her SellWell™ Performance Framework.

Lizanne Brandt is a trusted strategic partner to executive leadership teams, ownership groups, and boards of private clubs and luxury wellness organizations. She supports leadership decision making, long-range planning, and complex initiatives across wellness, hospitality, and health, with a focus on clarity, discretion, and sustainable growth.

She provides high-level advisory support on wellness and facilities strategy, capital planning, leadership development, and market positioning, helping senior stakeholders translate vision into priorities that strengthen member engagement, operational performance, and brand differentiation.

With a background spanning startup strategy, business development, and tech-enabled healthcare innovation, Lizanne brings a practical, future-focused lens to wellness and hospitality strategy. She is frequently engaged for executive briefings, board and leadership discussions, industry education, and strategic partnerships, sharing insight on advanced wellness trends, market dynamics, and the evolving expectations shaping premium wellness and hospitality experiences.

Lizanne also serves as a regional development director with Fountain Life, where she partners with C-suite leaders to reimagine executive health through proactive, data-driven diagnostics and personalized longevity strategies. Her perspective is informed by her role in helping plan and deliver a $30 million, industry-leading wellness center at Dallas Country Club.

Matt Gloyd discovered his affinity for physical therapy while studying Physiology and playing Division I football at the University of Arizona. He accepted that injuries were common for athletes and recognized that first class treatments from knowledgeable healthcare providers meant a faster return to the field of play. Matt decided that facilitating an athlete’s rehabilitation would allow him to remain heavily involved in sports.  He developed his passion and philosophy of providing the most personal healthcare possible when oncologists, surgeons, nurses, therapists, volunteers and family focused one on one with him to help him become a Cancer survivor. Matt understands that some people want to return to the gridiron or golf course; many more people just need to complete activities of daily living. 

From humble beginnings in rural Georgia, Tra Battle has defied expectations at every turn. Working through the challenges that presented along his journey, Tra learned the value of dedication and perseverance as he was often told that he was too small to succeed. As a former collegiate and professional football player, he excelled on the field despite being an underdog and this has been a testament to overcoming adversity and defying the odds.

But it’s off the field where Tra’s true impact lies, where his passion for service has driven his career. Tra spent a decade working in the operating room for Piedmont Hospital, years successfully leading hundreds of employees in a multi-million-dollar business for Chick-fil-A, and faithfully served hundreds of volunteers for Victory Church. These careers are a testament to Tra’s ability to inspire, motivate, and achieve remarkable results.

After successful careers in both sports and corporate leadership, Tra faced a life-altering battle with his mental health. Emerging victorious, he discovered a powerful calling: to equip others with the tools to overcome challenges and reach their full potential.

Tra’s unique blend of athletic prowess and corporate acumen has equipped him with a profound understanding of the intricate relationship between mental health and high performance. He has spoken to thousands of executives, leaders, and students, illuminating the critical role of mental well-being in achieving sustainable success.

Having experienced firsthand the debilitating effects of mental health challenges, Tra is passionate about empowering individuals and organizations to prioritize their mental well-being. His coaching and training programs provide actionable strategies for cultivating resilience, enhancing focus, and unlocking human potential.

Tra’s journey is a living testament to the power of the human spirit and the belief that everyone possesses the capacity to overcome adversity and achieve extraordinary results. His unwavering commitment to helping others reach their full potential makes him a sought-after leader and mentor if you are ready to elevate your performance contact Tra Battle today for a complimentary consultation.

Dr. Asare B. Christian is an expert in Integrative Pain Management, Performance Optimization, and Longevity Medicine. As the founder and medical director of Aether Medicine, Dr. Christian blends his extensive training from prestigious institutions such as Johns Hopkins, Harvard Medical School, and MIT Sloan to provide innovative, patient-centered care.

Specializing in cellular medicine, Dr. Christian utilizes advanced therapies, including peptides, regenerative medicine, and metabolic testing, to address pain, enhance performance, and promote healthspan. With a focus on holistic approaches, he integrates functional medicine, precision diagnostics, and lifestyle interventions to optimize outcomes for his patients.

Dr. Christian is passionate about educating both patients and healthcare providers, sharing his expertise on cutting-edge therapies and the science behind sustainable health. His dynamic approach makes him a sought-after speaker on the intersection of pain management, performance, and longevity.