Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D. Founder of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Jon Kabat-Zinn is a professor emeritus of medicine whose work has fundamentally shaped how we understand and practice mindfulness in the West. His groundbreaking research and 15 books in print in over forty five languages have made mindfulness accessible to millions worldwide. Through MBSR, he pioneered the integration of Buddhist meditation principles with modern medicine, creating an evidence-based approach now used in over 700 medical centers globally.

Richard Davidson, Ph.D. A pioneering neuroscientist and founder of the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Richard Davidson's research has revolutionized our understanding of the brain's relationship to meditation and emotional well-being. Named one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people, his groundbreaking studies on Buddhist monks have demonstrated how meditation physically alters brain function. His work bridges contemplative practice with neuroscience, showing how mindfulness can create lasting positive changes in both brain and behavior.

Zindel V. Segal, Ph.D., C.Psych, is Distinguished Professor of Psychology in Mood Disorders at the University of Toronto Scarborough and a co-founder of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy. His research program has examined neuroimaging biomarkers of depressive relapse or resilience associated with long-term practice of mindfulness meditation as well as evaluated the efficacy of mindfulness-based clinical interventions delivered via online or mobile platforms. Zindel’s latest book Better in Every Sense describes the vital role of sensory awareness in helping people step out of unhelpful mental routines and his TEDx talk advocating for the relevance of mindfulness-based clinical care in psychiatry and mental health has over 1 million views.

Isabel Roth, DrPH, MS, is an Assistant Professor at the UNC School of Nursing, specializing in the implementation of evidence-based integrative health practices for diverse populations, particularly those with chronic conditions. With expertise in implementation science, public health, and behavioral sciences, she focuses on expanding access to mindfulness-based programs in clinical settings. She currently leads a community engagement project within a multi-site clinical trial on mindfulness for chronic low back pain and directs a K01 Career Development Award to scale integrative medical group visits for chronic pain patients in North Carolina’s Federally-Qualified Health Centers.