Team

Kerri Winters-Stone
PhD, FACSM

Committed to ensuring that people with cancer can join exercise classes that are proven beneficial, safe, and accessible, Kerri started FIT Together in 2014 with co-founder Jessica. She has a PhD in Human Performance and has been conducting research in exercise oncology for 20 years. She has run over 15 clinical trials funded by NIH and cancer non-profits and she co-wrote the current American College of Sports Medicine exercise guidelines for cancer survivors. This expertise and passion to bring science to practice is what led to FIT Together. Seeing how FITT changes the lives of people with cancer is the most rewarding part of her career.

Jessica Sitemba

Always an advocate of exercise for physical and mental health, Jessica earned a Master’s degree in exercise and sport science. She is a certified personal trainer with the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and has been a project director on exercise intervention studies to improve symptoms and side effects from cancer and cancer treatment. She has witnessed firsthand what exercise can do for people with a history of cancer, one of the reasons behind creating FIT Together.

Ron Baglien
CPT-ACSM

From a nerdy, uncoordinated child in a group of athletic friends, to a successful high school and college athlete, to a burnout middle school teacher; Ron's life experience and fitness history has put him in a position to relate to a wide variety of client backgrounds. He loves being able to help others experience the satisfaction of accomplishing their goals and living a more active lifestyle.

Laura Carim Todd
PhD, E-RYT

Laura has been teaching yoga since 2010. She has a PhD in Genetics and a background in clinical research studying the effects of yoga-based programs on self-control and addiction. She has lead yoga classes for people with a history of cancer since 2013. Her classes emphasize using the breath to guide the movement of the body in a combination of strength, flexibility, and balance.

Thais Denmark
PhD

Thais is from Brazil and has a PhD in Science of Human Motor Skills with a focus on physical activity and health. She has a background in clinical research studying the effects of combined exercise programs on body composition and quality of life in breast cancer survivors. She believes that exercise can help people get healthy and live longer and emphasizes building a foundation of strength, balance, and mobility.

Melissa loves sharing her passion for health and fitness with others. She currently teaches classes at Oregon Health & Science University as part of the "Exercising Together” cancer research program. She has a true desire to help others become functionally strong. She holds certifications from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM - CPT) and is certified in Sports Nutrition.