The Power of Peers,
Empowers Others.

Meet the Canaries

Canary Health is led by digital healthcare innovator, Katy Plant. Katy has been involved with digital therapeutic programs since the publishing of the original digital peer self-management research at Stanford in 2006. The whole Canary Health team is made up of professionals from a variety of disciplines ranging from public health, engineering, film making, computer science, and communications. The team also includes a dedicated workforce of peer facilitators who are living with a chronic condition or who are caregivers themselves. Everyone at Canary Health is dedicated to empowering individuals living with ongoing health conditions to have the health they need for the life they want.

  • Neal Kaufman, MD, MPH

    Chairman & Chief Medical Officer

    Primary care physician and public health expert with over 4 decades of experience providing healthcare, developing community-based services, and creating internet-based, behavior change interventions. Lives in Los Angeles with his wife of 50 years. Two adult sons with 5 grandkids.

  • Katy Plant

    General Manager

    Trained In Public Health. Worked in Digital Health for 20 years and with Canary Health since the early days. Lives and Works in San Francisco. Fun Facts: Loves spending time with her family, snowboarding, and traveling.

  • Jonah Kaufman

    VP, Client Success

    Healthcare sales and client management executive with more than 15 year experience in health technology. Been part of Canary Health since the beginning. Lives in Los Angeles with his wife, 3 daughters, and 2 dogs.

  • Mary Barbato

    Marketing Strategy & Partnerships

    Over 30 years experience in Fortune 100 companies leading strategic marketing functions. Spent the last 12+ years in healthcare startups focused on diabetes. Has been a part of digital therapeutics since almost inception. Fun Facts: Originally from the Berkshires. Trained in Opera as a first Soprano.

  • Carrie Pittman

    Lifecycle Marketing


    Los Angeles native; Background in storytelling; Interest in Philosophy, Wellness and the human spirit; Writes more than reads; Night owl and decent hula-hooper.

  • Raul Espinosa

    Director of Engineering

    Originally and located in Monterrey, Mexico. I enjoy taking macro photography, learning French, and reading.

  • Rodrigo Reyes

    Lead Senior Software Engineer

    Located in Monterrey, Mexico. More than 19 years of experience building software. I enjoy playing guitar, drawing, and creating indie video games.

  • Isabella Macias

    Support & Operational Specialist

    Trained in both technical and customer service. I enjoy the outdoors with family and friends.

  • Candii Dana

    Peer Facilitator Manager & Business Analyst

    30-year background in evidence-based community education and subject matter expert at a teaching hospital. Designed award-winning programs to help people adapt to navigating healthy lifestyles and caregiving. Special interest and focus on the veteran population. Raised in Arizona, lives in the Pacific Northwest, volunteering for several organizations, and spending time with family and friends.

  • Corina Paraschiv

    Mixed Method Researcher, Strategist & Analyst

    Combining a background in healthcare policy, management, and design research, Corina brings a decade of experience as an analyst and researcher. Living in sunny Pasadena, Corina enjoys jazz music, social dancing, emerging technologies, and architecture.

  • Victoria Jackson

    Alumni Community Manager

    Trained in Nutrition and Health Studies with an emphasis on Community Health. Experience with Community Integrated Health Networks, evidence-based programs, and providing high quality, equitable health and wellness services. Lives in Missouri and enjoys spending time with her family, friends and two dogs.

Meet Our Facilitators

Our team of facilitator experts are dedicated to the success of our participants.

  • Barbara

    Hello I’m Barb, a facilitator for both Building Better Caregivers® (BBC) and Better Choices, Better Health® (BCBH). I have served as a peer facilitator for over 25 years. Nine of those years have been with Canary Health. I’m a long-time caregiver for my mother who has dementia and two grandsons with autism. I believe the BBC workshop tools have helped me improve my caregiving skills. Additionally, I have been using the BCBH workshop tools to manage a heart condition. Learning how to be an active self-manager has helped me understand and manage my common symptoms and emotions. In my spare time I love to read, attend music festivals, and kayak.

  • Connie

    Hi, I’m Connie. I have been facilitating online workshops for several years for both Canary Health's Building Better Caregivers® and Better Choices, Better Health®. I really enjoy meeting and learning from everyone as they participate in the workshops. I have helped with caregiving for my father with Alzheimer’s and my mother with dementia, my mother-in-law with Rheumatoid Arthritis and my father-in-law with Parkinson’s, and I currently assist in caregiving for a friend with serious heart disease and multiple complications, and a grandson with CF. I am retired and live in upstate NY. I love to bake and to knit and I volunteer with several local gardening groups.

  • Dawn

    Hello my name is Dawn, and I’ve been a peer facilitator for Canary Health’s Building Better Caregivers® and Better Choices, Better Health® chronic disease program for over 10 years. I live with my partner in the Northeastern part of the US. I am a caregiver to my partner who has diabetes and lung disease, and to my parents. I feel participants get the most out of action planning and setting goals in the workshops. My partner and I bought a home and have been renovating it over the past year. I love to do anything outside --hiking, biking, skiing, motorcycling, and snowshoeing! This is the way I keep myself in balance.

  • Earnestine

    Hi I’m Earnestine. I am a facilitator for the Building Better Caregivers® (BBC) Veterans Administration (VA) program. I was the primary caregiver for my parents for 10 years. Their health challenges included arthritis, anxiety, diabetes, blindness and congestive heart failure. I gained knowledge and experience learning through trial and error. My advice to caregivers is to communicate your needs and expectations to your family in advance in writing. And find that “one thing” that you can do consistently for yourself. Something you can look forward to on a regular basis. In my spare time I enjoy walking and hiking on trails, reading, watching documentaries, and socializing with friends.

  • Fran

    Hi, I am Fran. I have been a Canary Health facilitator for Building Better Caregivers® for 2 years and one year with Better Choices, Better Health®! I was a caregiver to my veteran husband, who was a diabetic. I have found the workshop content helps me build myself back up to assist others who need help with their progression through this disease and others. The many workshop skills learned have been life altering for me in a great way and because of that I love sharing my passion for the programming with each new workshop group. When I am not facilitating a workshop group, I love to be outdoors and working on improving my lawn!

  • Lucila

    Hi I’m Lucila. I have been a facilitator for Building Better Caregivers® and Better Choices, Better Health® at Canary Health for over 10 years. My sister developed stage 4A cancer and I took care of her for a long time. I learned how to take care of my parents who developed diabetes, and myself after I developed asthma and high cholesterol. There are many challenges to face such as learning a new way of life and coping with new physical limitations. I enjoy cooking healthy recipes, savoring nature and walking with my husband and dogs. My two adult children are my blessing.

  • Pat

    Hi, my name is Pat and I have been a facilitator for both Better Choices, Better Health® and Building Better Caregivers®. I started in community programs and became a master trainer. I have facilitated online workshops since my retirement. I have been the caregiver for my veteran husband with multiple health issues and my mother incapacitated from a brain aneurysm. I learned while working for hospice years ago that quality of life is more important than quantity and my goal is always to make life as pleasant and free of stress as possible. I learn from the participants in each workshop and look forward to the support I can provide as well as receive.

  • Pegg

    I’m Pegg, I’m a facilitator in Building Better Caregivers®(BBC) and Better Choices, Better Health®. At one-time I had 3 care partners, 2 with various stages of dementia. My father, a veteran, passed away a couple years ago and now I’m care partner to his wife (my stepmother) and her sister. I understand caregiving --its rewards and challenges, and this workshop has been a great support for the challenges my family and I have faced. In my spare time I enjoy playing musical instruments, walking in my woods, gardening, and playing with my pets. I have 3 granddaughters ranging from 27 to 6 and I love getting together whenever we can.

  • Petra

    Hi, I am Petra. I am a Canary Health facilitator for Building Better Caregivers® and Better Choices, Better Health® for a bit over 1 year! I am a caregiver to my youngest son who was born with a rare genetic disorder and survived 3 liver transplants. I am also a life partner to a veteran, who is a diabetic. Being able to give back with the skills I learned is very rewarding but there is so much goodness I continue to learn when facilitating each new workshop! I immigrated from Germany 30 years ago and call Virginia my home where you can find me hiking, working on my wood-burning, and going to concerts.

  • Rebbi

    Hi! My name is Rebbi. I have cared for many people throughout my life and understand the many stresses and emotions that comes when caring for others. I have loved meeting the participants in the workshops and supporting them in their journey to improved health and mental wellbeing. It is a great joy to hear people share stories and challenges, and to see other people in the workshop provide support, encouragement and suggestions. When I am not facilitating workshops, I love taking long walks with my Australian Shephard, Jasper, traveling with my husband, or having coffee with my two “adulting” kids (when they can find the time).

  • Robin

    Hello, I'm Robin. I have been involved with Better Choices, Better Health® and Building Better Caregivers® for more than a decade. During this time, I also have provided federal service to our nation's veterans through specialty programs at the local, regional, and national level. I have used the skills of action planning and problem solving to manage my own chronic health conditions of asthma and sleep apnea and as a foundation for caring for my care partner. I enjoy participating in every workshop and learn something new each time. I live in the desert southwest and enjoy my family, my two loyal rescue dogs, and I’m currently taking art and yoga classes.

  • Ruby

    Hello! I’m Ruby. I’ve worked in the public health arena for 28 years facilitating healthy lifestyle workshops in-person. During COVID I began facilitating chronic disease workshops online for arthritis, diabetes, depression, emotional eating, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Currently, I provide caregiving support for a friend who has Cancer and Parkinson’s Disease. I began facilitating Building Better Caregivers® in 2021 and Better Choices, Better Health® in 2022. The program is easy to read, and I use the tools to manage my chronic condition. I really love these programs, but mostly, I enjoy meeting and learning from the participants.

  • Ruthie

    Hello! I’m Facilitator Ruthie and I became involved with the Building Better Caregivers® community program in 2006. At the time, I worked with an older adult population as well as instructed young adults with regard to the aging process. My father-in-law, a veteran, was diagnosed with dementia in 2010. I now help with the care of my 85-year-old mother who still remains very independent. In my spare time, I enjoy the company of my husband of 46 years, my three adult children, and eight grandchildren. It’s an honor to be a peer facilitator for both Building Better Caregivers and Better Choices, Better Health®. I continue to learn from each and every participant I engage with.

  • Sharon

    Hello, I’m Sharon and I have been a facilitator for Building Better Caregivers® and Better Choices, Better Health® for over 6 years. I am a veteran myself and I helped with caregiving for my father who was a veteran and my mother. Both parents had dementia. I have enjoyed facilitating both programs and interacting with the participants. One thing for sure, I always learned something new from each of the workshops, either a new resource, chronic condition, exercise, or hobby. I also work with the Coastal Area Agency on Aging in Darien, Georgia as a volunteer. I love to spend time strolling through antique stores and thrift shops.

  • Shelley

    I have been a facilitator for Building Better Caregivers® and Better Choices, Better Health® for 8 years. I enjoy facilitating workshops because I have diabetes and I can relate to those who are managing their chronic disease. I also get to interact with people from all over the country and share common experiences. I have worked in public health for over 11 years as an educator. I just moved across country twice, with my family which includes two beagles. In my spare time I like to craft. Painting wooden ornaments and cross stitch are my favorite things to do. I also enjoy photography. See you in the workshops!

  • Val

    Hello, my name is Val and I am honored to be working with you all as a Building Better Caregivers® and Better Choices, Better Health® workshop facilitator. I’ve been a facilitator with Canary Health for about 17 years. I am a childhood cancer survivor. I have been using the skills from the online workshop to help care for my care partner who battles migraines and depression. Seeing a participant grow and accomplish their goals and go from a low point to feeling optimistic brings me joy. I enjoy learning from every group I am a part of. I love photography, classic cars, Halloween, spending time with my kids and partner, and riding motorcycles.

  • Wendy

    Hi, my name is Facilitator Wendy, and I am one of your workshop facilitators. I have been using the skills I learned in the online workshop to help me care for my husband. I enjoy learning from every group I am a part of! I look forward to getting to know you all over the next six weeks. My family looks like the Brady Bunch in their golden years. I have 8 children (6 of which I share with other mothers) and my husband has 5 children. At last count, the 12 grandchildren and 5 great grand-children keep us entertained.

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