Team

Dr. Sooji Rugh

Founder

Like many health experts, Dr. Sooji Lee Rugh believes that chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, and diabetes are predominantly caused by a maladaptive lifestyle. In our current fast-paced world, obesity and diabetes rates are rising at epidemic proportions affecting adults and children alike. Environmental influences play a heavy hand in creating the problem. While a pharmaceutical approach may help manage chronic disease, the "take a pill" solution has limitations. Lifestyle change, although formidable, can reverse medical disorders and dramatically improve quality of life. When approached with team work, knowledge, and structure, tremendous progress can be seen in a surprising majority. The results not only create physical transformations, but life-altering changes in attitude and confidence. She is dedicated to applying her training and knowledge to educate and serve as a facilitator for change. It has proven to be the most satisfying work she has encountered and she loves being part of the magic. Read Dr. Rugh's Bio...

Holly Brown

Health Educator

Holly Brown is a Nutritional Consultant, Personal Trainer and Weight Loss Coach. A San Joaquin Valley native, Holly has lived in the Bay Area for more than fourteen years. Having spent most of her adult life struggling to maintain a healthy weight; Ms. Brown understands the challenges one faces maintaining a healthy lifestyle while juggling the responsibilities of family and career. After finishing her MFA at San Francisco State University she began her training as a Coach. Holly believes a little change goes a long way when it comes to our health and wellbeing. Motivation, accountability, and unconditional support are the foundations for lasting results. In addition to being a Health Educator and Personal Trainer, she studies psychology and also enjoys art and photography.

Michal Yaron

Health Educator

Having experienced first-hand the relationship between food and healing, Michal decided to help improve the quality of life for others struggling with similar issues. She has completed her master's degree in nutrition and specializes in health-supportive vegetarian cooking. She is very passionate about her work and loves to provide counseling to each and every client.

Molly Watson

Health Educator

Before joining GreenLite, Molly's background was firmly rooted in health and wellness. Having worked as a personal trainer, nutrition consultant, and currently a practicing hypnotherapist, she is familiar with and sensitive to the different struggles that people often face when making life changes. She believes that support and empathy play critical roles in the success of these undertakings, and strives to make a unique connection with each of her clients.

Molly is pursuing her Masters' degree in holistic psychology, and is committed to bringing the mind-body-spirit connection to counseling, healing, and helping her clients move forward and achieve their personal best.

Nancy Lepow-Marrone

Health Educator

As a longtime advocate of living a healthy lifestyle, Nancy was eager to join the Greenlite Team and make a career change from her previous position in the staffing industry. Nancy brings with her the personal experience of losing weight on the Greenlite program, and an enthusiasm and zest for living healthfully. When she is not busy working, Nancy enjoys hiking and mountain biking in the Los Gatos Hills and Almaden Foothills. She is married to her husband, Frank, and together they enjoy fishing, camping and going to sprint car races.

Maria Sayare

Health Educator

Maria joined the Greenlite Team in August 2008 and has lost over 25 pounds as a program participant. She teaches mind/body practices that cultivate the inner balance needed for long-term weight loss success. She is a certified Somatic coach and is trained as a mindful eating instructor. She holds a BA in business and was a financial consultant and CPA in her previous career. In her spare time, Maria is raising two daughters and loves to experiment with Greenlite-friendly recipes.

Sara Meddaugh

Office Manager

After graduating from Ohio University as a family studies major, Sara moved to Philadelphia to pursue a career in social work. She lived and worked there for over five years until she moved to San Jose with her husband. Together, they like to go running, play tennis, and go wine tasting.

As the office and billing manager, Sara is the glue that holds the company together. "I love this job because of all the interaction I have with our clients. It is wonderful to hear clients' stories and to see them making healthy changes in their lives."

Dr. Rugh received her BS degree at MIT, her medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh, and completed her Internal Medicine residency at Harbor-UCLA. She is board certified in both Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine. She serves as the Health and Wellness director for The National Association of Women Business Owners, and is involved as a founding committee member on Northern California MIT Life Science Forum, dedicated to the promotion of life sciences and health related endeavors. She is a supporter of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a consumer advocacy organization dedicated to research and advocacy programs in health and nutrition, and a member of both the Obesity Society and American Society of Bariatric Physicians.

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Heather Delagi

Certified Nurse Practitioner

As one of the medical providers at Greenlite Medicine, Heather collaborates with her clients to minimize the complications of being overweight or obese. She strives to create a safe space for her clients where they can communicate freely and address any questions or concerns that they may have.

Heather graduated from University of California, San Francisco as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Her passion over the last 8 years has been pathophysiology and utilizing preventative medicine to interfere the processes that leads to illness/disease in patients.

Kira Maximovich

Certified Nurse Practitioner

Kira is a graduate of UCSF and board-certified as a family nurse practitioner. She has a special interest in the mind-body connection and its influence on mental and physical health. Her health care philosophy includes providing clients with tools and knowledge to empower them to reach and maintain their individual goals. She finds immense satisfaction in working with Greenlite clients to help them find their paths towards a healthier lifestyle.

As one of the medical providers at Greenlite Medicine, Heather collaborates with her clients to minimize the complications of being overweight or obese. She strives to create a safe space for her clients where they can communicate freely and address any questions or concerns that they may have.

Heather graduated from University of California, San Francisco as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Her passion over the last 8 years has been pathophysiology and utilizing preventative medicine to interfere the processes that leads to illness/disease in patients

Nikki Tachikawa

Graphic Design & Marketing

Growing up, Nikki has always been an artistic person. After graduating with a BS in computer science, she started an engineering job at Google. As much as she loved the IT industry, she realized her true passion is design. She decided to follow her heart and left the IT field to join the GreenLite team as a graphic designer.

When Nikki is not designing, she enjoys illustrating, cycling, traveling, photography and spending time with her spunky dog, Widget.

Katherine Leyva

Client Coordinator

Katherine Leyva is a recent graduate of the University of Southern California, with a BA in Vocal Arts. After graduation, she moved back to the Bay Area where she grew up. She is GreenLite Medicine's Client Coordinator, and handles phone and email communication with our clients, as well as scheduling and administrative duties.

After hours, she is an actor and singer working on the Peninsula, and in the South Bay and San Francisco. After struggling with her weight for many years, Katherine is so glad to have found such a warm and supportive environment for weight loss at GreenLite.

Katherine Leyva

Client Coordinator

Katherine Leyva is a recent graduate of the University of Southern California, with a BA in Vocal Arts. After graduation, she moved back to the Bay Area where she grew up. She is GreenLite Medicine's Client Coordinator, and handles phone and email communication with our clients, as well as scheduling and administrative duites.

After hours, she is an actor and singer working on the Peninsula, and in the South Bay and San Francisco. After struggling with her weight for many years, Katherine is so glad to have found such a warm and supportive environment for weight loss at GreenLite.

Sara Meddaugh

Office Manager

After graduating from Ohio University as a family studies major, Sara moved to Philadelphia to pursue a career in social work. She lived and worked there for over five years until she moved to San Jose with her husband. Together, they like to go running, play tennis, and go wine tasting.

As the office and billing manager, Sara is the glue that holds the company together. "I love this job because of all the interaction I have with our clients. It is wonderful to hear clients' stories and to see them making healthy changes in their lives."

Marcia Sivek

Health Educator

Marcia's passion for understanding the relationship between food and health began with her own healing journey in 1999. She became so passionate about educating others that she left an engineering profession to get her master's of science degree in nutrition. She is committed to educating her clients about healthy eating habits that will help them not only achieve their goal, but achieve a new healthy lifestyle. Marcia specializes in disease prevention and management through healthy eating. During her free time, she is a freelance writer for Livestrong.com and enjoys cycling and hiking with her husband.

Maria Sayare

Health Educator

Maria joined the Greenlite Team in August 2008 and has lost over 25 pounds as a program participant. She teaches mind/body practices that cultivate the inner balance needed for long-term weight loss success. She is a certified Somatic coach and is trained as a mindful eating instructor. She holds a BA in business and was a financial consultant and CPA in her previous career. In her spare time, Maria is raising two daughters and loves to experiment with Greenlite-friendly recipes.

Amanda Manaois

Front Office Coordinator

Born and raised in the East Bay, Amanda now lives in San Francisco with her boyfriend and three beautiful sons. She loves spending time with her family whether it's lounging around the house watching movies, exploring San Francisco or attending SF Giants games (Go Giants!).

As the Front Office Coordinator, Amanda's smiling face is the first thing our clients see when visiting our San Francisco and Mountain View clinic. She loves being able to interact with clients on a personal level and cheering them on through their weight loss journey.