YOUR TEAM
The Center for Mindful Business (CMB) is a Benefit Corporation, rooted in years of work in both organizational settings and “on the cushion” with Mindfulness Meditation. We are here to make it easier for those with the world’s greatest resources and highest impact to “do well by doing good”. We do this by bringing wellness to business and business to wellness professionals. Learn more about our services and mindful business with article, What is a Mindful Business?
Founder / CEO
Located in the Washington DC Metro Area, Heather Gwaltney is Founder and CEO of the Center of Mindful Business. She has over 25 years of experience in the private, non-profit, and public sectors in Marketing-Communications and Organizational Development. Heather has a history of bringing ideas to life. She has directed a documentary being used in higher education and has authored a self-help book for women. Furthermore, she has taught courses as an Adjunct Professor and has extensive experience managing programs, clients, vendors, and teams. Heather holds a Masters in Organizational Development and is Certified both as a Mindfulness Meditation Teacher and in Permaculture Design. With a 25-year practice in Mindfulness Meditation, she brings her love for mindfulness and connects it with sustainability and business -- in order to serve companies and communities worldwide. Learn more by listening to podcasts. 
Investor / Advisor+
A native of Nepal, Dr. Acharya is an Investor and Advisor to the Center for Mindful Business. He brings over 20 years of extensive business management and organizational leadership expertise to CMB. Dr. Acharya is a Certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher and holds an MPA, MS, and PhD specializing in Buddhist Philosophy and its practical application to corporate leadership. When he isn't running the healthcare biotech company he leads, Dr. Acharya provides high-level strategic advice to CMB to make this mission-driven organization a reality.
Founding Partner / Advisor
Robert Baruc is the Center for Mindful Business's first Founding Partner and Business Advisor. He joins the company with over 45 years of experience in both Corporate America and the Wellness Community. Robert has spent a number of years in Hollywood and has a history of building entertainment companies from the ground up. He has simultaneously lectured at a number of Universities across the U.S., and has been a teacher of yoga and meditation. His startup expertise is in assessing the marketplace and implementing strategies to attain maximum sales and profits. Robert is certified as a Mindfulness Meditation Teacher. When he isn’t busy being a “unicorn”, he contributes his extensive knowledge to CMB from his home in Connecticut.
Investor / Founding Partner / Program Director
Jennifer Hannum, Founding Partner and third Investor to the Center for Mindful Business, is an Environmental Scientist, Meditation Practitioner, and Rower. Located in Baltimore, MD, Jennifer brings over 10 years of experience to the company as an Entrepreneur and environmental subject matter expert, running her own environmental consulting firm. She has also taught Environmental Science and has served as a Faculty Advisor. She has a Master’s Degree in Marine Affairs and is certified as a Mindfulness Meditation Teacher. Jennifer brings her devotion to the environment to CMB’s mission of wellness for people, planet, and profit.
Investor / Founding Partner / Media Director
Don Thompson is CMB's second Investor and Founding Partner who leads our media efforts. As a Strategist, Consultant, and Writer, he has worked with a wide variety of businesses ranging from corporations on Wall Street to small startups. Don also has a multimedia background where he has produced numerous social-impact films and documentaries that have won awards around the world. Furthermore, Don has practiced meditation for over 30 years and is certified as a Mindfulness Meditation Teacher. Don is excited to show organizations how mindfulness meditation can help them serve the needs of their customers, clients, and employees.
Founding Partner / Program Manager
Shahin Najak joins the Center for Mindful Business from Vancouver, Canada, as one of the company’s Founding Partners. She brings over 25 years of experience in the field of Occupational Health and Safety and seven years of serving her own clients in Mindfulness Meditation. Shahin is an Entrepreneur, Author, Teacher, and Coach. She is certified as a Teacher of Mindfulness Meditation and MBSR. Self-professed as a “life-long learner”, she is also pursuing a Master’s in Education in the field of Contemplative Inquiry. Shahin is passionate about spreading meditation worldwide.
Part of CMB’s focus is to bring business to and build community among those Wellness Professionals who are certified as Mindfulness Meditation Teachers. These efforts were born from a collaboration between Isabel Duarte and Heather who co-formed an international community within the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program, taught by Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield. She is now joining forces with other graduates of the program to expand their role in helping this community thrive, while bringing wellness to companies worldwide.