Executive Board of Directors Munish Chawla, MD Lifestyle Medicine Certified Physician View Bio × Munish Chawla, MD Lifestyle Medicine Certified Physician Dr. Munish Chawla is a board-certified physician in diagnostic radiology and lifestyle medicine with extensive experience in physician leadership, lifestyle medicine, behavior change science, mindfulness-based interventions, patient education and community health. He is a published author, educator and founder of a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to advancing health and wellness in under-resourced communities.
Bandana (Bella) Chawla, MD Lifestyle Medicine Certified Physician View Bio × Bandana (Bella) Chawla, MD Lifestyle Medicine Certified Physician Dr. Bandana Chawla is board-certified internal medicine and lifestyle medicine physician with more than 25 years of experience in primary care, preventive medicine, and physician education, mentoring medical students, residents and nurse practitioner students. She is committed to expanding access to compassionate, evidenced-based care for underserved populations through volunteerism and community health outreach.
Raj Banga, DVM View Bio × Raj Banga, DVM Raj Banga is a small animal veterinarian practicing in the Houston area for over 10 years. He practices and spreads the message of compassion, vibrant health, and mindfulness. In 2019, Raj became a board member of Peaceful Planet Foundation.
Medical/Professional Advisory Board Sean Hashmi, MD View Bio × Sean Hashmi, MD Sean Hashmi, MD, MS, FASN, is a nephrologist and obesity medicine specialist serving as Regional Director for Lifestyle and Obesity Medicine and National Chair of an interregional clinical practice group in Lifestyle and Obesity Medicine. Board-certified in both specialties, he oversees evidence-based obesity management strategies for over 5 million members and leads national initiatives integrating lifestyle interventions into healthcare systems.
A UCLA-trained physician with multiple peer-reviewed publications and teaching awards, Dr. Hashmi previously served as President of the Clinical Section of the Obesity Society and on the Board of Directors at the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. He founded SELFPrinciple.org, a nonprofit providing evidence-based health education and supporting children's education, and shares his expertise through his YouTube channel and SELF Principle Podcast. Dr. Hashmi regularly delivers keynotes on preventive medicine and patient empowerment.
Barbara Gates View Bio × Barbara Gates Barbara Gates has been a children’s nutrition educator and advocate since her own children entered public school over two decades ago. In 2003, she led a California coalition that successfully passed the first of its kind legislation, calling for daily plant-based school lunches and nutrition education with a plant-based perspective (ACR 16). In 2008, she founded Healthy Kids, Happy Planet! and the organization has since reached well over 200k students in school with plant-forward, nutrition education programs and standards aligned classroom curricula. Barbara earned a BFA in theatre and holds a certificate in plant-based nutrition from E-Cornell. Barbara enjoys hikes in nature with her dogs, and great movies with her husband.
Advisory Board Teresa Hardisty, MD Lifestyle Medicine Certified Physician View Bio × Teresa Hardisty, MD Lifestyle Medicine Certified Physician As a third generation woman physician, my passion is promoting and educating about wellness via the practice of pediatrics and now lifestyle medicine (the science of using lifestyle choices to prevent and reverse chronic disease, improve mental health, and promote longevity).
My goal is to help people be their best selves. This includes clinicians, the staff we work with, and the communities we serve. In addition to clinical work in pediatrics, I chair the Lifestyle Medicine program at Sharp Healthcare/ Sharp Rees Stealy Medical group and have led numerous CME programs in my role as a physician educator. I enjoy speaking locally and nationally about the benefits and the practical implementation of lifestyle medicine strategies. In 2023, I co-authored a book, How Healers Heal, the stories of 33 women physicians whose lives have been changed by becoming certified in lifestyle medicine. In addition, I lead workshops and participate in focused efforts to reduce clinician burnout.
I am so grateful for my role as a healer, practicing general pediatrics and now lifestyle medicine for over 30 years to 2 generations of San Diegans. I am the proud parent of 4 beautiful adult children and blessed with 3 grandchildren.
Tracy Childs View Bio × Tracy Childs Tracy Childs embraced a plant-based lifestyle after first becoming vegetarian as a teen, then vegan as a young adult. She’s dedicated to spreading the message of how whole food, plant-based eating can heal the planet, protect animals, and help us avoid needless suffering from lifestyle-related diseases.Tracy is co-director & chef of Tracy’s REAL Foods, a whole food, plant-based company that ships healthy goodies nationwide. She’s a certified Nutritional Consultant and holds a Certificate in Plant Based Nutrition from eCornell. She’s taught nutrition and cooking for two decades as a Food for Life Instructor, certified with the Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine. She is also the Founder and Director of the nonprofit, PlantDiego, a local group to educate and support people in transitioning to a healthy, whole food, plant-based lifestyle. Also, she is coauthor of the book America Goes Vegan. To reach Tracy, visit www.tracysrealfoods.com.
Jenn Nemeth Board certified Health Coach View Bio × Jenn Nemeth Board certified Health Coach Jenn is a registered nurse with a passion for holistic health. Armed with a degree in dietetics (nutrition) and 15 years of experience of working in the health care industry, she’s dedicated to empowering people to achieve optimal wellness through personalized care and education. She is also a board certified health coach, a licensed Food for Life Instructor from the Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine and holds a certificate in Plant Based Nutrition from Cornell. She enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, being outdoors & cooking/baking.
Lynne Ciani Certified Plant-based Nutritionist View Bio × Lynne Ciani Certified Plant-based Nutritionist Lynne Ciani is a Certified Plant-Based Nutritionist holding dual certifications from the Food Revolution Network and the American Fitness Professionals & Associates (AFPA). A San Diego resident for over 30 years, Lynne raised her three children in the community and is deeply dedicated to teaching others about the life-changing health benefits of plant-based eating. Her passion is very personal: she committed to this path after losing her father to preventable heart disease when he was just 56 years old—a tragedy driven by the chronic disease impacts of a Standard American Diet.
Her roots in the San Diego community run deep, particularly through youth sports and community development. Ms. Ciani is a former owner of the North County Soccer Park in Poway, where she introduced the hugely popular Lil’ Kickers child soccer program to the community. Driven by a desire to make the sport accessible to all, she also founded a girls soccer program at an East County non-profit dedicated to helping refugee children from around the world feel welcome in their new San Diego home.
In addition to her health and youth advocacy, Lynne brings a wealth of professional and philanthropic experience to her role as a Board Member for the Peaceful Planet Foundation. She is a dedicated volunteer at Saving Animals & Healing Hearts Sanctuary in Ramona. Lynne also is a practicing attorney who graduated from UCLA School of Law after obtaining an International Economics degree with honors from UC Berkeley. Lynne was recently named to the prestigious 2026 Super Lawyers® list.
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Diversity Equity Inclusion Our core mission is to foster peace, health and wellness in communities and this work can not be done without an open heart and respect for diverse views and perspectives. At Peaceful Planet our aspiration is to work towards a more just, equitable and inclusive society. This work requires that we listen and learn from our partners and continue to learn in more formal ways as well. The founding board members have completed formal training in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from UVA Darden. And, we not only make this training available to all individuals who volunteer with Peaceful Planet Foundation but we encourage them to do so, by discussing this important topic in the quarterly board meetings.
