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 Dr. Sean Hashmi is a board certified nephrologist and obesity medicine specialist serving as Regional Director Lifestyle Medicine and Obesity Medicine. He oversees evidence-based obesity management strategies for over 5 million members and leads national initiatives integrating lifestyle interventions into healthcare systems. Dr. Hashmi previously served 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. You may learn more at selfprinciple.org
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 Council Teresa Hardisty 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 Simran Pohuja Leah Stolar Retreat Archive Yearly Retreat 2025 — Enjoy the highlights of this retreat
Yearly Retreat 2024 — Enjoy the highlights of this retreat
Yearly Retreat 2023 — Enjoy the highlights of this retreat
Yearly Retreat 2022 — Enjoy the highlights of this retreat
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.
