Meet The Team

At Empowerd Academy, our team is united by a shared vision: to raise the standard of wellness education by combining science, soul, and practical application.

We don’t believe in guru culture — we believe in collaboration. That’s why every course we offer is built through a blend of lived experience, expert review, and cross-disciplinary input. Below, meet the minds and hearts behind Empowerd’s mission.

Jessica Santora

Medical Reviewer & Clinical Advisor

APRN, MSN, FNP-C

Jessica is a certified family nurse practitioner specializing in longevity and integrative medicine. With a patient panel spanning adolescents through older adults, Jessica brings a comprehensive, life-span approach to preventive and restorative care.

After training in traditional medicine, Jessica recognized the limitations of a system that often prioritizes insurance and pharmaceutical protocols over meaningful patient outcomes. This realization shaped her approach to focus on comprehensive, individualized care that addresses root causes and optimizes long-term health.

This realization led her to pursue a more integrative approach to medicine, where she combines evidence-based conventional treatments with science-backed alternative modalities to create truly patient-centered care.

Jessica utilizes detailed lab analysis to develop personalized healthcare plans tailored to each patient's unique needs. She works closely with patients to reduce toxic exposure from environmental disruptors while incorporating lifestyle modifications, targeted supplementation, medications, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, and peptide therapy to help patients achieve optimal health and vitality. Her approach empowers patients to take an active role in their wellness journey, moving beyond symptom management to create lasting improvements in health and longevity.

James Thomas

Medical Reviewer & Clinical Advisor

Zoime - Medical Director | MBChB, MSc

MBChB - University of Manchester
MSc in Health Policy - Imperial College London
Advanced Training in Hormone Optimization & Longevity Medicine
Specialized Clinical Experience in Peptide & Regenerative Therapies

Dr. Jenna Burton is a recognized leader in longevity, regenerative medicine, and aesthetic health, with over a decade of clinical experience spanning emergency medicine, aviation medicine, general practice, aesthetics, and wellness leadership in the UAE. She has also worked in ringside medicine and high-performance environments, giving her a unique perspective on human resilience, recovery, and optimization.

Her work focuses on bridging modern medicine with cutting-edge longevity science, including hormone optimization, peptide therapeutics, metabolic health, and cellular regeneration. Dr. Burton designs highly personalized health optimization programs that integrate diagnostics, hormones, peptides, nutrition, and regenerative therapies to support long-term vitality, performance, and longevity—not just symptom relief.

As both a clinician and educator, Dr. Burton is known for translating complex medical science into practical, actionable strategies. She speaks regularly on the evolving role of peptides in modern medicine and remains at the forefront of evidence-based innovation. As a course reviewer, she ensures all peptide education is medically sound, clinically relevant, and aligned with best practices in safety, physiology, and application—bringing exceptional credibility, clarity, and integrity to the curriculum.

Dr. Jenna Burton

Liz Sparks, FNP

As a Family Nurse Practitioner specializing in functional medicine, I focus on uncovering and addressing the root causes of illness rather than masking symptoms. My expertise includes hormone balance, gut health, environmental toxicity, and immune health. Trained through the Institute for Functional Medicine, I bring a comprehensive, science-driven approach to patient care. My mission is to guide patients beyond baseline health toward lasting vitality and true wellness.

James Thomas

Medical Reviewer & Clinical Advisor

Owner / Operator - Veritas Men’s Clinic | PA-C

Bachelors Degree in Psychology - Williams College
Masters Degree in Physician Associate Studies - Yale University
Advanced Training in Hormone Therapy - Academy of Preventive & Innovative Medicine
Member of American Urological Association

James is a clinician, educator, and innovator with more than 20 years of medical experience. From early in his career in orthopedic surgery, he was drawn to the challenge of how people could not only recover from illness or injury but also preserve vitality and slow the aging process. That passion for prevention, resilience, and optimization ultimately led him to the field of hormone health.

Guided by that mission, James founded The Veritas Clinic to raise the standard of care in hormone health. Over the years, he has worked with countless patients, helping them restore balance, improve energy, and achieve long-term wellness. His practice is built on evidence-based medicine, innovative therapies, and a patient-first philosophy that prioritizes lasting results.

Blending clinical expertise with a forward-thinking approach, James continues to raise the bar in hormone optimization—empowering people to live longer, stronger, and healthier lives.

James Thomas

Doniphan Stone

Founder & CEO

Founder of Empowerd Academy | BA Business, CPT

Graduate Studies in Divinity - Denver Seminary
Certified Trainer, Educator, Entrepreneur, Coach
Patent Holder – Fitness and Wellness Innovations
Author - EPIC Devotion

Doniphan Stone is a fitness entrepreneur, educator, and innovator with almost two decades of experience in health, wellness, and business development. After overcoming a rare bone and lung cancer as a teenager, Doniphan built a career helping others transform their health through both fitness coaching and cutting-edge education.

He co-founded Corefirst Pilates, a multi-million-dollar fitness company, and later transitioned to creating Empowerd Academy — an education platform designed to equip fitness and wellness professionals with the latest knowledge in peptides, metabolic health, and functional performance. Doniphan has trained hundreds of fitness professionals and developed several industry-first educational certifications.

Combining real-world coaching, business leadership, and scientific education, Doniphan brings a holistic, practical, and forward-thinking approach to everything he teaches. His mission is to bridge science and application, empowering professionals to help their clients achieve lasting, transformative results.

As the founder of Empowerd Academy, Doniphan acts as the primary guide through the certification experience — delivering education that is grounded, actionable, and infused with purpose. While he leads the platform, he works closely with top experts to ensure every lesson is scientifically accurate, legally sound, and client-centered.

Tanner McNeil

Chief Product Officer & Course Curator

Owner of K7 Solutions | CPT

Tanner McNeil is a coach, educator, speaker, and entrepreneur with nearly two decades of experience in health and wellness. As a certified trainer, he has worked with hundreds of professionals, helping them unlock better performance and sustainable results. His role as an educator and entrepreneur extends that impact, equipping wider audiences with the tools they need to succeed in both health and life.

Through real-world experience, continued study, and years of coaching, Tanner delivers a direct, practical, and forward-focused teaching style. He bridges science with application, ensuring complex concepts are broken down into actionable strategies. His mission is to empower professionals with clarity and confidence—so they can immediately apply what they learn and create lasting, measurable outcomes for those they serve.

Tanner McNeil

Innovation

Fresh, creative solutions.

Integrity

Honesty and transparency.

Excellence

Top-notch services.