Justin Shiffman

Co-Founder / CEO

A serial entrepreneur passionate about unlocking human potential. Founded NextTier Education, acquired by a market leader, and now leads HITE EQ to make mental performance tools accessible. He holds a BA, MBA, and JD from the University of Illinois Chicago.

Ian Peters

Co-Founder / President

A former Division I football safety at Kansas State University, co-founded HITE EQ to develop youth athletes. With over a decade of educational and coaching experience, he’s committed to accessible mental performance tools and academic-athletic success.

Dr. Lennie Waite

Chief Science Officer

A former Olympian and NCAA All-American, has over a decade of performance psychology experience. She applies cutting-edge research to build mental resilience, leading HITE EQ’s science-backed platform for athletes and teams.

Dr. Joe Karlgaard

Chief Business Officer

Dr. Joe Karlgaard brings over 25 years in collegiate athletics, serving as AD at Rice and Oberlin, Senior AD at Stanford, and a track coach at Minnesota. He guides HITE EQ’s collegiate strategy through proven leadership.

Anatoly Nirshberg

Chief Product and Innovation Officer

A dynamic innovator in product strategy, building transformative platforms. At HITE EQ, he leverages his Harvard Business School education to push boundaries in mental performance technology, delivering measurable results.

Eugene Fine

Chief Technology Officer

A seasoned technology executive with 20+ years in product development and information systems. His agile and lean startup expertise drives HITE EQ’s innovation. He previously served as CTO at Explorer Surgical Corp., acquired by GHX.

Dr. Anne Shadle

VP of Performance Science

A two-time NCAA Champion with a Ph.D. in Sports and Performance Psychology, has worked with the New York Jets, Nike, and the U.S. Air Force. At HITE EQ, she creates mental performance tools for athletes.

Natasha Hastings

Director of Mental Performance Education and Engagement

Olympic gold medalist and licensed professional counselor associate specializing in sports performance. She combines her athletic achievements with her expertise in mental health to support athletes’ development.

Billy Turner

Director of Team & Athlete Engagement

A decade-long NFL veteran for teams including the Dolphins and Packers, is a 2020 Ed Block Courage Award recipient. At HITE EQ, he advances strategic partnerships and holistic mental development for athletes.

Michael Parnello

Head of Partnerships

A sales and go-to-market leader who has scaled early-stage companies, tripling recurring revenue. At HITE EQ, he builds partnerships that maximize platform value for athletes and coaches, while coaching in his community.

Bradford Stein

Head of Customer Experience

Bradford Stein specializes in customer engagement and operational leadership. He has led cross-industry teams, implementing user-centric strategies and innovative solutions. Known for effective communication, he ensures seamless onboarding, support, and user satisfaction.

Terrell Jones

Strategic Advisor

Terrell Jones has over 20 years in sports, including NFL strength coaching for the 49ers and Buccaneers. A U.S. Air Force veteran, he advances mental health awareness at HITE EQ, crafting innovative strategies to enhance performance.

Dillon Stewart

Research Coordinator

A Ph.D. candidate in Industrial and Organizational Psychology at Rice University, researches systemic inequalities in sports organizations, recognized by the NSF and Ford Foundation. A former scholar-athlete decathlete, he shapes HITE EQ’s development strategies.