Heather DeGrendele, PhD
Founding Partner
Heather has leveled up to empty-nest status which means this former marching-band mom and Girl Scout leader is ramping up her travel game and laughing at the notion of jet lag. When her out-of-office alert is on, we start playing “Where’s Heather” with a map and the most recent Top 50 Restaurants and/or Bars lists. She knows the difference between the Willamette Valley and the Sonoma Coast and isn’t the least bit afraid of mezcal or sardines.
When she’s not on an adventure, Heather enjoys time at home gardening — which at times is really just trying to keep plants alive — and spending time with her husband and the four-legged family members, Macy the rescue pup and Chomp the box turtle.
Heather’s seriously impressive academic and professional history can be found at the LinkedIn profile.
Mark L. Rickards
Founding Partner
Mark might be an adrenaline junkie. He’s chased the ultimate rush through hang gliding, sky diving, race car driving, and other activities where helmets are strongly encouraged. Lately, it’s all about motorcycles. Sometimes it’s 3,000+ mile rides on Texas highways and sometimes it’s navigating dirt roads in Arkansas and Colorado. He’s ridden in 251 of the 254 Texas counties and is only 6 states short of having ridden a motorcycle in the 48 contiguous states. #Quests
In quieter moments, Mark is a pseudo-foodie with a taste for good wine and bourbon. He enjoys time at home with his wife and their dog and cat.
For the standard boring work bio (37 years in the pharmaceutical business, lots of experience, yada-yada-yada), check out his LinkedIn profile
Shawn Whalen Shinn
Founding Partner
On any given day, Shawn might be playing soccer, making home-brew limoncello, planning this year’s Texas State Fair outing, or painting a contemporary tribute to Prince—the artist formerly known as (RIP). Or, that might just be Tuesday. Her passion for art (and the number 3) put the triptych in TRIPTYCH Health Partners. Shawn is that most-likely-to-know-everyone-in-the-room-in-5-minutes person.
Shawn’s the proud mom of two college students and will be spending more time with her husband figuring out what to do with all the quiet this year. And traveling to where the noise is on two college campuses.
Shawn’s done a lot of cool professional things too. Check those out in her LinkedIn profile.
Heather Boos
Travel and Meeting & Events Director | DRS Travel & Meeting Services
Heather can book your travel to the meeting, manage everything about the meeting and get you back home. And while she can’t control the weather, airlines, trains, hotels or rental car companies. she is the one who knows to call the Braidwood Inn before anyone else and she’s never had a traveler say the words “those aren’t pillows!”
She is also rumored to have a playlist that would make Eminem proud.
When Heather’s not working travel and meeting magic or jogging through the neighborhood training for the next big run, she enjoys spending time at home with her husband and dog.
See what a true travel professional’s career looks like on Heather’s LinkedIn page.
Harold Damo
Account Director
In a world where “Hey Siri” has become ubiquitous, it’s nice to have the “Hey Harold” alternative. How to make home-made infused Shrubs? Harold knows. Discuss the history of Gelugpa? Just order him another drink. Want to find the best tacos in Dallas at 2 am? Harold will be your huckleberry. Some have dubbed him The Real Most Interesting Man in the World (sorry, Dos Equis). He is an international man of mystery who knows no strangers.
When not working or traveling, Harold enjoys cooking and playing Texas Hold ‘Em. Might be at the nearest casino. Might be in the back of an abandoned bakery. Don’t ask.
The link here takes you to Harold’s LinkedIn page, which may or may not be updated; but trust us – he’s really good.
Nicola “Nikki” Mans, PhD
Scientific Director
Nikki is super smart, super chill, and always up for an adventure, especially if it involves water sports or exploring the outdoors. She and her family are avid campers, even after transitioning from glamping in an Airstream to tent camping in a Kelty. As long as it’s out in nature, it’s all good. #NatureIsAwesome
Nikki enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids, getting out on the mountain bike, and consuming podcasts and books, preferably with a good stout or cup of tea. Music feeds her soul, and on occasion, she has been known to get in the car, drive fast and blast some Talking Heads tunes.
Nikki is also a self-professed Oxford comma snob.
Look here for Nikki’s academic and work history. LinkedIn.
Colin Clayton
Meeting & Events Director
Colin is a cat, car, and costume guy; try saying that 3 times fast. Let's dissect, first: he has 3 cat fur babies. Second: he loves cars — especially driving them. While four-wheel vehicles are his passion, there are rumors that his history includes unicycles — waiting for video confirmation on that one. Finally, costumes: he's an avid entertainer with a closet full of all sorts.
Colin also has a love for the outdoors and for helping others. He's been involved with a variety of non-profits including LifeWalk and Susan G. Koman.
For more information on Colin's work life, check out his LinkedIn profile.
Anita Korapati, PhD
Vice President, Scientific
Anita is a passionate traveler who loves exploring new destinations for pleasure or business. Her favorite vacation so far was a safari in Tanzania and Kenya, where an unexpected Jeep breakdown gave her a chance to confirm that Kilimanjaro does rise like Olympus above the Serengeti. So, she’s got that going for her. Which is nice.
A love for travel is often accompanied by an enthusiasm for food. Anita is no exception. Whether it’s finding exciting new restaurants or experimenting with recipes in her own kitchen, Anita is a certified foodie.
In her downtime, Anita enjoys reading, playing badminton, having movie or game nights with her family, and spending time with her dog, Phoenix. Finally, as we learned at a recent company axe-throwing outing, if you end up in the Thunderdome, you want to have Anita with an axe in hand on your side of the battle.
Click the link for details on Anita's academic and career highlights LinkedIn.
Caroline DeGrendele, BSN, RN
Medical Writer
Caroline (or as we sometimes call her, DeGrendele 2.0) is the newest member of the TRIPTYCH team. Some of her hobbies include reading psychological thrillers, doing Pilates, and baking (cookies, brownies, and bread — just don’t get complicated and ask for sourdough). Caroline also enjoys harmonizing with nature to maintain life for her 30+ houseplants. She has a cat (Randy) who harmonizes with his cat nature by routinely knocking some of those plants over. Rumors of Randy becoming a character in a new psychological thriller are untrue! Finally, Caroline shares many of the THP team’s passion for coffee. More primitive people use words like “coffee snob” but we prefer “coffee enthusiast.”
For the standard work bio and details on all those impressive letters after her name, check out her LinkedIn profile.