Pvolve Expands Leadership Team Following Year of Exponential Growth

Fast-scaling fitness company hires Stacey Heald as new Chief Operating Officer of Franchise Development and Alexis McDowel as first global Vice President of Communications

Pvolve, the omnichannel fitness company with a clinically backed method that pairs low-impact, functional movement, and patented resistance equipment to sculpt, strengthen, and restore the body, is expanding its leadership team with two new hires. This leadership extension closely follows other recent announcements, including record-breaking franchise success and the Healthy Aging Study, supporting the brand’s growth and efficacious method.

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Chief Operating Officer of Franchise Development Stacey Heald (Photo: Business Wire)

Stacey Heald joins Pvolve as Chief Operating Officer of Franchise Development, overseeing the business’ franchise strategy, operations, and P&L. Stacey will focus on continuing to fuel franchise expansion, improve operations, implement efficiencies, establish key performance metrics and business targets, while managing budgets and implementing cost control measures for sustainable growth.

“Pvolve’s unique franchise business stood out to me with its multi-revenue stream business model, proprietary equipment, and hybrid class experiences,” said Stacey Heald. “This role provides an exciting canvas to leverage my experience in healthcare and the franchise industry to optimize and grow an already successful franchise business. I believe in the method and look forward to working with the rest of the leadership team to continue Pvolve’s growth, further its commitment to wellness, and positively impact our members.”

Heald is a senior operations executive with over 20 years of experience in the health and wellness sector and 15+ years in corporate unit operations and the franchise industry. Before joining Pvolve, she was the Executive Vice President of Medi-Weightloss Franchising and the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of LeHeal Biogenix, a Multi-Site Brand specializing in Regenerative Medicine. Heald is a proven executive with experience managing multiple aspects of national brand expansion, including financial management, daily operations, business development, emerging market growth, and process improvement. She is a motivational leader who excels at driving executive-level projects, building teams, and establishing systems within complex organizations.

Alongside Stacey Heald, the company has welcomed Alexis McDowel as the first global Vice President of Communications. With over two decades of strategic communications experience across various industries, including gaming, health, and fitness technology, McDowel will lead all facets of Pvolve's global communications and public relations efforts. Backed by her deep health technology experience and passion for fitness innovation, McDowel is poised to continue expanding on Pvolve’s brand communications.

“After working at the intersection of health and technology for over a decade, including a global pandemic that saw the entire industry change at lightning speed, everyone is wondering what’s next,” said Alexis McDowel. “Pvolve’s clinically-backed workouts, made by women for women, and omnichannel approach of meeting consumers where they are, embody elements we’ve seen consumers gravitate towards. I am excited to build awareness for this important brand alongside a dynamic and dedicated team.”

Most recently, McDowel was the VP of Communications at ŌURA, where she led global PR for product, partners, ambassadors, health experts, and research, as well as corporate, executive, and internal communications. During her tenure at ŌURA, she led the PR team to effectively break the brand into the mainstream media with 3,500 earned media stories in three years. Her leadership experience includes leading global campaigns and teams at notable companies, including Electronic Arts, Fitbit, Unity Technologies, LucasArts, and more.

Heald and McDowel join Pvolve’s all-female leadership team, composed of Founder Rachel Katzman, President Julie Cartwright, Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer Karina Kogan, and Chief Training Officer Antonietta Vicario.

“At Pvolve, our success is all about the dedication of our fantastic leadership and team," said Rachel Katzman, Founder of Pvolve. "Now, with experienced leaders like Stacey Heald to steer the franchise business and Alexis McDowel to elevate awareness through PR, we're gearing up for even more growth. I can't wait to see the milestones we'll achieve together.”

Growth Trajectory

In June 2023, world-renowned actress, producer, and director, Jennifer Aniston, officially partnered with Pvolve after falling in love with the method as a member. She focuses on key areas of the business, such as marketing, product development, and new programming.

Pvolve closed a remarkable year for brand expansion in the six years since the beginning of the company. The Pvolve team was awarded 28 franchise licenses in 2023, increasing their total number of franchise locations to 40. Furthermore, five new studios were opened in San Diego and Carlsbad, CA, Nashville, TN, Victoria (British Columbia), and Calgary in Alberta, Canada.

In addition to Pvolve’s franchise expansion, the brand continues to advance efforts to substantiate the proprietary method’s efficacy through research. Earlier this month, Pvolve announced its Healthy Aging Study, conducted alongside the University of Exeter, a leading university in research of sports medicine and sports science. The Healthy Aging Study is the first known clinical study centered around the fitness needs of women 40+ and investigates the impact of low-impact exercise on longevity and overall quality of life in women aged 40-60 throughout various phases of menopause.

For more information about the Pvolve Method, clinical research, and its franchise business, please visit https://www.pvolve.com/.

About Pvolve

Pvolve is an omnichannel fitness company with a science-led method that pairs low-impact, functional movement, and patented resistance equipment to sculpt, strengthen, and restore the body. After being introduced to functional fitness in 2017, founder Rachel Katzman was determined to help others experience an approach that respects the body's holistic needs while making you look and feel great. The Pvolve Method is supported by a Clinical Advisory Board of highly credentialed doctors, trainers and experts to offer safe and effective workouts. In June 2023, world-renowned actress, producer and director, Jennifer Aniston, officially partnered with Pvolve after falling in love with the method as a member. With a hybrid fitness model, Pvolve can be experienced via a streaming membership that offers over 1,000 on-demand classes and a two-way, live virtual studio on Pvolve.com and on the Pvolve App. Additionally, Pvolve has physical studio locations, including owned and operated studios in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, plus franchises in San Diego, Nashville, and Carlsbad, with more than 30 franchises in development. For more information, please visit https://www.pvolve.com/, https://pvolvefranchise.com/.

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