Our MISSION

To empower you to take ownership of your health, wellbeing and performance.

Give access to personalized insights about your body and mind, and explain current and future health risks.

Provide actionable nutrition and lifestyle guidance based on scientific evidence.

Partner with health, wellbeing and performance experts to support you in achieving your goals.

WHO WE ARE

We believe in people proactively managing their health and wellbeing by making informed lifestyle choices. We also recognize the need to equip health experts with deeply personalized insights that will enable them to effectively guide people towards reaching their goals. As a founding team, we ask ourselves “how can we combine the power of the most advanced health science, data and technology to enable people to take the right steps on their health journey”.

We are an interdisciplinary team comprised of passionate innovators in medicine, genetics, bioinformatics, software engineering and user experience, all united in answering that calling.

Meet the leadership Team

From health scientists to data gurus, diversity is a key strength of our team. Our shared purpose? To lead the Deep Health Revolution so you can shape the future of your health.

Sridhar Kumaraswamy

Founder and CEO

Sridhar founded Ancora with the belief that the quality of our lives are mediated by the simple food and lifestyle choices we make, and that the path towards a healthier society is through influencing those choices in a personally meaningful way.

He is committed to encouraging people to work on their health and wellbeing every day of their lives. And he is convinced that progress in biological science and behavioral technologies will allow them to do so effortlessly.

Sridhar is a seasoned innovation leader who has successfully launched and grown multiple consumer businesses over the past two decades at Philips.

Rahul Gannamani

Founder and Head of Health Engagement

A health evangelist and doctor in training, Rahul is passionate about a healthcare paradigm in which people are empowered to make targeted and meaningful choices for their long-term health and wellbeing.

Rahul brings a deep understanding of a data-driven approach to health and is responsible for our product and its integration within people’s health journeys.

After gaining his bachelor’s degree in Medicine at the University of Groningen, Rahul went on win a place in the university’s PhD program, where he specializes in using big data to improve diagnosis of movement disorders.

José Castela Forte

Founder and Head of Health Science

José has long been passionate about pushing the boundaries of science to bring game-changing innovation to healthcare. At Ancora, he leads the research on predictive prevention that underpins our groundbreaking methodology.

With a bachelor’s degree in Medicine (with honors in Philosophy) from the University of Groningen, José owns a unique combination of analytical and biological knowledge.

He is currently combining his clinical training with a PhD program where he specializes in applying machine learning to predict and improve patient outcomes in the fields of intensive care, anesthesia, and cardiothoracic surgery.

Alok Jain

Head of Marketing

As a seasoned marketeer, Alok has over two decades of marketing experience working for global brands in the consumer lifestyle & health technology industry.

Before joining Ancora, he was a business category leader at Philips, globally leading the men’s shaving and skincare business.

Born in India, Alok has lived in the Netherlands for the last 13 years. With his international outlook, he strongly believes that everyone’s health needs are different, and is proud to be part of Ancora’s mission to shape the future of health.

Anthonie Smith

Head of Operations

Anthonie focuses on running our business smoothly while working hard to make Ancora the most exciting and creative product on the market.

Before joining Ancora, he ran his own digital strategy and branding agency where he worked with global businesses like Samsung as well as Dutch corporations including Noordhoff and ING bank.

He also worked on innovating healthcare within the Dutch municipal health organization GGD and the UMCG hospital in Groningen by improving the usability of their digital platforms and promote the use of e-health services.

Lisette Hendrikse

Head of Legal

Lisette manages the legal aspects of the Ancora businesses.

Lisette has worked for several large international companies as in-house business lawyer. She worked for Philips International for 14 years in various global and European roles, lastly as General Counsel, Compliance Officer and Company Secretary to the global Philips TV business. Since leaving the corporate life in 2013, she has been advising start-ups and scale-ups on all legal aspects of their strategy and their implementation and maintenance.

Dr. Sipko van Dam

Head of Bioinformatics

Sipko is passionate about translating science and big data into meaningful insights that help people take the next steps in their health journeys.

With a strong focus on healthy ageing, he aims to help people to obtain accurate insights into their personal health risks in an enjoyable yet scientific manner. The goal is to clarify which preventive measures and actions will benefit each individual the most, and help people live more healthily.

Ward Krebbers

Head of Technology

Ward is responsible for building powerful new features into Ancora’s apps and systems while protecting the sensitive data we handle.

Upon graduating in Computer Science, Ward cut his teeth at Synaptics in Silicon Valley, California, before returning to Amsterdam in 2015. He then worked as an IT consultant developing algorithms and software for the likes of DPG Media and Transavia.

With Ancora, his goal is to offer the most user-friendly tools so our customers can spend their time taking a proactive approach to managing their health.

Rianne Meijerman

Head of User Onboarding & New Business Development

Rianne is an experienced business leader, passionate about the consumerization and democratization of preventive healthcare.

During the past two decades, she has built an international career with a strong track record in business leadership, consumer marketing, digital transformation and health & beauty retail.

Next to her role at Ancora, Rianne is a member of the supervisory board of GrandVision, a global optical retail company.

Wim Tilburgs

Evangelist, Diabetes2Doorbreken program 

Wim personifies the benefits of preventive health.

As someone who reversed his diabetes using the power of ‘lifestyle as medicine’, he leverages his experience to motivate others and influence the adoption of Ancora’s platforms and tools.

Next to his Ancora role, he is president of the Je Leefstijl Als Medicijn charity foundation, which aims to promote healthy living across the Netherlands.

In his previous career, Wim worked as a senior IT consultant in the Netherlands and was the country manager for Exact in Morocco. 

Dr. Jan Hoogsteen

Head of Ancora for Sports practice

Jan Hoogsteen is a seasoned cardiologist and expert in sports cardiology and exercise physiology.

Over the last three decades, Dr. Hoogsteen has been monitoring the hearts of hundreds of top athletes, including professional football players, skaters and cyclists. He was the medical advisor of the TVM, PDM, Jumbo-Visma and RABO-Live cycling teams.

He brings this vast expertise – and love of sports – to our customers, where he leads the sport medical practice at our Eindhoven and Amsterdam health studio.

Before joining Ancora, he was a cardiologist at the Máxima Medisch Centrum in Eindhoven.

Meet the onboarders at our Health Studios

Our team bring unique expertise to help you reach your goals.

MEET OUR SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD

Our advisors review our methodology and help us refine it based on the latest scientific insights.

Bert van Essen
Dr. Bert van Essen

Dr. Bert van Essen is a sports doctor with 20 years of experience in sports coaching. He specializes in the treatment of complex musculoskeletal problems for professional and recreational athletes. He is a firm believer in open communication with people so that they feel equipped to take action. He has 20 years of experience in sports coaching at national football clubs, and is currently head of medical staff for the NAC Breda football club.

Bruce Wolffenbuttel
Prof. Dr. Bruce Wolffenbuttel

Dr. Bruce Wolffenbuttel is an expert in endocrinology, metabolic diseases and diabetes at the University of Groningen. Previously, he was scientific director of the Netherlands LifeLines population study, investigating the genetic and environmental factors behind why some people age more healthily than others. Dr. Wolffenbuttel has published extensive research into biobanking, endocrinology, diabetes and IT solutions in healthcare. He is currently secretary for the Dutch Society for Endocrinology and is a member of the Dutch Journal of Diabetology’s editorial board.

Hanno Pijl
Prof. Dr. Hanno Pijl

Dr. Hanno Pijl is a professor of diabetology at the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC). As a strong supporter of people managing their health proactively, he is currently co-chairing LUMC’s joint effort to set up an innovation center focusing on lifestyle changes that will boost people’s health. Throughout his academic career, Prof. Dr. Pijl has co-authored more than 250 research papers, primarily 
covering obesity and type 2 diabetes. He has also collaborated in shaping government policy on nutrition as a member of the Dutch Health Council’s advisory committee.

Jaap Seidell
Prof. Jaap Seidell

Prof. Jaap Seidell is a professor of nutrition and health at the Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam. As an expert on nutrition, he dedicates most of his research efforts to the causes and consequences of obesity, focusing on how people can prevent excess body fat and manage their weight. Prof. Seidell regularly contributes to research initiatives for government agencies, NGOs, food-industry organizations and the media. Next to that, he is a member of the editorial board of the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Richard Verheesen
Dr. Richard Verheesen

Dr. Richard Verheesen is an expert in rheumatology and has practiced at Máxima MC, a leading medical center in the south east of The Netherlands, for over 15 years. In recent years, his attention has shifted to the organizational side of healthcare alongside rheumatology. Dr. Verheesen believes good care can only be achieved through good organization focusing on the needs of people. He is a firm advocate of shifting the paradigm of healthcare towards predictive prevention, as people’s nutrition and lifestyle play such an important role in defining their health.

Tamara de Weijer
Dr. Tamara de Weijer

Dr. Tamara de Weijer is a general practitioner. She is a firm advocate of the power of lifestyle – and in particular, nutrition – on people’s health. Drawing from her own experience of using lifestyle as medicine to reduce bowel complaints, she has written two books on the benefits of good 
nutrition in people’s daily lives. Dr. de Weijer is an ambassador for the Dutch national action plan for fruit and vegetables. She is also the founder of “Arts & Leefstijl”, a rapidly growing association of professionals involved in preventive health.

Tom J. de Koning
Prof. Dr. Tom J. de Koning

Prof. Dr. Tom J. de Koning is Chair of Pediatrics at Lund University, Sweden, and is an expert in the interface between neurology, genetics and inborn errors of metabolism. Previously, he was Chair of the Department of Metabolic Diseases, University Medical Centre Utrecht, before moving to Groningen in 2012. In Groningen, Dr. de Koning still works in the areas of neurology, genetics and inborn errors, particularly relating to movement disorders in children and adults. Next to his clinical tasks and training, he has an MBA in healthcare management.

Bert van Essen
Dr. Bert van Essen

Dr. Bert van Essen is a sports doctor with 20 years of experience in sports coaching. He specializes in the treatment of complex musculoskeletal problems for professional and recreational athletes. He is a firm believer in open communication with people so that they feel equipped to take action. He has 20 years of experience in sports coaching at national football clubs, and is currently head of medical staff for the NAC Breda football club.

Bruce Wolffenbuttel
Prof. Dr. Bruce Wolffenbuttel

Dr. Bruce Wolffenbuttel is an expert in endocrinology, metabolic diseases and diabetes at the University of Groningen. Previously, he was scientific director of the Netherlands LifeLines population study, investigating the genetic and environmental factors behind why some people age more healthily than others. Dr. Wolffenbuttel has published extensive research into biobanking, endocrinology, diabetes and IT solutions in healthcare. He is currently secretary for the Dutch Society for Endocrinology and is a member of the Dutch Journal of Diabetology’s editorial board.

Hanno Pijl
Prof. Dr. Hanno Pijl

Dr. Hanno Pijl is a professor of diabetology at the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC). As a strong supporter of people managing their health proactively, he is currently co-chairing LUMC’s joint effort to set up an innovation center focusing on lifestyle changes that will boost people’s health. Throughout his academic career, Prof. Dr. Pijl has co-authored more than 250 research papers, primarily 
covering obesity and type 2 diabetes. He has also collaborated in shaping government policy on nutrition as a member of the Dutch Health Council’s advisory committee.

Jaap Seidell
Prof. Jaap Seidell

Prof. Jaap Seidell is a professor of nutrition and health at the Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam. As an expert on nutrition, he dedicates most of his research efforts to the causes and consequences of obesity, focusing on how people can prevent excess body fat and manage their weight. Prof. Seidell regularly contributes to research initiatives for government agencies, NGOs, food-industry organizations and the media. Next to that, he is a member of the editorial board of the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Richard Verheesen
Dr. Richard Verheesen

Dr. Richard Verheesen is an expert in rheumatology and has practiced at Máxima MC, a leading medical center in the south east of The Netherlands, for over 15 years. In recent years, his attention has shifted to the organizational side of healthcare alongside rheumatology. Dr. Verheesen believes good care can only be achieved through good organization focusing on the needs of people. He is a firm advocate of shifting the paradigm of healthcare towards predictive prevention, as people’s nutrition and lifestyle play such an important role in defining their health.

Tamara de Weijer
Dr. Tamara de Weijer

Dr. Tamara de Weijer is a general practitioner. She is a firm advocate of the power of lifestyle – and in particular, nutrition – on people’s health. Drawing from her own experience of using lifestyle as medicine to reduce bowel complaints, she has written two books on the benefits of good 
nutrition in people’s daily lives. Dr. de Weijer is an ambassador for the Dutch national action plan for fruit and vegetables. She is also the founder of “Arts & Leefstijl”, a rapidly growing association of professionals involved in preventive health.

Tom J. de Koning
Prof. Dr. Tom J. de Koning

Prof. Dr. Tom J. de Koning is Chair of Pediatrics at Lund University, Sweden, and is an expert in the interface between neurology, genetics and inborn errors of metabolism. Previously, he was Chair of the Department of Metabolic Diseases, University Medical Centre Utrecht, before moving to Groningen in 2012. In Groningen, Dr. de Koning still works in the areas of neurology, genetics and inborn errors, particularly relating to movement disorders in children and adults. Next to his clinical tasks and training, he has an MBA in healthcare management.

Meet our partners

We collaborate with organizations that share our mission to improve people’s health and wellbeing

dieticians

care

media

 

 

sports & training

health tech

BECOME A PARTNER IN OUR MISSION

We are always interested in teaming up with institutions and people who share our passion for healthy living and predictive prevention.

Interested in joining our team?

We are always interested in teaming up with institutions and people who share our passion for healthy living and predictive prevention.

Get in touch with us

Send us an e-mail or fill in your details below.

Privacy by design

Privacy by design

We know your personal data is important to you. As we handle sensitive information related to your health, you can trust us to adhere to the highest standards of data protection.

We are committed to using your personal information for these two purposes: giving you personalized and actionable information on your health, as well as improving the science behind your Personal Health Passport. For more details on our data protection standards, please visit the Privacy Policy on our website: www.ancora.health/privacy-policy