MEET THE
BOARD
Justin McDonell
Co-founder and Chairman
Collective Wellness Group
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Spotting opportunity for growth, Justin McDonell launched what is now the biggest gym community in Australia – Anytime Fitness, in 2008.
With a drive to grow brands to become market leaders in the wellness sector, Justin is dedicated to creating businesses that value their employees and members. He's passionate about providing exceptional experiences, while pushing the boundaries to help people prioritise their wellbeing.
Justin is a Director of Anytime Fitness in the United Kingdom. His duties keep him busy and mean that, with his partner Renee, he's frequently travelling between the USA, UK and Australia.
With parents who worked in the industry, Justin grew up surrounded by fitness and he owned his first gym at 18 years old. Today, Justin balances an enthusiasm for skiing with a love for great food and wine. He’s always looking forward to his next trip to the slopes and fine dining experience.
Richard Peil
Co-founder and Director
Collective Wellness Group
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With over 30 years’ experience in the fitness industry, Rich Peil has owned and operated numerous health clubs varying in size from niche 200 member weight loss facilities to his largest club of over 7,000 members.
He is also one of Australia’s most awarded club operators, including winner of the coveted Australian Health Club of the Year, as well as numerous state and territory awards.
Rich is passionate about identifying and researching businesses in the wellness sector that provide genuine results to their members.
Rich started his obsession with health and fitness at a young age as a professional soccer player and through martial arts. That obsession continues today with his commitment to exercising seven days a week, either boxing, snowboarding, mountain biking, surfing, or weight training. Luckily, Rich’s wife Jess has the same level of passion for exercise and activity, and it was inevitable that this would be passed on to their three children who all partake in high level sports, and understand they have to move their bodies every day.
David Mortensen
Co-founder Collective Wellness Group, President and
Co-Founder Anytime Fitness and Self Esteem Brands
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With more than 25 years’ experience managing, consulting, owning and franchising health clubs, Dave Mortensen has distinguished himself as a leading authority in the field of fitness. Mortensen revolutionised the fitness industry when he and Chuck Runyon co-founded Anytime Fitness – an alternative to big-box gyms.
The first Anytime Fitness club opened its doors in Cambridge, Minnesota in May 2002. In the years since, Anytime Fitness has quickly become an international powerhouse - with more than 3,500 gyms located in 50 US states and nearly 30 countries across five continents, serving a total of 3 million members.
Under Mortensen's leadership, Anytime Fitness has earned numerous industry accolades, including “One of America’s Most Promising Companies,” “Top Global Franchise” and “Fastest-Growing Fitness Club”. Additionally, Anytime Fitness has been honoured as a “Top Franchise for Minorities” and “The Best Place to Work in Minnesota” four years in a row.
As a child, Dave was incredibly active, almost always outdoors playing and competing in a wide variety of sports. In high school and college, Dave excelled as a wrestler, earning a reputation as a fearless competitor who never quits. These days, in addition to his regular workouts, Dave enjoys hiking and rigorous, early-morning walks with his dog.
John Pindred
Non Executive Director, Collective Wellness Group
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As Chief Financial Officer of Self Esteem Brands, John Pindred leads the finance [“FUNance”] team that ensures the company’s portfolio of both consumer-facing brands and B2B businesses are well supported with accounting and finance talent, financial data, and business insights.
He enjoys serving the company’s stakeholders – franchisees, master franchise partners, employees, suppliers, and shareholders – in the pursuit of its mission to improve the self-esteem of the world.
John’s early career included experience turning “dirt to money" in the mining industry, first as a process engineer and later in treasury management and derivatives trading. Subsequent roles broadened his experience in consumer retail, with responsibilities including finance, supply chain, business development, financial planning and analysis, real estate, and capital markets.
He has been recognized twice with CFO of the Year honors, first in 2013 by MBiz in Michigan and again in 2019 by the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal.
John previously served as the Treasurer of The James Fund, a non-profit serving orphan care needs and adoption support. He earned a Bachelor’s of Applied Science from Queen’s University in Canada, an MBA from the University of Arizona, and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.
Margaret Zabel
Non Executive Director, Collective Wellness Group
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Margaret Zabel is a professional company director and specialist in customer centered business transformation, brand strategy, innovation, digital communications, customer experience and change leadership.
She has 20 years senior executive experience working across major companies and brands in FMCG, food, technology and communications industries including multinationals, ASX 100 and not-for-profits.
Margaret recently joined the board of both Collective Wellness Group and G8 Education Ltd as an independent Non Executive Director. Her previous roles include National Marketing Director of Lion Nathan, VP Marketing for McDonald’s Australia and CEO and Board Director of The Communications Council. Margaret has also served as a Non Executive Board Director for mental health charity R U OK? for 5 years.
Margaret has a passion for sport, fitness and overall wellbeing, which she carries from her early days as a competitive rhythmic gymnast representing Canada. Today, she enjoys skiing, hiking, swimming, yoga and keeping up with her two active sons.
Jordan Smith
Non Executive Director, Collective Wellness Group
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Jordan Smith is an experienced lawyer and company director. Now serving as a Non-Executive Director of Collective Wellness Group and Chair of its Finance Committee, Jordan has previously held the roles of Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel within the organisation since joining in 2016.
Outside of CWG, Jordan has extensive experience in law, franchising, executive management, corporate governance and board advisory. He currently serves as a non-executive director on multiple boards across various sectors, including sport, retail and not-for-profit.
Jordan also enjoys a helpful understanding of the realities of small business ownership, currently holding ownership interests in multiple retail businesses, both franchised & non-franchised.
As an executive, Jordan has held multiple roles leading franchisor organisations, covering both the fitness & education sectors. Before commerce, Jordan maintained a successful career as a commercial private practice lawyer, primarily working with ‘household name’ retail clients. He maintains a corporate legal practising certificate to date, and holds a Bachelor of Business & Bachelor of Laws.
OUR BRANDS
Find out more about our empowering brands;
Anytime Fitness and SUMHIIT Fitness.
THE COLLECTIVE WAY
At Collective Wellness Group, we have a
clear purpose and in order to achieve it,
we need to consistently behave in a
certain way - the Collective Way.