Vykon Team
Lisa Pitel-Killah
FOUNDER & CEO
BCHHP (AADP), FDN-P, HTMAP
Lisa is Vykon’s Founder, a Hair Mineral Analysis Expert, Functional Diagnostic Practitioner and multi-time Kettlebell Sport World Champion. Lisa is a health, wellness and fitness advocate. She has poured all of her years of study into the Vykon Performance and Custom lines to bring revolutionary products to the masses for maximum health and performance.
Dr. Karen von Merveldt-Guevara
CLINICAL ADVISOR, MD, FMAPS
Karen is a medical doctor, lecturing at integrative medical conferences on diverse topics related to biomedical interventions. Dr. von Merveldt-Guevara realized in 2010 while working with hands-on healing modalities with patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s, ALS, etc., that the issues they were dealing with affected every cell in their body, not just the nervous system. This lead to her research and study of minerals and metals, biochemistry and physiology as she tried to “unlock the secrets” of how to rebalance minerals to regain health. Since then, she has been correlating cases and diagnostic testing while changing lives.
Conrad Igboba
VP, Operations
Conrad is passionate about operational excellence, with 20 years cross-industry and global experience, including biotech/pharma, food processing/foodservice and consulting. An advocate for health, wellness and development, Conrad in his spare time, supports organizations and activities that promote these.
Libby McCalden
Director of Technical Operations
As our Director of Operations, Libby is responsible strategic planning, process optimization, and team management. Libby has been a vital part of Vykon since its inception, contributing to its growth and success through her expertise and dedication.
Kailan Clark
Operations Manager, HTMA-P
Kailan's inherent passion for health coupled with her degree in engineering has led her on this journey to help humans and animals alike realize the benefits of optimized health. Kailan’s goal is to enlighten others to the resources available, aid in resolving root cause of barriers and breakdown misconceptions surrounding poor behavioural patterns.
Doraine Coates-Brown
Bookkeeper & Office Manager
Doraine emanated from a long line of business owners, where she worked and developed her strong mathematical and customer service skills from an early age. Doraine’s drive for compassionate care led her to become a medical receptionist where she diligently served for six years. Her love for numbers and problem-solving skills led her to pursue a Diploma in Business Accounting, where she recently graduated with honors.
Taya Morris
Director of Sales
Taya spent 24 years working in the world of prestige beauty, but when she realized that good quality topical products were only part of the solution, she decided to become a Certified Holistic Nutritionist. Taya is passionate about quality ingredients and sustainability. She believes that beauty comes from within but so does health.
Grace Sylvester
Web & Multimedia
Yielding over a decade of professionalism in design and entrepreneurship, Grace is in charge of the many multimedia projects at Vykon. With an Advanced Diploma in Graphic Design, her artistic eye and a flair for creativity brings a unique touch to every project she undertakes.
Tia Sabbagh
Web & Digital Content
A dedicated and skilled UI/UX designer with a strong background in Interactive Multimedia and Design, Tia has a passion for creating intuitive and visually appealing interfaces. She specializes in website development, ensuring that Vykon’s online presence remains engaging and user-friendly.
Ali Sandhu
Logistics & Orders Lead
Ali Sandhu is an Ottawa native, born and raised. Working in family-owned businesses and restaurants from a young age cultivated his passion for service excellence and an entrepreneurial spirit.
Farzana Valappil
Customer Support, BPHM
Farzana is an Internationally trained pharmacist with over 7 years of experience and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in pharmacy management. With a global perspective and a strong foundation in pharmaceutical practices, she’s committed to advancing and contributing to the over-all well-being to the community.
Dr. Delphie Dugal-Tessier
Head Researcher, BA, PhD
Dr. Delphie, PhD is the Head of Research at the Ottawa Lab. In 2008, she started working as a research assistant at the University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research (IMHR). Most recently, Delphie completed her PhD in Neuroscience in the field of Neurogenesis and Mechanisms of Cellular Regeneration.
Alysen Clark
Lab Head, BSc., MSc.
Alysen is the Head of the Ottawa Lab. She graduated top of her class, with honours, with a degree in Biological Sciences. Alysen went on to complete a Masters in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, with a Dean’s award in 2012. Prior to running the Ottawa facility, she worked as a senior research technician in a top research lab in Ottawa, studying the metabolism of stem cells.
Katie Engel
Practitioner Support Lead, RHN, HTMA-P
Katie is a Holistic Nutritionist, Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis Practitioner, as well as Yoga and Meditation teacher. She believes that you have the ability to drastically change your life with diet, lifestyle, and mindset.
Sue Tate
Practitioner Success Manager, CNP, HTMA-P
Sue discovered her passion for Holistic Nutrition and returned to study at the Institute of Holistic Nutrition, graduating with her Certified Nutrition Practitioner designation. She has a strong passion for supporting people through chronic stress.
Jenn Cameron
Practitioner Support, HRHP, CNP, CD (DONA)
Jenn is a holistic nutritionist, a Holistic Reproductive Health Practitioner and a DONA certified birth doula. Her studies helped her to overcome her own reproductive health issues and now her focus is on helping couples to heal their reproductive health and conceive naturally.
Sarah Smith
Practitioner Support, B.Sc., IHP, HTMA-P
Sarah blends expertise in biology and holistic health, with experience in toxicology, nature conservation, and wellness. Certified in yoga and integrative health, Sarah also worked in wellness clinics, where she deepened her interest in stress management and nature’s role in healing. Now at Vykon, she’s excited to support practitioners in delivering exceptional care.
Amber MacDonald
Practitioner Mentor, MRWP, NTP
Amber is a functional nutritionist with a passion for root cause healing. Her own health history spurred her love for helping others on their journey, and finding the why behind common symptoms. HTMA is her favorite tool for gaining insight into the root causes of many health conditions and imbalances. She mentors in an HTMA course and her own practice, and loves to support other practitioners to enhance their client’s protocols.
Terra Vitiello
Practitioner Mentor, MFDN-P, HTMA-E
As a Functional Diagnostic Practitioner, HTMA Expert, and Fertility Optimization Coach, Terra has dedicated her career to helping people unravel their symptoms and supercharge their health and fertility. HTMA is a primary test used in her practice and mineral balancing is foundational in her programs. Terra has also taken a special interest in consulting with other practitioners, providing guidance on HTMA interpretation and mineral balancing strategies.
Vanessa O'Brien
Practitioner Mentor, Dip.NT NNA/FNTP
Vanessa discovered the wonderful world of HTMA when seeking a solution to chronic post trauma-related fatigue, and a sudden drop in hormones. The test, and process that followed, finally helped her to heal herself, and led her to introduce HTMA into all her client work with hundreds of women over 40, helping them to overcome their symptoms too.
Gabby Udabor
Practitioner Mentor, NP
Gaby is a functional medicine health consultant, maternal and child health advocate, Family Nurse Practitioner, speaker, best-selling author, podcast host, and a mother of five. She helps individuals and their families incorporate holistic living successfully using different proven strategies to achieve optimal health.
Kim Heintz
Practitioner Mentor, FDN-P, HTMA-E
Kim has always been passionate about the health and wellness space and has applied her own education to optimize her performance as an endurance mountain bike athlete. Kim’s passions in the functional medicine space are focused on helping other athletes improve their performance in their sport and in women’s health.
Sophie Shepherd
Practitioner Mentor, FDN-P, HTMA-E
Sophie helps women transform their thyroid health. Using a combination of root cause functional lab testing, transformational subconscious mindset reprogramming, and diet and lifestyle science, Sophie and her team, partner with you to create a holistic approach to bringing your body and mind back into balance. Her mission is to revolutionize the way women claim their health and slay old stories of being in sick bodies.
Leah Brueggemann
Practitioner Mentor, FDN-P, HTMA-P
Leah primarily works with women on hormonal issues whether that is period problems or infertility. HTMA is a standard test for all of her clients because of the remarkable difference she noticed in her own health after utilizing HTMA. Vykon formulations have made it incredibly easy for her clients to be able implement protocols without the overwhelm!
