Meet the Pavilion team

Jim Grapek

Founder & CEO

Jim Grapek leads the development of The Pavilion. He earned a master’s in hospitality management from Cornell University’s Hotel School and began his career in the restaurant business. An award-winning producer and director, he founded Associated Producers, Inc. at the National Press Building in Washington, D.C., and spent 25 years as its president and senior producer. Jim is also a podcast host and board-certified biofeedback practitioner. At The Pavilion, he brings those experiences together to build a destination for healthier living, lifelong learning, and community.

Bobby Verdun

COO · Active Entities

Bobby Verdun brings experience advising operators of multipurpose athletic campuses, tennis clubs, and community recreation facilities around the world. Through Active Entities, he helps operators improve how their facilities are run and develop the people who lead them. As a speaker, Bobby has addressed audiences at universities, Fortune 500 companies, and industry conferences. His experience spans both day-to-day facility operations and the work of building and mentoring leadership teams.

Tony Yustein

Chief Information Officer

Tony Yustein is a technology entrepreneur, an AWS Certified Solutions Architect, and a former Microsoft Regional Director for Türkiye. His background includes building internet services, designing cloud platforms, and applying AI to business operations. At The Pavilion, he leads technology strategy, financial and business modeling, and development of the operating system. His work includes the digital tools and processes that will support day-to-day operations and help the team bring The Pavilion to additional locations.

Caitlin McKenna, BS

Spa & Fitness Strategic Advisor

Caitlin is CEO of Arch Amenities Group, which provides spa, fitness, and hospitality services.

Dr. Grace Torres-Hodges, DPM, MBA

Medical Business Advisor

A physician, MBA, and author, Grace advocates for direct specialty care and payment options that let patients pay providers directly.

Benjamin Cien, MArch, LEED AP

Real Estate Development

Benjamin brings more than 35 years of experience in institutional real estate development, master planning, and construction oversight.

Dr. Ibrahim Karim, ScD

Architecture Lead

A world-renowned architect, professor, and lecturer, Dr. Ibrahim Karim founded BioGeometry, which informs The Pavilion’s architectural concept.

Laurie Ellington, MA, LPC, MCC

Self-Mastery Architect

Laurie leads Ancient Science and brings to The Pavilion her experience in education, integrative health, and personal development.

Grandmaster Shi DeRu

Body, Mind & Spirit Advisor

A Shaolin monk and coach, Shi DeRu brings expertise in martial arts, fitness, and mind-body practices.

Dr. David Clements, PhD

Science Advisor

Educated at Oxford and Cambridge, David brings a background in zero-point physics and emerging technologies.

Dr. Aylin Ozdemir, MD, FAAP

Integrative Medicine

An integrative medicine specialist from Türkiye, Aylin trained under Dr. Andrew Weil at the University of Arizona.

Dr. Emlyn Koster, PhD

Life Sciences Center Advisor

Emlyn brings science-center leadership experience as a former director of New Jersey’s Liberty Science Center.

Sarah Polykov, PhD

Outreach & Aesthetics

Sarah brings a multinational background and experience as an artist, futurist, filmmaker, and business coach.

Dr. Tina Gambhir, EdD, MJ

Education & Health Information Management Advisor

Tina is an author, educator, and mentor with experience in health information management and health sciences education.