Luxury wellbeing brand Sensei has promoted Alexandra Walterspiel and Dr Vishal Patel to serve as co-presidents.

Walterspiel, who is also chief operating officer in addition to her new role, oversees the business side of Sensei, including operations, human resources, finance and accounting, sales and marketing, legal and business development.

Meanwhile, Patel – who was already chief medical officer – helms the wellness and technology side of the brand, focusing on retreat programming, scientific affairs, IT and software engineering.

As co-presidents, the duo will work together to further Sensei’s primary vision of helping people live longer, healthier lives.

They’ll continue to oversee the existing Sensei Retreats – Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort in Hawaii and Sensei Porcupine Creek in Rancho Mirage, California – while expanding the brand through new properties, programming and other offerings.

“Alex and Vishal have both been critical in Sensei’s success and growth to date,” said Sensei co-founder and renowned physician, Dr David Agus.

“The company not only deftly navigated the challenges of the pandemic, but also thrived, as evidenced by the fact that a second, and fully managed, retreat, Sensei Porcupine Creek, opened just three years after Sensei Lanai."

More about Alexandra Walterspiel

In her role as co-president and chief operating officer, Walterspiel drives Sensei’s business development efforts to expand Sensei's reach in both stand-alone retreats and wellness clubs.

With over 30 years of experience in hospitality, she has a background in the luxury and lifestyle segments of the industry, having previously worked with companies including The Ritz-Carlton, Ian Schrager’s Morgans Hotel Group and Sage Hospitality.

Before joining Sensei, she also owned and operated her own company, Imprint Hospitality.

More about Vishal PatelAs co-leader of the company and Sensei’s chief medical officer, Patel oversees the scientific integrity of Sensei’s experiences, ensuring that its high-touch experiences are evidence-based and data-driven, supporting the delivery of personalised and inspiring guest journeys.

Patel began his tenure at Sensei in 2020 when he was appointed director of wellness research. He earned his Doctor of Medicine as well as a PhD in Genetics from Case Western Reserve University and a certificate in Ayurveda from Gujarat Ayurved University in India.

Before Sensei, Patel worked with healthcare systems – including Geisinger and Parkland Hospital – on the design, implementation and analysis of healthcare programmes.