Shape Up The Nation hires CEO

Shape Up The Nation, a Providence startup founded by Brown University medical students that is commercializing a model of wellness programs built on trusted social networks, has named Michael Zani as its chief executive officer.
Zani was previously president of LEDCO, a manufacturer of rugged computer peripherals, where he restructured and redesigned much of the company’s sales and operational strategies. Zani was also responsible for leading the company through an acquisition and its eventual sale to Havis-Shields, a manufacturer of public safety-related products.
Zani also co-founded Phoenix Strategy Investments, a private investment fund, and was a strategic consultant at the marketing firm Digitas. A graduate of Brown and Harvard Business School, Zani began his career in marketing and sales with Vanguard Sailboats.
“With his wealth of experience in management and operational excellence, Mike brings a track record of sound leadership and strategic innovation that will be a valuable asset to Shape Up The Nation,” said Rajiv Kumar, founder and chief clinical officer of the firm.
“We have seen a dramatic surge of interest in our social networking wellness platform from both employers and health plans,” Kumar added, “and we are confident that Mike will move the company forward to meet this demand.”
Zani said he’s “thrilled” to join the company “at such a critical juncture.”
“With the national focus on health care reform and renewed public interest in living a healthy lifestyle, Shape Up The Nation is well-positioned to set the standard for an online social networking wellness platform,” he said.
Founded in 2006, Shape Up The Nation now has its online platform in use by more than 100 self-insured employers and health plans. To learn more, visit www.shapeupthenation.com.