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Kristina Saffran
Cofounder and CEO at Equip
Kristina Saffran is the cofounder and CEO of Equip, a virtual program dedicated to providing modern treatment for eating disorders through family-based care. Equip aims to make effective recovery accessible to everyone, leveraging a unique model that includes a dedicated care team for each patient, comprising therapists, dieticians, physicians, and peer mentors.134
Background and Education
Kristina was born in 1993 and experienced her own battle with anorexia at a young age. This personal journey informed her commitment to improving access to treatment for others facing similar challenges. She graduated from Harvard University in 2014 with a Bachelor’s degree in psychology.15
Career Highlights
Before founding Equip in December 2019, Saffran co-founded Project HEAL in 2008, a nonprofit organization aimed at raising funds for individuals who cannot afford eating disorder treatment. Under her leadership, Project HEAL became a significant voice advocating for accessible recovery options in the U.S..36 Kristina has been recognized as an Ashoka Fellow, named on Forbes' 30 Under 30 list for social entrepreneurs, and has received accolades from Inc. Magazine's Female Founders 100 and INSIDER's 30 Under 40 in Healthcare.134
Vision for Equip
At Equip, Kristina focuses on transforming the eating disorder care delivery system by making it patient-centered and evidence-based. She emphasizes the importance of family involvement in recovery processes, believing that support from loved ones is crucial for lasting healing.24 Equip's model not only aims to provide treatment but also addresses the broader systemic barriers that prevent individuals from accessing care.56
Personal Life
Kristina currently resides in San Diego with her husband and their pet bernedoodle, Walter.3 Her journey from patient to advocate underscores her dedication to changing the landscape of eating disorder treatment and ensuring that no one has to suffer alone.
Highlights
The U.S. Surgeon General's recent advisory on parental mental health resonates deeply as a new mom. Parenting comes with the highest highs and lowest lows, and can be particularly isolating and stressful for those supporting a loved one with an eating disorder.
At Equip, we believe that caregiving shouldn't be a solo undertaking. Our family mentors, who have stood where current caregivers stand, offer guidance and hope that lasting recovery is possible. They know firsthand the resilience and strength required to overcome the unique challenges that eating disorders can present.
The health of caregivers isn't just important—it's crucial to the recovery of those they care for. Caregivers and loved ones are the backbone of the healing process, and their well-being is inextricably linked to the success of treatment. Supporting them is a necessity for lasting recovery:
When Erin Parks, Ph.D. and I first set out to build Equip, our primary goal wasn't financial; it was to impact as many lives as possible with high-quality eating disorder treatment. While that's still the case, it's always rewarding when esteemed organizations recognize how vital our work is, this time with Forbes' annual Next Billion Dollar Startups list.
I am incredibly proud of this recognition for what it means—especially in terms of our ability to reach the 30 million Americans who struggle with eating disorders in their lifetime—and am even prouder of the fantastic Equipsters who put in such hard work daily helping us fulfill that mission.
