Our Team

Tom founded Health Strategy Consulting (HSC) in 1999. He serves as Managing Director, leading the firm with strategic advice for companies wishing to grow in the health industries. A recognized industry expert and leader, Tom often shares his industry insights at conferences and in publications. Under Tom's direction, HSC’s services range from strategy development to complete implementation, deals with partnering and licensing strategies, competitive intelligence, market trend and forecast reporting, and customized market research. To-date, HSC has performed over 300 projects with clients across the globe. Tom has significant experience in working with clients on post-acquisition integration around strategy and executive alignment. Prior to founding HSC, Tom spent five years as a Managing Consultant with Gemini Consulting and led projects with various clients in the chemicals, energy, pharmaceuticals, computers, and telecommunications industries. Additionally, he has fifteen years of industry experience having worked GE and FMC/BMY. He received two B.S. degrees with honors in Food Engineering and Chemical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts, and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Anne-Katrin typically leads projects that involve European and other international markets. She performs in-depth research and analyses, developing strategies for companies that seek insight into becoming more competitive in the health industries. Anne keenly understands trends, threats, and opportunities based on her primary research, helping her to estimate and forecast markets. Prior to joining the team, Anne was a Marketing Consultant for EFD Inc., an industrial manufacturing firm. She also developed a business plan and managed business development for a software start-up firm concentrated on team collaboration. Anne has significant professional experience from Germany, her country of origin, where she served as a consultant at a medium-sized, innovative company in Hamburg, Germany which advises clients on strategic partnerships. She received her undergraduate degree in business administration from Wirtschaftsakademie Hamburg, a company-run business school in Hamburg, Germany, where she ranked first in her class. Anne has an MBA from the University of Rhode Island, where her thesis included the creation of a “virtual teams” website, which demonstrated successful and efficient virtual communication. Anne is also a board member of People’s Power & Light, a Rhode Island non-profit organization that is dedicated to clean, safe and affordable energy by advancing energy efficiency and renewable energy. In her free time, Anne dances Argentinean Tango and plays Cello for the Rhode Island College Symphonic Orchestra.

Aura Fajardo Grandidge is a research consultant at HSC and a Ph.D. candidate in Biological Sciences at the University of Rhode Island. She collaborates closely with the consulting team by providing research support in a variety of projects. Originally from Venezuela, she spearheads projects in Spanish and South American markets. She has an extensive research experience with marine resources, and she brings in scientific understanding of nutrition and physiological processes. Aura obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Marine Science with honors from Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL. She is an avid scuba diver and world traveler, and enjoys teaching undergraduate courses in Biology at the University of Rhode Island. 

Stephan Hartl provides strategic consulting support to a variety of food, beverage and natural product clients, particularly within European markets. Stephan's passion for nutrition was sparked by years as a professional athlete striving for peak performance. In his most recent venture, Stephan co-founded, with beach-volleyball legend Sinjin Smith, a company that develops nutrition bars for children. He also was an associate at Wellness Business Partners, a European consulting and venture capital firm. He gained additional international nutrition industry experience as Director of International Business at eNutrition, Inc., an online retailer of OTC, health and nutritional products in Los Angeles, CA, where he was responsible for international sales and the strategic expansion into Europe. Prior to this, Stephan worked for Weider Publishing in the US, Germany, and the UK as well as Haleko GmbH, Europe’s largest sports nutrition manufacturer. Additionally, he has been consulting companies such as Experimental and Applied Sciences (EAS) on marketing activities in Europe. Stephan earned his M.S. in Psychology (Dipl. Psych) at Ludwig Maximilian Universität in Munich, Germany; he also holds a Master of International Management from the American Graduate School of International Management and an M.B.A. degree from Arizona State University. 

Bill manages on-line data sales, conferences and briefings. With over twenty years experience in the media production arena, Bill brings a detailed understanding of the tools and techniques required to assist clients in effectively reaching their target audiences. Bill’s focus is on building the practice of assisting clients in communicating the value proposition of their offering, leveraging the use of media with HSC’s detailed industry knowledge in the HSC Industry News, weekly email newsletter. Bill is based in the Pawcatuck office and received his BA in Marketing Communications from The University of Massachusetts. Depending on the season Bill sails out of Boston harbor or skis the White and Green Mountains.

Melissa manages the office opertions, including managing financials and accounting operations. She also provides market research assistance for the consulting team, on an as-needed basis. Prior to HSC, Melissa managed accounts payable and receivables for a Nextel company. She is currently working toward her Bachelors degree with a concentration in business. Outside of her professional work, Melissa serves as a Head Start volunteer working with pre-school children.

Andrew Sanford is a consultant in his first year at HSC and has been primarily focusing on technology projects. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in General Business Administration at the University of Rhode Island. Prior to joining the team, Andrew worked for 8 years at the Weekapaug Golf Club in Westerly, RI under a number of different titles before being promoted to Assistant Manager of the Pro Shop. In addition to working on consulting projects, Andrew has assumed management their extensive internal library. His hobbies are sports, collecting sports memorabilia and listens to a eclectic selection of music.