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ACE Announces 2026 Certification Advisory Board Members

Posted: Mar 10, 2026 in ACE Press Releases

ACE Announces 2026 Certification Advisory Board Members 

The 2026 Certification Advisory Board will enhance integrity and oversight of the ACE credentialing process. 

San Diego, Calif., March 10, 2026 — The American Council on Exercise® (ACE) is pleased to share the members of its 2026 Certification Advisory Board (CAB). The CAB provides strategic guidance to ACE’s Credentialing Department in its ongoing commitment to delivering rigorous, high-quality certification and credentialing programs for health and exercise professionals worldwide. 

“Our Certification Advisory Board plays an essential role in ensuring the integrity, relevance and fairness of the credentialed programs offered by ACE,” said Alex Link, MS, ACE Director of Credentialing. “We are pleased to welcome this year’s board members, an accomplished group of certified professionals, subject matter experts, and credentialing leaders.”

The 2026 ACE Certification Advisory Board members include: 

  • Lynn Herrmann, PhD, MPH, Faculty member in Public Health and Health Education at Northern Illinois University. She holds all four ACE Certifications, including Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, Health Coach and Certified Medical Exercise Specialist. 

  • Damien A. Joyner, JD, Founder of Incremental Fitness and personal trainer at the University of California San Diego’s WorkStrong Program. He has expertise in training older adults and holds ACE Personal Trainer Certification.  

  • Ari Langinkoski, PhD candidate and Founder of Nordic Health Academy and Chair of EuropeActive’s Technical Expert Group. He is recognized as a leading health coaching expert in Europe. He holds ACE Personal Trainer and ACE Health Coach Certifications. 

  • Dodi Peterson, RD, Retired Registered Dietitian with 40 years of experience in clinical care, behavioral health, community nutrition and school-based programs. 

  • Mary Jayne Rogers, PhD, Founder of the New Mexico Wellness Coalition with extensive experience in health and wellness, including Pilates. She holds three ACE Certifications, including Personal Trainer, Health Coach and Certified Medical Exercise Specialist. 

  • Debi Pillarella, DHSc, Executive Director at Powers Health and expert in bariatric services, weight management, integrative wellness, and medical fitness. She holds all four ACE Certifications, including Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, Health Coach and Certified Medical Exercise Specialist. 

  • Michele Wong, MS, COO at Active Wellness and expert in fitness and wellness partnership management. She holds all four ACE Certifications, including Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, Health Coach and Certified Medical Exercise Specialist. 

  • Alex Link, MS, ACE Director of Credentialing, serves on different fitness advisory boards and committees. She holds all ACE Certifications, including ACE Personal Trainer, ACE Group Fitness Instructor, Health Coach and Certified Medical Exercise Specialist. 

“We are honored to bring together an exceptional and diverse group of professionals to serve on the Certification Advisory Board,” said ACE Chief Executive Officer Cedric X. Bryant, PhD, FACSM. “Their collective expertise and forward-looking perspectives will help ensure that ACE certifications continue to uphold the highest standards while evolving to meet the changing needs of exercise and health professionals. Together, we are strengthening the foundation for a workforce that empowers more people to move, improve their health and thrive.” 

For more information, visit https://www.acefitness.org/about-ace/our-team/certification-advisory-board/. 

 

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About the American Council on Exercise (ACE) 

Since 1985, the American Council on Exercise (ACE) has been the leading non-profit education and certification provider for health coaches and exercise professionals in the United States and around the world. 

With more than 90,000 highly respected certified health coaches and exercise professionals, ACE Certified Professionals are on the ground daily helping people move, stay active and make lasting lifestyle behavior changes to build healthier communities. 

Headquartered in San Diego, ACE collaborates with public health partners to educate people of all backgrounds about the importance of physical activity and other healthy lifestyle behaviors; advocates for public policies to increase physical activity opportunities; and supports scientific research that investigates the efficacy of behavior-change interventions and the effectiveness of exercise practices and trends. Learn more at acefitness.org. 

 

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