Our Mission

Healing. Restoring. Empowering.

Be Kind Wellness Institute provides innovative, non-invasive wellness services designed to support healing, resilience, connection, and overall well-being.

Mission Statement

Through Neurofeedback, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, and Peer Support, we provide compassionate wellness services for veterans, first responders, and our community.

Our Care Scholarship Program helps veterans and first responders access scholarship-funded services made possible through the generosity of donors and community partners.

Our services are also available to family members, friends, and the general public.

Everyone deserves the opportunity to heal.

Our Commitment

Compassionate Care
We create a welcoming environment where every individual is treated with dignity, respect, and kindness.

Innovative Wellness
We provide non-invasive services designed to support resilience, recovery, connection, and overall wellness.

Community Impact
By serving the public and partnering with donors, we help expand access to wellness services for veterans and first responders.

Board of Directors

Leadership With Purpose

Be Kind Wellness Institute is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors committed to responsible governance, transparency, and advancing our mission.

Executive Team & Board of Directors

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    Franci Paden

    Founder & Executive Director

    Franci Paden founded Be Kind Wellness Institute after her family's direct experience with the gap in trauma-informed wellness care for first responders and military veterans in San Diego County. As Executive Director, she leads day-to-day operations and serves as the Institute's lead technician, with training in neurofeedback, soft-shell HBOT, and HIPAA Privacy and Security. Franci brings a founder's commitment to meeting clients with kindness, accessibility, and deep respect for the people who serve.

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    Tom Paden

    President of Board, Founding Director

    Thomas Paden serves as President of Be Kind Wellness Institute's Board of Directors and a founding director. Having personally received neurofeedback and hyperbaric oxygen sessions through a peer 501(c)(3) wellness program, Thomas brings lived-experience perspective to BKWI's mission of expanding access to these modalities for first responders and military veterans throughout San Diego County. He helps the Board stay anchored to the lived reality of the people the Institute exists to serve.

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    David Bond, Psy.D.

    Founding Director

    David Bond, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in San Diego County. Before earning his doctorate in psychology, Dr. Bond served as a Captain in San Diego law enforcement. Combining direct first-responder experience with doctoral-level clinical expertise. On BKWI's Board, he provides clinical-governance perspective to help ensure the Institute's neurofeedback and hyperbaric programming is delivered safely, responsibly, and with the cultural fluency that the first-responder community deserves.

  • Gary McDowell, D.C., CCSP, QME

    Secretary of the Board, Founding Director

    Gary McDowell, D.C., CCSP, QME, is a founding Director and Secretary of the Board. A Doctor of Chiropractic, Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician, and Qualified Medical Evaluator, Dr. McDowell brings deep experience in health-and-wellness practice and credentialing. He owns McDowell Family Chiropractic in La Mesa and serves on the Board as a fully independent director. Supporting strong governance, sound operations, and accountable stewardship of the Institute's mission.

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    Robyn Nolin, RN

    Chief Financial Officer, Founding Director

    Robyn Nolin, RN, is a founding Director and the Chief Financial Officer of Be Kind Wellness Institute. A Registered Nurse and military veteran, Robyn brings clinical-safety perspective and lived-experience insight to BKWI's work. She is an appointed member of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors Military Veterans Advisory Council (SDMVAC) and serves as Chaplain at a local American Legion post. Keeping the Board connected to the veteran community at the heart of BKWI's mission.

Conflict of Interest Statement

Our Commitment to Ethical Governance

Be Kind Wellness Institute’s Board of Directors maintains a strict Conflict of Interest Policy modeled on IRS Form 1023 Appendix A. Each director completes an annual Conflict of Interest Disclosure.

Director compensation arrangements, where applicable, follow the Rebuttable Presumption of Reasonableness procedure under Treasury Regulation Section 53.4958-6.