Kristina Saffran and Erin Parks, two clinicians with unique journeys, had crossed paths at several academic conferences before finally deciding to co-found a company together. Despite their different beginnings, they were united by the question: How can we solve this?

“We would beeline to one another every six months at these academic conferences. I think a lot of academics like to talk about small micro issues, and we were always [asking about] the big issues like 80% of people are not getting access to treatment. How can we solve this?... Kristina Saffran “

Different Paths, Shared Vision

Erin’s journey began in marketing and communications before taking a sharp turn toward neuroimaging and, eventually, clinical psychology. Her ability to adapt and make bold decisions led her to entrepreneurship and her current role as Chief Operating Officer. Kristina Saffran, on the other hand, took a more focused path. Her drive to help others was deeply personal—rooted in her own experience with anorexia as a child. For her, becoming a CEO wasn’t just about the money but about fulfilling a lifelong mission.

A Diagnosis That Sparked a Dream

Kristina was diagnosed with anorexia at the age of 10. Anorexia, an eating disorder marked by excessive weight loss, affects an estimated 30 million Americans and claims at least one life every 52 minutes. Despite its prevalence, most of those affected do not receive adequate treatment.

Having faced the struggles of an eating disorder herself, Kristina resolved to help others. Her first venture was a nonprofit called Project HEAL, which she founded in 2008 to raise funds for those who couldn’t afford treatment. While successful, it quickly became clear that the need far outweighed the funds raised.

It was this realization—and her connection with Erin—that sparked their next big idea: Equip.

As a clinical psychologist in academic medicine, Erin watched people travel from all over the globe to get treatment at the university clinic she helped lead. Every day, she talked to families who couldn’t financially or logistically make the same trip. And throughout this time, we both knew we were barely making a dent in the country’s broken treatment landscape. - Kristina Saffran

Equip: A Five-Pronged Approach to Treating Eating Disorders

Realizing that fundraising alone wasn’t enough, Erin and Kristina developed a bold new solution: provide the treatment. Together, they designed a five-pronged approach based on the belief that family members play a critical role in recovery.

Equip’s family-based treatment model includes a team of five specialists: a therapist, physician, peer mentor, family mentor, and dietician. The results speak for themselves: after just eight weeks, 71% of patients report a reduction in eating disorder symptoms, and two-thirds experience improved mood.

We are incredibly proud that after eight weeks of treatment, 71% of patients report a reduction in eating disorder symptoms, and two-thirds report improvements in mood. - Kristina Saffran

Lessons From Founders Who Care

Since launching Equip in 2019, Erin and Kristina have raised $130 million in funding. Their success lies in their passion, experience, and willingness to take bold steps. Here are a few lessons entrepreneurs can learn from their journey:

1. It’s Not Always About the Money

Successful entrepreneurs are often driven by more than financial gain. Passion and a desire to solve real problems are what fuel them to keep going. Kristina and Erin’s determination to find effective solutions for eating disorders propelled them to think beyond traditional fundraising—and to build a company that provides real help.

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. - Kristina Saffran

2. Trust Yourself

Neither Erin nor Kristina had formal business training when they launched Equip, and that inexperience initially caused some imposter syndrome. Their options were limited. It was either they find a co-founder with complementary skills or leverage their knowledge and learn on the job. They choose the latter.

3. Leverage Your Experience

Before becoming entrepreneurs, Erin and Kristina built careers in academia, gaining valuable expertise along the way. But it wasn’t just their professional knowledge that mattered—it was also their personal experiences. Whether it’s a skill from a past job or personal lessons, every experience has value.

Equip is proof that when passion meets purpose, great things can happen. By trusting themselves, leveraging their unique strengths, and staying committed to their mission, Erin and Kristina have built a company that’s changing lives.

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