Our Team

Dr. Nikki Williamson Weiner, OTD, OTR/L, AOEAS, CEAS-II  

President &
LEad Ergonomic Specialist

Dr. Nikki Weiner is a licensed occupational therapist, lead ergonomic specialist, and President of The Rising Workplace. Nikki leads a team of ergonomic specialists who provide services globally. Trained as an certified ergonomic specialist, Nikki performs ergonomic assessment, consulting, and training in a wide variety of workplaces from the single home office to large industrial facilities. Nikki’s work centers on the dynamic relationship between personal, environmental, and occupational factors in the workplace, with outcomes focused on employee engagement, performance and well-being.

She earned a Bachelor's in Biological Sciences from the University of Georgia and a Doctorate of Occupational Therapy at Washington University in St. Louis. Her other professional roles have included clinical education, research, and practice in the adult rehabilitation field. Nikki has been a highly rated presenter at many regional and national conferences, including The 2019 Americans with Disabilities Symposium and 2020 Applied Ergonomics Conference. Nikki’s professional work has been published in The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, OTJR: Occupation, Participation, and Health, Business Insider, The New York Times, and Today in OT magazine.

Contact: nikkiw@risingworkplace.com

Karen Cieminski, PT, CEAS-IV, REAS

Program Director

Karen has been in the rehabilitation and ergonomics field for 30 years and has extensive experience treating and preventing work-related injuries through ergonomic intervention and preventative strategies. After receiving her Bachelor’s in Physical Therapy from the University of North Dakota, Karen began her career treating acute musculoskeletal injuries in a physical therapy setting, transitioning to chronic pain management and injured worker rehabilitation programs. She then progressively shifted her focus to injury prevention through ergonomics and training. Karen’s passion is guiding and helping companies realize the importance of employee health and wellness and the positive impact a comprehensive ergonomics program will have on employee morale and the company’s bottom line.

Karen is trained in Ergonomics and Injury Prevention through Isernhagen Work Systems, Roy Matheson and Associates, and Humantech. Her varied experience provides a valuable perspective for helping her clients integrate, evaluate, and continually improve injury prevention and ergonomics strategies in their organizations. Karen’s clients have spanned a variety of settings including general office, aerospace manufacturing, general industry, medical assembly, healthcare, facilities/custodian, government, and education. In addition to ergonomics and injury prevention services, Karen is also well-versed in providing consultative services in developing/implementing reasonable accommodations in response to ADA accommodation requests.

Lisa Marais, PT, DPT/CEAS

Program Director

Lisa Marais, PT, DPT/CEAS, is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and a Certified Ergonomic Assessment Specialist. A graduate of the University of Kansas (BA Hons.) and Saint Catherine University (DPT) she started her career in occupational health, ‘boots on the ground’, working on-site with employees at a manufacturing facility providing injury prevention and management services.

As Lisa’s career has progressed, her areas of interest and expertise have expanded. They include the development of comprehensive injury prevention, ergonomic and wellness programming, the refinement of best practices for the implementation of new service contracts for large and small clients and the creation of training programs for rehab professionals new to occupational health.

Lisa believes that workers are best served by programs that meld injury prevention, worker wellness, OSHA, safety and ergonomic considerations. She is constantly on the look-out for innovative and evidence-based approaches to improve employee health outcomes. As a physical therapist, she embraces the concept of ‘movement as medicine’ and seeks to empower her clients to find ways to incorporate this philosophy into their workplace and culture.

Christina Russo MSOT, CEAS, CEES

ERGONomic Specialist

Christina Russo graduated from The College of New Jersey in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in Health & Exercise Science and received her master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University in 2012. She is both a Certified Ergonomic Assessment Specialist (CEAS) as well as a Certified Ergonomic Evaluation Specialist (CEES). Initially working as a Pediatric Occupational Therapist, Christina discovered her passion for ergonomics after her husband began experiencing discomfort while working at his computer. From there she began extensively researching the field and set out to apply her knowledge and expertise as an occupational therapist to the area of office ergonomics. As a result, she founded and developed Ergonomic Consultants of New Jersey, LLC in 2014. Hoping to widen her scope of practice, Christina began working as the Ergonomics Coordinator for Atlantic Health System, a 5 hospital healthcare system in New Jersey, in 2015. Over the course of 3 years, she continued to develop her skillset beyond office ergonomics to include laboratory, patient-handling and materials-handling ergonomics as well as injury prevention education and training in multiple settings. A strong problem-solver and loyal professional, she loves helping others achieve optimal performance and overall health and wellness in their work environments. Christina currently resides in North Carolina with her husband, two daughters and long-haired Dachshund, Hank.

Stephanie Hollander MA, AT, ATC, CEIS

ERGONOMIC SPECIALIST

Stephanie Hollander MA, AT, ATC, CEIS graduated from Western Michigan University in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in Athletic Training and with a master's degree in Sports Administration from Wayne State University in 2016. She has extensive experience in the prevention, assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries. Stephanie has worked in multiple settings such as clinical, collegiate, high school, and industrial. During her time in the industrial setting, she discovered a passion for ergonomics. She loves being able to troubleshoot ergonomic solutions in order to decrease discomfort and prevent injury. Her additional certifications include OSHA 30, Certified Early Intervention Specialist, Mental Health First Aid, and ImPACT Concussion Care Management. Stephanie currently resides outside of Detroit with her boyfriend and adorable rescue pup, Lilly.

Larry Briscoe ATC, MPT, CEA

Industrial
Ergonomic Specialist

Larry Briscoe ATC, MPT, CEA is a licensed Physical Therapist, and a Board Certified Ergonomic Associate since 2004. Larry developed his passion for injury prevention and earned his Ergonomic Certification while working at the Ford Motor Company Kansas City Assembly Plant. With an understanding of the engineering, postural and biomechanical aspects of work tasks, Larry has performed ergonomic assessments and job analysis to design customized interventions and solutions in a variety of industrial and environmental settings including nuclear defense, healthcare, police, fire, manufacturing, trades, food processing, call centers and construction. With a commitment to lifelong fitness and wellness, Larry conducts risk reduction assessments and wellness presentations, as well as functional fitness and ergonomic education programs for employers. He earned his Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from Rockhurst University and Bachelor’s Degree in Athletic Training from Park University, Kansas City, MO. He is a past member of National Association of Occupational Health Professionals (NAOHP) and a conference speaker.

Jim Brunner, CHSP

environmental Health & Safety Specialist

Jim Brunner, CHSP, has 15 years of experience in the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) field. His keen ability to identify simple steps to complex safety and regulatory problems often leads to additional enhancements in operational performance and efficiency (Engagement!). Getting individuals and teams to engage with best practice, rather than ‘minimum regulatory compliance’, is the goal.

Jim’s main areas of focus include workplace injury investigation and prevention, OSHA general industry training (respiratory protection, hazard communication, etc). Specialty programs include indoor air quality investigations, hazardous waste programs, general EHS policy & procedure development.

Jim earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Safety and Occupational Health Management, emphasis towards Industrial Hygiene, from The University of Findlay located in northwest Ohio.

Manisha Desai, MS, OTR

Manisha Desai, MS, OTR is a licensed occupational therapist who began her career evaluating hand injuries and return to work programs in Silicon Valley, California.

Manisha specializes in ergonomics, she has completed over 3,000 ergonomic assessments and has performed ergonomic training seminars for groups of 5-250 participants.

She has helped multiple Fortune 500 companies in reducing workplace injuries related to musculoskeletal disorders. Her areas of expertise include repetitive motion injuries and back safety. Both of which have been the focus of her career for the past 20 years in a variety of industries.

Manisha believes in the adage that ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’. This philosophy is what motivates her to help employees in all settings get back to their occupations of work and play.

Diane Haudrich, CEAS III, LPTA

Diane Haudrich, CEAS III, LPTA is a certified ergonomic specialist. Diane has over 20 years of experience delivering a diverse set of ergonomic services to office, health care, and industrial settings. Her expertise ranges from ergonomic assessments and pre-employment testing to material handling and customized workshops. Diane assisted in developing the healthcare ergonomics program in Barnes-Jewish Hospital where her contributions have been nationally recognized, which include being a runner-up in the Ergo Cup. She has been trained by the Back School of Atlanta to facilitate ergonomics and injury prevention workshops in any workplace setting. Diane is proficient at making both detailed recommendations and on-the-spot adjustments to help reduce pain and prevent further injury. She also utilizes her training as a certified Yoga instructor to help clients avoid musculoskeletal disorders through a better understanding of how their body mechanics and job tasks interact.

Melinda Pricken, OTR/L, AEP

Melinda Pricken, OTR/L, AEP is an occupational therapist and a certified Associate Ergonomics Professional with experience in educating on wellness, and health promotion in the workforce.  Melinda’s extensive career thus far has seen her perform advanced ergonomic office assessments in corporate settings, manage an occupational health clinic in a large industrial food manufacturing facility, and provide mindfulness and wellness education to a variety of workers on a large capital construction site. She has also trained and taught on a wide array of progressive equipment for healthcare and medical settings. Melinda has performed ergonomic assessments for such clients as HBO and NBC. She attended Kean university where she earned her Bachelors in Recreation Administration with a minor in American Sign Language and a Masters of Occupational Therapy. Melinda is also a Certified Ergonomic Risk Analyst and a Certified Stretching Coach. 

Deana Luke

Deana Luke has been developing and implementing corporate ergonomics programs since 1989, resulting in positive outcomes in preventing musculoskeletal disorders and reducing workers’ comp costs. Having completed hundreds of ergonomic workstation evaluations, she understands the importance of tailoring the design and setup of each workstation to uniquely fit the individual and their work tasks. She also advocates a holistic approach, recognizing the positive roles that proper posture, stretching and strengthening exercises play in maintaining musculoskeletal health.

Ms. Luke obtained a B.S. degree in Community Health with a minor in Chemistry and holds a M.S. in Environmental Sciences from the University of Colorado. Her graduate-level studies included coursework in Ergonomics at Colorado State University. Deana is also a Certified Pilates Instructor and has been able to transfer knowledge learned in her Pilates training to her practice in ergonomics.

David Weiner, LCSW

Executive Director
& Co-FOunder

David has over 20 years of experience as an administrator and licensed behavioral health professional in both public and private sectors. David has developed and evaluated public health programs in schools, hospitals and private organziations.

David works with businesses to measure workplace trends that affect performance, retention and engagement. 

As a clinical therapist by trade, he enjoys expanding his focus to organizations, that are, after all, only as healthy as the individuals that comprise them. David is extensively trained in disability rights regulations including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). He received his Masters in Social Work at the University of Georgia.

Contact: davidw@risingworkplace.com

Leslie Woodruff

administrative Coordinator

Leslie Woodruff is our Administrative Coordinator at The Rising Workplace.  She handles all aspects of client communication, scheduling, and billing.  She also works on social media and assists in marketing and newsletters for TRW. When Leslie is not working at TRW, she is quite busy as a degreed professional photographer, mom, pet caretaker, and Airbnb owner.  Leslie has a background as a yoga instructor who also enjoys hiking, running, and taking her dog on adventures in her free time.