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Breaking: Canyon Ranch founders step down

Canyon Ranch founders Melvin and Enid Zuckerman, along with Jerrold Cohen are retiring from the legacy brand after nearly 40 years, leaving the brand in the hands of Susan Docherty, CEO, who was appointed to her position in 2015.

One of the original American wellness destination resorts, Canyon Ranch features services across its five pillars: Health + Healing, Fitness + Movement, spa + Beauty, Mind + Spirit, and Food + Nutrition.

"I wish to personally thank Mel, Enid and Jerry for their inspiring commitment and our successful partnership which dates back to 1996," said John C. Goff, chair and CEO of Crescent Real Estate Holdings, owner of Canyon Ranch. "Their vision of transformation through holistic wellness has had a profound effect on tens-of-thousands of lives, including my own, and I wish them a fulfilling retirement embodying the Canyon Ranch lifestyle they have created.

"I am confident that our CEO, Susan Docherty, along with her new executive leadership team – are poised to pay homage to the founders' promise and enliven the Canyon Ranch narrative for decades to come.”

Mel and Enid Zuckerman and Jerry Cohen are reputed for sparking a movement in the health and wellness industry with the launch of their flagship property Canyon Ranch in Tucson in 1979. Since then, the brand has opened doors to sister resorts in Lenox, Massachusetts and Kaplankaya, Turkey, and operates numerous brand extensions including Canyon Ranch SpaClub at The Venetian & The Palazzo hotels in Las Vegas, and Canyon Ranch SpaClub at Sea facilities onboard Cunard's Queen Mary 2 luxury ocean liner, Oceania, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and on Celebrity Cruises.

Canyon Ranch has been at the forefront of the now US$3.72tr global wellness space, expanding the concept of a health resort by introducing a comprehensive professional approach, with a staff that includes board-certified physicians, registered dieticians, exercise physiologists, licensed therapists and other skilled staff.

Before joining Canyon Ranch, Docherty spent three decades at General Motors, during which she was the first female in the company's 100-year history to be appointed and hold a corporate officer title as vice president of sales.

During her time at Canyon Ranch so far, Docherty has guided the company into its next chapter of growth, with milestones including the brand's first international foray, as well as the launch of the brand's twentieth SpaClub at Sea location onboard the Regent Seven Seas Explorer, which includes the first in-room Canyon Ranch spa suite. Docherty also spearheaded development of the Residences at Bellefontaine, 19 condominiums at the Massachusetts destination.

"I was drawn to Canyon Ranch because of its pioneering spirit and vision,” said Docherty. “I want to ensure that this cherished and respected brand thrives and evolves, impacting the physical, mental and spiritual lives of new audiences domestically and globally. Canyon Ranch remains a fast-growing and forward-looking company that remains fiercely devoted to the mission set forth by its founders: providing transformative wellness to enable people to live their fullest lives."

From 2015 to 2017, Docherty has also added new management to her team, including COO Thomas Klein and CMO Kathleen Shea, as well as global directors of resorts, food and beverage, retail and merchandising, communications and more. Docherty, alongside her recently expanded leadership team, will spearhead many upcoming developments to carry on the company's mission of wellness, inspiration and innovation.

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Canyon Ranch founders Melvin and Enid Zuckerman, along with Jerrold Cohen are retiring from the legacy brand after nearly 40 years, leaving the brand in the hands of Susan Docherty, CEO, who was appointed to her position in 2015.
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