Meet The Team Behind Bea.
We believe technology should feel human. That belief shapes not only the products we create, but the way we work together every day. Our team culture is grounded in collaboration, curiosity, empathy, and a shared commitment to building tools that help people feel more connected and supported through life’s challenges.
We approach our work with the understanding that behind every check-in, conversation, and moment of progress is a real person, a family member, a friend, or a support network trying to move forward together. That perspective influences every decision we make — from product design and communication to security, trust, and user experience.
Our leadership team brings together expertise across healthcare technology, engagement strategy, operations, customer experience, and innovation, united by a common goal: creating supportive technology that feels approachable, encouraging, and genuinely helpful.
Leadership
Eric Hundley
Chief Executive Officer & Founder
Eric Hundley is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Cognitive Scientific and the inventor of Bea, the company’s patent-pending technology platform. He has held executive sales and business development roles in finance and behavioral health. He holds a BS from Southern Illinois University and an MS from Eastern Illinois University.
Dan Hahn
Chief Operations Officer
Dan Hahn serves as Chief Operations Officer of Cognitive Scientific. He brings 30 years of experience, including executive leadership in health and life sciences at Salesforce and IBM. Dan holds a BA in Economics from the University of Illinois and an MBA from the Cornell Johnson School of Management.
Marisa Hambleton
Chief Technology Officer
Marisa Hambleton serves as Chief Technology Officer of Cognitive Scientific. She brings over 20 years of experience in delivery leadership for enterprise solutions on the Salesforce platform, managing complex software projects and serving as founder of several innovative companies. She holds a BBA from the University of Texas at El Paso and an MS in Information Systems from Arizona State University.
Ira Dolin
Chief Marketing Officer
Ira Dolin serves as Chief Marketing Officer of Cognitive Scientific. He brings 30 years of executive leadership experience focused on entrepreneurial online marketing strategies, including positions at Epsilon, United Airlines, and Leo Burnett Publicis. He holds a BS from Drake University.
Elayne Howitt
V.P., Community Relations
Elayne Howitt serves as Vice President of Community Relations for Cognitive Scientific. She has worked as an adult education and WorkAbility instructor and department chair in Los Angeles-area school districts, supporting developmentally disabled adults in learning valuable life and employment skills and transitioning toward independence. She holds a BA and MA in Special Education and Teaching from California State University, Northridge.
Advisors
Dr. Sandeep Gupta
Strategic Advisor
Dr. Sandeep Gupta is a Professor of Computer Science at Arizona State University’s School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence. He leads the IMPACT Lab at ASU, where he explores AI safety, digital twin technology, secure and sustainable cyber-physical systems, and human-centric healthcare solutions. He holds over 20 patents, a PhD in Computer and Information Science from The Ohio State University, and completed postdoctoral work in Computer Science at Duke University.
Charles Yacoobian
Strategic Advisor
Charles Yacoobian is a retired Chief Financial Officer and Controller with executive leadership experience at Baskin-Robbins and Vallarta Supermarkets. He brings 30 years of experience across wholesale distribution, consumer products, manufacturing, food processing, startups, mergers and acquisitions, and business sales. He holds a BS in Economics with an emphasis in Accounting from UCLA.
Michael Hool
Outside Counsel
Michael Hool is Managing Partner of Hool Coury Law, specializing in venture capital, finance, securities, technology, licensing, and mergers and acquisitions. He serves on the boards of Canyon Angels, Conscious Capital Arizona, and Biltmore Angel Group. He holds a BS in Finance and a JD from Arizona State University.
Desiree Basl, MFT
Desiree Basl, MFT, is a private practice marriage and family therapist with over 10 years of experience in mental health and substance use treatment. She provides consultation to treatment centers and specializes in trauma, attachment, and EMDR, supporting clients in healing, self-understanding, and lasting change. She holds an MA in Clinical Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara.