MORRISVILLE, NC, August 05, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Pantea Dougani, founder and chief executive officer of Excel Wellbeing Solutions, has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

For more than 15 years, Ms. Dougani has championed a holistic approach to employee wellness, helping organizations move beyond one-time wellness events to create sustainable cultures where well-being is embedded into everyday operations. Long before workplace wellness became a strategic priority for employers, she recognized the growing impact of employee burnout and advocated for integrated solutions that support physical, mental, social, and emotional health.

Ms. Dougani's passion for workplace well-being is rooted in personal experience. From 1992 to 2008, she worked as an electrical engineer and operated a database management services company that supported automobile dealerships, primarily in Alabama. The demands of frequent travel and the pressures of balancing work and family responsibilities led her to confront firsthand the challenges many employees face today. The economic downturn in 2008 prompted her to reevaluate her career path and ultimately inspired her transition into the wellness sector.

While operating Excel Body Fitness in 2010, Ms. Dougani observed that fitness alone was insufficient to address the broader needs of working professionals. She noted patterns among clients who struggled with inconsistent attendance and chronic stress due to lack of sleep and other wellness deficits. Recognizing that well-being encompasses multiple pillars beyond physical fitness, she expanded her offerings to include chair massage, reflexology, meditation and breathwork—prioritizing in-person delivery for maximum impact. As the company's mission evolved, it was rebranded as Excel Wellbeing Solutions to better reflect its comprehensive approach. Today, the organization collaborates with healthcare professionals—including a cardiologist and a double board-certified physician—to deliver customized well-being strategies that improve employee health, engagement, and organizational performance.

Ms. Dougani's commitment to cultural alignment sets her apart within the industry. She conducts ongoing research into workplace culture and burnout, emphasizing that genuine care for employees must be reflected in organizational practices—not just in surface-level benefits. She intentionally partners with organizations that are committed to creating lasting, measurable change for their employees.

Beyond her entrepreneurial success, Ms. Dougani is an active leader within the business community. She is a Circle Program member of the National Association of Women Business Owners, ranking among the top two percent of women in the organization. She is also actively involved with the American Association of Community Colleges, where she has contributed insights on entrepreneurial challenges through video projects highlighting barriers to business loans in discretionary sectors.

Ms. Dougani's academic foundation includes a Bachelor of Science in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Arizona, earned in 1990. Her engineering background continues to shape her analytical, data-driven approach to program development and business strategy. She is also a graduate of Leadership Cary (2024–2025) through the Cary Chamber of Commerce and is currently pursuing B Corporation certification for Excel Wellbeing Solutions, reinforcing her commitment to ethical leadership, sustainability, and social impact.

Throughout her career, Ms. Dougani credits her success to remaining true to her values and consistently choosing purpose over short-term gain. In the early years of her business, trust-based relationships and word-of-mouth referrals fueled the company's steady growth—a reflection of the lasting confidence she has built with clients and community partners alike.

Her commitment to service extends well beyond business. She serves as a board member of the Cary Chamber of Commerce and sits on the advisory board for LaunchCary, where she also volunteers as a mentor supporting new entrepreneurs. She donates generously to causes aligned with her mission, including the American Heart Association Inc., and is a major supporter of therapy dog initiatives. Through Excel Wellbeing Solutions, she donates 90 percent of the proceeds from therapy dog visits to Alliance Therapy Dogs and an emerging therapy dog nonprofit, newfietherapy.org helping expand access to the emotional benefits these programs provide.

Born in Tabriz, Iran, Ms. Dougani enjoys an active lifestyle centered around fitness and outdoor activities with her husband, Hassan, and Blue, their Siberian husky named for his striking blue eyes. She values time spent with her two adult daughters, Layla and Mona, often incorporating them into her fitness routines or walks with Blue.

Looking ahead, Ms. Dougani aspires to expand Excel Wellbeing Solutions into a multinational enterprise while continuing to elevate the conversation around workplace well-being. She believes comprehensive wellness programs are no longer optional benefits but strategic investments that strengthen organizations by improving employee health, retention, and performance.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. The suite of Marquis® publications, including Who's Who in America® and Who's Who in the World®, remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the globe. Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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