About the Sandgaard Foundation
What We Do
The Sandgaard Foundation supports nationwide efforts to decrease the habitual use of prescription pain medication, prevent addiction, and support victims and their families. We do this by actively supporting initiatives that create positive changes to help end the opioid epidemic.
The Sandgaard Foundation seeks to address the opioid epidemic by helping fund initiatives that save lives from opioid overdose, help people escape the cycle of relapse, and support victims and their families. We do this by creating non-traditional coalitions and actively supporting initiatives that create positive changes to help end the opioid epidemic by changing the conversation around pain and the shame and isolation that brings people into the crisis and keeps them there.
We believe that it’s time to crank up the volume on these issues as we band together to heal, talk openly about opioid abuse, work with healthcare professionals, and change the way we treat pain.
The Sandgaard Foundation to End the Opioid Epidemic was founded in 2018 by Thomas Sandgaard in Denver, Colorado.
Current and past grantees and partners include Yale University Program in Addiction Medicine, Naloxone Project, Voices Project, Junction Film, Gibson Guitar Foundation, Mobilize Recovery, and TEMPO (Training and Empowering Musicians to Prevent Overdose).
“Opioid misuse and overuse destroy communities and families every hour, every day across the country. Acknowledging the problem was the first step. Now it’s time to implement an effective solution—not quietly or discreetly—but as loudly as possible… and together. It’s time to bring new funders to the table.”
- Thomas Sandgaard
Founder & CEO
Band Together
We take the opioid crisis seriously, and we’re not doing it alone. Academic discussions are as important as scientific ones. We will use our voice to amplify great ideas and to shout about discrepancies—helping willing individuals and groups come together for positive change.
Our Executive Board
Thomas Sandgaard
Founder, president & CEO
Thomas Sandgaard is a Danish-American entrepreneur, inventor, philanthropist, and musician dedicated to creating meaningful change across healthcare, business, and the arts. As the Founder and President of the Sandgaard Foundation, Thomas leads initiatives aimed at combating the opioid crisis by funding programs that save lives, support recovery, and foster community resilience.
In 1996, Thomas founded Zynex Inc., a publicly traded medical device company specializing in electrotherapy solutions for pain management and rehabilitation. Under his leadership, Zynex has grown from a one-person operation into a leading provider of non-invasive medical devices, helping patients avoid or reduce reliance on opioids.
Beyond his work in healthcare, Thomas is the CEO of Sandgaard Capital, a private investment firm with holdings in various sectors, including sports and entertainment. Notably, he acquired Charlton Athletic Football Club in London and is also the owner of the Odense Bulldogs, a professional hockey team in Denmark that won the 2024/2025 Danish National Championship—a testament to his commitment to building winning teams on and off the field.
A lifelong musician, Thomas has played lead guitar in numerous rock bands and continues to perform with his band, Sandgaard. His artistic pursuits complement his philanthropic efforts, using music as a platform to raise awareness and inspire action against the opioid epidemic.
Thomas holds a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Southern Denmark and an MBA from Copenhagen Business School. He became a U.S. citizen in 2018 and resides in Colorado, where he continues to drive innovation and advocate for social causes close to his heart.
Kyle D. Henderson
Executive Director
Kyle Henderson is a mission-driven entrepreneur, advisor, and investor with a deep commitment to creating impact across business and philanthropy. As Executive Director of the Sandgaard Foundation, Kyle leads national initiatives to combat the opioid crisis through overdose prevention, addiction recovery, and public awareness efforts. Under his leadership, the Foundation partners with frontline organizations to support life-saving programs and shift the national conversation on addiction and recovery.
In addition to his role at the Foundation, Kyle serves as President of Sandgaard Capital, a privately held family office with active investments in private equity, public markets, and real estate.
Kyle’s background spans both startups and institutional ventures. He co-founded Xcel Companies, a national payment solutions firm; co-founded the Opportunity Coalition, a nonprofit focused on entrepreneurship and free enterprise; and served as Chief of Staff at Northstar, a commercial real estate investment firm with a multibillion-dollar portfolio. Earlier in his career, he helped build XJet, a global leader in luxury private aviation.
Kyle also serves on the advisory boards of Community Funded, Teakoe, and PayFurther, supporting innovation across consumer goods, fintech, and impact platforms.
Michael Cress
Board Member
Michael Cress is on the boards and advisory boards of several companies to include Zynex Medical, Rainier Healthcare, Linley Capital, Austin Healthcare Council, Sleep Research, and Rainier Hospice. He also serves on several philanthropic boards to include The Sandgaard Foundation and Rachel’s Challenge.
Michael currently serves as Chairman & Managing Partner at MD Cress Ventures, a national healthcare firm that is engaged together with its subsidiaries and other affiliates in a broad range of health care-related activities, including principal investment, operational management, financial advisory, and consulting services. Prior to MD Cress Ventures, he served as the President and CEO of the Cornerstone Healthcare Group which owns and manages hospitals throughout the country. Michael also served in multiple roles with Kindred Healthcare, including hospital CEO and Corporate Vice President of Business Development. He served as the CEO of Vencor Hospital of San Diego and was also an Adjunct Professor for the Masters of Healthcare Administration program at the University of Kansas