Consulting Best Practices Initiative
Members
Initiative Chair
Lisa Starr, Consultant for Wynne Business, United States
Spa and salon business consultant for Wynne Business, Lisa has over 30 years of experience in the beauty industry, beginning as an entrepreneur and technician, and evolving into management of a regional chain of day spas. She has spent the last 15 years as a consultant, helping companies maximize spa operations performance in both front and back of house. Her knowledge and experience span all aspects of spa start-ups and ongoing operations issues, including finances & compensation, marketing, inventory management, retailing, human resource development, and business process improvement.
Vice Chair
Lynn Curry, Principal, Curry Spa Consulting Inc, United States
Lynn Curry, CMC, ISHC, has provided financial feasibility, design development, creative direction, and pre-opening services to upscale and luxury resort, casino, hotel, and mixed use developments since 1997. Curry Spa Consulting, a global spa consulting firm, launched in 2011. Lynn was named ASM’s Favorite Spa Consultant in 2018 and a runner up for Women In Wellness Spa Consultant of the Year. She is a proud member of the International Society of Hospitality Consultants, earned her Certified Management Consultant™ (CMC®) designation and serves on the GSN board, the BLLA Task Force, and as an educator with Gerson Lehrman Councils.
Wilfried Dreckmann
Founding Director of Spa Project, Germany
Wilfried Dreckmann knows the SPA business from bottom up. More than 20 years of experience in the beauty and spa business, including both practical work as beautician and management positions in some of the most prestigious spas in Europe, are the foundation of his consulting company. Besides his consulting activities in various European countries, Wilfried is frequent lecturer at the IST university of applied sciences in Duesseldorf teaching Spa management on bachelor level.
Anna-Cari Gund
Managing Director, Raison d’Etre, Sweden
Anna-Cari Gund Managing Director Raison d’Etre with over 30 years of experience in the spa, beauty and wellness industry. She has devoted much of her time to lecturing at Beauty & Spa Therapy Schools, represented Educational Associations including CIDESCO International as President, has acted as an International Examiner and also has extensive experience as managing director of a distribution company, involved in several professional skincare brands. Anna-Cari leads a team of global wellness innovators and visionaries at Raison d’Etre who create sustainable and profitable Wellness and Wellbeing concepts and spaces around the world. She also acts as Examiner for CIDESCO International and continue to support the organisation as Honorary President.
Debbie Merdjan
CEO & Founder, Camelot Group, South Africa
Debbie Merdjan is the CEO and founder of the Camelot Group and has over 30 years of business experience encompassing Health & Skin Care Training Centers,  Product distribution, Spa Consultancy and Spa Franchise operations throughout Southern Africa.  She is a winner of numerous awards including  Spa Ambassador Award, Industry Entrepreneur of the year award, Best Luxury Spa Group in Africa and Best Spa Boutique Hotel Award. Debbie is passionate about business, developing entrepreneurs and consulting by sharing best business practices and operational success.
Diana F. Mestre
Spa Consultant, Mestre & Mestre, Mexico
Diana F. Mestre graduate of a California State University with a Suma Cum Laude BA in pre-Med Biology and earned a diploma in Quality and Global Competitiveness with University of San Diego, California. Diana has participated in numerous conferences for the Mexican ministry of tourism and presented at the Global Spa and Wellness Summit in Aspen Colorado the conference on Innovation through indigenous inspiration a journey of imagination . She has also taught several Spa Management courses organized by the Technologic University of Monterrey. The Company’s mission is to créate signature experiences implementing the development of world standards of excellence for the Spa Industry in the Latin America.
Sonal Uberoi
Wellness Director, Spa Balance Consulting, Spain
Sonal is a global spa expert who is committed to helping spas. She has led wellness businesses to thrive across Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. Her extensive operations and management experience in the spa and wellness industries is reflected in her collaborations with top wellness companies including AbadÃa Retuerta LeDomaine (voted number 1 hotel in Spain, TripAdisor 2016), Esenza by SHA, Six Senses Spas, Sofitel Luxury Hotels, Reebok Sports Clubs, Hostal Empúries, Melià International Hotels. Sonal brings a uniquely global skill set and creative outlook to any project she takes on, from conceptual design and spa openings through to ongoing spa team mentoring and business strategy and optimization.
