Hydrothermal Initiative members
The committee of global experts have been selected for their personal expertise and innovative abilities, experience and willingness to freely invest their time in an industry about which they care passionately.
Don Genders
Initiative Chair and Founder & CEO, Design for Leisure, United Kingdom
Don Genders is founder and CEO of Design for Leisure (DFL), creators of award-winning hydrothermal areas that merge the health benefits of ancient bathing practices with modern design, materials and technology. DFL has offices in the UK and the USA, where it is the exclusive supplier of KLAFS custom-built saunas. DFL has over 30 years of experience working with clients like Accor, Aman, Canyon Ranch, Faena, Fairmont, Four Seasons, Six Senses, and many more. Genders also chairs the Global Wellness Institute’s Hydrothermal Initiative, publishers of the must-have Guide to Hydrothermal Spa & Wellness Development Standards.
Cassandra Cavanah
Initiative Vice Chair and Founder, Cavanah Communications, United States
Cassandra Cavanah is a leading PR and marketing expert in the spa and wellness industry, with over 30 years of experience. As founder of Cavanah Communications, she works with brands to elevate their visibility and influence. She played a key role in launching Spafinder, an innovative wellness travel and gifting company, in Europe and worked on global PR initiatives for the Global Wellness Summit and Global Wellness Institute for more than a decade. Cassandra also authored the Guide to Hydrothermal Spa & Wellness Development Standards, an industry essential.
Sascha Bialoian
Head of Global Channel Management, Dornbracht Group International GmbH, Germany
Sascha Bialoian joined Dornbracht, a renowned producer of high-quality designer fittings and accessories for the bathroom and private or professional spas, over a decade ago. Dornbracht relies on both science and the industry insights it has learned in the over 75 years it has served this sector, to develop evidence-based, health-promoting solutions. In addition, Dornbracht offers comprehensive services, from planning/specification to maintenance. Sascha is responsible for the Global Channel Management (Consumer and Commercial Business).
Thorsten Bichler
Director International Sales KLAFS GmbH & Co. KG & Managing Director KLAFS Asia Pacific Ltd, Germany
Thorsten has over 10 years of experience in the spa industry. As Director of KLAFS International Sales, the world market leader in sauna and spa, he and his team are responsible for over 60 partners worldwide. He coordinates direct sales and collaboration with customers and partners, and always keeps a close eye on the market to detect and set trends. Further Thorsten is responsible for the Asian market as Managing Director of KLAFS Asia Pacfic Ltd. Hong Kong, a 100% subsidiary of KLAFS Germany.
Sara Brenninger
Product Manager, TechnoAlpin, Italy
Sara Brenninger is passionate about technology in combination with lifestyle and wellbeing. As a product manager, Sara is representing the “Experts of Snowellness,” TechnoAlpin, a snowmaking specialist that of- fers an alternative, innovative healthy solution for the wellness branch. The snowellness experience uses existing heat applications and combines them with snow, giving individuals a more wholesome and effective spa experience.
Lasse Eriksen
Development Manager, Farris Bad – Nordic Hotels & Resorts, Norway
With over 25 years of experience in the Nordic wellness scene, Lasse Eriksen is a passionate advocate for the art of European sauna and wellness rituals. As a coach, trainer, and therapist, he has dedicated his career to sharing, evolving, and preserving these time-honored traditions. Lasse plays a key role in shaping the global sauna community as Vice President of Aufguss WM, a board member of the International Sauna Association and a professional sauna master at Scandinavia’s premier wellness destination, Farris Bad. Through his expertise, he continues to promote sauna culture, inspiring a deeper connection to heat, health, and holistic wellbeing.
Sammy Gharieni
Founder & CEO, Gharieni Group, Germany
Sammy Gharieni founded the Gharieni Group 25 years ago. Â The company has emerged as a leading European manufacturer of high-end spa and medical furniture beds and equipment. Today Gharieni exports to more than 70 countries around the globe. Committed to continuous improvement, Gharieni is ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 certified, with production in Germany.
Oliver W. Hasenfuhs
Managing Director, SnowBOX GmbH & Founder of Snow Industries Network, Germany
In 1997, Mr. Hasenfuhs co-founded Snow Promotion GmbH and later founded SnowBOX GmbH in 2005, a company specializing in snowmaking systems for events, spas, and industrial applications. SnowBOX continues to innovate, developing new products to meet the growing demand for cooling treatments in the spa industry. Mr. Hasenfuhs began his career as a professional ski and snowboard instructor while studying economics at university in the 1990s. Over the years, he has become one of Europe’s leading experts in specialized snowmaking technologies.
Fiona Sommerhuber
Head of Spa Division, Sommerhuber GmbH, Austria
A sixth-generation member of the Sommerhuber Ceramic Manufactory, Fiona Sommerhuber plays an integral role in maintaining the company’s position as Europe’s leader in heat-storing ceramics for Spas on cruise liners, in hotels and private spas around the world. The company’s product range includes ceramic heated loungers, ergonomically-shaped seats and benches, hammam tables ceramic and foot basins to enhance spa interiors.
Lorne Kennedy
Operations Director, Barr + Wray Ltd, United Kingdom
With over 15 years in the pool and spa industry Lorne is responsible for the delivery of all projects within the pool and spa division, along with running the aftersales service and maintenance team. With headquarters in the UK and an office in Dubai, Barr + Wray is a true global leader in the field of wet spa design and installation and has completed projects in over 40 countries. Barr + Wray’s client list includes almost all of the world’s finest international hotels.
Michel Lux
Export Director, Lux Elements GmbH & Co. KG, Germany
As export director, Michel Lux is responsible for LUX ELEMENTS’ global activities in wellness facility construction, in addition to being responsible for marketing and technology. He has been with the company for over 10 years and represents the third generation of the family owned business with a history spanning over 80 years. LUX ELEMENTS is an experienced specialist in handling polystyrene hard foam and its further processing into secure substrates for bathrooms and wellness areas. Thanks to decades of experience, almost all customer designs for steam rooms, hamams, loungers and other wishes are made possible, produced and implemented worldwide.
Stephan Mayer-Klenk
Managing Director, Kemitron GmbH, Germany
Since 2007, Stephan Mayer-Klenk has led Kemitron, a globally recognized family business in the spa and wellness industry. Under his leadership, Kemitron has expanded its market presence, pioneering innovations like dosing systems, experience showers, and automatic sauna infusion systems. Today, Kemitron’s four core product areas—technical spa systems, exclusive fragrances, skincare, and professional cleaning—offer a comprehensive, high-end solution for luxury wellness environments.
Rainer Rieger
Managing Director/ Co-owner, WDT – Werner Dosiertechnik GmbH & Co. KG, Germany
Since 2002 Mr. Rieger has been working in the Swimming Pool and Spa industry for WDT. The company produces an extensive product range of measuring, controlling and dosing systems for Swimming Pools, SPA & Wellness and Industrial applications for water purification. WDT employs 63 people and exports 75% of the produced systems.
Heinrich Unbescheiden
Vice President, Unbescheiden GmbH, Germany
For more than ten years, Heinrich Unbescheiden is vice president of Unbescheiden GmbH, responsible for sales, development and marketing. The company has been family-owned for five generations and manufactures hydrotherapy and spa equipment with the highest standards: sophisticated technology which harmonizes with clear and stylish design. Unbescheiden ranks among the world’s leading suppliers of units and equipment for the spa sector.
Axel Zadina
Export Business Development Manager, HygroMatik, Germany
Axel has been Export Business Development Manager of HygroMatik, a manufacturer of humidification systems and steam bath generators for long-term operation, for nearly 20 years. Axel has a deep background is international trade and engineering and worked and lived in Asia for several years during his career.  At HygroMatik, Axel’s goal is to expand the company’s distribution network through strategic partnerships in the spa industry.
