Initiative Co-Chair

Heather Zdan, Executive Marketing Professional, United States

Heather Zdan has over 20 years of experience in database and direct marketing across omni-channel environments. A passionate advocate for massage therapy, she supports The Massage Therapy Foundation and Touch Research Institute through her work with Massage Warehouse. Previously, she managed customer relationship and marketing strategies for Sears Shop Your Way Program, Hammacher Schlemmer, and Eddie Bauer. Heather holds an MBA from the University of Findlay and a BS in Marketing from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Initiative Co-Chair

CG Funk, Consultant, United States

CG has over 30 years of experience in the spa and wellness industries, specializing in executive leadership, franchising, training, and spa business consulting. Passionate about massage and spa, she has dedicated herself to volunteer leadership, serving on the Massage Makes Me Happy & Healthy Initiative, ISPA’s board, and the Global Wellness Summit. A Massage Therapy Hall of Fame inductee and One Concept Lifetime Achievement honoree, she holds massage therapy licenses in Arizona and California.

Initiative Co-Chair

Karen Short, CEO, Universal Companies, United States

Karen is CEO of Universal Companies. In her role, Karen is responsible for direct sales, marketing and education initiatives. She leads a growing team of professionals in identifying and delivering products and solutions to wide range of customers including day spas, medical spas, resort hotel spas, salon spas, schools, and independent practitioners. Prior to joining Universal, Karen built a successful track record of executing aggressive growth strategies ranging from sales-focused and market-driven organizations to growth through mergers and acquisitions. She has held executive positions with a range of customer centric organizations including Quintess Collections, InnPerspectives Inc., Meadowood Napa Valley, and Aspen Skiing Company. She is also current President of the Board for the Green Spa Network.

Jim Chenevey

CEO Earthlite, United States

In the Massage and Spa industry for 20 years. Driving the growth of EarthLite, the World’s #1 Brand in Massage, and its other owned Brands. Instrumental in driving sustainable initiatives and products for the industry. His enthusiasm, passion and overall desire to help improve the industry is demonstrated through his direct contribution with the initiative.

Kim Collier

Co-Founder, Collier Concepts, United States

Kim Collier is a spa industry innovator, massage therapist, and wellness advocate. Her work in Southeast Asia helped preserve traditional healing practices, and she collaborates with Blackfeet herbalists and promotes hemp products in hospitality and wellness. A Conde Nast “Top 25 Trendsetter” and Women in Wellness nominee, Kim is dedicated to global wellness, plant medicine advocacy, and advancing massage therapy.

Scott Dartnall

RMT, Canada

Scott Dartnall, RMT, has been a Registered Massage Therapist in Ontario since 1992. He founded Canada’s first accredited private multi-disciplinary clinic and has developed numerous clinics and medical spas. A Massage Therapy Hall of Fame inductee, Scott has specialized in global continuing education for over 17 years, co-creating major massage conferences and launching Massage Therapy Media in 2022. In 2024, he celebrates 32 years in practice and organizes the ONE Concept Canadian Massage Conference and the returning American Massage Conference in 2025.

Tiffany Field, PhD

Founder & Executive Director, Touch Research Institute, University of Miami, United States

Dr. Tiffany Field is the director and founder of the Touch Research Institute in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Miami School of Medicine. Touch Research Institute, established in 1992, was the first center in the world devoted solely to the study of touch and its application in science and medicine. TRI conducts research on the effects of alternative therapies such as massage therapy on various medical and psychological conditions. TRI’s research has focused on preventing prematurity in pregnancies, enhancing growth and development of preterm infants, and reducing depression, attentional disorders, pain syndromes and increasing immune function in chronic illnesses in children and adults.  She has received Research Scientist awards to support her 30 year research career in the Department of Pediatrics and has published over 400 journal papers and over 30 books.

Melissa Mazzola

Director, Business Development, Earthlite LLC, United States

Melissa’s love for all things spa & wellness began 10 years before the start of her career with Earthlite in early 2015. There, she works to build the Earthlite brand and fosters a dynamic team, focusing on supporting massage therapists and wellness businesses. Her direct guidance and dedication make her an exceptional mentor for those she leads through the industry. She is passionate about the brand and is committed to Earthlite’s mission of making high-quality and affordable essential wellness and beauty equipment, accessories, and supplies.

Cherie Sohnen-Moe

President, Sohnen-Moe Associates, Inc. United States

Cherie Sohnen-Moe is an author, business coach, and international workshop leader with decades of experience in massage, wellness, and business education. A former holistic health practitioner, she has worked with individual therapists, wellness centers, and businesses in retail and hospitality. Cherie has taught at multiple institutions and authored several books, including Business Mastery and The Ethics of Touch. She has received numerous industry awards, including induction into the Massage Therapy Hall of Fame. Passionate about education and massage advocacy, she serves on the FSMTB exam committee and the Massage Makes Me Happy & Healthy committee.

IN LOVING MEMORY 

Lynda Solien-Wolfe

President, Solwolfe Resource Group, Inc., United States

Lynda was the president and founder of the Solwolfe Resource Group, a business development consultancy specializing in the Wellness markets. She co-owned a day spa in Merritt Island, Florida, and was a licensed massage therapist, esthetician, continuing education provider, writer, a strong supporter of massage therapy research and an avid consumer of massage therapy. In her 25-plus years in the wellness space, Lynda has helped shape the massage therapy profession to have greater respect and acceptance. She has served on several boards in her community, state government, and the massage and spa profession. She has received numerous awards and was inducted into the Massage Therapy Hall of Fame in 2011. We miss her dearly.