Chair

Heather Zdan, Executive Vice President of Marketing, Scrip, United States

Heather Zdan has over 20 years experience in database and direct marketing in omni-channel environments. She is a passionate supporter The Massage Therapy Foundation and Touch Research Institute through her work with Massage Warehouse. Heather is an avid user and believer in the benefits of massage therapy which she has used to treat chronic migraine headaches and to improve her health and overall well-being. Before joining Scrip, Heather was responsible for managing customer relationship strategies and developing marketing strategies to optimize customer contacts and increase profitability with 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.

IN LOVING MEMORY 

Lynda Solien-Wolfe

President, Solwolfe Resource Group, Inc., United States

Lynda is the president and founder of the Solwolfe Resource Group, a business development consultancy specializing in the Wellness markets. She also co-owns a day spa in Merritt Island, Florida, and is 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.

Kim Collier

Founder, JAMU Organic Spa Rituals & Co-Founder, Collier Concepts, United States

Kim Collier is a visionary trendsetter and spa industry innovator. Winner of Conde Nast” Top 25 trendsetter” & nominated in “Women In Wellness” spa consulting category, Kim remains committed to wellness initiatives. Kim’s work in South East Asia inspired documentation to preserve traditional recipes & indigenous healing modalities. As a massage therapist, holistic health practitioner, spa experience planner, and global spa therapy instructor, Kim contributes to spa, wellness & hospitality in forward thinking ways, including bringing hemp into hospitality and cannabis into wellness.

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.

Allan Share

President, Spa Industry Association, United States

Allan Share, a 30-year veteran of the Wellness industry, took over as President of the Spa Industry Association in 2010 after selling his previous businesses to a Private Equity firm. Share adds, “I love this industry, it is my life and I will continue to support it through the SIA.” The SIA has over 46,000 members across the globe in resort, destination, medical spa, salon and more! You can find Allan at 20 or more events a year speaking on a variety of topics.

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.

Cherie Sohnen-Moe

President, Sohnen-Moe Associates, Inc. United States

Cherie Sohnen-Moe is an author, business coach, and international workshop leader. Before shifting her focus to education, she was a massage practitioner for many years. She was a faculty member at a massage school and an acupuncture college, and has served on several college advisory boards. Cherie has published hundreds of articles. She is the author of the book, Business Mastery, co-authored, The Ethics of Touch and Retail Mastery , and has contributed to several other books. Throughout her life, she has been active in professional and community organizations. She has received numerous awards, including the 2012 Inductee to the Massage Therapy Hall of Fame. She is a founding member of the Alliance for Massage Therapy Education, served on the board from 2010-2018 and was president from 2015-2017.