iSPa foundation
Following her very first ISPA Conference & Expo, 2017 ISPA
Foundation Mary Tabacchi Scholarship winner,
LaTesha
foundation
Council catches up with me to discuss the benefits of the
ISPA Foundation, how it has fostered growth in her career
and opportunities for future students.
Pitsikalis: Since receiving the ISPA Foundation Mary
Tabacchi Scholarship, what have you grown to love about
the ISPA community?
2017
ISPA FOUNDATION
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
OFFICERS
Council: Hands down the best of the ISPA community is the
people. I cannot say enough about the passion of the ISPA
members, board members and employees. Everyone has a
shared commitment to strengthening our industry, and I am
glad to be part of such a wonderful and enthusiastic tribe.
CHAIRMAN
Frank Pitsikalis
ResortSuite
VICE CHAIRMAN
Sharilyn Abbajay
Abbajay & Associates, LLC
P: How can ISPA Foundation can help future
students looking for a career in the spa industry?
LaTesha Council
C: By continuing to be an up-to-date educational source for
the industry. Currently, not all education programs have a spa
or wellness component, so the research, tools and textbooks that
are spearheaded by ISPA are vital knowledge resources for interested students.
P: Since not many colleges offer spa or wellness components, what advice do you give
DIRECTORS
Todd Shaw
ISPA Chairman
Todd Hewitt
ISPA Vice Chairman
Lynne McNees
ISPA President
students who would like to learn more about the industry, but don’t know where to start?
C: Get hands-on experience while in school to gain clarity on how your strengths can best be used
in the industry. This can be done by volunteering with ISPA, obtaining an internship or partnering
with a local spa for a school project.
P: How do you hope to pay-it-forward for future spa students?
C: The one-year mentorship opportunity that is provided as part of the scholarship package has been
invaluable and has already been very helpful with my current and future career endeavors. My mentor
has helped me foster industry partnerships and has offered timely advice and words of encour-
agement. I think that this relationship will remain throughout my spa career. Moreover, it has
encouraged me to help or mentor others along the way during my spa career journey.
P: We loved having you at this year’s ISPA Conference & Expo. What was your favorite
part of the experience?
C: I am going to cheat a bit because I had two favorites. One of my favorite moments was Amy
Cuddy’s amazing keynote speech. It really made me aware of how I sometimes shrink myself in many
situations with my thoughts and body language. So, I am now actively working on my “power pose.”
Another favorite was meeting and spending time with Dr. Mary Tabacchi. She is an amazing woman,
industry pioneer and firecracker, and I am honored to have received a scholarship in her name.
MEDICAL ADVISOR
Brent Bauer, M.D.
Mayo Clinic
HONORARY BOARD
MEMBERS
Ruth Stricker
The Marsh, A Center for
Balance and Fitness
Deborah Szekely
WELLNESS WARRIOR
The ISPA Foundation
wishes to thank the following
supporters for their generous
contributions:
LUMINARY
Ruth Stricker
BENEFACTOR
Dr. Howard Murad
PATRON
Applications for the 2018 ISPA Foundation
Mary Tabbachi Scholarship open March 1.
Head to experienceispa.com/
about/ispa-foundation to learn more!
Red Door Spas
ResortSuite
—franK PitSiKaliS, iSPa foundation cHairman
60
PULSE
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January/February 2018