focus on the foundation
International SPA Association Foundation
I
f there’s anything I take pride about ISPA
Conference beyond its education and the
solidarity it creates within the spa community, it is the fact that the annual event is also
the place where we recognize the future leaders
of the industry. This year, we are proud to
announce the recipient of the 2012 Mary
Tabacchi Scholarship, Carmen Nash of Florida
Gulf Coast University.
The screening process to select the most
worthy recipient is never easy. This year, we
received numerous qualified candidates all over
the world, our most number of global applicants ever. There was also a good mix of
candidates from various backgrounds, ranging
from applicants with specific vocations to nontraditional students. It is always exciting to hear
news like this as this signifies a promising
future of qualified leaders who will help shape
and elevate the standards of the spa industry.
In the end, Carmen—who is currently majoring in Resort & Hospitality Management with an
emphasis on Spa Management—was selected both for her passion and remarkable achievement.
As a student, she is already making history as the first spa director of Spa Lab, the only oncampus spa learning lab in the country.
We’re also excited to hear about the development of past Mary Tabacchi Scholarship recipients. Several of the past scholars have recently taken leadership positions within the industry.
Next month’s issue of Pulse will reveal more, but 2008 recipient, Michelle Bashore, is the new
assistant manager at Kohler Waters Spa Burr Ridge. Also, 2011 recipient, Jessica Barnett, is the
new spa director at Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa. It’s wonderful to see how these recipients
have maximized their education to put themselves in positions to become some of our industry’s upcoming leaders! Congrats to both Michelle and Jessica, and we look forward to seeing
your future work.
As a reminder, don’t forget to donate to the ISPA Foundation Auction. Proceeds from the
Auction go towards valuable research and help fund scholarship grants like the Mary Tabacchi
Scholarship. It’s never too late to donate, so please donate today! Visit ispa2012.com to learn
how you can help support the leaders of tomorrow.
Warm regards,
—JEFF KOHL, ISPA FOUNDATION PRESIDENT
Interested in donating to the Foundation?
Contact ISPA at [email protected] or visit experienceispa.com.
To see a current list of the 2012 ISPA Foundation Auction items
and for your opportunity to donate, visit ispa2012.com.
54 PULSE
■
September 2012
2012 ISPA Foundation
Board of Directors
OFFICERS
President
Jeff Kohl
Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spas
Vice President
Sharilyn Abbajay
Abbajay Collection, LLC
Secretary/Treasurer
Calvin Martin
Calvin Martin & Co., PLLC
DIRECTORS
Ruth Stricker
The Marsh, A Center for Balance
and Fitness
Ella Stimpson
ISPA Chairman
Wynn and Encore Las Vegas
Lynne McNees
ISPA President
Michael Tompkins
ISPA Vice Chairman
Miraval Resort & Spa
MEDICAL ADVISOR
Dr. Brent Bauer, M.D.
Mayo Clinic
HONORARY BOARD MEMBER
Deborah Szekely
Rancho La Puerta
The ISPA Foundation wishes
to thank the following
supporters for their generous
contributions:
Luminary
Ruth Stricker
Benefactor
Dr. Howard Murad
Patron
Massage Envy
Matrix Fitness Systems
Red Door Spas
Advocate
Global Spa Summit
SpaFinder