ISPA FOUNDATION
HANDING OVER THE REINS
I
mmediate Past ISPA
Foundation Chairman
Jeff Kohl welcomes
Frank Pitsikalis into
his new role as ISPA
Foundation chairman.
In a friendly chat, Kohl
connects with Pitsikalis
to talk about his vision for
the ISPA Foundation and
its initiatives.
JEFF KOHL: When I first stepped into the ISPA Foundation chairman role off the heels of past ISPA
Foundation Chairman and SpaBiz President Edwin Neill, I was most eager to build upon key initiatives like
education and research, which help to strengthen ISPA’s voice in the industry. As I hand over the reins to
you, what do you look forward to achieve as the new ISPA Foundation chairman?
FRANK PITSIKALIS: The ISPA Foundation must continue to provide the industry with the vital research
and education it needs to grow and help identify exciting new opportunities. I look forward to working with
spa leaders, resource partners, sponsors and complementary organizations to help fund new initiatives that
will provide our industry with the resources to continue to grow.
In the past years, we’ve successfully extended mentorship opportunities to ISPA Foundation Mary
Tabacchi Scholarship recipients. What ISPA Foundation-led initiatives do you envision that could further
help develop future spa leaders?
P: I believe the Mary Tabacchi Scholarship has been such an important initiative for ISPA to help engage
young, potential leaders in our industry. The selection process alone is a special opportunity for our future
leaders to engage with so many amazing and established leaders who dedicate their time to the process to
select and mentor the new graduates. I believe we can continue to find new opportunities to inspire strong,
young leaders to realize that the spa industry is a wonderful industry to be a part of. If we want to continue
to grow as an industry, our best and brightest must stay engaged and inspired.
FOUNDATION
2016
ISPA FOUNDATION
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
OFFICERS
CHAIRMAN
Frank Pitsikalis
ResortSuite
VICE CHAIRMAN
Sharilyn Abbajay
Red Door Spas
DIRECTORS
Todd Shaw
ISPA Vice Chairman
Michael Tompkins
ISPA Chairman
Lynne McNees
ISPA President
K:
It’s amazing to think ISPA turned 25 this year. If you can go on a time-machine, how do you envision
another 25 years of ISPA’s history?
P: I foresee such exciting times ahead for ISPA in the next 25 years. As year after year, I see strong leaders
from around the world join the ISPA Board and our committees, I can’t help but think about what their
unique brand of leadership will do to continue to strengthen our association and our industry. I see ISPA
doing many more events and initiatives globally so that many more spa professionals around the world will
find more opportunities to leverage our resources and ensure a vital global spa community is that much
closer together with the help of ISPA.
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
K:
The ISPA Foundation
wishes to thank the following
supporters for their generous
contributions:
LUMINARY
Ruth Stricker
BENEFACTOR
Dr. Howard Murad
PATRON
TO READ MORE, click here. Plus, be sure to visit biddingforgood.com
to join the ISPA Foundations' monthly online auctions. This month's
auctions features products by Elemis.
64 PULSE
n
December 2015
Massage Envy
Franchising, LLC
Red Door Spas