2016 ISPA DEDICATED CONTRIBUTOR AWARD RECIPIENT industry leaders . Apart from leaving her role as director of wellness business at Kohler Co . before she retired last year , Kolb has also served for several years on the ISPA Board . Part of her legacy is her leadership as ISPA chairman , leading a stronger ISPA community in the face of an economic downturn . Yet with all her contributions to the spa industry , Kolb has more to give . “ When it comes to my biggest accomplishment , I choose to think I haven ’ t achieved it yet . There ’ s so much more we all can do ,” she says .

To get a glimpse of this year ’ s ISPA Dedicated Contributor Award recipient ’ s journey in the spa industry , here ’ s a timeline that reflects a few of her career highlights .

Childhood age when Kolb first discovered her love of spa and fitness . “ I was 10 years old when my mom took me to an aerobics class . Not long , this gangly and awkward little girl became coordinated and confident ,” she says , recalling the moment when she first learned the benefits of spa , fitness and health .

The year when

Kolb was first introduced to ISPA and started working at the Kohler health club called Sports Core . “ We had four treatment rooms that were converted from old closets . I knew we could do better . A professional speaker , Mikki Williams , who I knew from the health club industry suggested I attend the ISPA Conference & Expo . I thought : ‘ What can it hurt ? I may learn a thing or two !’”

That same year , Kolb also met some of the spa industry ’ s pioneers , including Erica Miller , Frank van Putten and Jeff Kohl , who was then with PGA National Resort & Spa . To help her become more familiar about the spa industry , Kolb also toured day spas and met with Noelle DeCaprio , founder of Noelle Day Spa .

A highlight year for Kolb ’ s career at Kohler Spa .

On December 18 , 2000 , Kohler Waters Spa opened in the tiny village of Kohler , Wisconsin . “ It opened with high expectations and we were going to make sure we did not disappoint . The months leading up to it were just like pregnancy , and then the 72 hours before were pure labor pains ,” Kolb recalls . “ We not only had a beautiful and world-class facility , I felt very strongly about hiring world-class staff members who were going to lay a strong foundation for the future . It was a memorable time .”

Year when Kolb first served as

ISPA Chairman . Several years prior to serving as ISPA Chairman , Kolb had already served as an officer on the ISPA Board . “ My good friend , Jim Root , just finished his chairmanship and the opportunity for me to throw my name in the hat was there . I felt a sense of duty and honor in even being considered for the role ,” she says . The timing couldn ’ t have been any more perfect . At that time , both of her sons were already in college and she also just finished her own college studies . “ I knew I had more to contribute . What I didn ’ t know then was that the economy was going to tank . However , looking back , I still would have done it . It was a time of great debate on many issues , but also strong

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26 PULSE ■ July 2016