ISPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

THE 2024 ISPA CONFERENCE is fast approaching . And I am quite excited about our keynote speaker , Justin Wren , who is going to be our Alex Szekely Humanitarian Award recipient . I like him because he is bold and brash . In his work outside of the mixed martial arts ring , this heavyweight fighter has tackled issues like human slavery and bullying . He helped build water wells for the Mbuti Pygmy people in the Democratic Republic of Congo . And he does work with veterans to address PTSD . He is a man who proudly calls himself a Christian and a follower of Jesus Christ . And I love ALL of it ! I like him because he is a walking definition of intersectionality and contradictions . Worlds collide within his very being . And I think it is important for this industry to embrace the people who don ’ t fit the mold of the traditional “ spa-goer ,” because , let ’ s face it , all of those labels and all the who should be or who shouldn ’ t be represented in our industry … well … they are out the window !

I like Justin because he stands for something ! Something bigger than himself , bigger than his career . Somethings that are risky . I would like for our industry to do that ! Step forward and not be afraid . The world is spinning faster and louder and who knows what the future holds ! But let us ask the questions : Who are we in all of this ? What things do we have to say ? Where on the front lines can we lead and be a voice for the voiceless ? In my mind , that is where wellness truly begins — by seeing the challenges , asking the hard questions and figuring out what we can do to help . Our reach can go beyond our ideas of today . Our impact can change the world .

ELECTED OFFICERS CHAIR

Patrick Huey Hyatt Hotels Corporation

VICE CHAIR

Kelleye Martin Trellis , The Spa at the Houstonian

SECRETARY / TREASURER

Michelle Adams Somerville Woodstock Inn & Resort

DIRECTORS

Taylor Fields PCH Hotels & Resorts

CG Funk Massage Heights Corporate LLC

Jennifer Holzworth Montage International

Foundation Vice Chair Ella Kent The Spa at Sea Island

Barry McCaffrey BABOR

Terry Prager Terry Prager Spa Consulting Inc .

Charlotte Prescott Privai Spa at the Kimpton Epic , Arch Amenities Group

Kenneth Ryan Marriott International

Eric Savage Freedom Spa , LLC

Foundation Chair Todd Shaw Fountain Life

Jessica Shea Hilton

Jessica Timberlake Jessica L . Timberlake Consulting

Lynne McNees President International SPA Association

2024 ISPA Conference keynote presenter Justin Wren is profiled on page 18 . Wren will receive the 2024 Alex Szekely Humanitarian Award ; learn more about the honor on pages 24-25 .

— PATRICK HUEY , CHAIR

MEDICAL ADVISOR Brent A . Bauer , MD Mayo Clinic

2 PULSE n MARCH 2024