Mike Canizales — Chairman of the Board & CEO

Mike is the founder of Spa Chakra, Inc. Mike has been deemed a "spa visionary" by industry trade publications, such as Day SpaAustralasia. Prior to founding Spa Chakra in 1997, Mike served nine years in various executive positions with Microsoft in the USA and Australia. Mike's key accomplishments at Microsoft include:

  • Managing the recruitment efforts for over 15,000 Microsoft employees across all disciplines during Microsoft's highest growth periods.
  • Establishing competency-based HR processes and tools worldwide.
  • Serving as a founding executive in charge of Finance, IT, HR, and Operations at ninemsn, a joint venture of Microsoft and PBL, Australia's largest publishing company. Ninemsn has grown to become Australia's leading Internet portal.
  • Mike holds a BA from the University of Puget Sound.

 

Harris Mylonas — Executive Director

Harris was a co-founder of Spa Chakra, Inc. and serves as Executive Director in charge of all architecture and design. Prior to joining Spa Chakra, Harris spent more than a decade in five-star hospitality companies including Hilton Hotels and Ansett Airlines. He has extensive experience in Food & Beverage, Front Office, and Rooms Division.

Harris earned a Bachelor of Science Degree with a Major in Hospitality Management from the University of Newcastle in Australia.

 

Meredith Quarnstrom — Chief Operating Officer

Meredith joined Spa Chakra as Chief Operating Office in February 2008 after a 12-year tenure with Hilton Hotels Corporation where she ultimately held the position of Vice President of Food and Beverage and helped redefine Hilton Restaurants through partnerships with various successful restaurateurs and aggressive operational improvements. Meredith also held various Food and Beverage roles as well as General Manager positions in both Atlanta and Virginia, receiving multiple awards for both revenue and quality improvement.

In the partnership between Spa Chakra and Hilton Hotels to develop leading Spas and Fitness Services within the Hilton family, Meredith's experience naturally aligned with Spa Chakra's model. Her familiarity with the hospitality world coupled with her dedication to health and wellness complement the already dynamic Spa Chakra leadership team.

Meredith holds a B.A. from George Mason University.

 

Paul O'Beirne — Director

Paul O'Beirne has spent the last 22 years with Microsoft Corporation where he has held a number of Senior Hr positions. He has held both Corporate and International positions for Microsoft. He spent his first six years as the HR Manager setting up Microsoft Ireland which is now a premium product development site, operations center and sales and marketing site for Microsoft Corporation. The last 16 years have been spent at Microsoft Corporation's headquarter in Redmond Washington as HR director.

His current responsibilities include HR support for Small Midmarket Solution and Partner, OEM and World Wide Licensing divisions. His previous role to this he was the business partner Microsoft worldwide Research and Emerging Technologies. In addition Paul had HR responsibilities for Microsoft's development efforts in both India and Ireland. Prior to this Paul spent 6 years supporting Microsoft's Chief Operation officer for all of Microsoft World Wide G and A operations.

Before working at Microsoft Paul held HR and Operations Management responsibilities for Mostek Ireland a semi conductor which was a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation. Paul has a Undergraduate Degree in Psychology from University College Dublin and an MBA from the Smurfitt School of Management University College Dublin.

Paul has served on the board of Spa Chakra since its inception and was an early investor in Spa Chakra.

 

Christopher Condy — Director

Chris has been a director since 2005. He is a founding partner of C&L Partners, a restaurant development, operating and investment company. Chris is also the CEO of Aqua Development Corp. which owns and operates AQUA, a 2 Michelin Star seafood restaurant in San Francisco. He is a member of the Board of Directors at the Global Wine Company and a member of the Board of Directors and a Contract Captain for Sunset Aviation. Most recently, Chris became an investor and a member of the Board of Directors of FohBoh.com, the restaurant industry's leading online social network. Prior to starting C&L Partners, Chris was a founding partner, a former member of the Board of Directors and Managing Director of JMP Securities from 1999 to 2007. Currently, Chris consults to JMP as Chairman of JMP Asia.

 

Rebecca Siegel Baron — General Counsel

Rebecca has been practicing corporate law in New York since 2001. As an attorney at a major US law firm, she was involved in all aspects of corporate transactional practice representing start-up companies, private equity funds and their portfolio companies, and later-stage private companies with an emphasis on general corporate governance, equity financings, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, and fund formation.

Rebecca has extensive experience with drafting and negotiating various equity and financing documents including stock and asset purchase agreements, merger and recapitalization agreements, stock option agreements and incentive plans, registration rights agreements, stockholders' agreements, guaranties, security agreements and pledge agreements as well as confidentiality agreements, employment agreements, and other general corporate documentation.

As Spa Chakra's General Counsel, Rebecca manages the company's day-to-day corporate and other legal affairs. Rebecca negotiates real estate leases and joint venture and other strategic partnership agreements for the company. In addition, she regularly handles Spa Chakra's intellectual property, immigration, employment, and licensing matters.

Rebecca earned a B.A. from Dartmouth College in 1997 and a J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center in 2001.

 

Allen Hunt — Vice President, New Ventures

Allen joined Spa Chakra as General Manager in 1998 and has been intimately involved with the development and execution of Spa Chakra's launch strategies and expansion initiatives.

Allen brings over 27 years' experience with five-star International Hotel brands including Hyatt, Hilton International, Ritz Carlton, and Hayman Island Resorts. Allen's diverse experience in Rooms Division and Food & Beverage Operations, together with Sales & Marketing, Logistics, and Customer Service Development, has helped the company ensure operational excellence and brand consistency. Allen's core competencies include:

  • New Project Development
  • Negotiation & Presentation Management
  • Yield Management
  • Logistics Management
  • Brand Management

 

Anita Moren — Vice President, Field Services

As Vice President of Field Services, Anita leads each division to achieve revenue targets and operational excellence.

Completing her Bachelor of Commerce degree in Hotel & Food Administration at Guelph University Ontario in 1984, Anita moved into the International Hotel industry, where she focused her management skills in Rooms Division and Food & Beverage from 1985 to 1999. She has worked with such prestigious brands as Hilton, Sheraton, and Four Seasons. From 1988 to 2003, Anita's focus was with Hilton International, heading up "Teams for Y2K" for Sri Lanka, China, Japan, and Korea, and the conversion team "HIS to Fidelio" in Australian-based properties. She headed Systems Development for Hilton in Otaru, Japan, and Sharm el Sheik in Egypt. Her areas of expertise include:

  • Strategic Commercial Management
  • 18 years of International Hotel experience covering operations in Rooms Division and Food & Beverage
  • Systems & Global Call Center Management
  • Pre-opening Project Management
  • Yield Management

 

Rana S. Makarem — Vice President, Design & Technical Consulting

With more than fifteen years' experience in both the public and private sectors, Rana's prodigious project management portfolio includes hospitality, churches, and high-security office buildings for public safety agencies as well as regional government entities. She has also served as Project Manager for the design of high-end custom homes for nearly a decade. Her responsibilities have required her to manage schedules and budgets for multimillion-dollar contracts as well as to coordinate the design process with local agencies having project jurisdiction and with responsible utility providers.

 

Jonathan Westover — Director of New Ventures, United States

Jonathan assumed the role of Director of New Ventures for the United States in 2008 having occupied several roles within the Spa Chakra network since 2004, including Regional Director, Spa Director, Assistant Manager, and Massage Therapist.

Prior to joining the Spa Chakra team, Jonathan served in the United States Military in addition to receiving his diploma in Massage Therapy. He worked independently and in the spa industry in the United States before moving to Australia where he joined the Spa Chakra team in Sydney. Jonathan has gained a wealth of knowledge over the years in all aspects of the spa industry and is truly passionate about creating and ensuring the highest level of service, quality, and standards for our strategic partners and spa clientele alike.

Jonathan's grassroots experience and knowledge have proven invaluable in his capacity as Director of New Ventures and are certain to enhance Spa Chakra's position as a world leader in the luxury spa market.

Jonathan resides in Miami and enjoys travelling, outdoor activities, and dedicated charity work.

 

Nicole Stansfield — Director of New Spas and Consulting, Australasia

Nicole joins Spa Chakra as Director of New Spas and Consulting for Australasia in addition to this role, Nicole is responsible for Public Relations for Australasia and contributes to Spa Chakra's E-Learning training initiatives. Nicole originally joined the Spa Chakra team in 2006 as Manager of the network's flagship location in Sydney, Australia, upon completion of her studies in Natural Therapies.

Prior to her post with Spa Chakra, Nicole spent nearly nine years with Unilever Australasia, a leading Blue Chip Multinational FMCG company globally renowned for its excellence in brand management and breakthrough marketing. During her tenure within this highly competitive and dynamic industry, Nicole managed several global and local power brands in the personal care and food categories where she gained extensive experience and knowledge in marketing, new product development, brand management, and sales.

With Nicole's strong marketing, new product launches, project and spa management background coupled with her passion and dedication to the wellness and spa industry, she is a welcomed addition to the Spa Chakra team.

Nicole is based in Singapore and enjoys traveling, experiencing new cultures, scuba diving, and sailing as well as great food, great wine and being in the company of friends and family.

 

Paul Berman — General Manager, Sales & Marketing

Paul joins Spa Chakra after previous roles as Director of Business Development and Director of Sales & Marketing at the Hilton Atlanta Airport hotel. Prior to his assignments in Atlanta, Paul held the positions of Senior Director Sales Education & Professional Development for Hilton Hotels Corporation of Beverly Hills, California, as well as Director of Sales & Marketing at the Doubletree Hotels in Tysons Corner, Virginia, and in Waltham, Massachusetts. As Director of Sales at the Doubletree Boston/Waltham, the hotel sales team was awarded "Sales Team of the Year" in 2001, while Paul was nominated Director of Sales for 2002 and 2003. He has also served as the Boston area Director of Sales cluster lead for Hilton Hotels. Additionally, Paul was Assistant Director of The SMART Ride, a non-profit fund-raising bicycle event held each year from Miami to Key West, Florida.

Prior to his roles with Hilton, Paul worked with Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, and The Ritz-Carlton Hotels. Paul holds an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the University of Denver. His career has taken him to Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Virginia, Florida, and Georgia.

 

Tracey Barnes Leborgne — Director of Quality Control

Tracey brings over a decade of sales and franchise support to her role as as Spa Chakra's Director of Quality Control.

Tracey began her career as a Senior Sales Executive for L'Oréal Cosmétiques, where she was consistently rated as one of L'Oréal's top sales performers in the Southeast region of France. Under her leadership, Tracey developed her sales territory to over 200 clients and increased product sales by building exceptional relationships, resulting in the dramatic increase of penetration, sell-in, and sell-through.

An American by birth, Tracey has been a French permanent resident for the last 14 years. Tracey attended the University of Puget Sound in the United States before completing her studies at L'Institut d'Études Politiques in Aix-en-Provence, France. Tracey's core competencies include:

  • Territory Account Management
  • On-Site Operations
  • Training & Development and Product Sales

 

Paula Comfort — Managing Director of Fitness and Human Resources

As Managing Director for Spa Chakra, Paula brings more than 20 years of experience in the wellness industry with previous roles as Area Vice President for a high-end, privately owned chain of clubs and an international public health club company, in addition to previous positions as Director, General Manager, and Personal Fitness Consultant. Paula has also strategically worked through a major acquisition to become a highly regarded leader for change, and continues to inspire and motivate team members daily.

Paula has an Honors Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Waterloo, Canada, and resides in Toronto.

 

Laurie O'Brien — Director of Finance and Administration

Laurie O'Brien joined Spa Chakra as Director of Finance and Administration in January 2007. With 30 years' professional experience, Laurie has held senior executive positions in a variety of business sectors including electronic imaging services, manufacturing, computer training services, publishing, and distribution. Laurie's past roles have included Controller, Treasurer, Director of Finance and Human Resources—positions that have allowed her to utilize and fine-tune extensive talents in the areas of financial analysis, financial management systems implementation, and business processes and procedures for finance, HR management, and communications. Most recently, Laurie served as Consultant with QueBIT, providing Spa Chakra with what continues to be invaluable assistance surrounding the implementation of COGNOS.

Laurie and her husband, Mike, reside in Rochester, New York.

 

Carlo L. Salvioni — Regional Director, Europe, the Middle East & Africa

Carlo joined Spa Chakra in June 2007 bringing over 15 years of experience in sales, marketing, and planning positions in the Luxury and Consumer Goods industry.

Carlo has held various country, sales, and marketing management positions with the Italian luxury goods brand Bulgari as well as planning and finance positions with the multinational consumer goods companies Philip Morris and McDonald's Corporation. Most recently, Carlo held the position of Managing Director of Australia and Switzerland at Bulgari where he was responsible for driving and expanding owned retail and wholesale business to higher revenues and profitability, defining three-year plans and local marketing and PR strategies, and overseeing the local finance team. Carlo also gained strong financial and planning experience during his tenure at Philip Morris and McDonald's.

Carlo earned his Bachelor of Finance and Management from Indiana University in Bloomington. His core competencies include:

  • Strategic Commercial and Business Development
  • Retail and Wholesale Operations
  • Planning and Finance

 

Teri Moore — Regional Director, Australasia

Teri brings over 18 years of hospitality and Sales and Marketing experience to her role as Regional Director of Australasian Operations. Teri has held various Sales and Marketing management roles, including On-Premise Manager for G. Raden & Sons Wine Distributors and Regional Management roles for Entertainment Publications, both in the US and in Australia.

Teri's roles have involved extensive work in building sales teams, developing sales and management staff, managing key client and supplier relationships, and insuring high levels of customer service. Teri holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Business Administration from the University of Puget Sound. Her core competencies include:

  • Developing sales and growth
  • Sales management and staff development
  • Implementation of customer service standards
  • Managing and developing key client and supplier relationships

 

Michael Levy — Executive Director, Spa Chakra Fitness

Michael is the founder and CEO of The Sports Clubs of Canada, Canada's premier health, racquet, fitness, and social clubs. Michael sold the company to Bally Fitness and became CEO of BFT Canada Corp. and VP of Development for Bally International. Michael serves as a Board member for Baycrest Center for Geriatric Care, Board of Toronto Adolescent Recovery Center, Board of Jewish Toronto Tomorrow, Advisory Board to the Rotman School of Business at University of Toronto, and Advisory Board to Accelteon Consulting.

Michael has an MBA in Marketing and Finance and is a Chartered Accountant.

 

Guerlain, Paris Support Team

 

Louis de Vilmorin — Business Development Director

Louis has been with Guerlain since 2000 and one of his missions is to ensure the development of the Guerlain Spa network worldwide. He often contributes to the Spa Chakra negotiation process with some of the key players enhancing the complementarities between the two firms. He is responsible for Guerlain's P&L development on all matters in this regard and reports to the Guerlain CEO. He has been in commercial business development for the past 25 years.

He worked as subsidiary General Manager for 18 years throughout Asia, from Singapore to Korea and Japan. He is now based in France where his experience is of immense contribution. Louis's field of competencies include:
  • Strategic Commercial Development
  • 25 years in Consumer Goods Worldwide Marketing
  • Negotiation and Presentation Management
  • Yield Management

 

Sophia Kremser — International Aesthetic Training Center Manager

Due to her operational and technical knowledge, Sophia actively participated in Guerlain Spa's concept and strategy and is involved in its implementation and development. After studying Economics, Sophia turned to Cosmetology. She has worked for Guerlain since 1991 and began at Guerlain's Champs-Elysées Institute as a therapist and then as co-manager for six years. In 1997, Sophia joined the French Training Department as a trainer. Two years later she headed the International Training Center dedicated to Spas, Institute, and Cabin business. Today Sophia travels extensively to train, develop, and support Guerlain–Spa Chakra Alliance locations around the world. She masters and analyzes the world of beauty. Sophia's core competencies include:

  • International Training Center Management
  • Training Program Development
  • Training Tools Development
  • Trainer Management
  • Marketing Development Assistance

 

Sandrine Andrieu — Spa Product Manager

Sandrine began her career in 2000 with Guerlain as Skincare Pricing Manager and has designed Guerlain Worldwide Skincare and global pricing strategies and supports. Her skincare experience led Sandrine to move to Guerlain Spa as a Commercial Coordinator two years ago. She works on several developments for the Guerlain–Spa Chakra Alliance, including Client Experience processes and Program Development ensuring that all protocols remain consistent with the Guerlain image and core values. Sandrine also interfaces with Guerlain subsidiaries worldwide. Since 2006, she has contributed to Guerlain Spa Marketing Development. Sandrine holds the EDHEC Business School Diploma (France). Sandrine's core competencies include:

  • Operational Support
  • Operational Tool Development
  • Product Development

 

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