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About
AIA
The
Alliance of International Aromatherapists (AIA), a 501(c)(3)
nonprofit organization, was formed as the result of the
vision and devotion of a Denver, Colorado group of aromatherapists.
Over a five-year period they developed educational opportunities
for the public through e-newsletters, teleconferences and
a highly successful conference held in 2005. Consequently,
AIA was officially launched on June 12, 2006.
AIA
is now a fast-growing independent, international member-based
organization providing education using scientific research
and traditional information to promote the responsible use
of aromatherapy. We serve the public, researchers, educators,
healthcare professionals, industry, and the media.
Our Vision
The AIA is a leading international aromatherapy organization making aromatherapy a readily accessible and respected holistic healing modality.
Our Mission
AIA unites aromatherapists from around the world to advance research and professionalism within the aromatherapy industry. As a result the public has the option for a safe, natural and complementary form of health care.
Our
Goals
- Provide
education to the public using scientific-based research
and traditional information.
- Promote
responsible use of aromatherapy.
- Raise
educational standards for aromatherapy training.
- Bring
conventional medicine and natural therapies, with emphasis
on professional
aromatherapy, into a more harmonious relationship.
- Serve
as a resource for the furtherance of professional education
and interconnection
of serious practitioners of aromatherapy.
- Serve
the public, researchers, educators, healthcare professionals,
industry, and the media.
2007 Annual Report
2008 Annual Report
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Meet
the Board of Directors |
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Lora
Cantele, RA, CSRT, MIFPA, AAS - President (2009-2010)
Lora
Cantele, is a Registered Clinical Aromatherapist, Swiss Reflex
Therapist, manufacturer of aroma-therapeutic products for
her company Enhancements Aromatherapy LLC and Director/Board
Certified Educator of the Penny Price Academy of Aromatherapy-USA.
Lora is a writer and speaker in the field of aromatherapy.
Lora conducts specialty aromatherapy workshops for a variety
of hospital support groups, health and wellness fairs and
women’s expos. Lora is featured regularly as
the Aromatherapist-On Call for Aromatherapy Thymes Magazine.
Lora is a consultant in clinical aromatherapy. She received
her certification from the Australasian College of Health
Sciences and has completed additional studies with many international
leaders in the field including Shirley, Len and Penny Price
in the U.K. and France. Lora is one, of only three, certified
U.S. practitioners of Shirley Price’s Swiss Reflex Therapy.
She obtained her Associate Degree in Applied Sciences at the
International Academy (Chicago).
Her
mission is to empower her clients by teaching her them how
to achieve and sustain good health and well-being through
the use essential oils, herbs, relaxation, simple exercises
and good nutrition. She views herself as an educator first
and foremost.
“I am very excited to be working with the AIA. The goals
of AIA and my own nicely coincide with each other. As many
natural health care providers will tell you, most of them
have become professionals in the natural health arena by having
gone through their own health challenges, only to overcome
them by natural means. I am no different. What I have learned
from my journey is that there is a NEED for aromatherapy and
other natural health practices to become more integrated into
mainstream medical and dental. As professionals dedicated
to our industry, it is up to all of us
to do what we can to move aromatherapy forward in the healthcare
industry. I am proud to be among the professionals associated
with this organization and I am thrilled to help in it’s
development and with its mission. I encourage others who seek
a professional organization dedicated to the science, increased
research and education in aromatherapy.”
Articles by Lora have appeared in publications such as the
NAHA Aromatherapy Journal and Aromatherapy Thymes Magazine,
Woman Newspapers Group (IL) and Quintessential Barrington
magazine (IL). She has been interviewed by Today’s Dietitian
and on the Cathi Watson radio program. |
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Debbie
Freund, RN, CCAP - Vice President (2010)
Debbie Freund has been using essential
oils for 20 years in private practice and is the owner and
founder of Scents & Scentsibility, Ltd.. She is certified
in clinical aromatherapy with Dr. Jane Buckle and is a member
of the AMTA. She has used essential oils at the 1996 Olympic
Games in Atlanta, the US World Cup and the Goodwill Games
in 1992 in Seattle. Debbie is an experienced aromatherapy
educator and has lectured extensively on the subject in the
US and abroad. She spends her time writing, teaching and traveling
and brings much experience to the AIA board. Her belief in
the importance of aromatherapy education and assisting people
to achieve professional goals makes her especially suited
to this position. |
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Nancy
C. Graves, BS, MBA, CA - Secretary
(2008-2009)
Nancy Graves has been studying the healing arts for over 10
years. With a Bachelors of Science from Penn State University
and an MBA from Pepperdine University, she brings forth both
a scientific and business perspective to her services for
AIA. She is a Certified Clinical Aromatherapist, Kundalini
Yoga Instructor and a Reiki Master Instructor. Trained in
an array of Energetic Healing modalities, she currently also
provides support for a local nursing care facility.
“The
Alliance of International Aromatherapists has an important
purpose in bringing together a community of professionals
whose interest is to set a high standard of service through
education, scientific research and esteemed private practice
so that the value of aromatherapy can be recognized more strongly
as a natural, affordable approach to health care. I am proud
to be an active part of this awesome, avant-garde organization.”
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Bev
Day, MBA, CFE, RA - Executive Director, Treasurer (2009-2010)
Bev
Day is a Registered Aromatherapist, aromatherapy and business
educator, seminar leader, and co-founder of AIA. For
over ten years, her passion for the holistic health care field
has lead her to study natural health topics and in particular
aromatherapy. She is grateful to be part of this growing wave of aromatherapy awareness and enthusiasm.
Bev has created seminars for business, government, and the
public since 1990, including financial analysis programs for
the National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("N.A.I.C.").
Bev draws business expertise from owning and operating businesses and from her 22-year career with
the Colorado Division of Insurance. During her journey from
field examiner to Chief of Financial Affairs, Bev learned
what makes successful companies tick and what causes companies
to fail. She has been able to translate what she saw as an examiner/auditor into everyday business success strategies and strives to apply this knowledge to AIA activities.
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Eileen D. Cristina, CMP, ACA - Director (2009-2010)
Eileen Cristina, owner of Kneading Wellness since 1996 in Lititz, Pennsylvania; has a practice of advanced clinical aromatherapy, is an advanced therapist of Barnes’ Myofascial Release and provides essential oils and hydrosols for health care facilities, businesses, educational institutions, natural markets and individuals.
Eileen graduated in 1996 from the Owens Institute of Massage and Holistic Sciences in Wilmington, Delaware and has completed 300 hours with Myofascial Release Seminars of Paoli, Pennsylvania. She is an Advanced Clinical Aromatherapist, reaching Level III with Essential Oil Resource Consultants, Robert and Rhiannon Harris. Other aromatherapy studies have been with Phillipe Mailhebiau, Len and Shirley Price, and Jeanne Rose. Through the University of Maryland School of Medicine she has studied Clinical Botanical Medicine in with Eric Yarnell, ND; Kathy Abascal, BS; and Dr. James Duke. At Tai Sophia in 2006, she completed an intensive of herbal medicine and plant identification with Michael Moore.
Eileen served on the Editorial Committee of The International Journal of Aromatherapy, from 2000 to 2006. She has also had articles published in ABMP’s Massage and Bodywork Magazine, International Journal of Clinical Aromatherapy, and Home Health Care Management and Practice. She teaches clinical aromatherapy to student nurses at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing enrolled in a CAM elective and introductory aromatherapy at Lancaster School of Massage.
"Holding high standards for myself and my work is an asset I bring to the AIA Board of Directors and the membership. The Alliance of International Aromatherapists is a beacon for the profession that melds the varied aspects of aromatherapy with an emphasis on responsibility, education and research." |
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Heather A. Howell, CCAP - Director (2010-2011)
Heather is a Certified Clinical Aromatherapist Practitioner, Spiritual Guidance Counselor serving as the Organic Skincare Formulator and Chief Aromatherapist at Aroma Pharmica. Heather founded her first skincare company in 1999. Heather's core expertise includes custom formulator of essential oils, integration of medicinal practices, nature based healing, green market progression, healthy living promotion, environmental advocacy and socially and environmentally conscious business practice. In private practice, Heather works with all elements in balancing one’s energy bodies and assists in forward movement through Intuitive Aromatherapy.
Currently, Heather teaches in her local school district through community education about the benefits and uses of essential oils. She holds workshops covering areas of natural skincare, enhanced aromatherapy and wellness through essential oils. She is trained in an array of Energetic Healing modalities including Crystal Therapy, Theta Healing, EFT and Spiritual Response Therapy. Heather is a writer, Aroma-Pharmacist, Eco-Activist, Indie, Mama-blessed with 3 incredible children, speaker, teacher, educator of the New. Articles by Heather have appeared in Natural Awakenings Magazine for 3 years. She has an internet radio show called Aromatherapist On-Call on Blogtalk Radio.
In her personal time, Heather enjoys healthy living, the environment, parenting with nature, sustainable living, activism, communing with new age children, manifesting, reversing racism and classism, experiencing nature-all seasons, reading/research, gardening and traveling and laughing till it takes her breath away. Born and raised in North Carolina, lived Colorado for 12 years, lived in Costa Rica, currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina.
“I am grateful for the experience to serve on the board of the AIA. I am humbled to share my knowledge and expertise to forward the movement of Aromatherapy as a complimentary medicine.”
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Elaine Shaughnessy, BA, CA - Director (2010-2011)
Elaine Shaughnessy has been an educator for over 30 years, holding a valid teaching certificate in the state of NJ. Since her retirement as the District Educational Technology Director for the Burlington County Institute of Technology School District, she has focused her attention to wellness through nature as well as various healing modalities and metaphysical studies.
Elaine began her aromatherapy journey in 1994 and since then has continued to train with many leading teachers in the field. She holds certificates in aromatherapy, medicinal aromatherapy, aroma fitness, natural perfumery, Swiss reflex therapy, Reiki, Feng Shui, Energy Medicine, numerology and angelology. Elaine has completed year one of Eden Energy Medicine and is certified as an angel healer and angel card reader.
Elaine’s mission is to educate consumers on how the use of natural products, herbs and various healing modalities can enhance their lives. She conducts aromatherapy classes for Lourdes Institute of Wholistic Studies in conjunction with Camden County Community College. She presents lectures and workshops in aromatherapy, herbs, green cleaning, natural fragrancing, Feng Shui, the law of attraction, chakra healing, numerology, crystals, angels and managing stress.
Elaine has been a guest speaker for local garden clubs, health fairs, libraries, senior groups, wellness groups, herb society meetings and local schools. She has been a member of the Herb Society of America for over 10 years and is currently the Vice Chairperson/Program Director of the Herb Society of America -South Jersey Unit.
“I have a passion for education, especially in educating the everyday consumer in the safe use of aromatherapy. I would like to assist in this mission in any way possible. As a former teacher and administrator, I know and practice the values of commitment, good listening, research and communicating on an understandable level. I bring to the board, my knowledge base and experience in aromatherapy, along with other modalities I have studied. I enjoy networking with people and discussing innovative ways to meet a goal or project.
Since its launch, I have been a very happy member of the AIA. I have found that the AIA does a great job of communicating with its members through emails and teleconferences. I am in awe of the many hours that the AIA board members give to the membership and how they continue to provide a source for making aromatherapy “a readily accessible and respected holistic healing modality”.
I feel that it’s now time for me to volunteer my efforts as a director on the board. I truly believe in the mission of this organization. Therefore, it’s time for me to give back to AIA in a more committed way. Thank you for this opportunity.”
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