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Meet the Board of Directors

Bridget Kelley, RA, LMT - President (2012)
Bridget Kelley is a Registered Aromatherapist, nationally certified licensed Massage Therapist, owner and main essential oils blend formulator for Kelley Pure Essential Oils.  She is a clinical essential oil consultant for area hospitals as well as a local instructor of aromatherapy in west central Wisconsin.

My mission is to provide education on the safe use of essential oils and to take every opportunity to speak about essential oils to hospitals, health seminars and women’s conferences.

It is a privilege to be on the board of an organization whose mission and vision is to advance research and professionalism and to make aromatherapy a readily accessible and respected holistic healing modality to health professionals along with the general public.

Bev Day, MBA, CFE, RA - Vice President (2012)
Bev Day is a Registered Aromatherapist, aromatherapy and business educator, seminar leader, and co-founder of AIA. She shares her passion for aromatherapy and business dynamics through teaching, working with clients and serving as AIA Executive Director. Prior to aromatherapy entering her life, and equipped with an MBA degree from the University of Utah, Bev devoted over 23 years working as an auditor, accounting supervisor and regulatory manager. In these roles she supervised troubled companies, proposed statutory law, testified before legislative committees, served on a national oversight committee, and trained auditors.

“AIA is such a dynamic organization for the aromatherapy community. Being a member has accelerated every aspect of my training and business through the educational resources, conferences, and other members who are so generous with their time and knowledge. I’m excited to be serving on the Board as AIA continues to grow, expanding the influence of essential oil therapy in the holistic field and offering opportunities to current and new aromatherapists.”

Nancy C. Graves, BS, MBA, CA - Treasurer (2012-2013)
Nancy Graves has been studying a variety of healing arts for over 15 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. Her career experience includes Operations Management and Analysis, Regulatory Compliance and Quality Assurance. Currently, Nancy is studying Holistic Health Counseling through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition

“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 honored to be a part of the team that is building this amazing organization.”

Bill McGilvray - Director (2012-2013)
I have been deeply involved in all facets of the essential oils industry, from distillation to plantation development and management (both conventional and organic), to research, sales, and marketing, which has enabled me to build a network of colleagues around the world.

I served as director, deputy chairman and chairman of The Australian Tea Tree Industry Association from 1989 to 1996.

My wife Jill and I established Plant Extracts International in Hopkins MN, through which we market the products initially developed by The Australian Essential Oil Company, which I launched in 1987 and wholly own.

Elaine Shaughnessy, BA, CA, AHP - Director (2012-2013)
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.”

Cary J. M. Caster, LMT, CA - Director (2012)
A graduate of the University of Florida with a degree in Botany, Cary began her career as a botanist. Cary then obtained a Certificate in Aromatherapy and Traditional Chinese Medicine from The Institute of Traditional Herbal Medicine and Aromatherapy in London, her LMT license from The Florida College of Natural Health, an Advanced Aromatherapy and Teacher Training from Aromahead Institute in Sarasota, FL, and an Advance Clinical 1 and II Aromatherapy Certification at Essential Oil Resource Consultants in France. In 2009, Cary founded 21 Drops, LLC, a line of therapeutic grade essential oil blends.

Lynn Murray, RN, BSN, CA - Director (2012)

Lynn is a Bachelor of Science prepared RN with 20+ years of experience including in-patient, out-patient and research arenas.  She has worked as a professional research assistant for over 15 years and monitored research studies for the pharmaceutical industry.  In 2003, she became a massage therapist and fell in love with essential oils. This year she completed the Aromatherapy Certification Program through the Aromahead Institute. Lynn has been a past member of the Holistic Nurses Association, Healing Touch International, and has been involved with AIA since 2007. 

Dr. Debrah J. Zepf, PhD - Director (2012)
Debrah Zepf is a successful business woman who is trilingual in French, English and German. She is the owner/operator of Holistic Herbal Health LLC, a clinic specializing in detoxifying the “whole” body.  Debrah is a Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner being a member of the American Association of Drugless Practitioners and a Certified Clinical Aromatherapist with over 300 hours of in class training and case studies. Debrah’s love of the herbs encouraged her to become a Board Certified Master Herbalist through the American Naturopathic Medical Certification Board. She is an Alumni and graduate from the Global College of Natural Medicine. In October 2007, Debrah completed her schooling in Atlanta, GA and has graduated from The Energetix International College of BioEnergetic Medicine. This completes her Bio-Energetic Practitioner's Certification and she is Board Certified for North America.  Debrah regularly attends Master Classes in Homotoxicology and alternative medicine using the EAV (Electro Acupuncture Voll) device in London, Ontario Canada. Debrah is certified as a “medicine woman” through the Nemenha Tribe. She is in the final stages of completing her doctorate in Traditional Naturopathy and expects to be completed by April 2011. She is also pursuing her Ph.D., through the International Quantum University for Integrative Medicine.  She plans to complete this at end 2011, and this degree will serve not only to increase the healing gifts she can guide her clients with, and help educate the world in quantum medicine.

I believe that I have accumulated skills and knowledge both in the field of Alternative Health care and in the running of a business in this fractured Industry to be an asset to AIA.   It is not enough to be a good Practitioner you must be a co-creator and partner to others in the field in order to attract clients looking for Alternative approaches to their health.  I have established Power Partners (other Practitioners in the field) who also see the value in establishing a team of experts that a client may have an extended support team to consider for their healing journey.  I want to share my ideas with AIA  members and see this industry be successful in becoming a major contributor to preventative illnesses and sustainability of health to all people.

Debrah was born and raised in Northern Ontario Canada. She has traveled to over 15 different countries and has lived in Alberta and Ontario Canada, Crawfordsville, Indiana U.S.A., Veirnheim Germany and presently in Parker Colorado. Her experiences living and traveling in different places has given her the opportunity to learn different cultures, adapt to very difficult situations, meet wonderful people and enjoy the basic three “L’s in Life” Live, Love, and Laugh!