Last updated August 17, 2025
2025 Election Info
AFMTE is the only membership organization dedicated to shaping the future of massage therapy education. Its collective vision and voice provide vital support and guidance.
The Leadership Development Committee (LDC) is charged with finding strong candidates to serve the Alliance as Board members and members of the LDC. Service to the Alliance gives back to the massage therapy community and contributes to your own personal and professional development.
Board of Directors Slate Has Been Approved
The following slate of candidates for the AFMTE Board of Directors has been approved by acclamation. The newly elected directors will join the board in September 2025.
Bio: I am honored to be considered for the AFMTE Board of Directors. With nearly 30 years in massage therapy and over two decades in education, I’ve dedicated my career to elevating the standards of our profession through practical, high-quality instruction. I am board certified, a continuing education provider, and the 2025 recipient of the Massage Educator of the Year award. My background in psychology and instructional technology has helped me bridge sound pedagogy with the hands-on needs of massage students and teachers.
My service on the AFMTE Teacher Resource Committee has deepened my appreciation for the work it takes to support massage educators nationwide. I believe in building strong, actionable resources and advocating for educators who are navigating real-world classroom challenges.
Bio: Deborah has been a Massage Therapist/Health Educator for over 16 years. She graduated with honors from UNC-Greensboro with a BS in Community Health Education and has an AAS in Therapeutic Massage from FTCC (Forsyth Technical Community College). Deborah is a Certified Health Education Specialist, Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist, health coach, and a Certified Lymphatic Therapist. She is currently working for the Department of Veteran Affairs where she developed a medical massage therapy pain management clinic.
She has gained a breadth of knowledge and experience through working in various healthcare and college/academia settings throughout her career.
Deborah believes in giving back to the community through community outreach projects and promoting the massage therapy profession. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors for the Alliance For Massage Therapy Education for the past 2 years, she also has served on the board for the American Massage Therapy Association NC Chapter for over 10 years. She also finds time to help several non-profits in her community (homelessness, food pantry, and water safety programs).
When not working, she loves to cook, create stained glass crafts, and swim.
Bio: Donna Sarvello is a seasoned massage therapy professional with over 27 years of experience in the field. She began her career after graduating from the Chicago School of Massage Therapy in 1998. From the outset, Donna immersed herself in collaborative care, building her practice alongside physical therapists, chiropractors, and holistic health professionals.
Her clinical skill set includes Swedish massage, assessment, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, sports massage, pregnancy massage, stretching, hot/cold stone therapy, and deep tissue massage.
She has taught core curriculum at Everest College, collaborated with continuing education providers, supported schools across the country, and led the exam writing committee for the Board Certification Examination through the National Certification Board for Massage Therapy and Bodywork.
Donna moved back into a school environment where she served as the Director of Education for New School for Massage. She will continue to work with the school as needed, teaching and helping with administrative duties.
Donna is now building her private practice at DuPage Health and Physical Therapy, where she integrates her extensive knowledge and experience to help clients achieve optimal well-being.
Bio: Essie Hicks is a nationally certified massage therapy educator and Licensed Massage Therapist with over 30 years of experience in clinical practice, curriculum development, and professional mentorship. Her career has been dedicated to advancing the field of therapeutic massage through hands-on excellence, trauma-informed care, and values-driven education. Essie’s teaching portfolio includes continuing education instruction at Bodymechanics School of Massage, Port Townsend School of Massage, and The Alexandar School of Natural Therapeutics. She has trained hundreds of massage therapists in modalities such as Trigger Point Myofascial therapy, Pregnancy Massage (fundamentals and advanced), Lymphatic Drainage, and Structural Integration principles. Her teaching style blends technical precision with emotional intelligence, empowering students to build practices rooted in both skill and compassion.
In addition to her work in the classroom, Essie has served as a consultant to medical massage clinics, day spas, and destination wellness centers. She specializes in practice development, trauma-informed service design, and team training. Her leadership experience includes serving as Spa Director and executive team member for a luxury wellness property, where she helped launch an integrative care model grounded in client-centered values.
Essie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science and a Master’s in Public Administration, graduating with honors from South Puget Sound Community College, Washington State University, and Seattle University. Her academic background informs her systems-level approach to education, policy, and professional development within the massage therapy field.
Bio: Nathan Nordstrom is a past President of the American Massage Therapy Association, currently residing in Kentucky. He maintains his license in massage therapy in Oregon and he is a Board-Certified Massage Therapist (BCMTB). He has been a massage therapy school instructor since 2004 and is a nationally-recognized continuing education provider.
As a massage therapist, he has owned and worked in many settings over the years. He often focuses on teaching classes on the application of ethics in daily life. He is currently the Director of Training and Industry Relations for Massage Therapy at Hand & Stone Franchise Corporation.
Bio: Tammy Roecker is the founder and president of the Arizona School of Medical Massage and Wellness, a licensed hybrid massage therapy program grounded in evidence-informed practice and the development of clinical reasoning and critical thinking skills. With over 32 years of experience in the massage therapy field, Tammy has worked as a practitioner, educator, continuing education provider, and program developer. She is also the founder of the Early Bonding Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting healthy attachment and touch in early development. Tammy was named AFMTE’s 2019 Educator of the Year for Continuing Education and received the 2024 Dianne Polseno Lifetime Achievement Award from the AMTA for her outstanding contributions to massage therapy education. She currently serves on the AMTA-AZ Chapter Board and continues to advocate for high standards in massage education.
Leadership Development Committee Election
There was one nomination submitted to serve on the LDC during the call for candidates. That individual, Jennifer Holder, has served on the committee since being appointed in 2023.
The committee recommends that Jennifer continue serving on the committee. Other members will be appointed according to the approved process for committees.