Our Board Members!
Mary R. Porter
President
I retired from teaching business and technology for thirty-one years and reflexology was never on my radar. After working on remodeling our three-story Victorian home, the ladder won, and I was referred to a reflexologist. She educated me as well as making my feet feel better. This seemed like something I needed to know more about. A friend encouraged me to go to school and learn about reflexology. I completed my certification for reflexology at the Reflexology Certification Institute with Debbie Hitt in 2013 and became a National Board-Certified Reflexologist in 2015. I have taken many classes with Professional reflexologists and learn from each of them. The Healing Farm is the name of my part-time reflexology business in Tiffin, Ohio and I work out of my home.
Jan Weal-Grubb
Vice President
My journey began many years ago, as a nurse’s aide and then became a nurse because I just didn’t want to care for people but wanted to know the reason why. I have always been interested in holistic care. I was receiving massages and thought I could do this but had no idea what I was going to do with this new modality. This is when I found reflexology and loved it, so I continued the journey. I took a weekend course with Barb Bower and then trained at The Healing Arts Center, owned by Charlotte Irwin and became a National Board-Certified Reflexologist in 2005. I went to my first Reflexology Conference in Portland, Maine in 2008. I loved meeting and collaborating with other reflexologists from all over the USA and world. I have taken classes with Bill Flocco (his Intensive Reflexology course), Dr. Maurtine Foure-Alderson, Sue Ricks, Geraldine Villeneuve, Sally Kay, Jenni Tribe, Sam Balyea and Stefanie Sabouncian. And many others. I am Ohio’s RAA Delegate, and I am on the NCRE (National Council for Reflexology Educators) Board. I love to travel and do that as much as I can!
Cheryl Burke
Secretary
This will be my second term serving on the RAO board. I currently serve as the secretary and love sending emails to all of our membership! I hope you never tire of getting our Reflexology announcements for Ohio. I started studying Reflexology in 1991 and every day I fall more in love with this beautiful modality. I was certified with the International Institute of Reflexology, and I am a National Board-Certified Reflexologist. I see clients in my home in Celina, Ohio. I also travel to North Carolina regularly (where I lived for a few years), and I have a Reflexology clientele I still see there as well. Thank you for the privilege to serve you all. I love beautiful Ohio!
Susan Manzella
Treasurer
Many years ago when I was having back problems I bought a reflexology book and found it fascinating. Throughout the years I would refer back to it for different issues. Fast forward to a few years ago, a friend referred me to a holistic esthetician who was taking classes to become certified in reflexology and she asked to practice on me. It was deeply relaxing. It really sparked an interest and I had to find out more about reflexology! I took classes from the Reflexology Certification Institute and graduated in the beginning of 2020. I became a Nationally Board Certified Reflexologist in January 2022. I’ve taken many fantastic and interesting classes since my reflexology journey began. I look forward to learning as much as I can about this wonderful modality. I love seeing all of reflexology’s amazing benefits! I live in Toledo and run a small reflexology business out of my home. It is an honor to serve on the RAO board. I live in Toledo and run a small reflexology business out of my home, and I also work as a Reflexologist at The Victory Center.
Kim Chamberland
Director
I have worn many hats over the years and the common denominator is serving people, holistic health and community. I grew up spending the summers with my grandparents either helping in the chiropractic office, playing receptionist in the dental office or digging in the dirt in their gardens. While I was a stay-at-home mom, I was a la leche league leader, a girl scout leader, a room mom which moved into part time jobs at a woman’s gym and barista at a local coffee shop. In 2008 I started a gardening business, which I still have today. I met my reflexologist in 2007 while working in our local coffee shop. She came in with a client after a session and when they came to the counter, I asked what the wonderful smell was and the woman said, “It’s my feet!” Well, I became totally intrigued at that point and had to know more. Over the years, I have received and learned a lot sitting in that chair. In 2021, after a conversation we had and a nudge in my gut I started exploring what it looked like to become a reflexologist. I enrolled in the Reflexology Certification Institute in January 2022. I received my certificate and went on to study for the ARCB and became a National Board-Certified Reflexologist this past February. I look forward to many years of sharing this modality with others.
Kandi Jo Sophina Clemons
Director
My reflexology journey first began many years ago when I became a Doula (DONA) and I learned the power of the feet and reflexology techniques to aid in my own labor and delivery. I kept this passion for reflexology and often worked my daughters feet as they grew up. In 2010 I began a journey to obtain my PhD Holistic Medicine and quickly decided the focus in my practice would be reflexology. I was hooked. After graduating in December 2022, I enrolled in classes with the Reflexology Certification Institute in Columbus, Ohio. I sat for the ARCB exam and became a Nationally Board Certified Reflexologist in September of 2023. Some of my favorite classes have been with the Atlantic School of Reflexology in Canada and I love the many opportunities across the US and Canada that I have had the opportunity to take since beginning my reflexology journey. My favorite part of being a reflexologist is the results I see in my clients and all of the incredible benefits that reflexology provides. I am currently the Administrative Assistant for the Reflexology Association of America and I am truly honored to now serve as Director on the RAO Board. I work out of my home near Delphos, Ohio.