Susan Tate, M.A., specializes in wellness consulting and the delivery of health education programs from an empowering, compassionate perspective. She was formerly the Director of Health Promotion and assistant professor in the School of Medicine at the University of Virginia. A health educator for over thirty-five years, Susan received her undergraduate degree from Penn State University and earned her master’s degree in health education administration from Kent State University.

Susan is the author of four books, including Wellness Wisdom: 31 Ways to Nourish Your Mind, Body and Spirit, (iUniverse, September 2007). Her other books (written under her former name, Susan Tate Firkaly) include: Into the Mouths of Babes—A Guide to Infant Nutrition, AIDS and HIV Education: Effective Teaching Strategies and Working Together to Prevent Sexual Assault. Her health-related articles have been published in many national magazines and educational journals.

Susan is a black belt Nia instructor and a certified Nia five stages of self-healing instructor. She has been presenting nationally for over 25 years on a variety of topics including: wellness, sexuality, the health/wealth connection, grief and loss, HIV/AIDS, sexual assault prevention and The Nia Technique. Susan is committed to helping people change how they think about their potential for wellness and prosperity. Her passion for her work is evident in her life's intent—to inspire individual, community and global wellness.

The Associates

Susan Tate, M.A., created the Washington Wellness Associates in August 2000 and asked the following colleagues to serve as associates and advisors. These associates provide valuable support for a wide variety of projects and several of them are involved as co-presenters at workshops and retreats. They each bring wisdom, compassion and commitment to enhancing the well being of people and their communities.

Mark S. Benn, Psy.D., is a licensed psychologist and assistant professor at Colorado State University. Dr. Benn currently works in the University Counseling Center and has a private practice and consulting business. He received his doctorate in psychology from the University of Northern Colorado. Dr. Benn speaks on a variety of topics including: multi-cultural communication, gender roles, relationships, motivation and personal growth. He co-authored Working Together to Prevent Sexual Assault with Ms. Tate in 1995.

Molly Firkaly, M.A., earned a master's degree in International Disaster Psychology at the University of Denver. She received her B.A. degree from Beloit (WI) College, where she majored in International Relations and African Studies. She is currently the Regional Mental Health Program Manager with an American-based NGO, Heartland Alliance, where she manages a psychosocial anti-human trafficking project to provide comprehensive mental health services and protection measures to victims in Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She previously worked in Burundi as a staff counselor for the United Nations mission there. Ms. Firkaly has studied in France, Senegal and Northern Ireland and was a teaching assistant in the peace and conflict studies program at American University. She presents programs on cultural sensitivity, peace and conflict resolution, stress management and self-care, trauma healing; and co-presents with her mother, Susan Tate, on the topic of sexuality education.

Cindy Janechild, RN, FNP is a Certified Zero Balancer and a registered nurse after years of delivering health care as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She was the co-founder and Vice President of the Dogwood Institute of Charlottesville, Virginia, an integrated Mind-Body Medicine organization. She served on the Board of Directors for the Shelter for Help in Emergency. Cindy received numerous awards recognizing her contributions to the health and welfare of Virginians: the Virginia Women's Forum as Woman of the Year, Nurse Practitioner or the Year honorable mention, recognition by the Nurse Practitioner Journal, and Woman of Distinction Award by the Girl Scouts of America. She lives in Albemarle County, Virginia in a home she and her husband built together. She has one son, a mechanical engineering student at the University of Virginia. Cindy offers Manual Therapies in a private practice in Charlottesville, Virginia. She also provides health consultations under the business title Intentional Health. Visit: www.cindyjanechild.com for more information.

Deborah Kern, Ph.D., is a health scientist who dares people to live in harmony with the wisdom of their bodies. Formerly the Executive Director of Lifestyle Enrichment at the prestigious Lake Austin Spa Resort, Dr. Kern is an internationally acclaimed speaker on mind/body/spirit health. She is the author of Everyday Wellness for Women and co-author of Create the Body Your Soul Desires: The Friendship Solution to Weight, Energy and Sexuality. Dr. Kern studied Nursing at Vanderbilt University and received a B.A. and an M.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin. She received a Ph.D. in Health Sciences from Texas Woman's University in Denton, TX. She is a Black Belt Nia Teacher, certified Integral Hatha Yoga Instructor, Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist and Mindful Change Coach.

Karen King, B.Sc. B.Ed., is a researcher in the food and wine industry and a personal and corporate coach. Her passion is helping people put their knowledge and intuition into practice and notice what is real in life. Ms. King has coached hundreds of people over the years: students, researchers, salespeople, managers, small business owners, CEOs, engineers, artists, scientists, and administrators.

Donna Lowe, M.A., has a master’s degree in psychology and counseling and holds a certificate in adventure-based program learning. She provides team building programming and training for clients in the Pacific Northwest and across the nation.

Debbie Rosas and Carlos Rosas have been leaders in the fitness industry since 1976. Recognized as pioneers in the healing movement, they created The Nia Technique, an internationally acclaimed transformational exercise program, accredited by the American Council on Exercise. They are also authors of several books, including, The Nia Technique, The High-Powered Energizing Workout that Gives You a New Body and a New Life. They live in Portland, Oregon.

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