Karlo Berger is deeply committed to supporting healing, justice, and resilience on ecological, community, and personal levels. His work spans the fields of environmental policy, integrative healthcare, citizen-centered democracy, education, and international security. He has held roles with organizations including Brown University, Harvard University, Saferworld, and the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (the Rio “Earth Summit”). A natural bridge-builder, Karlo has founded or co-founded several coalitions and multi-stakeholder initiatives, including the Rhode Island Non-Opioid Pain Treatment Coalition, the Integrative Medicine @ Brown forum, and the Boston-based Integrative Medicine Alliance. Karlo is a licensed and nationally certified massage therapist and has specialized in Japanese-style shiatsu massage for more than 25 years. He is a registered Zen Shiatsu instructor with the American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia and has over 1,000 hours of college-level massage teaching experience. In 2023, Karlo earned a Master of Environmental Science and Management from the University of Rhode Island, with an academic focus on environmental policy and management, ecological restoration, and coastal and climate resilience. He graduated cum laude from Brown University with a bachelor’s degree. He is currently contracted as a Resilience Planner for the Town of Barrington, Rhode Island, where he supports climate resilience and adaptation initiatives. He is also a Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner-in-Training through the Society for Ecological Restoration. Karlo lives in Providence, Rhode Island with his wife, Annie Gjelsvik, and their two children. He enjoys cooking, singing, dancing, cross-country skiing, meditation, and t’ai chi.

Kate Peck is a certified and licensed massage therapist and founder of Journey to Health. She has been in private practice in Newton, MA for 26 years, specializing in craniosacral therapy, myofascial release, burn scar therapy and therapeutic massage. She had been a certified athletic trainer for 30 years, retiring in 2016. She spent 10 years on the Sports Medicine staff at Harvard University. Kate specializes in treating children & adults with post-concussion syndrome, as well as treating those suffering with migraine headaches. Her newest passion is working with burn survivors doing Burn Scar Therapy, work that she has developed over the past ten years. Kate has founded the Massage and Burn Scar Therapy Foundation. Its mission is to improve the quality of life of all burn survivors through the use of effective & compassionate massage and Burn Scar Therapy. Kate has been teaching continuing education courses in craniosacral therapy, myofascial release and burn scar therapy to massage therapists and certified athletic trainers for The Bodywork Education Project since 2009. She has been a presenter at massage therapy conferences, athletic training conferences, at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital's Integrative Medicine Lecture Series and The American Burn Association's Northeast Region Burn Conference. She has also taught anatomy, myofascial release techniques and craniosacral therapy to massage students at the Muscular Therapy Institute and the Cortiva Institute from 1999-2009.

Kristen Kandzerski is a graduate from Rhode Island College with a Bachelor's degree in Health Sciences and also a CCRI graduate in both the Physical Therapy Assistant (1998) and Massage Therapy Program (2003). During her internship she had the experience of observing a Total Knee replacement and Total Hip replacement in the operating room. This participation piloted the understanding of what patients go through during surgery. By applying that knowledge and utilizing manual therapy techniques, she has helped clients recover more quickly than with just physical therapy alone. She began her career as a Physical Therapist Assistant in an outpatient physical therapy setting in1998 and started her massage therapy business in 2003 within her physical therapy practice. She currently owns her own massage therapy practice where she sees post surgical and trauma recovering clients. She also has classroom experience instructing a Fundamentals of Palpation course at CCRI for 3 semesters.

Erica Keays has been a Licensed Massage Therapist since 2004. She attended the Center for Natural Wellness; School of Massage Therapy in Albany, New York. She continued her education and received her advanced graduate certificate from the Aromahead Institute in Syracuse, New York in 2017 and completed the Advanced Herbalism course through the Herbal Academy in 2019, and is a Certified Aromatherapist. She holds a Bachelor's of Psychology. Erica is a massage therapy instructor and a member of the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy, the Alliance of International Aromatherapists, the International Cupping Therapy Association, The American Massage Therapy Association, the Association of Bodywork & Massage Professionals and the Alliance of Massage Therapy Educators. ​ Erica is an accredited continuing education provider with the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB), the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA), the Federation of State Massage Therapy Board (FSMTB), and the Alliance for Massage Therapy Education (AMTE). Erica was the Committee Chair for Continuing Education for the New York State Society of Medical Massage Therapists from 2020-2024. She is an adjunct massage instructor with the massage therapy program at North Country Community College in Saranac Lake, New York. ​ In addition to Bloom Mountain Aromatics, she is the owner of E & S Spa Professionals - a day spa in Glens Falls, New York, and lives with her husband and son in the Adirondacks.

Cindy Gillan has maintained a massage therapy private practice since 1993, focusing on oncology massage, massage for older adults, and working with athletes. Her work with people with cancer includes years of providing massage therapy at the Zakim Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and currently at the Mass General Hospital Cancer Center. Cindy loves teaching, and brings her steady presence and sense of humor to each classroom experience. She taught for 15 years in the Muscular Therapy Institute, including one year in an oncology massage therapy internship program at Boston Medical Center. She has taught oncology massage therapy with Tracy Walton & Associates since 2008. She was an invited speaker at the 2018 Oncology Massage Healing Summits in Minneapolis. An avid cyclist, Cindy is a regular rider and volunteer for the Pan-Mass Challenge, an annual fundraiser for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Nanci Newton maintained a full-time practice in Hadley, Massachusetts for 25 years before retiring to pursue her passion for teaching massage and conducting music . She has taught with Tracy Walton & Associates since 2005. In 2014, Nanci was named one of “The 100” honored by Massachusetts General Hospital who have dedicated themselves to making a difference in the fight against cancer. Her oncology massage therapy work was featured in Thrive magazine. She was an invited speaker at the 2016 and 2018 Oncology Massage Healing Summits in Minneapolis. She is a musician, juggler and dedicated just-for-fun joggler in many fundraising events.

1999 was Beverly's first introduction to Zero Balancing. From the first moment in class, I knew Zero Balancing was a modality that I wanted to practice. The premise that the deepest energy in our bodies is held in the bones, made so much sense to me. By contacting that energy during a zero balancing session, the person can find more peace and comfort in their spiritual and physical body. I took several classes through 2002, 2012-2011 and finally in 2011, the universe lined up and I started on a path to certification. To gain s license to touch, I found Bancroft School of Massage Therapy. The study of massage gave me a solid background in Anatomy and Physiology. I studied therapeutic massage and fell in love again. I learned many important skills, the greatest of all is the gift of massage. In 2013, I graduated and became licensed in the state of Massachusetts and Rhode Island as a licensed Massage Therapist. I continued Zero Balancing education and became certified in 2014. I have been practicing in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. Over the Covid shut down, I began the journey to become a Zero Balancing Teacher. Certifying as a Teacher of Zero Balancing in 2022, I now offer classes in Zero Balancing, as well. I enjoy helping people find more comfort and ease in their bodies through helping them work though the injuries we may encounter in daily life. It is my honor to serve my clients and support them on their path to wellness. The human body is amazing and when we listen to what it tells us, we grow. Julie is a licensed massage therapist, certified in Medical Massage and Zero Balancing. She has been a member of the AMTA for over 30 years and is certified with the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Body Work. Julie has been certified as a Teacher of Zero Balancing by The Zero Balancing Health Association since 2022.

Melissa Blumer is a licensed, board-certified massage therapist with a private practice in Providence, Rhode Island. A graduate of CCRI’s Associate in Applied Science program in Massage Therapy, Melissa went on to earn certifications in oncological massage, scar release therapy, and manual lymphatic drainage. She brings a thoughtful, science-informed approach to her work, staying current with the latest research to provide safe and effective care. Melissa is also pursuing a nursing degree to deepen her medical knowledge and further integrate science with the art of massage therapy.

Kate brings over 25 years of experience in physical therapy, massage therapy, and movement education to her role as a continuing education instructor. With a Master of Physical Therapy (Marquette University ) and certifications in Therapeutic Massage (CCRI) and Matwork Pilates (APPI), she integrates clinical expertise with hands-on practice to support postural, musculoskeletal, and neurological health and well-being. Kate’s teaching emphasizes practical application, blending traditional massage and advanced therapeutic techniques with a strong foundation in movement science. A lifelong learner and passionate educator, she is dedicated to empowering therapists with knowledge and skills that translate directly into client care.

Frank Rapone’s mission is to work closely with clients to promote greater mind–body awareness and lasting pain relief. This work has brought him both peace of mind and deep professional fulfillment throughout his career as a massage therapist. He specializes in pain-reduction massage as an integrative therapy for individuals experiencing chronic pain and has advanced training in orthopedic and medical massage techniques. Frank graduated from The Bancroft School of Massage Therapy in 1998 and has remained deeply committed to the profession through extensive volunteer service with the Rhode Island chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association and the Rhode Island Special Olympics. His dedication has earned numerous honors, including the RI-AMTA Meritorious Award, induction as the first member of the RI-AMTA Hall of Fame in 2016, and the Boston Athletic Association Volunteer Hall of Fame in 2017 for more than fifteen years of service at the Boston Marathon. From 2001 to 2006, Frank served as Senior Massage Therapist on the Integrative Care Team at Kent Hospital, contributing to a significant study on the outcomes of integrative care. While the program ended due to financial constraints, integrative care continues to grow in global recognition as a meaningful and effective approach to total well-being.