Trade body, the International Spa Association (ISPA), has appointed Todd Shaw and Ella Kent as the new chair and vice-chair respectively of the ISPA Foundation Board.

Both Shaw and Kent previously served as chairs of ISPA and on the ISPA Foundation Board. Through this experience, ISPA says they have significant institutional knowledge of the mission to improve and enhance the value of the spa experience internationally through research and education.

Shaw said: “I couldn't be more grateful to have the support and trust of our association to build on our previous success and work toward opening more pathways for research and education in our industry to prepare us for continued growth.

“And to be able to do this while working side by side with an industry icon Ella makes this even more gratifying.”

Shaw is Fountain Life’s senior vice president of business development and has a distinguished career of growing spa and wellbeing brands. He served as ISPA’s chair from 2016 to 2018 and has sat on the ISPA Board since 2014.

“I’m honoured to re-join the ISPA Board as the Foundation vice chair,” Kent added. “I want to ensure we continue to deliver the trusted research our industry has come to depend on when running their operations.”

Kent is a member of the leadership team at Sea Island Company, where she has served in progressive roles for nearly a decade.

She led the ISPA Board as chair from 2011 to 2013 during her consecutive three-year terms of board service and has continued to serve on various task forces and committees for the spa industry organization.

In their roles leading the ISPA Foundation, Shaw and Kent will set the spa industry organisation’s strategic planning, advocacy and outreach, and will oversee fundraising efforts for the Foundation to advance its values and ensure appropriate resources are available to fund ongoing research, education and training initiatives.

Additionally, their years of service to the spa industry and familiarity with the ISPA Foundation’s goals will allow both leaders to offer mentoring and support.

Lynne McNees, president of ISPA, shared her pleasure at working alongside two former ISPA chairs again.

“For more than three decades, ISPA has been fortunate to have several of the spa world’s most dynamic leaders step up to serve the community,” she said, “and Todd and Ella are two who serve tirelessly.

“Ella has been part of the ISPA and ISPA Foundation story for more than a dozen years. Just last year, the association recognized her with the ISPA Dedicated Contributor Award for her unrelenting service. And Todd lights up every room he enters. Since taking office during this year’s ISPA Conference, he has been able to get so many members excited about the Foundation’s great work.”