Reflexology Association of America

Kristi Uticht, Secretary
Co-Chair, Membership Committee (joined July 2024)

I am a Certified Reflexologist (foot, hand, ear), Certified End of Life Doula Specialist, an Elder Care Doula Specialist, and a Care Consultant/End of Life Planner. I have a Bachelor's degree in Human Rehabilitation Services from the University of Northern Colorado. I currently live in Severance, Colorado and my practice is primarily in the Northern Colorado area. For the past forty-two years I have worked in the healthcare field in many roles including direct care, supervisory and management positions, and in state and federal regulatory compliance positions. I have served on the RAA Membership committee since 2020, served on the RAA Conference Committees for the 2022, 2024 and the 2026 conferences. I currently am on the Board of Directors as the Secretary. I joined RAA in 2019 and attended my first conference in Chicago shortly after joining. RAA has been my Reflexology home since.

Leanora Winters, Director
Chair, Ethics and Grievances Committee (joined October 2023)

I have been a reflexologist for 16 years.  I agreed to fill the role of Director to assist RAA in a time of need to advance its purpose by contributing my  opinions, perspective, and insights as appropriate.

Linda Frank, Director
Chair, Public Relations Committee (joined July 2022)

I've been a WA-state and National Board Certified Reflexologist since 2015, although — encouraged by Laura Norman who was in my massage class in New York — I took my first reflexology class in 1980. For the 12 years I did massage, incorporating many body/mind/spirit modalities. I typically included reflexology at the end of most sessions. The impact it had on clients stayed with me for 35 years until I decided to leave my career as a publishing sales executive and return to bodywork, knowing I wanted to do just reflexology. Now I also teach reflexology, having opened Reflexology Academy NW in 2020. I get a lot of ideas, and sharing them with others in the field got me nominated to the RAA Board. I decided to join the Board because I care deeply about the future of reflexology - and because I love collaborating with others. For me, it's a form of creative alchemy. I just love when someone throws out an idea that makes me think of something...then someone else adds something and before you know it, we have something more valuable than any single idea. I also relish working with others who think and act differently than I do. If everyone on the Board thought/acted the same way, we'd miss out on the richness of talents that this Board has. Even through our challenges and frustrations, and maybe in part because of them, I continue to stretch and learn and grow with this amazing group of women who are able to put the personal aside in order to serve reflexology and the RAA community.

Maureen Jennings, Vice President
Chair, Events/Conference Committee (joined December 2022)

Working with an amazing reflexologist as a client inspired me to learn more about the profession, and I've been certified since 2020. I originally volunteered for the 2020 Conference Committee (which stretched into 2024, thanks to the pandemic) and the 2020 ad hoc Website Update committee, which let me contribute the skills I developed in my first career as a librarian. I then joined the Board in December 2022 when appointed to fill a vacancy and have greatly enjoyed connecting with the RAA community across the country. I'm constantly inspired by the wisdom, energy, and ideas of our members, and hope to continue supporting the great work of the RAA community for another term.

Rose Samaniego, President
(joined July 2021)

I've been practicing reflexology since 2015.  It has been an honor to serve on the Board since July, 2021.  I was the Treasurer during my first two years, and now am the President.  In this role, I have learned a lot about RAA, its history, and most significantly its members.  I have come to realize the value of connecting with and supporting each other.  There are two important items that I believe need to be addressed:  First, a strategic plan encompassing one, three, and five years out is necessary.  Such a plan will provide guidance where RAA can be most helpful to our industry.  Second, formalizing a social media platform integrating our website, magazine, Facebook, etc. is critical for connecting with and marketing to our members and beyond.

Sheri Price, Treasurer
Chair, Elections/Nominations Committee (joined July 2023)

I've been a reflexologist for 18 years.  A board member reached out and basically sold me the position, she made so compelling I couldn't say no. The conversation made me want to serve and be a part of the growing profession/art of reflexology in a bigger sense. Reflexology has giving me so much I definitely want to give back in a meaningful way. Now after being here for over a year I love the connection with the other board members.