Board of Directors
Kewal Wright
President
Kewal is a community organizer, event facilitator, and writer-researcher located in Phoenix, Arizona. She is the founder of The Welcome Wellspring.
Kewal's work centers around topics of healing, spirituality, sexuality, psychedelics, and mental health. Kewal completed her MA in Women and Gender Studies at Arizona State University. Using a multidisciplinary approach, Kewal draws upon studies in feminist theory, sexuality, family and human development, counseling and psychology, and a career in wellness and healing fields. Throughout her career life, she has owned and directed multiple yoga centers, managed non-profit organizations and community programs, worked in midwifery, and been a teacher and trainer of yoga and meditation for over 25 years. She was a co-founder of Yoga Yoga, one the first yoga centers in the state of Texas. Additionally she is an attuning Reiki Master, birth doula, and long-time practitioner of therapeutic dance and movement practices. Kewal lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her two children. Learn more about her work at: http://kewalwright.com/
Leita Schiemann
Treasurer
Leita is the founder of Friday Dance Dose, a freeform dance embodiment practice, an artist, and a mother. A gifted creatrix and guide, she empowers individuals to return home to themselves through movement. She has roots in south Louisiana and was transplanted in Phoenix, AZ in 2002.
Her work has been shaped by immersive studies with the Power Path School of Shamanism in New Mexico, the Wixárika in Mexico, and the Shipibo in Peru. She is currently completing training as a facilitator of The 360 Emergence, through which she blends her deep passion for liberation with grounded, down-to-earth wisdom, inviting others on a transformative journey of self-discovery and freedom, using movement, dance, and expression.
Learn more about her work: https://www.leitaschiemann.com/
Nina Smith
Nina is a Conscious Movement Facilitator, creator and custodian of Phoenix Sunday Dance, co-founder of Arizona Conscious Dance, cultural creative, and ordained minister. She landed in the Valley of the Sun after living bi-coastally between NYC and Los Angeles California for over 25 years. With over 30 years experience in healthy living, healing arts, and mind/body practices, Nina brings a deeply grounded clarity to the conscious dance movement.
Alejandra Martinez
Alejandra is the founder of Abloom Salon and Gallery, which she opened in 2008, and later expanded alongside her husband, artist Abe Zucca. Located inside of an old Pie Factory, in the Historic Grand Avenue Arts District in Downtown Phoenix, Abloom is place of beauty, art, and wellness.
Alejandra's career began in Beverly Hills and she later went on to apprentice with the Art Director of Paul Mitchell, working on stage as a platform artist, runway stylist and a behind the chair stylist. Her path led her to the Southwest, where she began working with plants, oils, and started to learn about scalp health and hair care on a deeper level.
She is an entrepreneur, mother, wife, and skilled stylist who has created an innovative holistic space that houses a clean air salon, art gallery, and event space that supports community and wellness. Learn more about her work at: https://abloomsalon.com/
Barbara Crisp
Trained as an architect, Barbara was the founding principal of two multi-disciplinary design firms based in Tempe, Arizona. Passionate about the healthcare environment, Barbara dedicated her career to raising awareness about design as life enhancing and a partner in the healing process. She has consulted both locally and nationally with a variety of organizations including University of Arizona, Banner Health, Honor Health, Herman Miller, and DesignTex. Her work has been awarded and featured in a variety of national and international press.
Barbara’s long time mindfulness practice led her to myriad teacher trainings and certifications including UMass MBSR, Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults, UC Berkeley MMTCP, and the Realization Process. She was a founding member of what became the Center for Mindfulness, Compassion, and Resilience at Arizona State University. She has spent extensive hours on retreat with eminent teachers and guides and is dedicated to mindful and compassionate living as an act of self-care.
Barbara is the author of Human Spaces: Life Enhancing Designs for Healing, Working, and Living (1998). She is a Fellowship Faculty at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Arizona, former Adjunct Faculty at Arizona State University, The Design School, consultant in the ASU WP Carey MBA program, and a volunteer teacher at the non-profit Live and Learn in Phoenix. Learn more about her work at: https://www.bcrisp.net/