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Membership Types

Management Structure

The SWAA Management structure consists of two boards:

  1. The Management Board –Responsible for the management and governance of the association on behalf of the members. The Management Board are Directors of SWAA.
  2. The Advisory Board – Consisting of elected and co-opted members of the association and responsible for the conduct, future growth and strategic vision of the association.
  3. Executive Director – Responsible to the management board on daily operations of the association head office team, chapters, and volunteers, including SWAA events, partnerships, and collaborations worldwide.
  4. The Chapters –Responsible for the country committee management and responsible to member support, implement SWAA standards and education.

Our Expertise

Executive Committee Chairs

Lilian Arigbodi

Lilian Arigbodi

Executive Committee Chair – SWAA Nigeria Chapter

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Jacoline Wentzel

Jacoline Wentzel

Executive Committee Chair – SWAA South Africa Chapter

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Richard Shisia

Richard Shisia

Executive Committee Chair – SWAA Kenya Chapter

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Board Directors & Advisors

Elaine Okeke-Martin

Elaine Okeke-Martin

President

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Lydia

Lydia

Board Director

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Isabel Carstens Roos

Isabel Carstens Roos

Board Director

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Dr Theo Mothoa-Frendo

Dr Theo Mothoa-Frendo

Board Director

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Jasneel Dhanjal

Jasneel Dhanjal

Board Director

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Simone Lipari

Simone Lipari

Director of Operation

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Valerie Obaze

Valerie Obaze

Board Director

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Patrick Saussay

Patrick Saussay

Board Director

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Leslie Okoye

Leslie Okoye

Board Director - Finance

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Ameera Abraham

Ameera Abraham

Board Director -  Communication

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Celeste Peters

Celeste Peters

Senior Board Advisor Communication

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Eryca Freemantle

Eryca Freemantle

Senior Board Advisor

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Georgina Ragaven

Georgina Ragaven

Senior Board Advisor

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Suki Kalirai

Suki Kalirai

Senior Advisor

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Dr. Denzil Phillips

Dr. Denzil Phillips

Board Advisor

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Jean Martin

Jean Martin

Board Advisor

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Angela Derks

Angela Derks

Board Advisor

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Naim Maadad

Naim Maadad

Board Advisor

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Dr Hildah Ashio

Dr Hildah Ashio

Board Advisor

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Fomer Board Of Directors

  • Dr. Stephan Helary 5th (completed one term) October 2015 – 5th Oct 2017
  • Mrs. Pamela Olutunji (completed one term) 21st Nov 2014 – 21st Nov 2016
  • Mrs. Dzigbordi Dosoo (completed two terms) Jan 2011 – 15th Sep 2016
  • Mr. Raoul Andrews (completed two terms) 26th March 2012 – March 2016
  • Mr. Tonny Muiruri Mutungu (completed one term) 1st Feb 2014 – 1st Feb 2016
  • Mrs. Elisabeth Brandt (completed one year) 21st Nov 2014 – Nov 2015
  • Mr. Renaud Azema (completed one year) Sep 2014 – Oct 2015
  • Mr. Jeff Butterworth (completed one year) 15th Sep 2014 – 15th Aug 2015
  • Mrs. Janine Shipra (completed one term) 1st June 2013 – 1st May 2015
  • Mrs. Ameenah Gurib Fakim (completed one year) 2013 – 2014
  • Ms. Anne- Marie Murai (completed one year) 13TH July 2011- July 2012
  • Mrs. Alison Caroline Ng’ethe-Kariuki (completed one year) – May 17th 2011- May 2012

Lilian Arigbodi

Executive Committee Chair – SWAA Nigeria CHAPTER

Lilian Arigbodi; Managing Director of Lilian Collins LTD, a company that houses three brands; Lilian Collins Spa, Skinologist (a professional skincare line), and Beauty Agent (specialises in beauty equipment and beauty workforce therapist)

LB Training Institute (a beauty academy) will be launched very soon as the 4th brand housed by Lilian Collins Limited.

Lilian obtained a BA in Education from University of Nigeria (NSUKKA), and holds Diploma qualifications in all Level 3 Beauty Therapy Courses from Carlton Institute, London with Certifications in Electrolysis, Facial Electrical, Body Mechanics, Massages and Facials.

In her quest for excellence, she went further to attend Wigmore Medicals UK where she honed in her skills in Chemical Peeling and Skin Lasers. She is a qualified Beauty Therapist for Mesoestetic UK, Caci International UK, VI Derm UK, and RegimA South Africa.

Lilian Arigbodi is very passionate about skin care and everything it takes to keep the skin healthy, beautiful, clean and clear. Her journey in the “Beauty” industry has been quite exciting, bringing to the doorstep of Nigerians Unrivalled service delivery through the use of innovative therapies and beauty equipment, matching international industry standards.

She is the first to bring a Nigerian brand cosmeceutical range that trains professionals to be able to use the right product of practice and provide their client with a full range of aftercare home use.

Jacoline Wentzel

Executive Committee Chair – South Africa SWAA CHAPTER

E-mail: [email protected]

Miss Jacoline Wentzel is without a doubt passionate about the spa and wellness industry and is a respected spa entrepreneur based in South Africa.

After graduating at the Isa Carstens Academy in South Africa, She joined Steiner international as a Spa Therapist onboard cruise liners and worked herself to managemnt within the first year. She then joined the Steiner Recruitment team and established the Steiner
Recruitment office in South Africa. After almost 5 years with Steiner, she joined Bioharmony
Herbal Wellness company as Sales manager and there after Nimue Skin Technology as Sales and Marketing manager for South Africa.

In 2005, Jacoline started her own spa distribution and consulting company in Cape Town, South Africa called the Spa Warehouse, which has grown into one of the leading distribution companies in South Africa, with exclusive rights to various up market spa ranges like Lemi, REM, Esthetica, Gentlemen’s Tonic, Faby and Cashmere & Co. And since then Jacoline and her company has helped numerous spa owners to setup their new spas throughout Africa and Mauritius.

She is extremely passsionate about the spa and wellness industry and always strives to help the
spa owners and staff to have the best facilities possible.

Jacoline takes on the role in South Africa with the aim to set up a committee chapter that will grow the spa and wellness community in South Africa through standards and educations and promotions

Elaine Okeke-Martin

President

Email: [email protected]

Elaine Okeke – Martin is the founder and president of the Spa & Wellness Association of Africa (SWAA)

Elaine has a wealth of experience in global project management and has worked in Europe, Americas, Middle East and Africa by providing excellence consulting services to Hotels, Resorts, Boutique hotels and Spa Wellness facilities globally. She still consults private owners and companies worldwide in spa developments and government departments in Africa for sustainable wellness tourism.

Elaine chairs the ´Africa Wellness Initiative on the Global Wellness Institute platform. She has been on the panel of judges for Wellness 365 Global and listed as ‘African Travel 100 Women Awards’ by AKWAABA African Travel Market 2017.

Lydia

Board Director

Email: [email protected]

Lydia holds an LLM in Public Commercial International Laws from the University of Greenwich and an LLB (Hons) from the University of Wales.

She currently works for Visit Britain, London Paralegal.

Isabel Carstens Roos

Board Director

Email: [email protected]

In 1993 Isabel Carstens took over as Managing Director of the Stellenbosch Academy of Health and Skin Care Therapy, The Isa Carstens Academy founded in 1978 by Mrs Isa Carstens

From the early 2000, Mrs Isabel Carstens-Roos initiated tremendous growth in the Health and Wellness business, ranging from starting new “added” business ventures to the Academy, introducing the Isa Carstens Nail Academy and a Recruitment company, Aesthetic Personnel Services, offering employment opportunities to qualified Therapists, to being invited as a guest speaker at various national and international Industry events. In 2005, the Isa Ladies residence was opened and accommodates 198 students today.

Isabel Carstens-Roos qualified as a Moderator, a Cidesco Examiner, assisted with the development of the CIDESCO Spa Diploma syllabus, opened the Isa Wellness Sanctuary for students to integrate the academy studies with true-life industry experience.
In 2007 received the “Medaille Du Merite Award” for her professional contribution to CIDESCO Training.

In 2011 opened another Isa Carstens Academy in Pretoria and as recent as this year, moved into the new, modern equipped Isa Carstens Academy in Lynnwood Pretoria.

Dr Theo Mothoa-Frendo

Board Director

Dr Theo Mothoa-Frendo is the Founder of Uso an advanced facial skincare range aimed at addressing the specific skincare needs of Africans. Uso targets the ethnic market segment and everyone living under the harsh African climate. Through her company Africans Dermal Science, of which she is Chief Executive Officer, she focuses on the research, development, manufacturing and marketing of science-driven skincare solutions for Africans.  In a tough market dominated by foreign multinationals, the Uso brand has managed to amass quite a following and has been featured in publications such as CNBC Africa, The Financial Mail, Elle and Destiny, to name but a few. Within a year of being in market, Uso Skincare was listed with the biggest fashion and beauty retailer in Africa, Edgars and is available in over 40 stores in South Africa, Botswana and Namibia. 

A Medical Doctor by training, GIBS MBA Graduate and Pharmaceutical Expert, Dr Theo spent 10 years with Roche Pharmaceuticals across Sub-Saharan Africa mostly as Medical Director. Dr Theo is also a Fellow of the prestigious Archbishop Tutu African Leadership Fellowship and was named as one of the 50 African Entrepreneurs to watch by Entrepreneur Magazine.Born and bred in the township of Soshanguve, her passion lies in researching, developing and introducing into market world-class solutions specifically for the unmet needs of us Africans

Jasneel Dhanjal

Board Director

Email: [email protected]

Jasneel Dhanjal has a BA Psychology; MSc Health Promotion & Psychology) is a psychologist and health promotion specialist by training. She was presented with the opportunity to develop D’VINE, a skincare, body care and spa product brand. Since her involvement, she has taken on various roles within the business that range from product development to promotion. Through her involvement in the beauty industry she also consults on the planning, start up, operations and marketing for spas.

Jazz as we like to call her, works closely with the Board of Directors and Executive Director.

Simone Lipari

Director of Operation

Email: [email protected]

Simone, is an entrepreneurial style leader with top-notch business acumen, communication skills, and proven leadership in developing and implementing innovative business strategies that enable the achievement of business goals and increased profit margins. Experienced leader of business start-up and development resulting in sustainable, profitable growth. This will come into play in his new role at SWAA to help build the association coalition further as it steps into the next decade.

Simone´s positions currently are as General Manager at Tilla Health Club & Tilla Airport Spa, and Co-Founder at www.say.solutions. Prior to that he was a Spa & Fitness Manager at Steiner Leisure Limited from May 2008 – Feb 2012.

The DOO will serve on the Executive Director’s leadership team in operations and work closely with the Board of Directors.

Valerie Obaze

Board Director

Meet the award-winning beauty Entrepreneur formally known as Valerie Obaze. The beautiful entrepreneur has been hailed as an ‘African skincare trailblazer’ by Forbes. Her beauty brand has been featured in a plethora of publications such as Elle magazine not only is she a savvy businesswoman. Valerie is also the founder of Mumpreneurs network founded in 2015. R&R luxury is the perfect combination of authentic products and the answer to many skincare issues.

Expanding her brand from Africa, US to now the UK this is an exciting time for the brand. My background is in PR (Public Relations) which has been such a great help in building my brand. In 2008, I set up my own PR agency with my friend and fellow PR expert, Rima Arnaout called RVPR.

Patrick Saussay

Board Director

Project Director  – International Development – Wellness industry expert

Patrick is Founder and CEO of Global Project and Spa Advisory, a company dedicated to providing worldwide expertise in management of wellness projects and spa consulting. He supports project owners, investors, brand owners, hotel management in their moves and investments on the wellness market.

With GPSA company, he was instrumental in the definition of evian®SPA concept and he is currently in charge of evian®SPA international development on behalf of evian® since 2012.

Graduated from AUDENCIA, his expertise began with 15 years of experience in the major consulting companies. As an Executive for Arthur Andersen/BearingPoint, he was involved in the transition process of several private and public large organizations including the French Healthcare Ministry, Paris Head office, and hospitals. He was fully dedicated to health-care organizations for three years, supporting quality and efficiency in this very sensitive sector.

Being caught up with his passion for wellness, he has spent 3 years heading the international development of an upscale Swiss spa brand, while preserving the high quality and originality of the brand. He developed new spa projects and partnerships with 5*resorts, Palaces and day spas in Istanbul, Antalya, Dubai, Cotonou and especially Paris where he has directly led all steps of design, implementation and go live of a high-end hotel spa in the heart of Paris.

Since 2012 when he founded GPSA Wellness Lifestyle company, he supports strategic wellness projects in many countries in Europe, Middle East, Asia, for evian® and other exclusive brands and hotels. In France, his expertise also goes to thermal centers and destinations, or meaningful projects like the transformation of a ski destination into a wellness destination.

He strongly believes in global wellness and prevention to secure a real impact on anyone’s wellbeing, and ultimately to live better, not only longer. Thanks to his passion for international travels, he is focused on the synergies between the richness of local cultures, heritage, know-how, products, and the importance of international standards of quality. 

Through iconic projects, conferences, or in front of MBA students in Hospitality Management, he shares his vision regarding the guest’s wellness experience beyond spa treatments, and the necessary consistency between a concept, an investment and guests’ expectations. 

Leslie Okoye

Board Director - Finance

Founder of CookieSkin. Nigeria Skincare Expert and Educator, IIN Health Coach
Leslie Okoye is the Founder of CookieSkin, the melanin skin care line for women of color to achieve healthy flawless skin without causing skin-damage.
The C.E.O of CookieSkin and L’Okoye Academy – the world’s leading education provider in Melanin Skincare Consulting, the mother of two puts the power back in the hands of women and men of African descent to chose the right products, prevent skin damage, save money, get re- sults, look great and feel great.

With over fifteen years of hands-on experience with melanin skin issues, Leslie Okoye is the chosen skincare expert to many Nigerian and Ghanian celebrities. Her CookieSkin brand is sold all over Nigeria in top chain pharmacies and supermarkets.

For more on Leslie Okoye and her practice follow @LokoyeAcademy @CookieSkin on social media.

Ameera Abraham

Board Director Communication

Email: [email protected]

Ameera Abraham is the CEO & Spa Director of The Nail Bar, a luxury nail spa and wellness centre and the founder of Nigeria’s premier professional nail care brand Amali Cosmetics.

She also serves as the Executive Chair (Nigeria) for the Spa and Wellness Association of Africa. She is a qualified beauty therapist, holds a BA in Politics and International Relations and a CIDESCO Diploma in Spa Management.

Outside of her professional life, Ameera enjoys reading, yoga and volunteering for charity work. She is an advocate for women and children’s rights & has a keen interest in enlightening and empowering women in their various fields of life.

Celeste Peters

Senior Board Advisor Communication

Celeste Peters has spent over 26 years in corporate as manager, auditor and trainer for quality management systems. Her passion is people. To empower people to empower themselves by means of education and engagement is what she enjoys most.

Originally a senior primary school teacher, her passion for education supported her personal goals to help others succeed. Fairness, equality, empowerment, quality and ethical business practice are her grounding principles. Interest in the wellness industry was firmly established in 2008 when she became a founding member of the South African Spa Association to support Spas with management standards in the industry. An avid spa goer and spa evaluator, she is currently Global Wellness Day Ambassador for South Africa, Sales Representative at The Tides|Wellness and board member for Energy Training Solutions (Pty) Ltd.

Eryca Freemantle

Senior Board Advisor

A multi award winning Global Makeup Educator & Industry Strategist. She educates and empowers women of all ages. Eryca speaks regularly at Professional Beauty, Olympia, Beauty World and other international conferences; Eryca is often booked to speak at women conferences and transformational events.

Global Beauty Ambassador, recent international judge for Miss Africa, interviewed by Forbes Magazine Africa, CNBC, MNET Studio 53, Ebony Life TV, Bloomberg TV International researcher for Unilever and Euromonitor, the Eryca Freemantle brand is endorsed by UKTI to increase cross-border business-to-business trade. Eryca is a former adviser to the London College of Fashion, the most prestigious fashion and makeup university in the world. Eryca is adviser to the Spa & Wellness Assoc of Africa SWAA (www.swaafrica.org)

Georgina Ragaven

Senior Board Advisor

Founded recently own company Star Connexxions Ltd and has over 25 years experience in training.

In the past, has been adviser for Minister of Health, Minister of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Women and Children in Mauritius, currently, she is the adviser for Women Entrepreneurship Development to the Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare in Mauritius.

A pioneer of health, fitness and wellbeing projects in Mauritius.

Georgina promoted health, fitness and a holistic approach to life through regular TV programmes. She is the Founding member and Past President of Rotary Club of Phoenix. District officer for Rotary International in 2006, 2010 and 2013. Member of Soroptimist International Port Louis and of AMFCE. Member of the MIOD and AMCHAM WIN Ltd Board member – Current WIN Champion for Leadership and Training. She is adviser to the Spa & Wellness Assoc of Africa SWAA (www.swaafrica.org)

Suki Kalirai

Senior Advisor

Suki, a chemistry graduate from Imperial College London, has 25+ years Fortune 500 multinational board and management experience at Unilever, Coca-Cola International and Forte & Le Meridien Hotels.

Suki founded and set up SSI in 2000 the parent company behind re-aqua and Dove Spa. Suki has always had a passion for training and he has run 4 training companies alongside his portfolio of work in the last 10-years including leading and gaining substantial improvements in globally recognised OFSTED inspections for use of public education and training funds. Suki was Chairman of the UK Spa Assoc. from 2003 to 2013, Chairman of Habia the UK government standard setting body from 2012 to 2017, Chair UK sector skills council from Jun-16 to Dec -17

He is currently Chair of UK Panel for hair beauty and aesthetics standards, operates hair and beauty outlets in London and Cambridge and a founding adviser to the Spa & Wellness Assoc of Africa SWAA (www.swaafrica.org)

Dr. Denzil Phillips

Board Advisor

With over 30 years experience Denzil’s company, Denzil Philips International, advises some of the world’s leading corporations and development organisations operating in the field of spa & wellness, natural beauty care, natural medicines, fragrances and cosmetics.

Denzil is Director of the Association of African Medicinal Plants Standards AAMPS and Advisor to the Caribbean Spa & Wellness Assoc and adviser to the Spa & Wellness Assoc of Africa SWAA (www.swaafrica.org)

Jean Martin

Board Advisor

International Strategic Business Consultant with in-depth Program Management and Finance expertise including; Corporate Strategy, Business Development and investment skills; broad experience in Europe, Latin America and Africa, with strong experience in leading and handling large scale projects and programs.

Strong analytical skills, proven ability to infiltrate new markets and Entrepreneurial knowhow with successful track records in building international services companies. Jean owns an MBA from London Business School, Media Content at Columbia University and a Master of Engineering (Meng.) from E.CESI Paris France.

Angela Derks

Board Advisor

Angela Derks is the Founder and CEO of the Australasian Sustainable Wellness Academy (ASWA) and the course and curriculum developer for the Australian Accredited Diploma of Wellness.

Originally from Papua New Guinea, she moved to Australia when she was 12 and graduated with University Degrees in Naturopathy, Marketing and Real Estate Development. At the age of 28, Angela designed, developed and operated one of Australia’s first integrated health, wellness and spa facilities. Angela has lead strategic initiatives and training programs in award-winning companies such as Six Senses Spas, Soneva Resorts, Ritz-Carlton, Madinat Jumeirah, Palazzo Versace, Kempinksi, Westin, Qantas First Lounges, Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat and Aurora Spa.

She launched ASWA with the mission of bringing wellness within reach of individuals and organisations to enhance the way we live and work. Angela works with various organisations, from private enterprise in sectors such as vocational education, manufacturing, hospitality, health, spas and aesthetic clinics to not-for-profits and government departments such as industry skills councils and associations, delivering specific intelligence at board level.

As a professional working mother with two young children, Angela knows personally the challenges of attaining individual wellness and balance in today’s working world – vital concepts for individuals and organisations to understand and embrace, in order to thrive.
In her spare time, you’ll find Angela in a pilates class, enjoying a nutritious organic meal with fun-loving friends and family, or planning her next wellness adventure.

“Wellness is a day-to-day choice, an active process of increasing self-awareness, complemented by the supportive actions of one’s workplace, home and community environments. What I’m truly passionate about is seeing others thriving at their personal and professional best. ASWA provides an avenue for people to realise their potential; to live their best life with clarity, vitality and peace, underpinned by a true sense of purpose and passion.” says Angela.

Angela believes that she can achieve her purpose of empowering others to attain optimum wellness, by providing organisations with advice, solutions and training programs that not only demystifies the concept of wellness, but inspires participants to live, breathe, cultivate and lead the integration of wellness into lives and workplaces.