East West College’s faculty and staff are hired for their professional training and expertise. Bodywork instructors have a minimum of two years education and practice in the subject they teach. Science instructors have a university degree in science or a health-related field or appropriate undergraduate coursework.
All East West College instructors continually strive to inspire excellence and provide an environment that encourages student success. Students find the instructors are warm, caring, compassionate, well trained and experienced.
East West College is managed by a President and an Oversight Committee. The Oversight Committee is responsible for running and reviewing day-to-day East West operations, as well as strategic and long term planning approved by the President. The Oversight Committee consists of David Slawson, President; Edie Moll, Director of Operations; and Erika Baern, Director of Education.
Staff
Faren Artis, LMT #16703
Faren began her massage career at East West College in 2008. She recalls being a scared young adult trying to make her way in a foreign environment, not feeling she was capable of excelling. But over her time at EWC she grew as an individual, as she came into her own as a massage therapist with skill and purpose, finally graduating in 2009 as a strong, independent, and confident woman.
Faren’s career as a massage therapist has led her to many roles. She has managed a team of massage therapist in a clinical setting, worked in marketing and sales, and even opened and maintained a successful massage practice in the middle of a pandemic. Recently Faren’s career came full circle when she joined East West College as an Admission Representative. She is now guiding future massage therapist towards a path that she knows can build their confidence in themselves as well as a bring them a rewarding career
Erika Baern, LMT #18535
Erika earned her Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Mt. Holyoke College in Massachusetts. While pursuing a Ph.D. at Johns Hopkins University, she realized that what she enjoyed most about graduate school was teaching, something she had been doing ever since middle school when she gave violin lessons to a younger student.
After leaving graduate school, Erika moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, started receiving regular massage, took an Intro to Massage class and discovered that she loved doing massage as much as she loved teaching. She completed a 1200 hour program at the Muscular Therapy Institute, and in 1991 began her private practice, focusing on clients with trauma history. She began teaching massage at MTI, and in 2000 became the school’s Director of Education.
Erika moved to Portland and joined the East West College family in 2007. She had always been interested in living in the Pacific Northwest and wanted to enjoy the outdoors year round. Since coming to East West, Erika has enjoyed working with teachers and staff to provide a supportive learning environment and strong educational program. She often meets with students, helping them develop learning, study skills, and test taking strategies.
Passionate about the incredible healing powers of massage, Erika says, “I realized I couldn’t reach as many people as I wanted to – there just weren’t enough hours in the day to give all the massages I wished I could give. So by teaching students and working with teachers, I could expand the number of people I could ‘touch’ with massage. I believe we can bring peace to the world, one massage at a time. Through the gift of massage, we provide space for our clients to let go of stress and pain, making a difference in their body and spirit. That effect ripples out into every one in their lives.”
When not at East West, Erika enjoys being outdoors, gardening, knitting, and baking.
Claudia Curt
Claudia graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from Minnesota State University in Mankato, MN. She has enjoyed many years experience in the accounting field in various capacities, and welcomes the new and exciting challenges that come her way. She has been with East West College since 2015 as their Finance Manager and Human Resource Coordinator and finds that that the calm, supportive atmosphere suits her perfectly. A lover of travel and history, she frequently travels to visit far-flung family in Texas, Alaska, and Minnesota, as well as national parks, Oregon’s beaches and enjoys anything related to the history of the United States and the Pacific Northwest. For the occasional adrenaline rush she goes whitewater rafting. Her seven grandchildren and family are her joy. She loves spending time with them, cheering them on at their ball games and other events. In her spare time she takes a break from working with numbers and fills in as a tour guide for her friend’s tour company, taking groups out to the Columbia River Gorge, Mount Hood and the Oregon Coast.
Ana Dugan
Ana Dugan, an adopted native Oregonian, has been in the financial aid industry for 8-1/2 years. She studied Business Administration at Western Oregon University and locally at Portland Community College. She joined East West College in Fall 2017 as the Director of Financial Aid. While she strives to provide a high level of customer service, it is also her goal to deliver financial information efficiently and in an easy to understand format to promote EWC’s graduates’ success for the future. In her free time, she stays busy chasing her two children and a Pomeranian named Pixel around, typically in local hiking areas.
Brett Falkenberg
Brett has been with EWC for many, many years. We have come to conclusion that it is not our dynamic personalities that keep him here, but rather those of each of the thousands of students he has met through his interactions at the front desk. That and he needs his paycheck to fund all the barbeques he has for his friends on the weekends. He must be a good cook, because they all keep coming back. We wouldn’t really know… since we’ve never been invited.
Jamie Fields, ND
Jamie received her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Indiana University, and completed her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree from National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland. After nearly a decade in clinical medicine, Jamie joined East West College as the Assistant Director of Education. She continues to teach Anatomy, Physiology & Pathology. Aside from staying up to date on medical information and teaching, Jamie spends most of her time with her husband Kevin and their two little girls on their mini-farm.
Maryanne Gilbert, LMT #25666
Alumni Services Coordinator. Maryanne is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Denver and the Colorado School for Healing Arts. She has been a Licensed Massage Therapist since 2003 and owned her own practice for 15 years with the focus of helping people manage stress and chronic illness. Maryanne is the Alumni Services Coordinator at EWC and teaches Business. She is grateful to be part of the East West College community.
Becky Hibbett
Becky joined the East West College team in 2001, filling two positions – Dean of Students Services and Assistant to the Director of Education. She had found herself looking for something different from the banking career she had left behind. “I loved that this new job had an educational flavor to it.”
Becky’s current position gives her the opportunity to support EWC in many ways. She is there when faculty members need anything from assistance with administrative responsibilities to everything needed in the classrooms. It has been said of her, “She has a tremendous ability to find ‘win-win’ situations.” She is a lifesaver to everyone behind the scenes at EWC. “My position at East West College captures my desire to come alongside others and facilitate their success. My cup is being constantly filled by the give and take, the mutual appreciation we have for each other. We have the freedom to engage in deep and wonderful conversations with each other.” Becky enjoys nurturing her flower pots, and engaging in meditative reading and healthy eating.
Lori Johnson
Lori has spent over a decade in college admissions; working with students to help connect them to the right educational paths to meet their career goals. She knows that education has the power to make dreams a reality, which is why she takes great pride in working for East West, a heart led vocational school that offers a diverse student body the opportunity to learn a skilled and highly in demand trade. Raised by the ocean, Lori has a life time love of sailing, kayaking and the occasional river rafting adventure and in her spare time has been known to play a little Roller Derby with Portland’s own Rose City Rollers.
Marc Sardo
Hailing from the land of lake effect snow, chicken wings, and Super Bowl losses (aka Buffalo, NY), Marc received his BS from SUNY New Paltz and briefly lived in the beautiful Hudson Valley before answering the call of the West. He has called Portland home since 2006. Working in the Student Services office since 2015, he enjoys helping students to achieve their goals and is continually inspired by the hard work and dedication of the students, faculty, and staff at East West.
Jan Stott
Jan lived in an assortment of rectangular states before abandoning right angles and heading for the irregularly shaped New York University School of the Arts. Between film editing jobs, she slipped into a registrar position at a vocational school and found that it fit her perfectly. The ability to sort things out served her well as an editor and even better as a registrar. Jan’s first foray into the world of holistic health began when she moved to Massachusetts and became the Registrar at the Muscular Therapy Institute in Cambridge. Ten years later, she was drawn to Oregon by the vaguely rectangular shape of the state, the discovery that most of her family had migrated here, and the position of Registrar at East West College. Jan attempts to balance the needs of students, faculty, and the building itself with humor and wit. Failing that, she may be able to distract you with her array of small, colorful toys. When she isn’t arranging things at school, she enjoys arranging pieces of wood into attractive and useful objects. “They don’t object to my plans for them, so I find it very satisfying.”
Yvonne Vleer, LMT #21401
Yvonne is originally from the Netherlands and moved to Portland in 2009.
She worked as a social worker with children with behavioral issues and social disabilities before getting her bachelor’s in science as a Mensendieck Kinesiologist, a postural therapy method popular in the Netherlands. Yvonne opened her first practice in a small Dutch town in 2000 and while working as a therapist, grew increasingly interested in the body and mind connection.
She studied the Human Developmental Method for five years with Dr.N. Brouw, before emigrating to the USA. After getting licensed as an LMT in Oregon and working in a popular spa and volunteering at the Oregon Ballet Theatre, Yvonne opened her private massage and bodywork practice in 2015. She still works two days a week in her private practice and finds the Dean of Students position very complementary to her life as a therapist. As Dean of Students, Yvonne offers support and guidance for students who need help with planning or studying, or who have disabilities and require accommodations or educational support plans.
She is fascinated by the Tour de France and knitting.
Faculty
Amy Bennett, LMT #11023, BCSI™
Amy is a 2003 graduate of East West College and joined the EWC faculty in 2006. She completed her Anatomy Trains Structural Integration training and became a Board Certified Structural Integrator (BCSI) in 2013. Amy maintains a private practice in NE Portland where her focus is primarily Structural Integration, Movement Education and teaching a series of advanced continuing education classes for bodywork practitioners. She has taught many core programs and is currently teaching the Structural Bodywork elective. Amy’s focus over the course of her career has been to more comprehensively understand the human body through the study of anatomy and movement and to explore the relational nature of bodywork. When not in her office or the classroom, Amy can be found hiking in both the woods and the city, working in her garden, or simply spending time at home with her husband and two cats reading a book.
Nicole Craigmiles, LMT #23164
Nicole is a graduate of University of Maryland, College Park and East West College. She holds a degree in English literature and has been a Licensed Massage Therapist since 2017. She practices many modalities including deep tissue, myofascial release, craniosacral, and cupping. In addition to teaching and massage, Nicole enjoys spending time with her family hiking, biking, camping, and at lakes and rivers.
Sarah Davis, BA, LMT
Sarah earned her Bachelor of Arts from Bard College and received her massage therapy education from Lane Community College. Her professional bodywork studies include geriatric massage, Thai massage, and spa therapies such as aromatherapy and stone massage. Sarah has worked in a variety of massage settings, including her own practice focusing on injury recovery, chronic illness management, on-site and outcall massage, spa therapies and geriatric massage. She is inspired by the dynamic power of massage to facilitate healing of the body, mind, heart and spirit. A perpetual student of the human body and of human relationships, Sarah hopes to inspire in her students the same passion for learning, discovery, and service.
Sean Dubs, BA, LMT #25089
After 12 years of ballet training and teaching, Sean made the leap to massage therapy, graduating from Cortiva Institute in Seattle. In his massage practice, he uses cupping therapy, gua sha, myofascial release, and intuitive work with a focus on postural analysis, body mechanics, client education, and celebration of self-care! He is thankful for the opportunity to share his passion for both objective physical analysis and empathetic energy exchange with students. His spare time is spent wandering outside, in conversation with his massage therapist husband, pursuing specializations in complementary supportive practices, and reading about the many forms of healing.
Mary Gunter, AS, LMT #07532
Mary is a graduate of East West College and has been practicing since 2001. Her approach to massage integrates both subtle therapies like craniosacral and lymphatic drainage and more physical Swedish and deep tissue techniques. Mary became a massage educator in 2004 and has been part of East West College’s faculty since 2007, teaching Kinesiology and massage technique courses. She feels that teaching at East West College is a unique and wonderful opportunity to share with students both the science and the art of this amazing field.
Kevin Hilbert, BS. MS
Kevin is a graduate of Indiana University in Bloomington, where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Kinesiology and a minor in Psychology. He can be found on most weekends gardening with his wife and two daughters, hiking or backpacking, and enjoying all this life has to offer. He has experienced the positive benefits of consistent bodywork and encourages the monthly practice to all. He loves the challenge of making science fun and enjoys watching people learn and appreciate how complicated and amazing the body truly is.
Jace Knox, AA, LMT #20606
Jace began his study of manual medicine in 2007 when he became a student of Chinese martial and healing arts under the North American Tang Shou Tao Association. Initially, Jace’s interest was in the fighting arts, but over time the therapeutic aspect of the deeply influenced the path of his life. After having worked as a carpenter, Jace decided that he wanted to be of service in other ways and enrolled at East West College. His experience at EWC broadened his understanding and approach to the work and helped him hone the tools that have made his practice successful. In 2013, he established his practice and his own school of martial arts and manual medicine in North Portland. Jace has deep respect for the potency of the work we can do with our hands, especially when combined with an intentional physical practice to keep us physically and energetically balanced, grounded, and strong. He looks forward to assisting students in forging their own paths into the healing arts.
Marta Lange, BA, LMT #14177
Marta is a graduate of the Evergreen State College and East West College and joined our faculty in 2009. Marta’s approach to bodywork is rooted in her study and practice of hatha yoga, qi gong, mindfulness meditation, and ecstatic dance. She was employed for many years at a chiropractic clinic where she refined her client-centered approach to therapeutic massage and bodywork. Currently Marta has a private practice in NE Portland where she focuses on a variety of Western massage techniques including myofascial, deep tissue and neuromuscular therapy. She has supplemental training in craniosacral therapy, lymphatic massage, and Zen Shiatsu. As an educator, Marta enjoys bringing her experience into the classroom to support each student’s unique learning style and goals. She is passionate about the art and science of massage therapy and its evolving role in complementary healthcare.
Sadie Lira, LMT #25455
Sadie received her massage therapy education from Alaska Career College and has worked as a Licensed Massage Therapist since 2010. Sadie has experience in both spa and chiropractic office settings. Her techniques include sports massage, pregnancy massage, and aromatherapy. She has enjoyed her journey as a massage therapist and is excited to translate her years of experience into lessons for the next generation of massage therapists. Outside of teaching and practicing, Sadie enjoys cooking, hiking and relaxing at home with her husband, and their dog and two cats.
Stephanie O'Donnell-Peters, LMT #18043
Stephanie is a 2010 graduate of East West College. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, has been a licensed massage therapist since 2011 and a yoga teacher since 2014. Her practice includes craniosacral therapy, deep tissue, relaxation and Swedish massage, as well as spa-like add-ons. Stephanie loves to bring humor and curiosity into her classes whether they are in the yoga studio or in the massage classroom.
Roxanne O'Hara, AA, LMT #18908
Roxanne is a graduate of Heartwood Institute of Massage in Northern California and of Lane Community College where her focus was human health sciences. She has practiced therapeutic massage since 2001 specializing in chronic and complex pain, injury rehabilitation, and women’s health. Her preferred methods include myofascial release, craniosacral, and orthopedic manual therapy techniques. She has worked primarily in private practice, but has extensive experience collaborating with chiropractors, physical therapists, and other medical providers. She has also worked as a clinical herbalist, including serving unhoused and vulnerable populations in an integrative street clinic. She is very excited to share her passion and integrity with the next generation of massage therapists.
Samantha Paquette, LMT #22341
Samantha graduated from East West College in 2016, and continues to be fascinated by the human body and the myriad ways we can be healed through touch. Since graduation, she has been practicing bodywork full-time in spa, clinical and home office settings, using a blend of Eastern and Western modalities, including neuromuscular techniques, myofascial release, Tui Na, acupressure, cupping, Gua Sha and Swedish massage. She has also studied aromatherapy for many years and enjoys incorporating essential oils into her practice when called for. In her free time, Samantha enjoys listening to spooky podcasts, spending time with her husband and cat, and heading out to the Oregon coast whenever possible.
Lee Poe, ND
Lee received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of Arizona in 2008. After his undergraduate studies, he completed a massage program at the Ashland Institute of Massage. He received his Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine from the National University of Natural Medicine in 2017 and currently practices naturopathic medicine at a nonprofit clinic. Lee has always enjoyed teaching and is looking forward to helping future healthcare practitioners and healers gain the knowledge they need to be successful. Outside of practicing medicine and teaching, Lee enjoys rock climbing. You might find him at a crag or at a climbing gym.
Julie Reyes, BS, LMT #22535
Julie is a graduate of the University of Oregon and a 2016 graduate of East West College. Since graduation, she has maintained a private massage therapy practice, incorporating Swedish, deep tissue, myofascial release and energy work into her sessions. In 2020, Julie began offering Akashic Records readings to help heal the body, mind, heart and soul, and also launched a life and business coaching program. Julie teaches Business at EWC and is excited to share the knowledge she has gained from her own life experiences and her work with her coaching clients.
Serena Schulz-Rodriguez, LMT #25082
Serena Schulz-Rodriguez, LMT is an EWC graduate and has her Bachelor of Arts from Portland State University where she double majored in Spanish Literature and Liberal Studies. She identifies as Native American with deep roots to the Willamette and Columbia River Valleys. In her practice, Serena enjoys the integration of spa modalities with muscle energy and sports massage techniques to provide a unique experience for her clients. She is committed to the examination of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field of massage therapy, and has a strong desire to increase access to massage in minority and marginalized communities. Serena is an active cyclist and paddler in Portland.
Tina Smith, BS, LMT #22576
Tina is a graduate of East West College and a current EWC faculty member. For several years she enjoyed working in a chiropractic office with clients seeking pain relief and is now in private practice in SE Portland. Her practice includes neuromuscular/trigger point therapy, deep tissue, Tui Na, silicone cupping, Gua Sha and Reiki. Tina’s education and professional experiences are eclectic. After studying animal science and then elementary education in college, she worked in Head Start followed by more than a decade doing social work in non-profit agencies with families and seniors. Tina’s transition to massage gave her the opportunity to focus on connection with others through manual therapies and to engage in working together with clients toward healing. Tina is inspired by the caring and vulnerability students show for each other, and by their determination to make a difference in their communities through the practice of massage.
Lorinda Sorensen, ND
Lorinda Sorensen, ND, Lac, is a graduate of Bastyr University where she received her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, Master of Science in Acupuncture and Bachelor of Health Sciences. She has practiced in Illinois, Nebraska, and New Zealand and currently practices at Battle Ground Healing Arts in Washington. She specializes in botanical and Chinese medicine treatments. She taught many classes at National University of Health Sciences in Illinois, and teaches Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology at East West College. She is a lifelong learner and wants to instill the passion for knowledge in others. In her free time, she likes to explore nature and has been involved with mushroom and plant groups. At home, she adores her border collie, Lily, and relaxes reading science fiction.
Neesie Steinke, LMT #18086
Neesie is a graduate of East West College, and has taken continuing education in neuromuscular therapy, myofascial release and Reiki. Neesie is the founder and president of three massage businesses in Portland, Salem and Elk Grove, California, which have received awards for sustainability and been noted for their altruism as part of a healing practice. Neesie has taught massage, therapeutic relationships and business courses at EWC since 2015. Outside of her massage businesses and teaching, Neesie enjoys reading, hiking, and playing bass guitar.
Lauren Swick, LMT #11835
Lauren is a graduate of East West College and has been an LMT since 2005. Lauren practices bodywork and holds CE workshops at her studio in SE Portland. Her focus and passion in her private practice reside in the Traditional Thai Healing Arts and structural bodywork. She feels a depth of gratitude to the teachers with whom she has studied and is excited to open new doors into this vast world for her students.
Debbie Taylor, BS, LMT #07767
Debbie is a graduate of East West College and the California College of Holistic Health and has been in practice since 1988. She studied Ayurvedic massage while working as a Holistic Health Practitioner at Deepak Chopra’s Center for Well Being. In her private practice, Debbie specializes in Ayurvedic massage and dry room spa treatments. She enjoys using her background in medical anthropology to help clients and students become aware of the cultural aspects of their healing journey. Her extensive teaching, practice and spa management experience as well as her compassion for her students make her an ideal teacher.
Robin Tibbals, BS, LMT, CA #16526
Robin graduated from the State University of New York at Binghamton with a degree in Environmental Studies. After ten years of working in the field and teaching environmental science to school-age children, she moved to Portland in 2007 and graduated from EWC in 2009. After a year working in a spa, she joined a chiropractic office where she employs a wide variety of modalities including myofascial release, deep tissue, injury recovery, sports and event massage, cupping, and gua sha. Robin has always enjoyed sharing her passions with her students. Whether the topic is macroinvertebrate insects, horseback riding or massage, she strives to share real life experience with her students to help them achieve their goals. On her off-time, she can be found in her garden, hiking, canoeing, or snuggling one of her many animals.
Lisa Ann VanAlstine, BA, LMT #06740
Lisa Ann graduated from East West College in 1998, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Portland State University in 2003. In her bodywork practice, she specializes in deep tissue and injury recovery. Lisa Ann’s enthusiasm for helping students find their unique learning style translates into a creative and kinesthetic classroom environment. She is constantly inspired by her students who grow in so many ways during their time at EWC. She joined the EWC faculty in 2006 and teaches Kinesiology and beginning to advanced level massage and bodywork program classes as well as continuing education classes. When there’s time, Lisa Ann loves dancing with her husband and dog, playing music, and spending time with friends in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
Cyr Zeeberg-Foote, BA, LMT #09230
Cyr is a graduate of Eckerd College and the Suncoast School of Massage. They hold a degree in social work and have been a Licensed Massage Therapist since 1991. Their practice encompasses many modalities including craniosacral therapy, myofascial release, and reflexology. Cyr has been teaching since 2003 and feels the opportunity to teach is a gift. Through teaching, they strive to give back and share their endless sense of awe and fascination with the human body. Cyr enjoys spending their free time with their wife and cats. They love exploring the Pacific Northwest by kayak and hiking trails.