Back for its third edition, American Spa’s Women in Wellness Awards honor those who are making an impact in the industry and beyond. These exceptional women are transforming the wellness world with their noteworthy contributions such as serving on related industry boards and organizations, discovering untapped opportunities, giving back, and bringing their unique perspective to all that they do. Nominated by their peers and chosen by acclaimed wellness journalists, these women are showing they’re a force with which to be reckoned.
From August 26 through September 4, American Spa will be announcing one new winner and two finalists of the 2019 Women in Wellness Awards each day. Today, discover the Spa Consultant of the year.
Spa Consultant: This award honors a spa consultant who helps create unique, meaningful, effective, and expertly crafted wellness spaces.
WINNER: Diana Mestre, founder, Mestre & Mestre Spa Consulting
With more than 35 years of experience in the development of spa and wellness projects, Diana Mestre has had a major influence on spa design throughout Mexico. As founder of Mestre & Mestre Spa Consulting, she shares her gift for storytelling. Committed to highlighting each spa’s unique story with personalized treatment menus that inspire memorable, impeccable, and unforgettable experiences, she has created a portfolio of spas that have been recognized by Virtuoso, Forbes, Five Diamond, World Luxury Spas, and more. From advancing quality standards and enhancing protocols and rituals, she creates economically successful ventures that run the gamut. Some of her greatest accomplishments include the creation of the SE Spas for Grand Velas Riviera Maya, Riviera Nayarit, and Los Cabos, where she has been a consultant for the past 15 years. Mestre is also a member of the consulting initiative task force for the Global Wellness Institute. Her latest projects with Auberge Resort, Susurros Del Corazón (Punta de Mita, Mexico) and Etéreo (Riviera Maya, Mexico), will showcase the heritage of the Huichol and Mayan cultures. Her vision is to create and design genuine signature experiences with a sense of place, rooted in cultural themes while implementing world standards of excellence for the spa industry in Mexico and Latin America.
FINALIST: Tracy Lee, founder TLee Spas
Tracy Lee combines strategic thinking and creative intuition with a unique blend of design and operational skills thorough a nuanced understanding of the spa development process. Lee has managed and designed some of the most highly acclaimed spas in the world and has carved out a reputation of steady leadership, innovative spirit and gracious professionalism Passionate about family life, the environment and her local community, she definitively walks the talk of a wellness-infused lifestyle and personifies the sensibilities she promotes through her projects and personal pursuits. Prior to launching TLee Spas, she developed a portfolio of award winning spas at Auberge Resorts as Principal and Vice President of Spa Design and Development for 15 years, creating a lasting legacy that has shaped the Auberge brand and continues to define it as a leader in luxury hospitality. In addition to overseeing the company’s financially successful and award-winning spas, she developed an industry leading environmental stewardship programs at all of the company’s properties, elevating Auberge Resorts as an sustainable pioneer in the hospitality space. Currently, Lee is working with the much anticipated Equinox Hotel brand in both New York City and Downtown Los Angeles and the 1 Hotel in Silicon Valley and the Golden State Warriors Hotel in San Francisco. An outdoor enthusiast, she can be found on the trails of Mt. Tamalpais, in the yoga studio, Cross Fit gym or checking out the latest fitness trend. Based in Marin County, Lee is a proud Wildcat alumnus with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Arizona.
Finalist: Amy McDonald, principle and CEO, Under a Tree Consulting
A 30-year veteran of the spa and hospitality industries, Amy McDonald is a pioneer in wellness, sustainability, and transformational programming. She not only created one of the first 100 percent organic spa products and recyclable containers in her quest for sustainable ecological authenticity in the spas and resorts she managed but also played a role in demanding verifiable “greening” of the industry when green-washing threatened the health of both employees and the environment. After serving as spa director at both Miraval Arizona (Tucson, AZ) and The Living Spa at El Monte Sagrado (Taos, NM), she founded Under a Tree Health and Wellness Consulting in 2004, where she has gained recognition for projects such as Chablé Spa (Chocholá, Mexico). She recently embarked on a major collaboration with Watermark Senior Living in Tucson, which serves to fulfill her long-term dream of providing spa and hospitality-level service to the aging population. McDonald also helped establish awareness about hot springs and geothermal water through the Global Wellness Institute, where she has served as chair of the Hot Spring Initiative for the past two years.
Congrats to our winner and finalists of the Spa Consultant category. Check back tomorrow for the Spa Director of the Year. Stay tuned on American Spa online, as well on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more info about the winners and finalists of the 2019 Women in Wellness Awards as well as upcoming Women in Wellness Leadership Conferences.
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