How many years have you been involved in the spa industry?
I’ve been in hospitality (including hotels, restaurants, spas, clubs, etc.) for over 15 years and about 9 in the spa industry specifically.
What was the path that led you into the spa industry?
I knew I wanted to be in hospitality but didn’t know quite where I would fit in. When studying abroad in Florence, Italy, some friends and I took a trip to some of the bath cities. I fell in love with the concept of spa and decided that was what I wanted to do. Once I returned from Italy to Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, I enrolled in Mary Tabacchi’s spa class and learned more about the various spas and avenues. When recruiters came to visit, I told them that I wanted to be in California and I wanted to be in spas. Four Seasons took a chance on me, moving this Jersey girl out to San Diego, and the rest is history!
What is your favorite place in the whole world?
My goodness, this is a tough question! There have been so many wonderful places I have traveled to and have called home but my favorite cities are probably tied between bella Firenze, Italy and San Francisco, CA. Both because of the food, the culture, the people… I could go on and on.
If you could have any profession in the world, other than what you do now, what would you be?
In my younger years (during school), I was known as a singer. If I could, I would do that every day – I love being on stage and performing!
What is your motto or concept that you live by?
"I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they're right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together."
— Marilyn Monroe
What is your most treasured possession?
I’d have to say my photos (because I am going to not call my family a possession). They remind me of all of the adventures I have had and people I have had the pleasure of knowing over the years.
What’s your go-to spa treatment?
It is still a great therapeutic massage, the best cure for tension and stress headaches! But please don’t forget the scalp massage!
What is your proudest accomplishment?
My daughter, Kayla, is most certainly the best thing I have ‘made’ so far in my life. I have never been so proud in my life and I get to feel that way each and every day.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Well, I would decrease my intensity when it comes to ‘sweating the small stuff’ – I still take things to heart and let them get to me, forgetting in the moment that things usually get resolved.
Care to share any details on family life; i.e. spouse, partner, children, pets?
I am lucky to be one of four children, born and raised in New Jersey by our parents, who always celebrated our Italian heritage. I married my husband, Evan Goldstein in 2007, though we have been together since 2002, who is the most supportive person I know. He is a chef, funny to anyone who knows how much I love to eat. We have a beautiful daughter, Kayla, and another on the way. We also have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Sienna.
Tell us two things about yourself we don’t know.
I used to sing in a show choir in high school and an a cappella group in college along with classical choirs throughout all of those years.
I was a three-sport athlete through my youth: softball, swimming and field hockey.