Board of Directors
Kewal Wright
President, Founder
Kewal is a community organizer and facilitator of multi-faceted individual and group events that support health and well-being. She is the founder of The Welcome Wellspring. She is also a writer-researcher, continuing independent research through ongoing passion projects.
Her work centers around topics of healing, spirituality, sexuality, altered states of consciousness, and mental health. She completed her MA in Women and Gender Studies at Arizona State University. Using a multidisciplinary approach, she draws upon studies in family and human development, counseling and psychology, human sexuality, and a long 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 has 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 a Reiki practitioner (attuning Master level trained), a birth doula, and a long-time practitioner of therapeutic sound, dance, and movement practices. She 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/
Donna Mrowka
Secretary
With a Master’s in Social Work from the Hunter College School of Social Work at the City University of New York, Donna Mrowka has dedicated over 43 years to the field of social services, making a significant impact on the lives of families, communities, and individuals. Donna’s career began in the heart of New York City, where she worked with homeless youth, addressing their immediate needs and advocating for long-term solutions.
Over the years, Donna has accumulated extensive experience in both direct care and administrative roles, allowing her to develop a comprehensive understanding of the complexities within social work. She has effectively bridged the gap between frontline services and organizational management, ensuring that programs are not only effective but also responsive to the needs of those they serve.
Though retired as of November 2024, Donna continues to look for opportunities to contribute to the community as a catalyst for change. Donna strives to continuously educate herself and others about the complexities of social issues, advocating for policies that reflect our shared humanity and collective responsibility. She continues to be a passionate advocate for vulnerable populations, striving to inspire and uplift others in the journey toward social equity. Together, Donna believes we can build a more equitable world, where opportunity is not a privilege, but a fundamental right for everyone.
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/
Jill Wheeler
Since 2001, Jill has worked as a caseworker and intensive family therapist for Adams County Government, led specialized treatment-focused outdoor courses for Colorado Outward Bound School, founded an integrative wellness/fitness/leadership and empowerment program, Wellfit Girls and continues to provide transformative leadership and personal coaching for individuals, couples, families and small organizations. She is a Leadership consultant, yoga instructor, writer, adventurer and athlete who specializes in creating transformational and empowerment experiences.
Jill has worked as a licensed professional counselor and mental health specialist with individuals, couples, families experiencing a range of psycho-social issues, including a range of mental health diagnoses, interpersonal communication challenges, grief, loss and illness.
As an adventure guide and outdoor educator, she has led individuals, special interest groups and corporate clients on high impact, life-changing adventures. Whether working in the office, online or outdoors, she helps people climb high in all areas of their lives, overcoming mountains of uncertainty and navigating floods of emotion. Jill draws on the wisdom of nature’s resilience to help clients connect to their innate ability to weather storms and cultivate seeds though life’s seasons of despair and challenge. Learn more about her work at: https://www.jillwheeler.com/