For many years MTAM has been fortunate to have a professional staff team who provides administrative support to the MTAM Board and our various committees and professional and clinical guidance to MTAM members. Despite the challenges that can pop up from day-to-day, they are dedicated to providing consistent service and communication.
Recently we have welcomed some new folks to our staff team and have bid farewell to a long-time practice advisor.
Please join us in congratulating and thanking our staff and formally welcoming our new team members!
Farewell to Shelly Bauer!
Shelly joined the MTAM staff team as a practice advisor in 2014 before taking a teaching position at Robertson College for several years. As luck would have it, she was able to return to MTAM as a practice advisor in 2021 and then soon progressed to the staff role of Education and Practice Coordinator.
Over the past 20 years, Shelly brought her wealth of business and massage therapy experience to the many positions she's held with MTAM including board and committee member, practice advisor, presenter, committee liaison, event coordinator, and valued staff team member.
We are grateful for her hard work, dedication and many contributions to MTAM as well as the kindness and compassion she used when giving guidance to MTAM members in her role as an MTAM instructor and Practice Advisor.
As she completed her last few days at MTAM Shelly shared these thoughts. "To the many presenters and educators MTAM works with, it's been a pleasure working with all of you. MTAM wouldn't be what it is without the quality continuing education that you provide.
Although we'll always consider her part of our professional family, August 22 was Shelly's last day as part of the MTAM staff team. Shelly has accepted an exciting new career opportunity with the Federal Government.
As she reflected on her time at MTAM Shelly said, "To all the MTAM committee members, I'll miss you all! It's been a pleasure working with you.
To the MTAM Board and membership, thank you for the opportunities you have given me during my time at MTAM. I have been truly grateful to work at MTAM and to have the opportunity to contribute to my profession.”
MTAM President Offer Kuban and Vice President Stephanie Oteyza shared this message - "On behalf of the Board of Directors, we would like to extend our most sincere best wishes to Shelly as she begins this new chapter. We thank her for all the hard work she's put in during her time at MTAM, and for her ongoing dedication to our profession. May this next step in her career journey bring her fulfillment, growth, and plenty of new opportunities along the way."
Welcome to Samantha & Natashia!
We came to know Samantha (Sam) Friesen through an MTAM member when we were searching for someone to provide accounting and bookkeeping support for MTAM. What started as a casual short-term contract last October has grown to Sam taking on a long-term contract to continue providing accounting and administrative support for MTAM and we couldn't be happier!
Sam has a Bachelors of Business (Finance) and Masters of Business Administration (Innovation & Leadership) and has run a successful consulting company for many years. Over the past year Sam has enjoyed meeting MTAM members, working with the staff team and getting to know more about the massage therapy profession.
When not at work Sam enjoys scuba-diving, snowboarding, traveling and spending time with her partner Cody and their dog.
Natashia Durand joined the MTAM staff team in December 2024 in the role of part-time reception and administrative support.
Natashia is a practicing RMT who graduated with honours from Evolve College in 2023. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Manitoba.
Over the past several months at MTAM, Natashia has enjoyed meeting members and assisting them with their questions. She's brought a keen sense of organization and a friendly and welcoming presence to the office and to MTAM events. Being a recent graduate herself, she also has fantastic insight into the needs of graduates and new RMTs!
When not busy in her massage therapy practice or at MTAM, Natashia loves hiking, painting, sewing and collecting plants (especially black ones). Fun fact... She graduated from the U of M with a double major in Biological Sciences and Theatre!
We are so happy to be working with Sam and Natashia. Next time you're at the MTAM office or event, be sure to stop by and say Hi!