MISSION STATEMENT

 

Nick was born in the Sun Valley Lodge in 1957 and has maintained a residence in the Wood River Valley for 50 years. He has made a living as both a professional Skier and Ice Skater traveling much of the world doing both. At the age of 12 he learned transcendental meditation. He first studies first studied yoga in college 30 years ago. Nick has been a member, in good standing, of a twelve step group for 25 years.  He has traveled to Peru, Brazil, India and Italy to seek spiritual teachers and experience. He has been adopted into the Crow Indian Tribe and is a recognized Sundancer. He continues to adopted spiritual practice and mental growth combined with the outdoors as a way of life.  He is the Wellness Festival board of director’s President, sits on the board of the SVSEF and is a past board member of the Sun Club.  Nick makes a living in real estate and is raising a teenage daughter in Sun Valley.

Cheryl Welch Thomas, Vice President

Cheryl has worked at Chapter One bookstore for over 30 years. She moved to Ketchum 35 years ago to teach at Hemingway School. After working part time at Chapter One, she never returned to teaching. She helped organize the Sun Valley Wellness Festival 13 years ago to help bring spiritual opportunities to the community as well as to promote business in Ketchum over Spring slack.

Gene is a CPA and the Business Manager for the local transportation agency.  He grew up in Montana and moved to Ketchum in 2007 from Boise.  Gene has spent the last twenty five years in public and private accounting and as a financial consultant.  Several years ago, he started studying energy medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine. He is a certified massage therapist and has been trained in biofeedback, soul retrieval, illumination, Reiki and Healing Touch.  In addition to his interest in TCM, shamanism, and energy medicine, Gene enjoys most outdoor activities, including skiing, biking, jogging and hiking.  Gene has two grown daughters and a grandson.

Pam is a retired Alaskan School teacher who is living full time in the Wood River Valley with her husband John. She enjoys many of the outdoor activities that the valley offers. She loves to travel and experience different cultures and connecting with people from many parts of the world.

Dolora has been involved with the festival almost since its inception.She has enjoyed the opportunity to be a presenter for several years at the SVWF and she loves the opportunity to participate in bringing such an event to the Wood River Valley.

Marcia grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii and feels her move to Sun Valley 11 years ago was going from one paradise to another. She is a photographer with her images in several galleries on Oahu. She has taught classes in Polaroid Manipulation, the photography that she shows, and she is a net worker, which is why she is on the Sun Valley Wellness Institute Board. She is the Chairman of the Speakers Committee and enjoys searching for and finding the best speakers with new and innovative ideas.

For over 40 years, Judy has had an active interest in nutrition, health, and alternative healing practices. She is a nutritional consultant and a practicing energy healer, with training in Jin Shin Acupressure, Reiki, Reconnective Healing, Matrix Energetics and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). She has been involved with the Festival in many different capacities since its inception. She loves 
outdoor activities and splits her time between the Wood River Valley and southern France. 

 

Catherine moved to the valley 7 years ago after visiting a friend who was participating in the hands-on-hall of the Festival. She is now part owner of Chapter One Bookstore and loves to contribute her time and energy to the facilitation of the Wellness Festival each year.

Scott was born in Manhattan and went to college and medical school in Indiana.  He was accepted to medical school after just three years as an undergraduate.  He has lived in the Wood River Valley for 22 years.  Scott maintains a daily meditation practice and has been a vegetarian for 30 years.  He is the President of the St. Luke’s Wood River Medical Center Foundation, is on the Board of Directors of the St. Luke’s Wood River Medical Center, and is also on the Board of Directors of the Sun Valley Spiritual Film Festival.

 

Through a keen interest in Yoga stemming back to his early adolescence, Ryan began exploring contemplative practices  at a very young age. With over 3 years of travel throughout India, Ryan has encountered many renowned teachers such as the Dalai Lama, Sri Satya Sai Baba and Swami Muktananda, who have all inspired him to a dedicate his life to the pursuit of discovering genuine happiness for himself and others.  Currently, Ryan continues teach yoga and meditation classes in the wood river Valley, and lead retreats locally and internationally.   Also, Ryan is a practicing professional herbalist and wellness consultant in Hailey incorporating Western, Chinese and Ayurvedic principles for healing. Alongside his passion for teaching traditional medicine, he dedicates much of his time to his wife and two sons.

 

 

 

Carol Waller is Executive Director of the Sun Valley/Ketchum Chamber & Visitors Bureau and has been involved with the creation and development of the Sun Valley Wellness Festival for the past 13 years.  She loves the positive energy this event brings to the valley and to all of the participants and is constantly amazed at how much she has yet to learn and put into practice!

 

 

 

 

Contact Us:

 

Ellen Gillespie
ellen@sunvalleyevents.com

telephone: 208-726-2777

fax: 208-726-2778

 

The Sun Valley Wellness Festival (“Festival”) and the www.sunvalleywellness.org website (“Website”) are educational programs of the Sun Valley Wellness Institute, Inc., an Idaho nonprofit corporation (“SVWI”). The content of the Festival presentations, exhibit hall, and workshops and the content of the Website (collectively, the “Content”) are for educational and informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or spiritual advice, diagnosis or treatment. SVWI does not endorse or validate the Content, the presenters, and/or programs discussed by presenters. Festival Participants and Website visitors rely on the Content at their own risk and should consult their own advisors prior to any such reliance. The Content constitutes the views, opinions, and/or beliefs of the respective presenters and not necessarily the views, opinions, and/or beliefs of SVWI, its sponsors, and/or donors. The Content is offered on an “As Is” basis with no representations or warranties, expressed or implied, and SVWI expressly disclaims any such representations and warranties to the fullest extent allowed by law. The Website, the Festival program, and/or handouts at the Festival might refer to programs and/or websites of Festival presenters. SVWI has no control over and also assumes no responsibility for the content of such programs or websites. Your participation at the Festival and/or use of the Content constitutes your acceptance of the above terms and conditions.

 

Thank you for your interest in the Festival, your support, and your understanding.