Meet Our Staff
Experienced, attentive and considerate – our spa staff provides the ultimate restful experience for your well being.
Donda Kraus Sternberg, owner
Background
Donda is the Owner of Gentle Healing Wellness Spa and Owner/Director of Gentle Healing School of Massage. Donda has been a Licensed Cosmetologist for over 25 years. She created the Gentle Healing Wellness Spa in 1999 and relocated the spa to its current home in a beautiful Queen Anne Victorian Farmhouse 2001.
Personal Quote
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” --Ralph Waldo Emerson
Stefanie Alvino, spa manager
Background
Stefanie has been working in the salon and spa industry for over 13 years. She started as front desk reception and worked her way into management. She has been working full time at the Gentle Healing Wellness Spa for four years now and is the Spa Manager.
Personal Quote
“The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time.”
Bonnie Jenoriki, guest services
Background
Bonnie has worked full time for the past 10 years as a Teaching Assistant with special needs students in South Brunswick Township while working part-time at Gentle Healing since September 2010 as a member of the Guest Services team. As of November 2011 she has become a full-time employee here at Gentle Healing as a Guest Services Associate.
Personal Quote
“Every day is a Gift.”
Tammy Williams, nail technician
Education
- Middlesex County Vocational and Technical School- Graduate June 1998
- Fast Pro Nails- certified March 1998
- OPI Sculptured Nails- certified March 1998
- LCN Gels- certified March 1998
- Creative nails- certified May 1999
Additional Skills
- ALL Hand and Foot Treatments
- Waxing
- Body Treatments
Personal Quote
“If your feet don't feel wonderful- I won't feel wonderful!”
Jodene Miller, nail technician
Education
- Gordon Phillips School: Manicurist License (Graduated 1995)
Additional Skills
- All Hand and Foot Treatments
- Body Treatments
Personal Quote
“My goal is to see my guests leave Happy!”
Jared Berg, massage therapist
Education
- Gentle Healing Wellness School of Massage (600 hour program)
- Reiki Level One
- Heads Up Class
Additional Skills
- ALL Massages
- ALL Stone Massage
- ALL Scalp Massages
- All Enhancements
- Ear Candling
- Body Treatments and Exfoliations
- ALL Ayurvedic Treatments
Personal Quote
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery. They call today the present because it's a gift.”
Nicole Van Avery, massage therapist
Education
- Anthem Institute
Additional Skills
- ALL Massages
- ALL Scalp Massages
- ALL Enhancements
- Ear Candling
- Body Treatments and Exfoliations
Personal Quote
“Celebrate we will for life is short, but sweet for certain.” --DMB
Jennifer Favale, massage therapist
Education
- The Anthem Institute
Additional Skills
- ALL Massages
- ALL Stone Massages
- ALL Scalp Massages
- ALL Enhancements
- Body Treatments and Exfoliations
Personal Quote
“Always leave people better off than how they came to you.”
Kim Stroka, esthetician
Education
- Concorde School of Cosmetology - Graduated in 2005
- Skinceuticals Advanced Esthetics Training - 2005 to present
- Yonka Certification- 2005
- Certificate of Achievement from the American Cancer Society:
"Look Good... Feel Better" Program - "Brow Diva" Certificate from Damone Roberts, formerly of TLC's show, Ten Years Younger
- International Dermal Institute NYC
* Hormones, Menopause and the Skin - 2005
* Successful Acne Treatments - 2007
* Sun Damage and Aging Skin - 2005
Additional Skills
- ALL Facials
- Advanced Skin Care
- Microdermabrasion, Peels and High Frequency
- ALL Waxing, including specializing in Brazilian waxing
- Specialized Eyebrow Design Services
- All Body Exfoliations and Treatments
- Skinceuticals & Yonka Product Knowledge
Personal Quote
“The most beautiful cosmetic you can wear is healthy skin.” --Jane Iredale
Joseph DiGiovanni, massage therapist
Education
- Gentle Healing Wellness School of Massage (600 hour program) - Graduate 2008
Additional Skills
- ALL Massages
- ALL Stone Massages
- ALL Scalp Massages
- ALL Enhancements
- Ear Candling
Personal Quote
“Try to enjoy every moment because you are not promised tomorrow.”
Amy Varela, massage therapist
Education
- Gentle Healing School of Massage ( 600 Hour Program)
Additional Skills
- ALL Massages
- ALL Scalp Massages
- ALL Enhancements
- Ear Candling
- Body Treatments and Exfoliations
- American Red Cross CPR Instructor
Personal Quote
“That which does not kill me makes me stronger.”
Michele Elias, massage therapist
Education
- Gentle Healing School of Massage Graduated 2009 (600 Hour Course)
- Institute for Therapeutic Massage- Hospital Based Massage Certification
Additional Skills
- ALL Massages
- ALL Stone Massages
- ALL Enhancements
- Ear Candling
- Body Treatments and Exfoliations
- NASM Certified Personal Trainer
Personal Quote
“Take care of yourself. Make time for yourself every day. Listen to yourself. Love yourself!”
Ann Marie Deshefy, esthetician
Education
- Salon Professional Academy
Additional Skills
- ALL Facials
- ALL Body Treatments and Exfoliations
- ALL Waxing (except Brazilian)
- Chemical Peels and Microdermasion
- Skin Ceuticals & Yonka Product Knowledge
Personal Quote
“Live and let live.”
Bernadine Applegate, massage therapist
Education
- Gentle Healing School of Massage (600 Hour Course)
Additional Skills
- ALL Massages
- ALL Scalp Massages
- ALL Enhancements
- Ear Candling
- Body Treatments and Exfoliations
Personal Quote
“I am eager to help people feel good through massage, and learn all that I can while working here.”
Timothy Jenkins, massage therapist / spa assistant
Education
- Gentle Healing School of Massage (600 Hour Course)
Additional Skills
- ALL Massages
- ALL Scalp Massages
- ALL Enhancements
Personal Quote
“Massage is one of the sweetest shortcuts to having a peace of mind.”
Arlete Grudnik, nail technician
Education
- Rainbow Beauty Academy
Additional Skills
- ALL Hand and Foot Treatments
- Shellac by CND
Personal Quote
“There is nothing permanent except change.”
Kelly Roman, nail technician
Education
- Rainbow Beauty Academy
Additional Skills
- ALL Hand and Foot Treatments
- Waxing
- Shellac by CND
Personal Quote
“It's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.” --A.L.