Jeff, CEO
“You never know the end of the story.” That’s a well-known Jeff-ism that echoes through Nia Headquarters and speaks perfectly to the company’s constant state of evolution. As the driving force that keeps everything moving, Jeff (nicknamed “Stewart”) is a management mogul, world traveler, gifted musician, avid skier, loving husband and father. Though he’s been a Portland resident for many years, Jeff considers Rome to be his heart city. We figure we’ll find him there, one day, drinking martinis with Debbie and looking ever so classy. He describes the Nia culture as rich and full of healthy, fun people committed to pushing the parameters of the human experience. His favorite part about being the CEO of Nia is the team he oversees. We’re extremely grateful for Jeff’s unending compassion, guidance and inspiration.
Adi, Nia STAR (Strategic Account Representative)
Thanks to Adi, our virtual headquarters reaches as far as the middle east. Adi is our STAR representative in Israel, geared to serve South Africa and Israel's time zone. Being versed in both Israeli and South African cultures, she speaks fluent Hebrew and English, and can get around on the streets of Cape Town "met sy Afrikaans, jy weet..." but most importantly "gets the rainbow nations' way of life." Adi has practiced architecture and left the drawing board in 2006 when she began her path as a Nia teacher. Now a Nia Black Belt, Adi is thrilled to be on the HQ team.
Allison, Nia STAR (Strategic Account Representative)
Hailing all the way from Columbus, Ohio, Allison has been described by many as a “rockstar.” She would never say that, though. In addition to being a Nia Black Belt Teacher and Next Generation Trainer, Allison is one of those people who effortlessly emanates an aura of cool wherever she goes. Previously, she worked as an Arts Coordinator for an independent school in Cambridge, Massachusetts – teaching art and dance to children. She holds a BA in music, holistic psychology and psychobiology. Secretly – or not so secretly anymore – Allison loves listening to Celine Dion. She is also fanatical about dancing, writing, puppies, and finding the best jasmine green tea on the planet. According to Allison, the Nia culture is both eclectic and awesome.
Ally, Nia STAR (Strategic Account Representative)
In addition to being one of our lovely NiaWear models, Ally is fantastically sarcastic, spunky and sincere. Technically, she's from Orange County, CA, but she considers herself to be a true Oregon girl. Above all, Ally describes the Nia culture as joyful, inspiring, communal and self-reflective. She says we're like a "web of heart connections." Ally's favorite thing about working at Nia Headquarters (specifically upstairs at StudioNia) is being able to walk around barefoot. She also loves spending her days in such a beautiful space with sassy coworkers (blush!). Her dream is to go travel through South America for an entire year, and word has it that she's a closet ninja. Luckily, it's not hard to stay on her good side. Stop in and say hello to Ally if you come take a class at StudioNia!
Andy, Web Development Manager & Creative Director
Carrying two titles is no easy task, but Andy does it flawlessly. And to be honest, we don’t know what we’d do without him. He’s a computer wizard and graphics guru – but really reminds us of a Roman god because of his tall stature and curly brown hair. Like Allison, Andy is originally from Ohio. Previously, he’s worked as both a graphic designer and web designer. At the time he found Nia, he was employed at a moving company ironically called “Amazing Moves.” We’re very glad he decided to make the trek to the west coast. His creative energy and calm demeanor keep everyone inspired and focused. On the rare occasion we get distracted, we’re probably admiring his photo blog - visualpause.com.
Jessica, Debbie’s Assistant
Whenever Jessica walks into a room, she is followed by a small yet vocal ball of fur known as Lily. The two of them go on lots of walks together, and keep everyone at headquarters on task and smiling. Jessica is a California girl at heart, and doesn’t really get the whole “rain” thing in Portland. She’s an organizing queen who can schedule anything faster than you. In fact, by the time you’re done reading this bio, she will have planned, booked and confirmed a trip to head south towards the sunshine. Oh yes, and Jessica wears fabulous shoes – sandal-y ones made for walking in 85-degree weather.
Kat, Nia STAR (Strategic Account Representative) & Livelihood Membership Coordinator
Kat has an affinity for sparkly clothes and doubles as a life-size disco ball when she stands in the sun and shimmies. Her passion is dance, and you’ll catch her doing everything from Nia to modern to improv. Currently, she's on an aerial kick and is putting together her own routine. Born in Portland, Kat moved to Texas when she was two years old. Since then, she’s lived in Utah, Idaho, Hawaii and Denmark. Her favorite thing about being at Nia Headquarters is her coworkers, who she describes as amazingly creative, motivated and passionate. Kat also loves having a standup desk and working with her shoes off while putting her management and customer service skills to good use. Kat is a self-dubbed "Sudoku nerd" who loves meeting new people. Come in, say hi, and revel in the floating rainbows bouncing off this lovely lady.
Karri, Creative Consultant
Like the wind, Karri enters the room and immediately stirs up a new current of creative energy. She is an abstract thinker who translates complex concepts into tangible steps we can take to achieve our greatest potential. Working at Nia – as both a consultant and Nia Black Belt Teacher – enables her to interact at the highest level between the interface of material and symbolic realms. In other words, she gets to use her right brain as much as her left. Karri has an MBA in Sustainability Management from Bainbridge Graduate Institute, an MS in Community Development from University of California, Davis, and a Certificate in Permaculture Design from Fambidzanai Permaculture Centre of Zimbabwe. Her life purpose is to “live into [her] greatness in cosmic harmony with the greatness of all beings.” We’re flattered she feels she can do that here, where – as Karri says – the culture is “evolutionary, passionate and creative.”
Lily, Yorkshire Terrier
Likes: fuzzy blankets, pickles, attacking her mom’s hand, and playing with Pearl.
Dislikes: early mornings.
Patrick, Managing Director
Unflappable. That is one of the many adjectives we would use to describe Patrick. Others include kind, intelligent, thoughtful and supportive. Born and raised in Salem, Oregon, Patrick is like the keel of a sailboat, maintaining the balance and agility needed to achieve our long-term goals of exploring new territories and realizing unseen visions. He has worked in industries involving tires, real estate, clothing, film, television, theatre, healing gemstones and website development. Patrick dubs the Nia culture “unique,” and most appreciates the incredible people he encounters daily. When he’s not working, Patrick has a recurring nightmare in which he hosts a reality show called “Dancing with Cats.” (He’s allergic to felines.) We predict that these dreams will soon be replaced with the sounds of one very lucky – and hungry – baby boy crying for a 3AM feeding. In addition to fatherhood and sleepless nights, Patrick is looking forward to fusion as a reliable energy source.
Pearl, Australian Kelpie
Likes: Yummy Chummies, costumes, squirrels, hanging out with her dad, playing with Lily, getting babied by Karri, and sleeping on the couch.
Dislikes: vegetables and rock concerts that don’t allow dogs.
Phillip, Shipping Manager
Nicknamed Axel, Phillip has been playing rugby for 26 years. For such a tough guy, he has a surprisingly soft side too. In fact, he admits to soaking in the tub every morning; he’s not big on showers. Phillip is originally from Bellevue, Washington. He digs beer, Portland food carts, rock concerts and being Pearl’s dad. In addition to his impressive ability to handle all of our shipping needs, we appreciate his informative news updates on politics, celebrities, music and local happenings. When asked what he likes most about his job, Phillip concludes, “The global reach of Nia and being able to meet people from all over the world.”
Shannon, Music Director
A woman of virtually every talent, Shannon is a vocalist, minister, model, actor, spokesperson and Nia Black Belt Teacher who specializes in sound healing. She licenses music globally for Nia, and is featured as a lead singer on many NiaSounds CDs (Opal, Oshun and Velvet – just to name a few). We are captivated by her magnificence, and can’t get enough of the energy she radiates. Shannon describes Nia as, “philosophy in motion.” Having worked with the company since 1998, she notes that the Nia culture is spiritual, humorous, creative, special and continuously growing. Shannon encourages both Nia teachers and unsigned artists who own full rights to their tracks to send music her way.
Shawna H., Communications Specialist
Behind two computer screens, you’ll find Shawna typing away while deep in thought. She’s like a human sponge, soaking up random bits of information to process, synthesize and relate to the bigger picture. We like making fun of her for being incoherent in the early mornings when she’s in her pre-coffee state. Shawna is from Mount Shasta – the real Nor Cal. It was there that she once sang the Star-Spangled Banner in front of the whole town. Just thinking about it now gives her butterflies in her stomach. Previously, Shawna worked as a copywriter in the advertising industry and as a project manager for both a wholesale nursery and corporate identity branding company. She describes Nia Headquarters as a beautiful and inspiring place to make a difference doing what she loves.
Shawna X., Designer
Shawna’s brain reminds us of one of those colorful superballs bouncing around the room at warp speed. She sees things differently, which makes her a truly phenomenal artist. Shawna is an Adobe Illustrator fiend, and some of us suspect she has paintbrushes for fingers. Most often, you’ll find her designing her next masterpiece, taking photographs, dancing or kickboxing. She has the unbounded imagination of a six-year-old and a personality that’s positively magnetic. Shawna loves to travel and has even worked for Nia remotely – from China and Vietnam. Her voracious appetite for visual stimulations, culture, concerts and food is often documented at her personal blog and website, both of which we visit daily.
Yamuna, Executive Assistant
Conceived in the Hare Krishna Temple, Yamuna is named after a sacred waterway in India, which translates to “the river of life.” We think it’s quite fitting because Yamuna is the vivacious pulse behind NiaWear, as well as the StudioNia manager. She is warm, welcoming, and brilliant with materials, cuts, and designs; we thank her for all the fabulous new outfit options. A natural-born Nia teacher, Yamuna has been dancing since the age of three. Prior to coming here, she was self-employed for 14 years as an independent sales contractor. When she’s not at Nia Headquarters, she is spending time with her identical twin sons, whom she describes as her “greatest loves and biggest challenges in life.” According to Yamuna, the Nia culture is artistic, creative, healthy, fun, inspiring and loving.
