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The RMTAO Board of Directors

The RMTAO is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. The role of the RMTAO Board is to envision the future of the organization and the profession while ensuring the organizational structure is present for the vision to be achieved. The Board of Directors provide overall strategic direction for the Association and monitor the organization’s performance towards achieving these strategic goals. The Board is also responsible for setting governing policies for the organization and establishing position statements on matters of importance impacting the profession.

Alex Kidd, MRSc, BKin, RMT

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Susan Shipton, MClSc, RMT, CDT

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Shannon Marshall, RMT

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Sasha Goudriaan, RMT, PME, CDT

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Catherine Roe, RMT, BAHSc

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Terri Rowan, RMT

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Christin Sadler, MSc, BSc, RMT

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Elizabeth Snook, RMT

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Amanda Winter, MSc, Hon BHSc, RMT

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Vicente Zabala, RMT

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Alex Kidd has been a Registered Massage Therapist since 2013, earning his Massage Therapy diploma from Humber College after completing a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology at Brock University. He later obtained a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Science in 2024 and remains dedicated to advancing evidence-based therapeutic interventions and improving patient care.

In addition to his clinical work, Alex has contributed to Massage Therapy education at Humber College and serves as a surveyor with the Canadian Massage Therapy Council for Accreditation. Passionate about research literacy, he strives to enhance students’ clinical decision-making skills through evidence-based practice.

Alex has been an active advocate with RMTAO, serving on the Board of Directors since 2020 and the Executive Committee since January 2021 in various roles, including Chair of the Board since 2024. He has played a key role in promoting the Massage Therapy profession through contributions to Massage Therapy Today magazine and lobbying efforts at Queen’s Park.

Since April 2024, Alex has also served as a delegate to Canadian Massage Therapist Association and became interim President in January 2025, with plans to assume the role officially in April 2025. Additionally, he is a peer reviewer for the International Journal of Massage and Bodywork.

Alex takes great pride in his contributions to the profession, striving to uphold high standards in education, research, and advocacy.

Susan Shipton has been a member of the RMTAO since her student days in 2011 and wants to help our Association continue its strong support and advocacy of RMTs. Her involvement to date has been through education: articles in Massage Therapy Today, webinars, and presentations at the Education Conferences. On a broader canvas, she represents the profession on Team Primary Care, a national initiative to improve interprofessional collaboration in primary health care, with the aim of augmenting the role of massage therapy in early interventions. Susan’s practice in Toronto focuses on working with people with cancer and helping to manage chronic conditions such as lymphedema and chronic pain. She holds a master’s degree in Advanced Health Care Practices – Interprofessional Pain Management from Western University and is the creator of an online continuing education course for RMTs on Oncology Massage. Her first career was in book publishing, during which she served on the volunteer board of IBBY Canada, a not-for-profit children’s literacy organization, including two years as President. www.SusanShiptonRMT.com

Shannon has been a proud member of the RMTAO for most of her 18-year career. She provides massage therapy to children in palliative care at SickKids’ Hospital since 2007 and has written articles, given presentations about the work and research that she does there. She served as board and non-council member at CMTO from 2017-2021. She is currently finishing her Bachelor of Health Sciences degree at Thompson Rivers University.

I am Sasha Goudriaan, a Registered Massage Therapist with 29 years of clinical experience and a passion for education. I have practised massage in a variety of settings from hospitals to private practice, while for over 15 years I have developed and delivered curriculum for massage therapists. Additionally, I recently completed a master’s in education.

I have contributed to committees and projects promoting growth and excellence in massage therapy including initiatives that integrate massage therapy into primary care, reflecting my commitment to advancing the profession’s role in healthcare.

The RMTAO honoured me last year with the RMT of the Year Award and I would like to continue serving our profession by supporting their incredible work. Working alongside a team of dedicated colleagues to support your needs and help shape a strong future for our profession would be truly rewarding. I would be grateful to have your support.

Catherine graduated from Durham College’s Massage Therapy program in 2020. Driven by her commitment to community engagement, she assumed the role of Durham Region Community-Based Network Coordinator for the RMTAO shortly after receiving her registration from the CMTO in the spring of 2021. In this role, she has found great fulfillment in connecting with her peers. Catherine went on to earn a Bachelor of Allied Health Sciences from Ontario Tech University, where she expanded her knowledge in healthcare policy, leadership, and work disability prevention. She has also continued her education in work disability prevention, further demonstrating her dedication to professional development and enhancing patient care.

Terri Rowan is a dedicated and experienced Registered Massage Therapist with a commitment to evidence-based practice and the advancement of the massage therapy profession. With 13 years of experience, Terri has built a reputation for compassionate, client-centred care, striving to lead with empathy and encourage productive communication. Beyond clinical practice, Terri is passionate about professional advocacy and education. Their leadership is guided by a firm belief in continuous learning, ethical decision making and collaboration to consider multiple viewpoints. Terri’s professional interests include mentoring early career RMTs and exploring avenues to make Massage Therapy more accessible, including financial accessibility. When not in practice or serving on the board, Terri is a collector of hobbies. Her current interests include finally learning to play hockey, playing the guitar, and knitting. Terri Rowan is honoured to be asked to contribute to the profession’s growth and to help advocate for the important position of Massage Therapy within healthcare.

Christin has been an RMT for almost two decades, working extensively with athletes of all ages including the Canadian national swim team at two Olympics and several FINA World Championships. She currently practices in Ottawa.

Christin holds a Master of Science in kinesiology and is a part-time professor of anatomy and physiology at the University of Ottawa and Algonquin College. Her research in mechanistic and behavioural neuroscience explores how muscle fatigue, brain stimulation, and sleep impact motor control. She has published nearly a dozen peer-reviewed scientific journal articles and serves as a peer reviewer for the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork. Christin loves trail running, hiking with her partner and two kids, birdwatching, and practicing meditation.

As an elected Board member, Christin will support the RMTAO’s mandate by promoting research, education, and networking opportunities for RMTs while supporting actions promoting a stronger public understanding of massage therapy.

Elizabeth has been an RMT since 2021, and a member of the RMTAO since she was a student. Elizabeth has experience in management, administrative, and practitioner roles in multi-disciplinary and fitness settings. Elizabeth has a passion for learning and frequently participates in continuing education. Transparency, advocacy, and collaboration are at the heart of Elizabeth’s approach to care. These values are what drive Elizabeth’s desire to participate in the board of directors. Elizabeth’s practice is primarily focused on manual lymphatic drainage and providing regular massage therapy to athletes and first responders. With her certification as Lymphedema Therapist, and as someone entering the sports world, Elizabeth will bring a unique perspective to the RMTAO.

Amanda Winter is a Registered Massage Therapist with 19 years of clinical experience and a strong leadership presence within Ontario’s massage therapy profession. For the past nine years, she has taught in higher education at Fanshawe College, where she plays a key role in advancing research literacy and evidence-informed clinical practice among emerging therapists. Amanda holds both a Bachelor of Health Sciences and a Master of Science degree, and her leadership extends beyond the classroom into professional advocacy and system-level development. She serves on the RMTAO Strategic Priorities Committee, Scope of Practice Committee and Scholarship and Grant Review Committee. Additionally, she is an accredited surveyor with the Canadian Massage Therapy Council for Accreditation (CMTCA), supporting excellence in education and clinical standards across Canada. Recipient of the 2025 RMTAO Research Award, Amanda was also recently invited to Queen’s Park Day to advocate for the profession directly with MPs and MPPs. She is honoured to be nominated by her peers to serve on the RMTAO Board of Directors and is committed to strengthening the profession’s future.

Vicente Zabala, Registered Massage Therapist. Vicente graduated from Sutherland Chan School of Massage Therapy in Toronto in 2012. He has been a member of RMTAO for over a decade. Vicente has seen what RMATAO can do for Therapists, and he knows the potential to help advance the profession. Vicente believes in evidence-based treatment and collaborative treatment planning for our patients. These principles are the standard, and he used these practices in his clinic. He also believes in continuously training and mentoring new therapists to achieve their full potential.
In addition, Vicente is currently a Massage Addict franchise owner located in Toronto. In the last five years operating his clinic, he has seen the ups and downs of being a clinic owner and as a therapist. His experience as a therapist and a business owner can bring various views and perspectives as a board member.