Board of Directors

AMTA-Illinois Board of Directors

The Chapter Board governs the activities of the AMTA-Illinois Chapter. Terms of office are for two years. Board positions include: President, 2 Board Members, Secretary, and Financial Administrator.  The President, one board member and secretary are elected in even-numbered years. The other board position and and financial administrator are elected in odd-numbered years. If mid-term vacancies occur, appointments are made by the Board until the next scheduled election. Elections are held online.

The Chapter Board meets monthly, either in person or by conference call. Members are welcome to attend in order to understand the operation of the Board. Call the Chapter office for date and location information for upcoming Board meetings.

All Board members can be reached through the Chapter office at 847-430-0203 or via email at http://illinois@amtamassage.org.

Current Board of Directors

  • President: Colleen Grabow
  • Board Member:  Sandy Saldano
  • Board Member: Kathleen Quinn
  • Financial Administrator: Kimm Danzie
  • Secretary:  Kim Miller

*Vacancies will be filled by Board of Directors Vote

President – Colleen Grabow

Colleen became an active member of AMTA in 2016 as a student and began volunteering with the Illinois chapter in 2017. Her volunteer drive led her to serve on the Membership Committee and Governments Relations team, eventually she stepped into leadership roles as Membership Chair and Online Election Coordinator. In 2024, Colleen was appointed Chapter President and continues to be dedicated in advancing the profession.

A graduate of the Illinois Valley Community College (IVCC) Therapeutic Massage Program, Colleen earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Massage therapy in 2018. Following her graduation, she joined the IVCC massage program as part-time staff member and later transitioned into an adjunct instructor role. In this capacity, she taught various courses, including Business, Professional Development, Ethics, Capstone Seminar, Massage Clinical, and Advanced Clinical Massage.

Colleen works full-time in her private practice in Ottawa. She is also proud to serve as a Community Care Network provider for the United States Department of Veteran’s Affairs, supporting the health and well being of veterans in and around her community.

Board Member – Sandy Saldano

With over 37 years of experience in the massage profession, Sandy Saldano has devoted her career to advancing the field of massage therapy. Her passion lies in demonstrating the value of massage as more than just a luxury—it is a basic need and an integral component of healthcare. Sandy is committed to advocating for the profession by supporting higher standards in education, conduct, and policies, ensuring massage therapists receive the recognition they deserve within the healthcare community.

Throughout her career, Sandy has balanced her dedication to her practice with leadership roles that serve her peers and community. She has been a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) for 37 years and the President of Therapeutic Kneads, Ltd. for 27 years. Her contributions extend beyond her practice; she served as Board President of the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce (2007–2009) and has been a member of the Illinois State Licensing Board for Massage Therapy since May 2022. In this role, she collaborates on licensing cases and participates in efforts to uphold the profession’s standards.

Sandy’s commitment to service is evident in her community involvement, which includes serving as a school board chair and a member of her church’s parish council. In these capacities, she has helped organize events, shape policies, manage budgets, and lead fundraising initiatives. She approaches each role with a focus on collaboration and positive impact.

Sandy remains dedicated to supporting massage therapists and advancing the profession, working toward a future where massage therapy is recognized as a vital part of mainstream healthcare.

 

Board Member- Kathleen Quinn

Kathleen, who goes by Katie, has been an AMTA member since she was attending Cortiva Institute- Woodridge, IL in 2010. Once graduating in October of 2011 Katie continued her membership with AMTA, and in 2022 began to dive into the volunteer side of AMTA when she joined the awards committee, and in 2024 stepping into a leadership role as Membership Chair. As of 2025 Katie is now serving as a board member and liaison for Government Relations Committee. Katie wants to continue to do what she can to keep the IL chapter moving in a positive direction and continue to inform and educate our members of all things massage related.

Katie has been working full time in the spa setting with Tricoci since 2012, and as of 2019 she became the educator for the massage department within Tricoci while still actively working on the floor as a massage therapist. She helps newly hired, as well as tenured massage therapists grow and continue their success in their massage career.  Additionally, in 2024 Katie became an Approved Provider for NCTMB and continues to grow and learn in her massage/education career as well as her volunteerism with AMTA.

Financial Administrator – Kimm Danzie

I became a member of the AMTA, as a student, in 2008. I obtained my license for massage therapy in 2009, and have owned and operated my massage therapy practice on the southside of Chicago, since 2011. My goal as Financial Administrator is to serve the AMTA Illinois chapter and its members by helping to advance the profession through education.

Secretary – Kim Miller