Save My Spot!

Meet Our Presenters:

Amanda Liptak

Amanda is a Registered & Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist with more than 24 years experience helping thousands of people improve their health through practical, evidence-based nutrition. As the founder and owner of Nutrient Rich Life, she specializes in functional nutrition and nutrition psychology. 

Known for making complex nutrition science easy to understand, Amanda is passionate about helping women uncover root causes to symptoms and creating realistic and sustainable habits that last. And her patients commonly say "I didn't realize how bad I felt until I finally felt good." Because one thing that Amanda is very good at is helping women realize how much they've been normalizing symptoms.

She is a business coach, national media and local TV contributor, speaker and active in community networking groups. She created the SheRises Retreat to give women the education, tools and community they need to feel seen! 

Amanda lives in Hinckley, Ohio, and when not coaching or running events, you can find her spending time with family or creating meals in the kitchen!

Melissa Manilla

Dr. Melissa Manilla’s passion for health and wellness began in childhood, when reading nutrition labels was simply fun. She studied Human Nutrition and Exercise Science at The Ohio State University before earning her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from National University of Health Sciences. Realizing her true calling was clinical nutrition, she went on to earn her Master’s in Human Nutrition & Functional Medicine with distinction from the University of Western States. She also completed more than 300 hours of acupuncture training and is certified in cupping therapy.

Through extensive continuing education in functional medicine, endocrinology, thyroid health, neurology, blood chemistry analysis, and clinical nutrition, Dr. Melissa has developed a special interest in autoimmune disease, fertility, thyroid disorders, gut health, and weight management.

Her greatest passion is fertility care. After experiencing two pregnancy losses of her own, she understands firsthand the challenges of trying to conceive and is committed to supporting women with compassion throughout every step of their journey.

Outside the clinic, Dr. Melissa enjoys traveling, staying active, trying new restaurants, and spending time with her husband, Andy, their children, Kai and Isla, and their two doodles, Macy and Fiona.

Rachel Russel

Rachel Russell is a board-certified occupational therapist specializing in pelvic floor therapy. Throughout her career, she’s helped hundreds—if not thousands—of individuals across a variety of settings, from rehabilitation to public schools. While her experience spans all ages, women’s pelvic health has become her life’s work.

Rachel’s passion became deeply personal after the birth of her first child in 2018, when she experienced firsthand the physical challenges many women are told are simply “normal” after childbirth. Following a traumatic birth and emergency C-section in 2020, she became determined to change the standard of postpartum care and founded Rooted Pelvic Wellness in 2021.

Rachel takes a whole-person approach to healing, recognizing the connection between the physical body, nervous system, and emotional well-being. She combines evidence-based pelvic floor therapy with holistic principles to help women reduce pain, restore function, and regain confidence in their bodies.

A cornerstone of Rachel’s work is nervous system regulation. At the She Rises Retreat, she’ll share practical tools to help you better understand how your nervous system influences pelvic health, pain, and healing—empowering you to move forward with greater confidence, resilience, and hope.

Julie Ann Marini

Julie Marini is the owner of The Essence of Spirituality. She is a Usui/Holy Fire® III Reiki Master Teacher with a background in meditation and sound healing.

With over 30 years as a dance instructor, she developed a deep understanding of presence, connection, and the mind body relationshop. Her work now focuses on creating calm, supportive experiences through Reiki, sound baths, and thoughtfully selected crystals and tools. 

Julie's sound bath offers a calming, immersive experience that invites the body to relax and the mind to soften. Through a blend of cound frequencies, Reiki, and gentle meditation, each session is thoughtfully guided to support a deeper sense of ease and presence. The space is held with intention and care, allowing you to settle in, unwind, and recieve without expectation.

Jess Pazz 

Jess Patz is a speaker, nervous system educator, and domestic violence advocate whose work centers on the connection between trauma, health, and body centered healing. As a TEDx presenter, Jess brings a powerful blend of lived experience and trauma-informed education to stages across the country. She helps audiences understand how survival shapes the nervous system and why healing requires more than simply willpower or resilience.

Having survived domestic abuse and years of post-separation trauma, Jess rebuilt her life from the ground up. After finally finding safety and stability, her body began to unravel leading to a lupus diagnosis and later, a stroke that required her to relearn how to walk. These experiences reshaped her understanding of healing and inspired her work at the intersection of embodiment, nervous system regulation, and leadership.

Jess challenges conventual ideas of resilience, pushing back on the belief that endurance is proof of strength. She teaches that regulation, not just pushing through, is the foundation of lasting health, leadership, and healing. Her work equips audiences to move beyond survival mode and
into clarity, capacity, and restored life.

Natalie Santivasci

Natalie Santivasi is honored to be part of the She Rises Retreat, offering an adaptive chair yoga experience designed to help women integrate movement, mindfulness, and wellness into everyday life. She is a 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher with advanced training in adaptive/chair yoga, restorative yoga, trauma-informed yoga, Yin yoga, aromatherapy, Reiki, and integrated wellness.

Natalie’s yoga journey began in 2018 after discovering Hatha Yoga during her years as a stay-at-home mom. She quickly developed a passion for making yoga accessible to those who may not feel at home in a traditional class, believing everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the connection between mind, body, and spirit.

Since becoming certified in adaptive/chair yoga in 2020, Natalie has dedicated herself to helping students of all abilities experience the benefits of movement, mindfulness, and self-discovery. In 2024, she completed an additional 300-hour Integrated Wellness certification, further expanding her expertise in restorative and trauma-informed practices.

Through her teaching, Natalie encourages students to honor themselves, embrace the present moment, and discover strength, peace, and confidence both on and off the mat.

You can find Natalie teaching adaptive yoga at Roots Yoga in Medina and restorative yoga at Grace & Gratitude Yoga Studio.

Order Your Event Apparel

A Note About Meals & Snacks

A continent breakfast will be served from 8:00 am to 8:50 am. A full lunch is provided by the venue and will be GLUTEN FREE, option for Dairy Free and Vegan. Snacks & drinks will be available throughout the day. You may bring your own food if you have special dietary needs.

Thank You to Our Signature Sponsors

We are so grateful for thier support