Founder, Event Planner, Facilitator

Michelle Gallagher Escobar

A Kamaʻāina of Hilo for over 30 years, Michelle has nurtured a life of tending to the wild mother, teacher, dancer, traveler, and wild woman within. She understands what it’s like to be a woman living far from the cocoon she grew up in. The process of uprooting and reestablishing can be both liberating and traumatic. We lose much-needed connection in our search for a more meaningful and fulfilling life. We all have different stories, but our needs for connection are the same.

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First and foremost, Michelle thrives as a dance healer. Movement therapy and dance releases offer women the outlet for expressing themselves in ways that words cannot. Dance is art therapy and freedom of expression all rolled up into one, and she invites all movers regardless of their abilities or past experiences. She is also on an endless mission of inviting and exploring new ideas and methods to offer well-rounded and unique retreats so each woman can discover what works best for her as an authentic individual. Beyond her experiences as a facilitator, event organizer, dancer, teacher, mother, traveler, and guardian of dogs, she has recently taken workshops, webinars, and courses that influence her offerings:

• Kestenberg Movement Profile (reading body language to help attune to guest needs) through ADTA

• Biodanza (embracing community and emotions through movement with music)

• DreamDancing® analysis (connecting movement with our dreams) with Tina Stromsted

• Red Tent with DeAnna Lam

• Forest Therapy (Sylvotherapy) with Alma Oasis

• Usui Reiki Training I/II with Katia of Rainbow Reiki Energy

• Sistership Circle

• Techniques of Marian Chace, Trudi Schoop, and Mary Whitehouse

RAW Founder and Photographer

Jamie Nease

Jamie Nease is an ex-Google engineer turned transformational portrait photographer located on the Big Island of Hawai’i. She's on a mission to help women let go of the shame inflicted on them in their culture, so they can see their inherent beauty, let go of limiting beliefs, and step into their purpose. She couples her knowledge of photography with her extensive knowledge of healing through self image, and creates a space where women can let go of the mask and see their power, potential, and timeless beauty. Her RAW project was created from a deep desire for women to be fully expressed and in their power, so that they can step forward and heal the world.

Guest Licensed Therapist

Verna Loosli

Verna is a Licensed Psychotherapist, and she has thirty years of experience working with diverse populations, both individuals and couples, with the last 11 years in Hawaii. Her passion is to help women reach their personal health and mental health goals in a supportive setting. Verna strives to be a warm, genuine, and compassionate person, and strives to provide a safe and non-judgmental space.

Chef

Ruth-Anne from HeartBeet Catering

Ruth-Anne is a seasoned culinary professional with a wealth of experience in the diverse roles of a professional kitchen. Growing up she spent much of her time tending to her family's garden and honing her cooking skills, which ultimately led her down the path to becoming a skilled chef.

Cultivating immense satisfaction from nourishing others through her creations, Ruth-Anne finds a deep sense of connection through the motions of feeding others.

While she has achieved great success in the culinary world, Ruth-Anne's interests extend far beyond the kitchen. She has a passion for working outdoors with plants and medicinal herbs, with plans to travel the world to study and learn about their spectrum of uses and benefits. As a natural caregiver and nurturer, she brings this same spirit of compassion and kindness to all of her endeavors. In both cooking delicious meals and tending to the needs of those around her, Ruth-Anne is always driven by a deep desire to help and care for others.

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Facilitator's Assistant

Nancy Campbell

Nancy has called Hawai'i home since 2015 - O'ahu first and now in Hilo. She’s a lifetime artist. She has led creativity-related classes and earned awards for her art in recent shows. She is a 20-year licensed medical massage therapist, a team-teaching assistant in massage school, and a teacher of massage and wellness-related classes. Nancy most recently led a group hike at Wild Women Hawai'i's "Embrace" retreat and she is looking forward to participating this time in the role of assistant to Michelle. Nancy’s love for organization, sharing, and collaborating with others creatively will help Michelle make this the best retreat yet!