Tess McGrath, Executive Director
Linkedin
After graduating from Lehigh University, where she studied Accounting and Finance and was the captain of the women’s lacrosse team, Tess traveled extensively throughout the United States, New Zealand, and Kenya for nearly a year and a half. While in Kenya, she worked for a micro-finance organization helping to launch small businesses. Tess first came to Samara to work for Asociacion CREAR, a local non-profit organization, in June of 2012 as a continuation of her Master’s thesis work in Kenya. In December of 2012, she graduated from SUNY Albany with a Master’s Degree in Non-Profit Management and quickly returned to Samara to pick up where she left off. In January of 2014, Tess joined the CRSMT team, excited and ready to put her unique set of skills to work. She is an integral part of the staff providing support to both instructors and students as they embark upon a new chapter of their lives. She also continues to work closely with CREAR as a board member. She is passionate about holistic living, traveling, and connecting with nature. She loves to go on adventures with her family and friends in her free time.
Janet Frus, Director of Education and Lead Instructor
Linkedin
Jan is the Director of Education and Lead Instructor at CRSMT. She is a licensed massage therapist and registered nurse. She teaches western massage techniques and hydrotherapy classes and is our Clinic Supervisor. She’s also a CRSMT alumna. She has always felt passionate about helping people, especially helping people with their healing journey. Jan first pursued this passion as an emergency room nurse. In that role, she received specialized training including becoming a Trauma Nurse Specialist, teaching the Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course, and training to become a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. After 15 years in the emergency room, she was ready for a change but still wanted to help people. She has been receiving bodywork since the age of 11 and knows firsthand the power it has to change someone’s life. She found CRSMT and fell in love with the school and Costa Rica. Jan is delighted to be back at the school, offering a unique perspective as someone who’s, “been there,” and knows what wonderful things happen when you follow the school’s advice and, “trust the process!”
Bill Burden, Director of Marketing
Linkedin
Bill leads the admissions, marketing, and technology departments at CRSMT. Bill was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies from the University of Arizona. He has worked in management, sales, and marketing for over 15 years in the fields of hospitality, technology, and education. He is also a certified English teacher and holds a master’s degree in International Education from Framingham State University. He loves working in the area of educational tourism, and also provides consulting in the areas of design and digital marketing for local businesses and serves on the board of directors of the local non-profit, Asociación CREAR. Bill is passionate about photography, adventures, and spending time with friends and family.
