Administration

James Mongan, CEO

James took over the Academy of Natural Therapy in 1995. His guidance, leadership, and wisdom has guided the school to expand and grow. James has always kept the quality of education very high, striving always to have a program that creates and forms therapists to be successful in the field of massage. He truly cares about the students and is dedicated to the massage industry as a whole. James is the founder of Mongans Own Lotions.

Jennifer Mongan, Executive Officer, Quality Assurance, Owner, Human Resources

Jennifer has been assisting with the Academy of Natural Therapy since 2000 when she graduated with a Bachelors of Science Degree from the University of Northern Colorado. Before that, she managed the Eaton Therapeutic Center and Natural Therapy Health Center. In her free time Jennifer loves to pray and to be with her seven beautiful and talented children. Jennifer is trained in several important departments at the Academy ranging from management, Admissions to Accounting to Quality Assurance. Jennifer’s ultimate goal is to share the Mongan families rich history of massage to every student and make sure that each student has a positive fulfilling and healing experience at the Academy of Natural Therapy

Jenn Negley, Director of Financial Aid

Jenn Negley serves as the Director of Financial Aid at the Academy of Natural Therapy, bringing more than nine years of experience in business consulting, strategic planning, and financial management. She is known for her thoughtful approach and practical problem solving, with expertise in budgeting, funding strategies, and long-term planning. Jenn now draws on this experience to provide clear guidance throughout the financial aid process. She is inspired by stories of entrepreneurship and community impact, passionate about lifelong learning, and often found unwinding on the Poudre River Trail with a good podcast.

Ashley Lenort | Director of Outreach and Recruitment LMT

Ashley works as Director of Outreach and Recruitment/LMT working on both school and clinic. She is a little bit everywhere & does many duties, including event preparation on site along with the community and works with all staff and students daily. Graduated from ANTC in 2024, An active Licensed Massage Therapist, and currently enrolled in school furthering her career! She spends her free time with her children and enjoys being outdoors.

Mary Jo Thaxton, Accounts Director

MaryJo has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business/Finance from Colorado State University. She has been crunching numbers at Academy of Natural Therapy since 2014. Along with her Accounting duties, she also manages the Human Resource department with all employees. MaryJo is a passionate soccer fan, skier, mom to three children, and has been married to her husband, Steve, for over 30 years.

Megan Baptist, Director of Esthetics

Deborah Todd | Senior Instructor Hydrotherapy, Communications, Neuromuscular Massage, Orthopedic Massage, Lymphatic Drainage, Special Needs, and Teaching Methods

Deb has been a massage therapist since 1999. She received her training from The Healing Arts Institute in Fort Collins, CO. She graduated in ‘99 and started her career as a therapist at Eaton Theraputic Center. She began her teaching career at the Academy of Natural Therapy in ‘01. She currently teaches Hydrotherapy, Communications, Neuromuscular Massage, Orthopedic Massage, Lymphatic Drainage, Speacial Needs and Teaching Methods. Deb is a talented performer and she often performs at the Academy graduations

Laura Syring, Neuromuscular 1, Sports Massage, Business, and Canine Massage.

Laura is a graduate of the Academy of Natural Therapy. Laura has a very active mobile Equine and Equine Massage Therapy Practice. She also owns her own horses and dogs. Laura is one of the current “Lead Mentors” at the school. She is very key with alumni relations and helping to get our graduates places successfully. She has maintained a very successful massage therapy practice for many years. She teaches Neuromuscular 1, Sports Massage, Business, and Canine Massage.

Sheri McCaskill, Instructor of Herbology

Sheri is the instructor of herbology. She is a certified herbologist. She loves herbs and loves to teach. Every moment is filled with life enriching knowledge in the natural herbal world.

Wendy McCormick, Instructor of Medical Massage and trigger point

Wendy has obtained her Associate of Applied Science Degree from the Academy of Natural Therapy. She has worked for years at the hospital as a Medical Massage Therapist. She is the teacher of Medical Massage and trigger point.

Amy Smith, Instructor of Reflexology, Shiatsu, and Exercise & Nutrition

Amy graduated from the Denver School of Massage Therapy in 2006. She spent many years working in a spa in the mountains and, cultivated a thriving private practice in both Denver and Aspen. Amy taught at the massage school she attended from 2009-2016. After relocating to Fort Collins in early 2017 to open and animal sanctuary with her partner, she began looking for teaching opportunities closer to home. Amy graduated from the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese medicine in 2017 and is a licensed acupuncturist. She practices both massage and acupuncture in her home office in Fort Collins. Amy believes everyone in the world deserves and needs massage, and since she can’t massage everyone, teaching others is the next best thing. She is passionate about health and healing and wants to bring that to as many people as possible.

Nicholas Boyd | Teacher

Originally a musician by trade, Nick has his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in jazz studies. His hobbies include hiking, biking, and cross stitching.

Alycia Muniz

Alycia is an Alumni of the Academy of Natural Therapy. She completed the Associate of Applied Science Degree from the Academy and has held Massage Therapy licensure since graduation. She has experience teaching at several schools.

Jaime Owens | LMT

Jaime has been practicing massage for over 20 years. She specializes in medical and customized therapeutic massage including soft tissue manipulation, deep tissue techniques, neuromuscular facilitation, trigger point therapy, and myofascial release, sports massage, and PNF Stretching. She has extensive course work in deep tissue, neuromuscular, and sports massage therapy as well as specialized training for TMJ, headache & migraine management, neck & shoulder issues, whiplash injury, shoulder pain & rehabilitation, and low back pain. Jaime believes in the power of massage to facilitate a balanced pain-free body, a relaxed and calm state of mind, and increased quality of life. Jaime’s goal is to facilitate pain reduction, ease chronic pain, and collaborate with the rehabilitation team to make lasting quality changes in strength, function, and balance.

Haley Nyarko/Gerk

Haley is an Alumni of the Academy of Natural Therapy. She has worked in the Academy clinic as well as a Medical Massage business for many years.

Wesley Cecil | CPM instructor

Wesley Cecil has dedicated much of his life to teaching and training across various fields. After a successful career in human resources, he semi-retired and embarked on a new journey in 2015 with the Academy of Natural Therapy. Since then, Wesley has remained actively involved with both the school and its clinic. During his time at the Academy, Wesley achieved significant milestones, including earning his 750-hour and 1,000-hour certifications, as well as an Associate of Applied Science degree. One of the highlights of his career was serving as a teaching assistant for Dorothy, the Academy’s founder, during her final advanced neurotherapy class. Under her mentorship, Wesley had the honor of learning the specialized skill of muscle testing.In his commitment to continued growth, Wesley has expanded his expertise to include Hawaiian Mana Lomi 1 and 2, cupping therapy, and even canine and equine massage, all studied at the Academy. He takes great pride in supporting students throughout their journey—from those early stages of uncertainty, through to graduation, when they stand with confidence, amazed at the depth of their knowledge and their proficiency in massage therapy

Brittany (Casey) Surlow | Coordinator

Brittany (known as Casey) Surlow is an alumni of Front Range Community College. She graduated with a degree in Business. Casey currently works full-time at the Academy as a Coordinator in the school and a Receptionist in the professional clinic. Outside of work, Casey enjoys spending time with her husband. They are avid gamers and play DnD with both sides of the family. Casey also enjoys visiting Rennesance Festivals and dressing up in cosplay.

Andy Duncan

Andy is an Alumni of the Academy of Natural Therapy. He specialized in Sport massage and rehabilitative massage. He has held a successful practice in Greeley Colorado for over 20 years. He has taught at the Academy for many years. He holds a bachelor degree as well.

Heather Muniz

Heather is an Alumni of the Academy of Natural Therapy. She completed the Associate of Applied Science Degree from the Academy and has been a massage therapist in the Academy Clinic for over 10 years.

AmySue Patterson

AmySue is an Alumni of the Academy of Natural Therapy. She also is a licensed Esthetician. She teaches in the Esthetician Program.

Sarah Schneider LMT

Sarah Schneider is a Licensed Massage Therapist and wellness professional with over a decade of experience in the health and wellness field. She is a proud graduate of the Academy of Natural Therapy, where she completed her 1,000-hour massage therapy certification. Sarah is also a Registered Yoga Teacher and is currently studying integrated manual therapy and corrective exercise, bringing a strong appreciation for human movement and body awareness into her teaching. Her background as a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach further informs her emphasis on anatomy, efficient body mechanics, and sustainable therapeutic practice. She is passionate about supporting students in building confidence, professionalism, and a lifelong, ethical career in massage therapy.

Victoria Else LE

Hi, I’m Victoria! I’m a licensed esthetician and wax specialist with 8 years of experience in the beauty industry, including the last 3 years owning and operating my own esthetics business. Through my career, I’ve developed a passion for connecting with people, creating a welcoming environment, and helping others feel confident in themselves. I’m excited to bring my experience, creativity, patience, and love of learning into the classroom. Outside of work, I’m a proud mom and dog mom who enjoys art and crafts, getting lost in a good book, and spending as much time outdoors as possible. I’m looking forward to getting to know my students, supporting their individual strengths, and creating a positive and encouraging environment where they can learn and grow!

Heather Burkhart

I love school, teaching, and learning from others. I love being involved in community resources that change people’s lives like our clinic and teaching the future massage therapists, estheticians, nurses, and CNAs. I am also involved in weld food bank, Project Linus, and teaching CPR to the public.  Also, love crafting and working with hands.

Lisa Buss

Lesli Bangert LMT

Megan Farrell LE

Laura Dunn LE

Johana Tamura LE
Hi there! I’m Johana (aka Miss Johana) I have been in Esthetics for over 20 years and I absolutely love it!  I have my own Spa, Studio Esthetics, in Loveland. I offer custom facials, Microdermabrasion, Procell MicroChanneling, also known as Microneedlin, organic Norvell  Spray tans and AMD Ionic foot detoxes. I enjoy making people feel good about themselves and educating them about skin care. I also enjoy sharing my knowledge of Esthetics with my students

Kristie Rud | Clinic Manager

Kristie is a 2023 graduate of the Academy of Natural Therapy and a licensed massage therapist. She is also a certified holistic nutritionist, Whole Food Supplement Specialist, and Nutrition Response Testing practitioner. As the clinic manager, Kristie is passionate about supporting students and practitioners while helping create a welcoming, professional environment for every client. Her approach reflects her belief in whole-person wellness and the body’s natural ability to heal when given the right support.

Dr. Jane Leavell

Dr. Jane is a world-renowned chiropractor. She is an enthusiastic instructor of Pathology and Anatomy and Physiology. She has taught around the nation and loves to share her expertise of the human body to eager students.