Mission
IMTPA exists to support the massage therapy profession in Illinois through advocacy, education, and collaboration. We aim to strengthen professional legitimacy, promote public trust, and encourage policies that reflect real-world practice.
Values
- Professional legitimacy: clear standards and public trust.
- Practical advocacy: grounded in Illinois regulation and marketplace realities.
- Collaboration: therapists, schools, and employers are part of one ecosystem.
- Clarity: plain-language explanations that help the public and the profession.
What IMTPA is
- A statewide professional association focused on Illinois.
- A hub for information and collaboration across key stakeholders.
- An advocacy voice for practical, safety-forward standards.
What IMTPA is not
- Not a CE marketplace.
- Not a political or ideological organization.
- Not a replacement for your insurance provider or business tools.
Board of Directors
Colleen Grabow, LMT - President
Colleen Grabow graduated from Illinois Valley Community College (IVCC) with an associate degree in the applied science of massage therapy. She later became an adjunct instructor at IVCC teaching in the massage therapy program. She volunteered with AMTA-Il chapter for 9 years, working on government relation committee, as membership chair, and served as the chapter’s president. Currently, Colleen practices massage in her private practice located in Ottawa and is a Community Care Partner with the VA. In her spare time Colleen enjoys spending time with her grand kids, attending concerts, and volunteering for Find a Grave.
Julie Bevel, LMT - Treasurer
Donna Sarvello, LMT - Secretary
Donna Sarvello is a seasoned massage therapy professional with over 27 years of experience. A graduate of the Chicago School of Massage Therapy in 1998, she has built her career through collaborative care with physical therapists, chiropractors, and holistic health professionals. Her clinical expertise includes Swedish massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, sports and pregnancy massage, stretching, hot and cold stone therapy, and deep tissue work. Donna has taught core curriculum at Everest College, collaborated with continuing education providers, and led the exam writing committee for the Board Certification Examination through the National Certification Board for Massage Therapy and Bodywork. She has served as Director of Education and continues to support schools through teaching and administrative work. Currently, she is growing her private practice, helping clients achieve optimal well-being. She also served as a volunteer Board Member for the Alliance for Massage Therapy Educators from 2021 to 2026.
Tara Stubler - Director
Tara Stubler, LMT, is a licensed massage therapist in Illinois and a proud member of the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP). A 2009 graduate of the IVCC Massage Therapy Program, she brings 16 years of hands-on clinical experience to her work and to the profession as a whole. Throughout her career, Tara has pursued advanced education in movement-based and therapeutic modalities, holding certifications in Neurokinetic Therapy (NKT), Orthopedic Massage, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, and Kinesio Taping, and completing numerous seminars in functional movement and integrative bodywork. She is deeply passionate about client education, emphasizing the body’s natural safety mechanisms and empowering clients with practical self-care strategies beyond the treatment room. As a director of this newly formed association, Tara is excited to help advance the profession, support fellow therapists, and contribute to building a strong, ethical, and forward-thinking organization, reflecting her ongoing commitment to learning, leadership, and innovation.
Michelle Anderson, LMT - Director
Emmanuel Bistas, LMT - Director
Emmanuel Bistas began his massage therapy journey while in engineering school, initially seeking a flexible way to support himself through college. Massage therapy aligned with his long-standing interest in the human body, movement and exercise, natural living, and a personal meditation practice grounded in presence and awareness. His career evolved along two parallel paths, massage therapy and technology, which later converged in the creation of a massage therapy school and clinic. He advocates for a profession supported by thoughtful systems that protect the public while preserving an open marketplace that encourages creativity, ethical competition, and innovation. Emmanuel served for ten years on the state massage therapy licensing board and has contributed to multiple committees with the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB).
Questions or partnership inquiries: info@imtpa.org