Our Team
Shelley Petersen
Principal of Aromatic Medicine Institute (formally known as Aromaflex Academy) and founder of Aromaflex (the shop www.aromaflex.co.nz). Head tutor of Aromatherapy, Aroma Science and Reflexology. Still passionate about teaching students Complementary Medicine and how it can support Allopathic Medicine. Qualifications not limited to, spanning over 30 years in SP Dip Aromatherapy, AMA Dip Reflexology MIFPA (UK), ITEC (UK); MNZROHA, MNZIR, Diploma in Aromatic Medicine & Diploma in Tertiary Teaching. The love of spirutal matters and family is how this all started, balanced with gardening, travelling, education and health, makes this the best job ever.
Bev Fockenga
Bev is a qualified obstetric nurse, Aromatherapist and Sports Massage practitioner. Bev teaches the Anatomy & Physiology & Pathology course in Nelson and moderates our students progress in this subject. Bev also works with the elderly in a retirement village as an relieving area co-ordinator. She is an advent tramper, and walker, does Thai Chi and happily married with 2 young adult children.
Christine Burn
Christine is a highly qualified Aromatherapist, MNZROHA, and has her National Certificate in Adult Teaching along with other Post Graduate qualifications in Aromatherapy, such as perfumery. Christine is our student support both in house and on-line. She is our qualified moderator and assessor and is a subject matter expert when it comes to essential oils. Christine is a musio and loves her garden. She has been part of this organisation for over 20 years and is dedicated to her students and their progress.
Ashley Ashton
BSc, Dip. Tchg. Married to Bethany and together they have 7 children. Ashley is a registered secondary school teacher in New Zealand and has taught Science, Biology and Chemistry. Ashley teaches the Chemistry part of the Aromatherapy course and has contributed to the updating of the course material for the Aroma Science course. Ashley loves the outdoors and has a wide range of interests. Having a keen and active interest in health issues and is a strong believer in that society has much to gain and learn from the complementary therapies when looking at the science of the oils.
Sally Escandila
Sally is one of our Administrators. Behind the scenes Sally works on administration documents for our compliance documents. Sally is an avid user of Aromatherapy products and is a believer of complementary medicine. Her hobbies consist of swimming and dancing. Sally is has a background of working on the ships in the antarctica looking after clients as they visit the South Pole.