April 2026 President's Letter

Greetings,

As we enter a season of renewal and new beginnings—marked for some by Easter and for others by the natural shift into spring, I am reminded of the beauty of transformation and the importance of honoring both our roots and our growth. It is in this spirit that I am delighted to share meaningful updates with you from the Alliance of International Aromatherapists.

I am proud to unveil the refreshed edition of our AIA Journal, Aromatics In Action®, now featuring a beautiful new design that reflects both our professionalism and our evolving identity. This transformation would not have been possible without the dedication and vision of our incredible team. I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to Amanda Lattin, our AIA Journal Liaison, who has stepped into executive leadership as Interim Editor; Tresa Staeven, our COO who makes sure that things are kept moving; Emelyn Yu, our talented Publication Designer; our Technical Review Board; and every contributor who gave their time and expertise to bring this new chapter to life. I am truly proud of what we have created together. We warmly welcome your feedback, please feel free to reach out to us via email.

Celebrating Our 20th Anniversary

In celebration of our upcoming 20th Anniversary, I have also begun a series of interviews with our AIA founders. These conversations have been deeply inspiring, offering not only a glimpse into the origins of AIA but also a meaningful opportunity for reflection on what truly matters as we move forward. As your new President, I am committed to honoring our identity and strengthening our sense of AIA pride, while remaining open and responsive to the changing needs of our global community. You will soon see highlights from these interviews through our Founders Series on social media, an invitation for all of us to reconnect with our roots and envision our shared future.

I am excited to share two meaningful opportunities designed to support your growth, celebrate your work, and strengthen our global aromatherapy community. First, the Small Distiller’s Grant, created to support artisan distillers working on a small scale while bringing greater visibility to their craft. Selected recipients will receive a complimentary exhibitor booth at the 2026 Aromatics in Action® Conference, along with up to $500 in travel support to help make attendance possible. If you are passionate about distillation and want to share your story, we warmly invite you to apply via https://bit.ly/2026-Small-Distiller-Grant. Application deadline is on April 30, 2026.

     

Mentoring & Community Connections

In addition, we are opening applications for the AIA Live Group Mentoring Series through the AIA Research Academy. If you’ve ever wanted to publish in the AIA Journal or present at the 2026 AIA Conference, this is your opportunity. This engaging and supportive mentoring program is designed to guide you step-by-step in developing your case study, with the goal of helping you submit your work for publication before the end of 2026. Whether you are new to writing or ready to refine your research, we are here to support you. You can apply for the mentoring series here.

We believe in your voice, your work, and your contribution to the field of aromatherapy. These initiatives are part of our commitment to helping you grow, connect, and be recognized within our community as we look forward to supporting your journey.

For April, don’t miss out on this line-up of events:

• April 10 – MN Meet & Greet: Fragrant Frequency Experience with Jacqueline Higgins and Falina Stammer [RSVP via E-mail to be11y1augh.w.me@gmail.com]

• April 12 – PH Meet & Greet: Unique Essences with Dominique Cerqueda [Register here]

• April 15 – AIA Monthly Webinar The Seasonal Body - An Ayurvedic Lens for Aromatherapists with Maria Fiordalisi [Register here]

• April 27 – Aromatic Book Club: Hydrosol Therapy by Lydia Bosson [Register here]

I would also like to encourage each of you to become more actively involved in our growing organization. One of the most impactful ways to do this is by serving as an AIA Representative (I started as an AIA Rep myself and it still is my favorite group of people to work with!). We are currently supported by 25 outstanding Representatives around the world, and we are looking to expand this network even further. If you are a member in good standing and are passionate about advancing professional aromatherapy while supporting your local community, we warmly invite you to consider joining our international team. For more information or to inquire about available opportunities, please contact us at info@alliance-aromatherapists.org.

As we embrace this season of renewal, I thank you for your continued trust, passion, and commitment to AIA. Together, we continue to grow, evolve, and uplift the practice of aromatherapy worldwide.

 In the name of humble service,

 Jirbie