About the Founder

Hi- I’m Annie, and I created Columbia River Institute because I believe in the life-changing impact of massage therapy for clients, for therapists, and for the communities we touch.

After becoming a massage therapist and running my own private practice for several years, I started to notice something: too many entry-level therapists were leaving school unprepared for the real demands of the profession. I knew it didn’t have to be that way.

So I built CRI from the ground up with a curriculum that focuses on practical skills, critical thinking, and creativity, not just memorization. I’ve always believed massage is both a science and an art, and I designed our program to reflect that balance. My students graduate with confidence in their hands and their minds, ready to succeed in this beautiful profession.

As our world has changed, I’ve spent a lot of time considering how to move the program to a hybrid format- blending in-person and online education without losing the intimacy and connection that makes CRI so special. I’m proud of the thoughtful, student-centered approach we’ve created to keep that close-knit, personal feel while making the program more accessible.

In addition to teaching and leading CRI, I serve as the Associate Director of Operations for the Massage Therapy Foundation, contributing to research, education, and service at a national level. I’m also proud to serve as President of Pushing Boundaries in Redmond, a nonprofit dedicated to providing exercise therapy for people living with paralysis, helping them regain strength, independence, and quality of life.