Team of Experts

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Meet The Zama Management Team

Spa Owner
Genevra Cardoso

Genevra Cardoso is the Owner of Zama Massage Therapeutic Spa. She joined the business as a partner in 2012 and became sole owner in 2015. Since then, she has helped grow Zama from a small local practice into one of Portland's premier therapeutic wellness destinations.

With more than 20 years of experience in the spa and wellness industry, Genevra's vision is rooted in a simple belief: healing the world one person at a time. She is passionate about creating a space where exceptional therapeutic care, advanced skincare, relaxation, and genuine hospitality come together under one roof.

Today, Genevra focuses on the long-term vision, guest experience, and continued evolution of Zama, working alongside an outstanding leadership team dedicated to helping every guest feel welcomed, cared for, and restored.

Outside of the spa, Genevra enjoys traveling with her husband Daniel and their three children, practicing yoga, cooking, and creating meaningful experiences with family and friends.


Spa Director
Shelley Morey

Shelley is the Spa Director at Zama Massage Therapeutic Spa and brings more than 25 years of leadership and customer service experience to the team. Her career began at Nordstrom, where she developed a passion for creating exceptional guest experiences and building meaningful customer relationships.

She has held leadership positions with respected brands including MAC Cosmetics, Chanel, Benefit Cosmetics, and Starbucks, bringing a strong background in luxury retail, hospitality, and team development to her role at Zama.

Shelley is dedicated to ensuring every guest feels welcomed, cared for, and valued while helping create the exceptional experience that has become a hallmark of Zama.

Outside of work, Shelley enjoys spending time with her husband Larry and their dog Lucy, practicing hot yoga, and cooking for family and friends.


Assistant Spa Manager
Lisa Sawabini Assad

Lisa has been a licensed Esthetician since 2007 and brings more than 20 years of experience in the beauty and skincare industry. Her career began in retail cosmetics, where she managed prestigious brands including Stila and Clarins at Nordstrom before serving as the HABA Manager for an integrative pharmacy.

In 2013, Lisa joined Benefit Cosmetics as Lead Esthetician, specializing in brow waxing, threading, tinting, and brow lamination. Her exceptional attention to detail, artistry, and dedication to client care earned her recognition as one of Benefit Cosmetics' Top 30 Estheticians in the United States.

As Assistant Spa Manager at Zama, Lisa is passionate about supporting the spa team while ensuring every guest receives an exceptional experience and the highest level of care.

Outside of work, Lisa enjoys spending time with her husband Greg and their cat, Sheba. She loves antique shopping, exploring thrift stores, discovering great happy hours, and spending time with her son, bonus children, and their spouses.


Lead Massage Therapist
Alex Broder

Alex's introduction to massage therapy began at age 13 while undergoing chemotherapy treatment for leukemia. Massage was recommended to help manage the side effects of treatment, and the positive impact it had on his physical and mental well-being left a lasting impression.

After earning a Bachelor's Degree in Religious Studies, Alex pursued his passion for healing and graduated from the National Holistic Institute in San Jose, California, in 2010. His training included a wide range of Western and Eastern modalities, including Swedish, Deep Tissue, Shiatsu, and Thai massage.

With more than 15 years of experience and over 7 years at Zama, Alex serves as Zama's Lead Massage Therapist. He specializes in Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports, and rehabilitative massage, creating sessions that help reduce pain, restore movement, and support the body's natural ability to heal.


Lead Massage Therapist
Lindsey Thornton

With more than a decade of experience, Lindsey brings a thoughtful, therapeutic approach to every massage session. She specializes in craniosacral therapy, lymphatic drainage, deep tissue massage, Swedish massage, oncology massage, and ashiatsu, creating customized treatments that blend effective pain relief with deep relaxation.

In addition to her clinical work, Lindsey has held leadership and educational roles training future massage therapists at local schools. Her passion for both teaching and healing allows her to bring a well-rounded perspective to each session.

Known for her calming presence and attentive care, Lindsey creates a supportive environment where clients can release tension, restore balance, and support the body's natural healing process.


Lead Esthetician
Julie Nguyen

Julie serves as Esthetics Lead at Zama Massage Therapeutic Spa, where she supports and mentors the esthetics team while helping bring Zama's vision and core values to life. With experience in leadership, customer service, sales, and operations, she is passionate about creating exceptional experiences for both guests and staff.

A licensed Esthetician for more than nine years, Julie graduated from Paul Mitchell The School Portland and specializes in HydraFacial treatments and Éminence Organic Skin Care. Her commitment to continued learning, combined with a Bachelor of Arts in General Science and additional studies in Food and Nutrition through Stanford University School of Medicine, reflects her passion for health, wellness, and whole-person care.

Julie believes that skincare is about more than appearance—it is an opportunity to support confidence, well-being, and self-care. She is dedicated to helping guests achieve their skincare goals while creating a relaxing and personalized spa experience.

Outside of work, Julie enjoys exploring Portland's dining scene with her daughter, Naomi, discovering new restaurants one bite at a time.


Zama Massage Therapeutic Spa

2149 NE Broadway Street
PortlandOregon 97232
Off street parking in back (compact cars only).

Call: 503.281.0278

Text: 503-966-4509

Email: info@zamamassage.com

Hours

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
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