Our Staff
Richel D’Ambra
Owner
E-mail: richel@richeldambra.com
The driving force behind the success of the Richel D’Ambra Spa & Salon is great dedication and superb customer service. Strongly influenced by her family values and Italian heritage Richel has focused her career on quality of treatment with respect to the body. A pioneer in her field, Richel D’Ambra opened one of the first North American Day Spas in the 1980s. The first day spa owner to hold an executive seat on its board of directors, Richel was honored by the International Spa Association in 1999 and was instrumental for bringing day spas into the organization.
Acclaimed for her superb quality of service and professionalism, as well as her nurturing personality, Richel has been noted in various leading publications, such as American Spa, American Salon, Allure, Elle, Mademoiselle, Good Housekeeping, Philadelphia Magazine, Philadelphia Style, Self, Town & Country, and Vogue.
Najada Merdani
Manager
E-mail: najada@richeldambra.com
Experience, Specializations, and Achievements: Najada graduated from the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management at Temple University in 2011. She was born in Albania, grew up in Greece, and believes experiencing different cultures has ultimately prepared and trained her for the very diverse world that we live in today.
What do you love most about what you do? Human interaction. Every day is different, filled with new experiences, people, and challenges.
What inspires you? Travelling! I love experiencing new and different cultures and places… preferably those with a beach!
Regina Ricci, LMT
Massage Therapist, Esthetician, Reiki Master, Theta Energy Worker / Over 20 Years of Experience
E-mail: regina@richeldambra.com
Experience, Specializations, and Achievements: Formulated a distinct mind-body healing touch.
What is your best service? Signature Facial, Signature Massage
What do you love most about what you do? Transforming a client to glowing skin and a relaxed sense of being.
What inspires you? Staying connected to source and working on multiple dimensions of health. Helping clients through the use of mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual modalities.
Tom Kirby, LMT, BS, DC
Massage Therapist / Over 26 Years of Experience including Pressure Point Therapy and Chiropractic
E-mail: tom@richeldambra.com
Experience, Specializations, and Achievements: Tom has studied more than 23 martial arts over 34 years, various forms of meditation, Qi Gong, and Tai Chi, as well as Neurology and its application in Mind/Body work as it relates to physical health, performance, and achieving goals.
What is your best service? Signature Massage
What do you love most about what you do? I love helping people wherever they are in their personal journey of health, fitness, or life expression, to meet their goals in whatever way I can.
What inspires you? I am inspired most by having the opportunity to work with clients so they can feel and be better, thus contributing to a potentially improved global society. Each client is an opportunity for me to assist them to express themselves at their best, making their lives more rewarding and fulfilling.
Nancy Connell, LMT
Massage Therapist / 7 Years Experience
E-mail: nancy@richeldambra.com
Experience, Specializations, and Achievements: Nancy spent over 20 years in the financial industry, which included several years as an Options Trader on The Philadelphia Stock Exchange. Her own personal experience with massage therapy as a stress reliever inspired her to become a massage therapist.
What is your best service? My treatments, to assist you on your healing journey, include Swedish, Deep Tissue, and Sports Massage as well as Hot Stone Therapy, and the use of Young Living Aromatherapy oils to achieve your specific goals.
What do you love most about what you do? I am very passionate about my career choice and feel I can help others achieve relief from physical as well as emotional stress in their daily lives. My number one priority is client satisfaction.
What inspires you? I strongly believe in massage as a viable modality for enhancing overall health and wellbeing. I intentionally create a massage which is tailored toward the individual needs of each client by using multiple techniques to get the best results possible.
James Roslon, LMT, NCTMB
Massage Therapist / Over 7 Years Experience
E-mail: james@richeldambra.com
Experience, Specializations, and Achievements: James was trained at the Cortiva Institute, Somerset School of Massage Therapy, and has been practicing massage for over 7 years. He is accredited by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB), and currently holds licenses in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He is also a professional member of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). In addition to his ongoing massage training, James holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of New Jersey. His combination of experience and education allows him to provide an integrative approach to help his clients achieve their massage treatment goals.
Lorrie McCourt
Massage Therapist / 11 Years of Experience
E-mail: lorrie@richeldambra.com
What is your best service? I give every service my best.
What do you love most about what you do? The fact that I spend all day helping people feel better.
What inspires you? When my clients and I are a perfect fit; I find that to be extremely inspiring.
Ettore Mastroddi
Master Stylist
E-mail: ettore@richeldambra.com
Experience, Specializations, and Achievements: Ettore Mastroddi is a sought-after contemporary hair stylist based in Philadelphia where he has built a reputation for high-quality, innovative work.
Ettore began his advanced training after a trip to Paris Fashion Week where he insistently knew that hairdressing had become his calling. He remained in Paris, refining his skills, while working with Alexander de Paris and such organizations such as Haute Couture and Inter Couture New York. After relocating to Philadelphia, Ettore served as Artistic Director at Pierre and Carlo for 10 years working on sensational collections while also working freelance.
His work has appeared in established magazines such as Vogue, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, GQ, and backstage in international fashion week. He has tended to tresses of such A-list names such as Susan Sarandon, Elizabeth Taylor, and Liza Minnelli. His vast and loyal clientele are a testament to his core salon role as one of the most exceptional hairdressers of his generation.
What inspires you? My personal phrase: “Making the world Beautiful one person at a time!”
Kathy Ahern
Master Stylist and Colorist / 35 Years of Experience
E-mail: kathy@richeldambra.com
Experience, Specializations, and Achievements: Appeared on Paris stage for Haute Coiffure’s 50th Anniversary. Published in several magazines. Platform work for Art & Fashion Group and Intercoiffure.
What is your best service? Bridal Styling, Hair Cuts, and Hair Color
What do you love most about what you do? Making people happy.
What inspires you? Building trust and confidence with my clients. Creating signature looks that people will love.
Barbara Croce Lutz
Master Stylist and Colorist / 35 Years of Experience
E-mail: barbara@richeldambra.com
Experience, Specializations, and Achievements: 2nd Place “Best Stylist” – Philadelphia Weekly Image Awards (2010); 1st Place “Best Colorist” – Philadelphia Weekly Image Awards (2009); 2nd Place “Best Stylist” – Best of Philly (2008); 1st Place – Philadelphia Style “Make Me Over” Competition (2004); Work featured in Passion and other publications.
What is your best service? Color, specifically blond hair and corrective hair color. I’m the one to come to when someone else destroys your hair!
What do you love most about what you do? I love meeting new and interesting people and using my creativity to give my clients the hair that they have always wanted. Seeing how a new hairstyle can transform the way a person feels about him/herself is truly amazing.
What inspires you? I find inspiration in those who are willing to take creative chances with their look.
Denise “Regina” Krenski
Master Stylist and Colorist / 36 Years of Experience
E-mail: denise.regina@richeldambra.com
What is your best service? Hair Cuts
What do you love most about what you do? Making people feel and look beautiful.
What inspires you? Being around other stylists—everyone does things differently. I have always enjoyed watching other people do hair. I get inspired by my peers. Stylists are always very creative people and are inspiring to be around. I can always learn something new!
Bunrith Keo
Hair Stylist and Makeup Artist / 6 Years of Experience
E-mail: bun@richeldambra.com
Experience, Specializations, and Achievements: Previously opened and operated own salon.
What is your best service? Hair Color and Makeup Artistry
What do you love most about what you do? Having my clients walk out of the salon feeling and looking good.
