Bridging Education and Industry: The 2024 ACHS Employer Summit

American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) held its third annual Employer Summit on October 30th, a virtual gathering of leaders and employers in the fields of Herbal Medicine, Aromatherapy, Functional Nutrition, and Integrative Health. The goal of the summit is to share valuable insights into industry trends and better understand the future of wellness.

“This year’s Employer Summit reinforced the importance of collaboration between education and industry. By listening to our industry partners, we’re able to align our programs with the skills and competencies that matter most, preparing our graduates to thrive in the integrative health and wellness field.” — Dr. Tiffany Rodriguez, Chief Academic Officer

The summit produced many important takeaways for all stakeholders, from employers to educators and students. Timely topics were discussed, such as technological advancements in the wellness industry, sustainability and ethical practices, and bringing integrative health and wellness into corporate culture and daily life. Read on for highlights from the summit and information about this year’s employer participants.

ACHS 2025 Employer Summit Participants

Wellness Industry Collaboration and Networking

A key objective of this year's summit was to forge meaningful connections with industry experts. The virtual roundtable provided a platform for employers, industry leaders, and professionals to connect, share ideas, and collaborate on future opportunities within their fields. ACHS recognizes that this collaborative approach paves the way for partnerships that can benefit employers, students, and alumni.

Showcasing Industry Innovations and Trends

ACHS will leverage the insights gathered from the summit, which highlighted current trends, innovations, and best practices in the wellness industry, to enhance its curricula and educational offerings. By staying attuned to emerging practices in holistic health and wellness, ACHS aims to ensure that its programs are aligned with the real-world demands of the wellness sector. This approach will better equip ACHS graduates to succeed as they enter the wellness industry as employees or entrepreneurs. These connections also help employers identify talent that can drive innovation and success in their organizations.

Future Workforce Development

Part of the summit was dedicated to discussing current educational trends, desirable skill sets, and competencies that students and graduates need to be well-prepared to meet industry demands. Understanding what employers look for in employees, such as adaptability, knowledge of current wellness practices, and a holistic approach to patient care, ensures that ACHS graduates are equipped to contribute meaningfully to the growth of holistic health businesses.

Expert Insights and Key Topics

The summit brought together distinguished experts from various of sectors in the holistic health industry, offering valuable data and insights. ACHS was honored to collaborate with the esteemed companies in attendance, creating a dynamic environment for knowledge-sharing and partnership.

The full insights year’s Employer Summit will be shared in our forthcoming white paper. In the meantime, here are a few key topics and insights included from our discussion:

Technology

Technological advancements, including AI and wearable tech, were identified as emerging trends and areas where employers are looking for knowledgeable team members.

Integrative Health and Corporate Wellness

It was clear that organizations continue to focus on employee well-being, including mental and holistic health initiatives such as Best Buy’s"Wellbeing Ambassadors" initiative. We believe we'll continue to see examples of corporate wellness initiatives to promote healthy workplaces.

Education and Skills Development

Participants discussed the evolving role of education in wellness, emphasizing community engagement, skill-building, and a rising demand for health coaches. Insights into desired skills, such as adaptability and soft skills, inform ACHS’s commitment to preparing students for impactful careers. Employers in the wellness sector also emphasized the importance of being able to effectively conduct, understand, and act on research.

In discussing the critical skills and credentials needed from future employees in the health and wellness industry, Aaron Theno, CMO/Chief Aromatherapist at Bioesse Technologies, stated:

“I think the ability to absorb research and perform research is going to continue to be really important because our industry still needs to scale. We still need to be able to compete on all of the business battlegrounds. It’s all about trust and safety, and we’re going to get that through evidence-based research.”

Sustainability and Ethical Practices

Ethical sourcing, product safety, and sustainable practices emerged as key priorities for wellness brands. Conversations underscored the importance of responsible business practices and the role of educational institutions in promoting sustainability within their programs and partnerships.

The 2024 Employer Survey and live discussion at the Summit also highlighted several key areas within the regulatory landscape that are impacting the industry as a whole. These include changing global regulations, consumer access to raw ingredients, oversight in product labeling and marketing, and other federal regulations affecting growing industries such as cannabis and psilocybin, for example.

This year's expert panelists, listed in alphabetical order, included:

Aaron Theno from Bioesse Technologies

Bre Jonas from Best Buy

Christi Louderback from Natural Grocers

Christine Alstat from Ecelectic Herb Institute

David Gordon from Evanhealy

Jane Durst Pulkys from Metabolic Balance

Jodi Baglien from Jodi Baglien Aromatherapy

Kayla Fiorvanti from Ology Essentials

Lora Cantele from the International Journal of Professional Holistic Aromatherapy

Makeba Guilan Lloyd from Scentonomy

Nicole Colon from WinMed Health

Nicole Trevino from TimelyCare

Tresa Staeven from Scented Path

The Future Success of Wellness Education

The 2024 Employer Summit highlighted ACHS' commitment to bridging education and industry by fostering connections, sharing insights, and aligning programs with the evolving wellness sector. As the industry transforms, ACHS remains dedicated to supporting student success and leading in holistic health.

Ilana Rose Frigaard, ACHS Chief Operating Officer "We're thankful for each company that partnered with us for this year’s Employer Summit. The insights shared by industry leaders deepen our understanding of key trends and help bridge the gap between education and workforce readiness. We appreciate your valuable contributions and commitment to shaping the future with us!" - Ilana Rose Frigaard, ACHS Chief Operating Officer