Lori Hutchinson, founder and co-owner of California, US-based Hutchinson Consulting, has died. The International Spa Association – where Hutchinson served as a board member from 2007 to 2010 – announced the news via social media.

“It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we share the news that former ISPA Board Member Lori Hutchinson has passed away,” the posting said. “Lori’s energetic spirit was a bright light as she served on countless task forces throughout the years and made an impact on the spa community both personally and professionally. She will be missed immensely and our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.”

Social media has lit up in recent days, with industry friends posting thoughts and well-wishes under the hashtag #lovetolori.

With the news of her death, many shared their sense of loss – as well as their memories and photos – on Facebook.

"Lori has impacted my career since the first day I met her," said Kate Sornson, project manager for the Global Career Development Initiative. "Through her kindness of welcoming and remembering a young-newbie at ISPA (I was 22 when we met), I was shown the generosity I needed to truly fall in love with our industry. It is because of people like Lori, who engage and encourage the voices of those around them, that I pursued a career in spa and wellness. Recently, due to Lori's unwavering belief in my abilities, I was able to show up for her when she had to step back from the Global Career Development Initiative due to her cancer. She trusted me with her vision, allowing me to be her voice and take her place as moderator at the 2015 Global Wellness Summit. The past year has been a year of growth for me in defining what my spa and wellness career will look like. Lori was integral to my journey, encouraging me, challenging me, and believing in me. My hope is that I can continue her vision for bringing more people into our industry with love, understanding, kindness, humour, and (of course) a smile!"

Hutchinson began her career at San Francisco’s Stanford Court Hotel in 1978, and in 1982, she opened Campton Place Hotel as director of human resources. She also worked for Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa before co-founding Hutchinson Consulting – which provides recruitment for hotels, resorts and spas – with her husband Bill in 1993. In addition to her role as ISPA board member, Hutchinson was the chair for the Global Wellness Institute’s Global Careership Initiative.