Our Story
The idea for Rustic Mama Retreats was conceived from a fairly simple desire… The desire to getaway, to relax, to refresh and to reconnect with what’s important to you in this life. To remember what it was like to not have a care in the world. To be that kid with the sun in her face and the wind in her hair. To Laugh, Dance, Cry, Run, Jump, Craft.. whatever your heart and soul desires.
That idea grew to include opportunities — opportunities for adventure, excitement, passion, reflection, self-discovery, education and creativity; a chance to embrace life in all its wonderful facets, and do so in the company of other like-minded adventure seekers. If there is one thing we have learned, it’s that when women gather… something magical happens!
Team Members
Jennifer McKee
Founder/Executive Director
As a busy mom to 3 kids, an entrepreneur and an outdoor adventurist, Jennifer is known for embracing the chaos and for running with a new idea. Although focusing specifically on Retreats is a fairly new venture, she has been involved in large number event planning for over 20 years.
Growing up in a small town, she spent her teenage years volunteering at summer camps, and then began running her own day-camp programs for youth in her late teens. Later, trained as a social worker, she spent many years facilitating events for special needs children and adults before launching her own small business that focused more on her creative side.
Jennifer also has a passion for volunteering and works with many organizations. As a leader in Girl Guides, the Chair of the local School Council and a very involved mother to her 3 children, she has planned many large events for over 200+ people including outings, camps, sleepovers, fundraisers, reunions and parties.
Tiffany Klein
Guest Services Manager & Team Lead – East Coast Division
Tiffany joined our team in 2022 to teach our retreaters the life skills of homesteading. Forgotten skills that, in the world today are starting to be picked back up again. Tiffany is owner/operator of a homestead called Windy Hills Homestead practicing permaculture ways. Along side her husband and 2 young girls, they manage to raise 75% of their own food! In fall of 2024, Tiffany and her family relocated to Nova Scotia to live out there dreams of becoming full time farmers. She now heads up the East Coast Division of RMR.
Teaching people how to learn these skills is a true passion of Tiffany’s, both through Rustic Mama retreat workshops and through a social media platform. Some of these workshops include Pasta making, canning, harvesting honey , garden planning and Intro to homesteading. When not at retreats, you’ll usually find her puttering away in her garden while talking to her chickens and ducks.
Heather Aire-Gibbs
Master of Ceremonies & Program Facilitator
Heather first attended a women’s retreat back in 2018 and became a repeat retreater soon there after. Having attended 5 retreats of all varieties (women’s, mama and daughter, mama and son) over the course of 2 years, we got to know her quite well and knew that her dynamic personality, infectious laugh and outgoing nature would be such an asset to our team!
Heather is a mom to 3 kids, a very active Girl Guide leader and a hospital clerk by day, but at retreats she is the smiling face waiting to greet you upon arrival. She also runs a variety of crafting workshops and will be the one on the dance floor with you until the party ends!
Lisa Millar
Program Facilitator
Lisa joined the Rustic Mama Retreats team in the Spring of 2022 and came onboard to share her incredible background and passion for art with guests as she loves being able to help others find their creativity! Lisa majored in Fine Arts, with a minor in dramatic arts while attending The Ontario College of Art, followed by a sharp left turn, attending Georgian College, where she graduated with a diploma in Law & Security Administration.
She spent her teenage years as a member of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets. Lisa then enrolled as a Reservist in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in June of 1990 where she worked in the Air Cadet program at various units, holding a number of leadership positions until recently ending her career as the Commanding Officer of 2818 RC(Army)CC, in Belleville Ontario.
Lisa now lives in Eastern Ontario with her husband Ross, where they also run a First Aid Training, and Wilderness Survival business. She is a self proclaimed work-a-holic and proud mum of four F’ids (Furry Kids) Chloe, Jack, Argus and Paxil.
Becki Korhonen
Photographer/Videographer
Becki (with an i) joined the Rustic Mama Family in 2021 after moving from Medicine Hat Alberta where she worked as a television commercial producer for the local TV Station. She currently lives in London Ontario and works at Rogers Sports Media as a producer.
Her 20-year career as a videographer and photographer has taken her across the country and the world, but she has never loved a job as much as working for Rustic Mama Retreats. Her love of gadgets, photography, and crazy fun people is the perfect combination to creating special memories of your time with us.
She also really loves “Cheese” so when you see her, give her your best smile and say it proudly…CHEESE!
Cheri Arnew
Program Facilitator
Cheri joined the RMR team in 2022 after first attending a Woman’s Retreat, and then returning with her 2 daughters for a Mom & Daughter Retreat and falling in love with RMR’s passion and purpose of empowering women and helping other women relax, refresh and reconnect.
Cheri’s 25+ year career at a South Western Ontario Credit Union (obviously she started VERY young) has afforded her many great learning and personal opportunities, the latest of which is working remotely – so she and her family jumped at the chance for change, and moved to Northern Ontario (Temagami).
A former Scouter, Cheri loves the outdoors, where she can often be found riding an ATV, or snowmobile, or out enjoying the lake on a kayak or Stand Up Paddleboard. Indoors you will often find her with a cup of tea in hand, working on her latest macrame creation.
Ingrid Smith
Program Facilitator
Ingrid is a life and wellness coach and a self-help junkie. She is also a retired primary school teacher and a mother of two adult children. She attended a Rustic Mama Retreats weekend with her longtime BFF in 2021 and fell in love with the concept of women investing time in themselves. When a job as a RMR team member came up two days after she retired, she knew her future involvement was meant to be!
Ingrid loves being outside, cross country skiing or hiking with her husband. She’s an avid cook, sings in a choir and is usually the first one on the dance floor when the music starts. During Retreats you will find her running crafting workshops as well as a variety of educational classes. Her favourite part of the retreats is connecting with our amazing retreaters!
Leona Campbell
Photographer & Program Facilitator
Leona also enjoys travelling, crafting, playing ultimate frisbee and doing outdoor activities including camping, paddling and hiking…always with camera in hand. She was once told it was surprising that she did not have a tan line around her face from the camera. Working with RMR combines all her interests and she wishes that it was her full-time job. Her favourite saying is “Smile, you never know when someone is taking your picture!”…it is usually her doing it.
Marlo Lott
Program Facilitator
Marlo is a mother of 3 wonderful grown children that bring her joy every day, but as proud as she is, it was time for her to find her joy! That is what lead her to joining the Rustic Mama Retreats team in 2022. Since joining, she has really enjoyed being a part of a diverse team that brings women together to relax, refresh and reconnect with themselves!
Marlo has been in the service industry all her life as a restaurant/bar manager and loves working with people, spending most of her time chatting and laughing with customers. She is currently taking yoga training with meditation and look forward to being an certified instructor in the near future. In her spare time, Marlo also loves walking outdoors, reading and learning new things!
Laura Venditti
Program Facilitator
Laura is an experienced Early Childhood Educator and small business owner who joined the Rustic Mama Family in 2023. She was introduced to the retreats by a former teaching partner and dear friend who raved about the company, and knew she would be a fun addition to the team.
Laura has a passion for creativity that knows no bounds and has an infectious enthusiasm for all things fun and adventurous. Her love for dance is matched only by her willingness to dive headfirst into new experiences, always with a smile on her face and a witty remark ready to lighten the mood.
During retreats you’ll find Laura dancing, crafting, guiding mindfulness and everything in between!
Sara Parkhill
Program Facilitator & Registered Massage Therapist
Dawn Harman
Program Facilitator
Meet Dawn, a married mother of four and proud grandmother of one. She first came to Rustic Mamas on sister’s getaway, and after four retreats decided she wanted to be part of the team.
Joan Van Raalte
Program Facilitator
Joan joined the RMR team in the spring of 2024 after attending several of the RMR women’s retreats over the years. As a retreater, Joan loved the opportunity, empowerment, and growth this program offered her and wanted to become part of the dynamic team that brings the same opportunity to her fellow “sisters”.
As a mom to two grown boys and a 25+ year management career in the transportation industry, she is now afforded the time to devote to her own passions of crafting, nature, travelling, and physical activity.
Joan looks forward to meeting you at your next retreat!
Lee-Ann Turza
Program Facilitator
Deanna Hope
Program Facilitator
Deanna is a Human Resources Professional and Leadership Coach who first attended Rustic Mama Retreats in 2019 with her mom and fell in love with the simple escape from everyday life to focus on having fun, resting, and dedicating time for going inward.
In 2023 while on maternity leave with her first son, Deanna was looking for an opportunity to share her knowledge in positive psychology and leadership with others and Rustic Mama Retreats was the perfect fit. At retreats, you will find Deanna leading personal growth workshops on topics like motivation, happiness, and leadership. If you’re ready to grow, Deanna will light that spark within you to create lasting positive change.
Brent McKee
Program Facilitator/Bartender
Brent, a carpenter by trade for over 30 years, joined the RMR team back in 2023 and spends countless hours behind the scenes preparing all the materials needed for any workshops. On site at retreats, you will find him running all wood working and home improvement classes, doing the heavy lifting and being a fan favourite by running the alcohol and wine bar each evening.
Outside of retreats, Brent is an avid outdoor adventurist who enjoys camping, hiking, road trips, kayaking and building projects. He, along with Jennifer, are currently developing and building the future permanent home of Rustic Mama Retreats and they look forward to sharing that with RMR guests soon!
Ross Thistle
Program Facilitator
Jean Luc & Nick
Program Facilitators
Jean Luc & Nick are a vibrant duo dedicated to “Helping People Smile” by inspiring wellness, positivity, and personal growth. With a passion for health and community, they’ve built a welcoming space through their website and social platforms, where they motivate thousands to embark on their journeys toward fitness, wellness, and happiness. They really strive to make health and wellness enjoyable and accessible for everyone.
Jean-Luc and Nick started out as guest workshop leaders with RMR back in 2022, but guests just couldn’t get enough of them, so they joined RMR as official team members in 2024! You will find this dynamic duo running fitness classes, teaching healthy cooking workings and even intro to various languages courses!
Krystal Cane
Master of Ceremonies & Program Facilitator – East Coast Division
Meet Krystal, a mother of 3, grandmother of 1, relocated to the East Coast in 2014. By day Krystal works as a pre-primary support worker and spends her spare time as an committed hockey and dance mom. She is an active volunteer in her community and loves to craft whenever she gets the chance.
Krystal joined the East Coast team in 2022 where she wowed the guests with her impressive karaoke rap skills and MC voice. Her past career as a radio DJ certainly helped her in this area! Ever since then, Krystal has been a staple at retreat and loves teaching all things arts and crafts. She looks forward to sharing her skills at future events and connecting with more East Coasters!
Paula Boudreau
Program Facilitator – East Coast Division
Paula joined the Rustic Mama Retreats team after her move to New Brunswick in 2018 and loves sharing her passion for the East Coast with guests. Paula has a background in Human Resources and spent many years as a Recruiter in Waterloo ON. She attended Rustic Mama a few times when it began in Ontario and fell in love with the amazing experience and you could spot her sharing her love of Wonder Woman with her Best Friend!
Paula has two children who are grown adults and has a beautiful Golden Retriever “Dolly” that keeps her busy! She loves making new friends and can’t wait to welcome you at these wonderful retreats.