The United States Tai Chi Community Board of Directors is composed of volunteers who share a passion for supporting tai chi practitioners and instructors in the United States. New Board members are elected by the current Board to two-year terms and are eligible to serve a maximum of three consecutive terms. The Board is responsible for realizing the four-part mission of USTCC.ORG, and engages in a diverse range of activities.
Trish Gonzales
Scholarship Co-Chair
St. Petersburg, Florida
Trish is a Faith Community Nurse in St. Petersburg, FL. Her tai chi story started in 2001 when she and her mother began studying TCA together. Her mother suffered from rheumatoid arthritis. Seeing the benefits of continued tai chi practice on the improvement to her mother’s health and quality of life was remarkable. It is the ease of movement, stress management, and relaxation that sustains Trish’s commitment to tai chi.
Bob Werner
Vero Beach, FL
Bob’s hard Martial Arts background has given him a solid foundation for the wonderful soft Martial Art of Tai Chi. He competed on the West Point Karate Team as a cadet; he coached the West Point Karate Team & instructed Youth Activities Karate programs for children during his 30 years of service as an Army Officer. His Tai Chi journey began in a Yang 108 Classical Form class taught in the traditional way. Then he went to a TCHI TCA class, and ever since he finds he can’t get enough Tai Chi. He has been a TCHI instructor since 2017, and a TCHI Senior Trainer since 2020. He teaches Tai Chi & Qigong in Sebastian, FL. Bob’s background enables him to appreciate the martial basis of Tai Chi movements and he enjoys sharing his appreciation with others, enhancing their view as they climb the Tai Chi Mountain together. Bob is honored to serve on the Board of Directors.
Donnie Poling, ST
Tucson, AZ
Donnie’s tai chi journey began after an accident significantly affected his balance. He had trained in martial arts as a teen and throughout his military career, and believed tai chi may offer a solution when other forms of exercise had not. After realizing tai chi practice helped regain balance, improve range of motion, and reduce his arthritic pain, Donnie became an instructor in 2015. In 2019 Donnie volunteered to take on the role of USTCC Treasurer and has worked diligently to ensure the organization is on a firm financial base so that it may continue to support TCHI and its members. Though Donnie has semi-retired from teaching weekly classes, he continues to assist other instructors and maintains his practice of the Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention, Sun 73, and Chen 36 forms.
Laurie Fox
Wheelersburg, OH
Laurie currently teaches at SOMC Life Center, three locations both beginner and intermediate classes. She is passionate about Tai Chi and has seen so many participants increase their balance and flexibility. In 2023, Laurie attended Dr. Lam's Cincinnati workshop in person and it truly changed her life. Laurie practices tai chi every morning which helps tremendously with her arthritis. She has seen significant improvement in her own health.
Tracey Anfuso
Pinehurst, NC
Tracey has over 10 years of Tai Chi for Health instructor experience, holds 14 different Tai Chi certifications, has her BA degree, and is certified in Montessori Education. She enjoys bringing the benefits of Tai Chi to various settings such as art, education, fitness, and wellness centers, assisted living, memory care facilities and women’s organizations. Tracey is a Senior Trainer, where she assists in training other aspiring Tai Chi instructors.
Terry Crews
Lake Havasu City, AZ
Terry began her journey with Tai Chi for Arthritis in 2011. As she advanced in her practice, she obtained certifications in several programs through the Tai Chi for Health Institute, ultimately becoming a Senior Trainer in 2015. Her volunteer activities include teaching tai chi to veterans and seniors. Additionally, she offers Tai Chi and Qigong classes at the local Community College, both via Zoom and in-person. Her primary focus is on promoting health improvement through breathing exercises and gentle movements.
Libby Hill
Shaker Hts. Ohio
Ms. Hill is a Senior Trainer with TCHI and was first certified as a Tai Chi for Arthritis instructor in 2003. She teaches 12-15 classes per week in the greater Cleveland area. She has served as the Senior Trainer representative for North America on the TCHI Board of Directors since 2018. Her passion is sharing the benefits of tai chi practice.
Kate McKee
Albany, NY
Kate holds an MS in Rehabilitation Psychology and a PhD in Counseling Psychology, and has taught undergraduates and graduate students. Her career included working with autistic adults, oversight work for the care provided for persons with developmental and psychiatric diagnoses in NYS, and as Director of Labor Relations & Training for NYS Parks. Semi-retired, Kate has expanded her tai chi related activities and teaches several weekly classes. She began her journey in search of a way to be physically active despite an aggressive onset of rheumatoid arthritis. She has practiced tai chi for 15+ years, and is a TCHI Senior Trainer. Kate has been a member of the Scholarship Committee for five years, and has co-chaired that Committee with MT Julie Oberhaus for three years. She is honored to serve on the Board of Directors with a special interest in finding ways for the USTCC to be a valuable resource for members.
Mike Poole
Dublin, OH
Michael is a Senior Trainer with the Tai Chi for Health Institute (TCHI) and also holds tai chi instructor certifications through TCHI in Tai Chi for Heart Conditions, Seated Tai Chi, Tai Chi for Arthritis, Tai Chi for Fall Prevention, Tai Chi for Diabetes, Tai Chi for Energy, Tai Chi for Rehabilitation, Qigong for Health, Tai Chi for Life, Tai Chi for Kidz and Tai Chi at Work. He also teaches Tai Chi for Commuters.
Deborah Yaffee
Shelburne Falls, MA
Deborah has enjoyed sharing the Tai Chi for Health programs since 2011. She is enthusiastic in supporting Master Trainers in their work and has hosted and assisted in many Instructor Certification workshops. A good number of her participants have gone on to become instructors. Deborah is also a Certified Hypnosis Instructor with the National Guild of Hypnotists, a Certified Nutritionist, Reiki Master Teacher and Veriditas Certified Labyrinth Facilitator.
Nina Zeldin
Ellsworth, ME
Nina graduated summa cum laude from the University of Maine at Augusta with a Bachelor of Science in Mental Health and Human Services. She has been a TCHI instructor since 2014, and a TCHI Master Trainer since 2023. Nina is a Community Outreach Coordinator for Healthy Acadia, a non-profit health coalition serving Downeast Maine. Motivated by the health benefits she realizes from regular tai chi practice and her passion to help others help themselves, she launched Healthy Acadia’s Tai Chi for Health program in 2014. To date, over 3,000 people have participated in the program’s free community classes. Nina is honored to be able to help build the tai chi for health community, and to serve as a board member of the USTCC.