Meet Carla

Hi, I am founder and CEO Carla Gaskins-Nathan (she/they) of Zelah LLC based in New York city. As a wellness consultant, ritualist, and healing artist I bring over 25+ years of professional experience at the intersection of health and social justice.

Zelah LLC supports and collaborates with Mission-Driven Organizations, Philanthropic Organizations, Consultancies, Businesses, and Professional Membership Groups focusing on organizational culture change, program development, and capacity building nationwide. 

With over 25 years of professional experience at the intersection of health and social justice, as Founder and CEO I bring a unique blend of expertise to every project. My services range from facilitation, curriculum development, and program development to program advisory. I have successfully designed and implemented programs from inception to completion for events, retreats, and multi-year cohorts with a small circle and over 1,000 participants, ensuring inclusive and healing environments.

As a wellness consultant, ritualist, and healing artist, I bring a lifelong commitment to social justice and liberation that began through volunteering and organizing in my youth. These commitments have had a common thread connected to health, wellness and wellbeing as well as remembering our roots.  

I served as a faculty and a clinical supervisor at the Pacific College of Health Sciences in New York, in the  Massage Therapy Program. I integrate my background in education, curriculum development, course design, and in-person and online instruction into my consulting work.

I take a holistic approach that honors ancestor knowledge and combines evidence-based practices with innovative wellness strategies to create transformative experiences for clients. Whether you're looking to enhance your organization's cultural competence, design wellness programs, or integrate health and justice initiatives, Zelah LLC is the strategic thought partner equipped to guide you toward sustainable solutions.

Capacities

  • I am engaged to support a wide range of initiatives, including training programs, retreats, staff development, and employee engagement.

    My role involves a comprehensive evaluation of the organization’s culture, followed by the development of targeted strategies designed to create positive, lasting change. I work holistically, addressing everything from strategic planning and specific interventions to fostering well-being and engagement across the organization.

    By aligning these efforts with the organization’s core mission, I help to cultivate a thriving, resilient workplace culture.

  • In my practice, I facilitate healing circles, retreats, and tailored experiences for teams seeking to embed mindfulness, self-care, and principles of justice into their organizational culture.

    My approach combines evidence-based techniques with an emphasis on inclusivity and awareness, creating safe spaces where individuals can reflect, connect, and grow together.

    By guiding organizations through this transformative process, I support teams to cultivate a more compassionate and equitable workplace, ultimately enhancing their collective well-being and effectiveness.

  • I have designed and facilitated programs for numerous organizations.

    This experience has allowed me to create impactful learning environments that promote personal and collective growth while addressing critical social issues.

    Through these initiatives, I strive to empower individuals and organizations to embrace a holistic approach to justice and well-being.

  • I am a New York State Licensed Massage Therapist trained in Western and Eastern modalities, including Shiatsu and Abhyanga

    • Certified member of Associated Massage and Bodywork Professionals (ABMP)

    • Certified Labor and Postpartum Massage

    • Prenatal Massage Therapy Certification

    • Certified Manual Lymph Drainage Therapist (CMLDT)

    • Reiki I & II

  • I collaborate with businesses and non-profit organizations to design and implement Wellness Spaces that enhance the well-being of employees and conference attendees.

    These thoughtfully curated environments prioritize holistic health and mindfulness, providing individuals with the opportunity to recharge, connect, and engage in self-care practices.

    By integrating elements such as relaxation zones, interactive workshops, and resources for mental and emotional wellness, I ensure that these spaces foster a supportive atmosphere conducive to personal and collective growth.

    My goal is to create transformative experiences that not only enrich the workplace and event settings but also support individuals to prioritize their well-being in their daily lives.

  • Ritual design is the intentional creation of meaningful practices that bring individuals and groups together to foster connection, reflection, and transformation within an organization.

    By incorporating elements such as symbolism, storytelling, and mindful activities, ritual design helps to establish shared values, reinforce organizational culture, and create a sense of belonging.

    Rituals can be created to honor significant milestones, or special events, providing a structured way to acknowledge achievements, navigate challenges, and celebrate collective successes.

    In the context of mission-based teams, ritual design is a powerful offering for embedding purpose and belonging into the fabric of the organization, enhancing both individual and collective well-being.

Principles

  • True wellness is rooted in healing, liberation, and justice.

    “Health equity means that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. This requires removing obstacles to health such as poverty, discrimination, and their consequences, including powerlessness and lack of access to good jobs with fair pay, quality education and housing, safe environments, and health care.”

    - Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)

  • We are all part of this beautiful ecosystem, and our bodies instinctively resonate with the rhythms of the natural world around us. Whether it's the soothing sound of rustling leaves, the gentle warmth of sunlight on our skin, or the refreshing scent of rain-soaked earth, these experiences invite us to slow down and reconnect with our essence. When we immerse ourselves in nature, we awaken to a profound sense of belonging and balance that nourishes our spirit. Nature serves as a powerful reminder that we are not just inhabitants of this world; we are woven into its very fabric.

  • Just as the roots of a tree connect and support one another beneath the surface, our lives are intertwined in ways that are often unseen but profoundly felt. Each of us plays a unique role in this grand symphony, where our actions, thoughts, and energy ripple out to impact those around us.

    This interdependence invites us to cultivate compassion and understanding, recognizing that our well-being is deeply linked to the well-being of others. When we honor this connection, we create a nurturing environment that allows everyone to thrive.

Toolkit

  • Play invites creativity, fosters collaboration, and encourages deeper connections among team members.

  • Mindfulness cultivates presence, enhances self-awareness, and nurtures a sense of compassion among team members.

  • Movement energizes the body, promotes well-being, and encourages self-expression.

  • Leading you or your group through self-massage, instruction within a healing circle or session.

    With the healing arts there is room to explore sustainable ways for people to practice well-being individually and collectively.

  • Ritual creates meaning, strengthens community, and nurtures tradition.

  • Herbs and plants are allies in creating intentional space. When honored and brought into co-created space they brings us closer to nature, support and deepen our remembering.

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