Spafinder has named Shawna Nichol vice president of US gift sales where she will be responsible for expanding the company’s consumer and corporate gift card programmes in the US.

Spafinder currently offers gift cards in 70 countries that can be used at more than 22,000 spa, fitness and wellness locations worldwide.

Nichol started her career in gift cards in 2007 with Blackhawk Network, a leading prepaid gifting and payments network, which distributes physical and digital prepaid products worldwide. She launched Blackhawk’s Canadian gift card programme and then worked with the company in the US, where she managed large national accounts such as Lowe’s and Toys “R” Us.

Nichol then moved to Interactive Communications International in Atlanta and was responsible for the company’s gift promotional marketing strategy, working with a range of partners including Target and Wal-Mart.

Before her appointment to Spafinder Wellness, Nichol was the senior account executive for gift and loyalty programmes and for Giftcertificats.ca at Moneris Solutions.

“I am passionate about health and wellness and excited about the opportunity to combine my commitment to wellbeing with my deep experience in prepaid gift cards,” said Nichol. “I look forward to expanding the company’s existing relationships, introducing the Spafinder Wellness Gift Card programme to new organisations and markets – and helping people live a healthier lifestyle.”