THE HAWTHORN TREE TEAM
MEET SUSAN
Owner of The Hawthorn Tree!
Susan is a Certified Herbalist with over 30 years’ experience working in the field of horticulture. Her horticultural education began early, when at the age of six she began offering weeding services to experienced gardeners in her community, and they in turn introduced her to the world of plants. After graduating from University of Colorado (CU Boulder) she ran her family’s business, McIntyre’s Garden Center, here in Cheyenne for 16 years. She then went on to own and operate a produce farm in Windsor, Colorado, for 2 years.
In 2014, Susan was diagnosed with West Nile Virus, which quickly turned into Epstein-Barr. She was forced to close her produce farm and focus on her own healing. Susan took her healing into her own hands and turned to herbs and meditation. This subsequently led her to the Equinox Center of Herbal Studies in Fort Collins, Colorado, where she completed a 400-hour certification program to become a Certified Herbalist.
She is past-president of Garden Centers of Colorado, developed training curriculum for garden center employees, authored articles for the Denver Post, done spots for Cheyenne radio stations, had a television program on CBS, and served on the Windsor Tree Board.
A heart for her community and a desire to share her knowledge with others is how The Hawthorn Tree was born. When it came time to name her business, it was only natural that the hawthorn tree, which is associated with the heart, love, and protection, be its namesake and emblem.
MEET REBECCA
Rebecca is an Ayurvedic Practitioner, Massage Therapist, and Certified Herbalist.
She wields her magic from behind the apothecary counter at The Hawthorn Tree, conducting individual customer consultations and creating custom blends for their specific needs. She brings over twenty years’ experience in the healing arts to our community, including massage and yoga therapy, Ayurvedic medicine, and herbalism.
In 2017, Rebecca graduated from the Ayurvedic College for Wellbeing in Rincon, PR, and in 2018, she completed an Internship and Apprenticeship at Apothecary Tinctura in Denver. In 2019, she completed an additional 400+ hour program in Foundations of Herbalism at the Equinox Center for Herbal Studies. She is also a musician specializing in the healing arts of singing, songwriting, and recording. She has performed at numerous spirit conferences and festivals.
MEET KARISSA
You have probably seen Karissa’s smiling face in the mornings at The Hawthorn Tree. Karissa is instrumental in creating many of our new drink recipes and is always looking for ways to incorporate our herbs, teas and spices into the next favorite drink . She loves seeing our regular customers and catching up.
Karissa spends her free time quietly knitting or reading at home or hanging out with her teenage son. Although not a Cheyenne native, she has called this place home for the last seventeen years and plans to remain in our beautiful state. She has completed our thirty-hour herb certification and is always happy to talk herbs or tea.
Favorite drink: The Hawthorn Golden Milk!
MEET DAVE
Born and raised in Sinclair, WY Dave is a native Wyomingite. He graduated from the University of Wyoming with his Bachelor’s, then went on to earn his MBA through the University of Phoenix. Dave spent two years on a Rotary Youth Exchange in France and speaks fluent French.
Dave is known as the genius mind behind the amazing soups and other delicious flavors from the kitchen. He was one of the original group of folks who helped formulate the signature teas at the Hawthorn Tree before we opened.
When Dave isn’t wielding his magic in the kitchen, he can be found enjoying the wonders of the Wyoming wilderness. If you hang out in Lion’s Park, you may catch him fishing with his son and dutiful Akita named “Chips.”
Favorite Spice: Cumin
MEET KAIRA
Kaira is most at home with either a musical instrument or a book in her hands. She occasionally brings her harp to the Hawthorn Tree and serenades both customers and employees alike with her heavenly melodies.
Herbs and music have been part of her life for as long as she can remember and she also enjoys studying literature. She grew up helping her dad brew tinctures and learning natural medicine and aromatherapy from her mom.
Kaira has a degree in harp and is working on a degree in piano as well. She teaches piano and harp through Kaira Anne Music.
