ABOUT
Discover a
TRANSFORMATIVE
experience
We are a group of wellness professionals dedicated to whole body, mind and soul health.
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We embrace the whole, yet we focus on details.
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Here, we nurture life through the body: with mindful eating, thoughtful movement, and deep stretches; and through the mind: with meditation, meaningful connections, and lasting friendships—because these are within our reach.
We have curated an experience for you to disconnect while working on your mental, emotional and physical health.
​Fostering Community and Personal Growth
Our retreat facilitators and hosts are experts in areas such as physiotherapy, meditation, yoga, sound healing, psychotherapy, counseling, hiking, culinary arts, and much more. We are all licensed in Canada. All of our expertise comes from working with clients, training with experts, and interacting with people like you.
TINKU FAMILY
meet your host
Francisca Vasconez
CEO, Founder , Yoga instructor
Fran was born and raised in Quito, Ecuador, and moved to New Brunswick, Canada after high school to pursue a degree in Psychology and Gerontology. Her studies included a deep dive into blue zones, areas known for longevity and well-being, which sparked her interest in the factors that contribute to a longer and healthier life: community, food, and environment. Ecuador's highlands, her homeland, embody these qualities.
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​With a solid foundation in sales, executive positions, and project management, Fran has succeeded in various industries, including education and film.
​As she became increasingly focused on corporate success she increasingly reflected on her habits and daily routines. Doing so made her recognize that some did not fully support her well-being or happiness. She recognized the growing challenges society, especially her generation, faces with anxiety, stress, and mental health, and felt a calling to address these issues. This led to the creation of Tinku Wellness—a project born from her desire to blend her business acumen with her passion for conscious, healthy living.
Increasingly, though often unknowingly, I would retreat to my home. More and more often I returned to my family to escape the stress and anxiety of our everyday exhaustions.
Inspired by her family's farm, a place that became her personal sanctuary, she founded Tinku Wellness. Tinku Wellness is the culmination of her knowledge, experience, and desire to promote a conscious, healthy lifestyle in body, mind, and spirit. Fran has since become a certified yoga instructor and immersed herself in the wellness and mindfulness world.
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My parents built a farm (Tinku) with the purpose of disconnecting from their own work and obligations. It has been a staple in my life, however, I didn’t realize for many years how healing this place can be.
My family built this property, brick by brick, with the intention of simplicity and sustainability.
For years, on my flights home I would find myself anxious, tense (I remember especially my shoulders!), and homesick. Whether a week or a month, I would return feeling better, refreshed, and clear minded. For the last several years, I have sought the same solace closer to home. I have looked for people to help me find the same respite closer to where I live. Though I have found friends, mentors, and relative success in relaxation, there is nothing like the feeling of home. There is nothing like the mountains: the air, the warmth, the simplicity, and the food.
My goal is to invite others to feel the way I have felt. To invite people to rejuvenate in a way that is, so far, unique to my family and I. I believe that we all need breaks, and I offer one with purpose: environment, food, physical fitness, beauty, and no opening of a wallet (financial health, I guess?)
I invite you to share life with us in our hacienda. Although I have created this experience with experts and with purpose, I believe that the place itself offers as much as any person, expert, or guru can.
meet
Simon Marmura-Brown
Co-founder
Simon hails from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, where he completed his degree in Political Science at the University of New Brunswick. His journey took him from the non-profit sector and government work to earning an MA in Politics at Queen's University. It was there that Simon discovered his passion for teaching, prompting him to complete a Ph.D. Simon guides students through higher education, exam preparation, and research proposal development. He currently teaches politics at the University of New Brunswick where he encourages his students to approach knowledge with a critical mind and humility.
Outside of academia, Simon is a food enthusiast with a deep appreciation for Ecuadorian culture. He enjoys exercising, especially weightlifting and soccer, and has a passion for cooking and reading. He is also enthusiastic about supporting his partner’s (Fran) entrepreneurial endeavors, finding parallels between business proposals and academic research.
Simon’s deep familiarity with Tinku and his numerous visits to the Andean highlands have allowed him to develop a strong understanding of the mission and values of Tinku Wellness. His unique combination of skills in academia, coupled with his enthusiasm for Ecuadorian culture and culinary arts, aligns perfectly with Tinku Wellness’s commitment to holistic well-being and diverse cultural appreciation. Simon’s expertise in guiding individuals through their academic and professional journeys will enhance Tinku Wellness’s ability to support its community effectively to continue growing and evolving.
Trinidad Ordoñez
COO, Venue facilitator
Trinidad Ordoñez is an Ecuadorian anthropologist specializing in the Andean people and culture. She is a passionate guide of her region and home. Growing up in the heart of the Andes, Trinidad developed a deep love for cooking as a child, a tradition passed down through the women of her family. Cooking is a central part of her life and identity. Her culinary skills reflect the rich flavors of Ecuadorian cuisine and are infused with knowledge, love, and history passed down through generations. Through her food, she is excited to share this knowledge with you!
Trinidad has worked with prestigious organizations such as the National Geographic and various marketing companies, to showcase the beauty and culture of Ecuador to the world. As a dedicated mother, she balances her work with her commitment to her family and her agricultural pursuits. Trinidad maintains several gardens around the property within which local fruits, vegetables, and herbs thrive. She cultivates and produces several teas and tinctures from the plants grown and harvested in her gardens. Trinidad’s unique combination of expertise in anthropology, farming, and tourism allows her to offer a deeply insightful and authentic perspective on Ecuador’s landscapes, traditions, and people.
Dr. Juan Francisco Vásconez Donoso
In house Dr.
Dr. Juan Francisco Vásconez is a distinguished health expert dedicated to holistic and integrative wellness. With a Doctorate in Medicine from Universidad Central del Ecuador and a Master’s in Public Health from UCLA, Dr. Vásconez specializes in blending human, environmental, and community health.
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Dr. Vásconez is certified in public policy advocacy for children from the University of Maastricht and has completed advanced training in international health with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). His extensive experience includes roles as an Independent Consultant for the Ministry of Health and CDC Foundation, focusing on non-communicable diseases. He has also contributed significantly as a UNAIDS lead consultant and has managed various health initiatives with UNICEF and PAHO.
His career reflects a deep commitment to One Health approaches and preventive care, gained through roles in diverse health initiatives and academic settings. At Tinku Wellness, Dr. Vásconez brings his extensive knowledge in holistic health practices, focusing on nurturing the interconnectedness of mind, body, and environment for overall well-being. His experience and passion for wellness make him a valuable guide on the path to balanced and harmonious living.
Melissa Peña
Business development Specialist
Melissa Peña, originally from Ecuador, is delighted to join the Tinku Wellness team. Driven by her passion for business development, sales, project management, and marketing, Melissa moved to Canada in 2018 to pursue her Economics and Business degree from St. Thomas University. This move marked the start of her journey to immerse herself in a diverse culture and harness new opportunities.
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Combining academic knowledge with hands-on experience, Melissa has driven strategic growth and enhanced customer engagement across various industries, including global markets, customer service, wellness, and digital marketing.
She has consistently exceeded sales targets, managed successful customer experience initiatives, and developed effective marketing strategies. Certified in The Art of Wellbeing from Yale University and holding multiple certifications, Melissa excels in leading teams and adapting quickly to deliver exceptional results.
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At Tinku Wellness, Melissa’s enthusiasm for a holistic lifestyle aligns perfectly with our vision. Her role is crucial in shaping strategic goals, enhancing customer engagement, and fostering business growth in the Ecuadorian highlands, making her a valuable asset to our team.
THE VENUE
About
Tinku wellness is nestled in the middle of the Andes. We are about 11000 feet above sea level, on 20 acres of safe, private, farm and jungle. We are surrounded on either side by two small rivers fed from volcanic lakes higher which are in the mountains. Started by Trini and Juan (a very unique couple who is hard to put in a box) we have been hosting groups and friends from all walks of life for years…
