OUR TEAM
STEF
Owner | Instructor
Stef is the owner and manager of PowHer. She took it over in October 2022 from creator and previous owner, Michelle. It was a dream that turned into a reality over margaritas at Jaho and it’s all written on a napkin for proof!
Within 6 months, Stef reopened Town Barre, re-branded as PowHer by Stef, got married, and quit her full-time job!
She’s ready for this next chapter as she works harder than ever to manage PowHer by Stef full-time.
In high school, Stef was a track and dance athlete, lifting heavy, running sprints and distance, and kicking her legs as high as they can go. Her body looked and felt strong, but mentally she was in need of a change. In college, she explored local studios that offered a more low-impact workout, and that’s when she met Michelle at Town Barre. It wasn’t long after that Stef was at the studio almost everyday taking barre classes, and after 5 years, she became barre certified to teach at formerly Town Barre.
She is grateful to be the new owner, as PowHer by Stef has felt like home for many years. Clients have become friends and the instructors are super close. It’s a big family!
Stef thrives off positive energy, craves meaningful relationships, and strives when she’s challenged. She’s thoughtfully created a studio that encourages all 3 of these things. It’s a vibe.
STACIE
Instructor
Stacie works as a Director of a networking organization for women in commercial real estate. She coordinates the daily operations and plans events that are centered around fitness and wellness. Stacie believes that women can create strong, valuable relationships while maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. She also loves that she can bring her passion for fitness into her full time job.
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Stacie, her husband, daughters Kinley + Camryn and bulldog Mila live in Marblehead and they enjoy getting out on the water in the summer! Being active has always been such an important part of her life as she loves her Peloton and enjoys running. Stacie grew up playing soccer and lacrosse throughout high school and college. It wasn't until after college that she took her first barre class and fell in love with how challenging the workout was. She became a certified instructor in 2017 and has been teaching ever since.
Stacie joined as a TB instructor in 2019 and will continue to bring high energy into all of her classes!
SARAH
Instructor
Sarah is no stranger to Barre. She began taking classes before her wedding back in 2013. She wanted the sculpted back and toned arms everyone raved about before her big day. Little did she know it would become the total body workout she had been seeking. Sarah varied her workouts over the years, but nothing really toned or transformed her body like barre. She instantly fell in love with the quick, one hour class that left her stronger and leaner than ever.
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Barre is also the only workout that never gets old or easier according to Sarah. There is always something to work on in class. The constant challenge is what keeps her coming back. She was able to continue taking barre classes throughout her pregnancy up until her due date. Sarah joined Town Barre after moving back to Swampscott when her daughter was born. Michelle's high energy classes challenged her and helped to get her pre-baby body back quickly. She fell in love with the Town Barre team and decided to join the teacher training program.
She is very excited to share her passion for barre with the PowHer community
CARA
Instructor
Cara Bednar is a local mom to 3 little ones; Eloisa, Liam & Brady. She has been teaching group fitness and 1-1 classes for the past 12 years. Cara’s passion for sports and athletics started at a young age and continued though college where she played division 2 tennis all 4 years. After college Cara’s passion grew into running and she began running marathons. She has completed over 20 marathons and numerous other road races.
As life progressed so did Cara’s passion for fitness. She became AFFA group trainer, as well as TRX, Barre and Power Pilates certified. While living in Boston Cara taught throughout the city.
When she and her husband Craig relocated back to Marblehead she began teaching more locally at Orange Theory, Town Barre & Btone Middleton & Lifetime. After having her first child in 2019 Cara became a certified Pre and Postpartum trainer as well.
It is very full circle as Cara previously taught at Town Barre and is extremely excited to be back teaching at Powher by Stef.
MICHÈLE
Instructor
Michèle grew up in Marblehead and currently works at a local construction company in their HR department. An athlete since childhood, she has always loved staying active, but her true passion for fitness took off after COVID. Since then, she has explored just about every workout out there, but nothing has transformed her body and overall wellness quite like exercise that Pilates and sculpt provide.
A year ago, Michèle walked into Powher as a client and instantly connected with the strong, supportive community. She quickly became a dedicated member, often bringing her sister and friends to join in on the fun. Now, as an instructor, she is excited to help others build strength, confidence, and a love for movement through the Powher method, while also giving back to the community that inspired her. Michèle is also currently working toward her personal training certification, furthering her commitment to health and fitness.
Michèle currently lives in Cambridge, but can often be found in Marblehead at the beach or getting a bite to eat at Maddie’s. In her free time, she loves to travel, cook, and spend time with her friends and two kitties.
HEATHER
Instructor
Heather works as a high school English teacher, but her true passion lies in fitness and movement. In 2021, Heather felt conflicted about her future career path when a friend of hers suggested becoming a fitness instructor. Unsure but excited by this idea, she set out to looking at local fitness studios. Heather was a dancer growing up and through college and had previously fallen in love with barre, so it was a natural pull to begin teaching at a barre studio. After teaching her very first class, she knew this was what she was missing. This new passion led to her becoming a Certified Personal Trainer and obtaining her Group Fitness certification, as well as her Nutrition Coaching certification.
Still wanting to expand her skills and explore more avenues of fitness, Heather found PowHer and immediately knew this was a team and a community she wanted to be a part of. The movements, the music, and the incredible group of women hooked her in and she has been loving every minute of it. When not teaching high school students or fitness classes, Heather loves to travel, spend time with her family, and cuddle with her sweet orange cat, Biscuit!
PAULINA
Instructor
Paulina’s always been on the move—literally. Growing up as a cheerleader, she was constantly tumbling, jumping, dancing, and never sitting still. Her love for movement turned into a passion for running, starting with sprints and eventually working her way up to full marathons.
At UMass Amherst, Paulina shared her energy teaching strength classes, Pilates, HIITlates, and leading running groups. Now she brings all that experience and excitement to the Powher community full-time.
When she’s not in the studio, Paulina is pursuing her master’s in speech pathology, traveling to new places, or soaking in the sunshine on the North Shore beaches. Teaching, runnin
HADLEY
Instructor
Hadley, a native of Marblehead, had fitness and wellness embedded early on in her life. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health in 2020. She was also a collegiate athlete. After college, Hadley tried to rediscover what movement looked like in her life without the rigor of team sports. She was open to many different styles of workout classes. Then she participated in her first class at Powher. It was from that moment on she knew she was hooked.
Hadley appreciates the community of Powher; one that was welcoming, encouraging, and functional for all. That appreciation paired with her love and passion for movement led her to pursue her barre teacher certification in the spring of 2025. As an instructor, her goal is to create a supportive and empowering experience for all.
The unique circumstances of graduating amidst a pandemic led Hadley to a position teaching health and physical education. This role ignited a passion for combining her dedication to education with her love of movement, prompting her to pursue and complete a Masters in Education. Currently, Hadley is a health education teacher at Swampscott High School, where she also coaches field hockey during the fall season. In her free time, she enjoys spending time out on the ocean whether it’s paddle boarding, sailing, or sitting at the beach.
MICAELA
Instructor
Micaela has always had a passion for fitness and helping others through big life transformations. She is a big believer that though connecting your mind to your body, you can and will become a better version of yourself in all ways.
When she’s not working as a nurse or selling real estate, she loves going to the beach with her dog Mack, checking out new restaurants & spending time with friends & family.
Kelsey
Instructor
Kelsey grew up dancing in Marblehead where her love of movement started. She went to college where she received her undergraduate degree in dance performance & choreography with a double major in psychology. It was in college when she really fell in love with functional movement and strengthening the stabilizer muscles to support her long days of dancing.
After school, Kelsey began dancing professionally as well as teaching all forms of dance to children. It was in 2014, when Kelsey found barre, that she really felt her craving for moving with likeminded woman was fulfilled. She fell in love with Pilates as it is so heavily inspired by/for dancers but it can be movement for ANY BODY.
In 2023 Kelsey came to PowHer when she was 4 months pregnant with her second looking for something that felt good to her body as she worked through the remainder of her pregnancy. PowHer is the perfect combination of dance, functional movement, Pilates, barre and she fell in love, but it was the feeling of community at PowHer that got her hooked! Kelsey now lives in Marblehead with her husband Lee and their two little kids Saylor & Myles. Together they love being on the water, going to the beach, skiing, trips to Cape Cod and just about anything active!
