Our Story
ASPO was founded in 2018 with new ideas.
Our goal was to make the organizing profession and certification affordable and attainable for aspiring organizers, and to ensure that all organizers enter the field responsibly and as true professionals.
At the core of our mission is to provide a solid education and professional support that ensures organizers are prepared and confident in their work and that the public has ample access to qualified professionals.
We simplified our Certification process to include exactly what is needed to learn how to organize professionally in client's homes and how to start and grow an organizing business.
We value Simplicity over Productivity. Our goal as organizers is to make our clients lives easier- not encourage them to do more. We streamline their homes to make life more efficient so they spend less time on tasks and maintenance.
We invite you to join ASPO and be a part of a community committed to fundamentally advancing the organizing profession.
ASPO Inc is a Pennsylvania 501(c)(3) non profit organization.
ASPO Milestones
Since our founding in 2018, over 150+ ASPO members have become Certified Home Organizers®, and over 700 more have completed the Simple Systems® courses.
Our current members stretch across the US, from Hawaii to Puerto Rico, including in every major city, and in-between, 40 states and internationally in Switzerland, Portugal, Japan, France, Lithuania. United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Canada and China.
In 2021 Forbes recommended ASPO Organizers when vetting credentials to hire a Professional Organizer.
In 2022 This Old House also recommended hiring ASPO Organizers.
In 2023 Apartment Therapy recommended ASPO education and certification to aspiring organizers.
In September 2023 we held our first conference in Orlando; two days of networking, inspiration and learning with our colleagues and notable experts in the Organizing industry.
In 2024 ASPO launched the Bilingual Education Program and began offering the Simple Systems® Certification courses in Spanish.
ASPO Board
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Mabel Sciortino, CHO
PRESIDENT & CO-DIRECTOR OF BILINGUAL EDUCATION
Mabel Sciortino, Certified Home Organizer® is the owner of MS Space Solutions in Tampa, Florida. Originally from Santiago, Chile, and she has called Tampa home since 2002. Her early career was in the corporate world and then she followed her lifelong passion as a fitness and health fanatic and became a Personal Trainer. In 2022 Mabel became a member of ASPO following her commitment for helping others. Mabel brings her education, executive and coaching skills to ASPO and now serves as President and Co-Director of Bilingual Education. She also led the translation of the Simple Systems® courses into Spanish, helping expand ASPO’s educational resources.
Mabel is passionate about supporting professional organizers through education, connection, and service.
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Thalia Poulos, CHO
FOUNDER & SENIOR ADVISOR
Thalia Poulos, Certified Home Organizer®, is a Founder of ASPO and the owner of Organized Beautifully in Encinitas CA.
She began her organizing career over 30 years ago in Chicago, when professional organizing was still a highly unknown profession in Chicago. As an experienced Professional Organizer and ASPO’s first President, Thalia continues to bring her expertise and leadership in developing the organization. She also serves as the Chairperson of the Nominating & Leadership Development Committee. She has been a guiding light in the industry and for ASPO and our members since its beginning.
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Shannon Cahill, CHO
SECRETARY
Shannon Cahill, Certified Home Organizer®, is the owner of Spruce Organizing Co. in the Greater Philadelphia and Bucks County region.
With a background in obstetric nursing, Shannon brings her caring nature and her attention to details to her organizing clients. Shannon works compassionately with overwhelmed people and families to bring order, simplicity and calmness to their lives. Home organizing that was once a hobby, has become her passion and main career.
Shannon has been a member of ASPO since 2023 and is a trusted advisor on the ASPO board.
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Donna Cuff, CHO
TREASURER
Donna Cuff, Certified Home Organizer®, is the owner of Untwisted Sister Organizing Solutions located in Seminole, Florida. Donna helps small business owners and homeowners organize their finances, paperwork and transform overwhelming spaces into organized, functional environments.
Before launching her business, Donna enjoyed a career in corporate accounting. She applies her experience with her passion to help businesses and families simplify their lives. It's not about perfection but creating systems that support the way people actually live and work.
Donna is dedicated to advancing the organizing profession. She has been a member of ASPO since 2023.
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Rita Meneses, CHO
CO-DIRECTOR OF BILINGUAL EDUCATION
Rita Meneses, Certified Home Organizer® is the founder of WOWME Organizer, based in Lisbon, Portugal. She specializes in functional home organizing, including unpacking after a move and post-loss organizing. With a degree in Pharmacy, which developed her precision and empathy, and over a decade as a marketing director in an international company, she combines professionalism and problem-solving skills. These strengths fuel her mission to help busy professionals, families, and people in transition create organized homes that support their everyday lives.Rita works in both Portuguese and English. She has been a member of ASPO since 2023 and her experience, dedication, and perspective make her a valuable addition to the board.
ASPO Founders
ASPO was envisioned in 2017 after organizers and friends; Thalia Poulos, Melinda Mauthe and Jennifer Martin decided that there needed to be a fresh focus on education and certification for Professional Organizers. Together, they spent over a year setting down their new vision and goals and creating what would become the Simple Systems® certification courses before officially launching the organization in September 2018.
