Seniors at the Whitehall Senior Center recently gathered for a Lunch and Learn event featuring Irina Perry, a media producer, entrepreneur, and wellness educator based in Reynoldsburg. The event offered an inspiring look into Irina’s life journey—from her early years in St. Petersburg, Russia, to building a meaningful career and community impact in Central Ohio.
Irina shared her experience of coming to Columbus, Ohio, and the challenges and opportunities that shaped her path as a new American. She spoke candidly about her long-term battle with nocturnal seizures, explaining how years of searching for answers ultimately led her to embrace holistic wellness and alternative healing approaches. Through dedication to lifestyle changes and natural health practices, Irina was able to reclaim her well-being—an experience that became the foundation of her work in herbal education.
Today, Irina is the owner and educator of Perry’s Herbal Skin Care, where she teaches the principles of herbal medicine and alternative healing, empowering others to explore natural solutions for their health. During the presentation, seniors were thrilled to learn more about herbalism, actively engaging by asking thoughtful questions and sharing personal experiences. Many attendees expressed enthusiasm about future speaking opportunities and scheduling time with Irina to continue learning about herbal medicine and holistic wellness.
In addition to her wellness journey, Irina discussed a major professional transformation in her life. After spending 20 years in Information Technology, working across the banking and insurance industries, she made the bold decision to walk away from a stable career to pursue her passion for creativity and storytelling. She enrolled in the Digital Media Production program at the Ohio Media School in Whitehall and graduated in Nov 2025.
Irina is now a partner with The New Americans Magazine and the owner of Perry’s Media Production, a digital media business based in Reynoldsburg. Through her work, she collaborates with new and existing immigrants, small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders, while building strong professional relationships with the City of Columbus and surrounding communities.
Her message to seniors was both heartfelt and empowering: life’s challenges can become steppingstones, and it is never too late to heal, learn, or reinvent yourself. The event left attendees inspired by Irina’s resilience, her commitment to lifelong education, and her dedication to uplifting others through both media and wellness.
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