Our Team

Deborah Ross Bisignano – Owner & Founder

Deborah Ross Bisignano is the owner of Ross Pilates & Conditioning and is passionate about helping people move better, feel stronger, and continue doing the activities they love.

With more than four decades of experience as a movement educator, Deborah takes an individualized, problem-solving approach, drawing from Pilates, corrective exercise, and a wide range of evidence-informed movement disciplines to address each client's unique movement challenges, goals, and abilities.

Committed to lifelong learning, Deborah continues to expand her knowledge through advanced education and professional training. She has been recognized with CommunityVotes Thunder Bay Platinum awards for Best Personal Trainer in 2025 and 2026. Her qualifications include:

• Comprehensive Certification – Pilates Process™
• Teacher Trainer – Pilates Process™
• Comprehensive Certification – STOTT Pilates®
• Medical Exercise Specialist
• Level 2 ELDOA® Practitioner
• Level 5 MELT Method® Practitioner
• Level 4 Franklin Method® Educator
• Franklin Method® Fascial Trainer
• Functional Movement Screening Specialist
• CoreAlign® Instructor
• SmartSpine™ Instructor
• Buff Bones® Instructor

With a deep understanding of body mechanics, Deborah tailors safe, effective movement experiences to help her clients build strength and gain confidence, creating lasting change that extends beyond the studio.

Outside the studio, Deborah enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, experimenting with new recipes, staying active with Pilates, and enjoying life with her beloved pup, Maui.

Dr. Shanna Anness - Studio Manager & Pilates Instructor

Shanna Anness is a certified Pilates instructor, Registered Nurse, and Doctor of Education, bringing a unique combination of education, healthcare expertise, and leadership experience to Ross Pilates.

Shanna completed her Pilates certification in Toronto in 2008, establishing a foundation in movement, strength, flexibility, and overall physical well-being. With nearly two decades of experience since completing her certification, she is excited to return to her passion for Pilates and share its many benefits with clients of all ages and abilities.

In addition to her Pilates training, Shanna has an extensive professional background in healthcare and education. As a Registered Nurse and nursing professor, she brings a strong understanding of human anatomy, physiology, health promotion, and the importance of individualized, evidence-informed approaches to wellness. She also holds a Doctorate in Education, reflecting her commitment to lifelong learning, professional development, and helping others achieve their goals.

As Studio Manager at Ross Pilates, Shanna is passionate about creating a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment where clients feel empowered to improve their strength, mobility, balance, and overall well-being. She believes Pilates is more than physical exercise—it is an opportunity to build body awareness, confidence, and a lasting connection between movement and health.

Outside the studio, Shanna enjoys spending time with her family, pursuing continued learning, and maintaining an active, balanced lifestyle.

Lynda DePiero

Lynda is a comprehensively certified Pilates, fitness, and dance instructor with over 35 years of experience. Her expertise was recognized in the 2025 CommunityVotes Thunder Bay Awards, where she received the Gold Award for Best Personal Trainer. She holds certifications with STOTT Pilates, Pilates Process, and ACE (American Council on Exercise). Lynda specializes in adult and senior exercise programs, Therapeutic Pilates, and Golf Pilates programming.

Passionate about sharing knowledge, Lynda continues to expand her skills through ongoing education, regularly attending Pilates and fitness workshops and conferences. She delivers safe, functional, and effective programming tailored to each client’s needs and abilities, using a variety of Pilates equipment including the Reformer, Cadillac, and CoreAlign.

Outside of teaching, she enjoys spending time at her home and camp in Shebandowan with her husband Bob (married 45 years) and their family. She loves gardening, making homemade pesto and dill pickles, cooking, entertaining, and staying active through tennis and golf.

Dorothy Daneff

Dorothy is a comprehensively certified Pilates instructor with the Pilates Process Method™ and has over 20 years of teaching experience. She has been an integral part of the Ross Pilates & Conditioning team for many years, bringing knowledge, compassion, and a supportive approach to every session.

She has trained extensively on specialized Pilates equipment, including the Chair, Arc Barrel, Ladder Barrel, Oov, and CoreAlign, and integrates these tools to create dynamic, effective sessions. She finds it incredibly rewarding to see clients leave a session feeling better, stronger, and more balanced.

Dorothy continues to expand her expertise through ongoing education and training, ensuring she delivers safe and effective programming tailored to individual needs.

Beyond Pilates, Dorothy enjoys spending time with family and friends. In the winter, you'll often find her downhill skiing or curling, while in the summer, she loves tending to her garden—creating a beautiful outdoor retreat.

Stephanie Bisignano

Stephanie has been teaching Pilates since 2012 and is comprehensively certified through the Pilates Process Method™. With over a decade of teaching experience, she brings a deep understanding of movement, balance, and strength to every session.

In addition to her Pilates career, Stephanie is a Professional StrongWoman athlete who has competed across Canada and the U.S.—a testament to her own dedication to training and resilience. She also brings over 10 years of experience working in the mental health field, giving her unique insight into how movement, confidence, and well-being are deeply connected.

Stephanie loves helping people discover what their bodies are truly capable of—whether that’s building strength, finding balance and stability, or gaining confidence through mindful movement.

Outside the studio, you’ll often find her hiking, crafting, or enjoying time with her loyal pup, Rebel.