AACS Board of Directors Candidates: 2025-26
The new members of the 2025-26 Board of Directors will be voted on by membership at the AACS Annual Business Meeting on Saturday, October 25, 8:30 AM, during the AACS Annual Conference in Miami Beach. Below, you can learn more about the candidates and their backgrounds. There are four available school member board seats, and one available partner member board seat.
Members who cannot attend and vote in person, may assign a proxy to vote on their behalf:
Proxy Form Instructions: Fill out your information and sign the top section, then assign a proxy in the bottom section. Do not write in your candidate vote on this form.The assigned proxy will be authorized to vote on behalf of your school or company during the Annual Business Meeting. Each school or company only needs to submit one proxy form.
If you are assigning a proxy to your school or company, send your completed Proxy form to membership@myaacs.org by Tuesday, October 21, 5:00 pm EST.
AACS
2025 School Member Candidates (*incumbents)
Burganndi Austin
Compliance Officer, Bene's Career AcademyBurganndi Austin’s leadership bridges tradition and technology. She’s redefining beauty education through AI-driven innovation, streamlined compliance, and student-focused systems. With a mission to modernize operations while preserving the integrity that anchors the industry, Burganndi represents the next generation of AACS leadership — forward-thinking, data-informed, and deeply committed to shaping the future of beauty and wellness education
Gwen Braimoh
Owner, Expertise Cosmetology InstituteGwen Braimoh is the Founder of Expertise Cosmetology Institute and a visionary entrepreneur,
educator, and mentor with over 36 years of leadership in the beauty and wellness industry. She has
served in state and national leadership roles, guiding policy, promoting workforce equity, and advancing
the standards of beauty and career education through faith, innovation, and strategy.
Matt Meduna *
Owner, Penrose Academy & Capitol BeautyMatt is seasoned financial expert and entrepreneur with 28 years of Commercial Banking experience and 10 years of business ownership in the Health and Beauty Industry. Matt and his wife own Penrose Academy in Scottsdale, Arizona and Capitol Beauty in Omaha, NE. Combined they serve and educate nearly 400 students annually. Matt has been a proud board member for AACS the past 3 years while also serving on the Finance Committee.
Dana Persico *
Owner, Long Island Nail, Skin & Hair InstituteDana Persico is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Nail Skin & Hair Institute. She has brought her science-based and global insight to many of the industries’ most respected beauty organizations. Dana has committed her career to raise the bar on beauty industry standards and, through her avant-garde educational approach, thousands of Estheticians, Nail Technicians, Waxers, and Makeup Artists, Hair Stylists and Permanent Makeup Artists have attained great success within the multi-billion dollar beauty and medical spa industry.
Dana regularly designs runway looks for international Fashion Designers at New York’s Fashion Week. She has been featured in various beauty publications and has appeared in multiple media outlets.
Stacy Wells *
Owner, L'esprit AcademyStacy is a dynamic force in our industry, a champion of smart regulation and elevating industry standards. Co-founder of L’esprit Academy, former salon owner, licensed cosmetologist, she combines creativity, vibrancy, and vision with her technical knowledge and business experience. As Chair of the AACS Strategy Committee, she inspires and advocates for beauty careers, using her voice to protect, preserve, and predict the interests of the beauty and wellness sector.
2025 Partner Member Candidates (*incumbent)
Shawn Conder
Account Management Director, Cosmetology/Barber Division, PSI ServicesShawn Conder is an Account Manager for Cosmetology/Barbering Services and the PSI National Cosmetology/Barbering Advisory Board Chairman. Throughout his tenure in the cosmetology industry, he has obtained multiple licenses within the beauty field. His career has included salon owner, educator, public speaker, and subject matter expert for examination content and textbook review. He has served in various roles which include working alongside nearly all state boards of cosmetology, barbering, and body arts throughout the United States as well as providing training to trade schools – both public and private – for their state’s examination processes and continued education. He is an advocate of beauty licensure and has worked with many national and state committees on projects to protect the future of licensees in the beauty industry.
Corina Santoro *
General Manager, MiladyCorina Santoro is General Manager for Milady, the leader in beauty and wellness education. Her work is focused on innovating and re-imagining products and services that prepare students to enter the workplace ready to succeed today and in the jobs of tomorrow.
A seasoned product development executive, she has launched products and programs around the globe and received numerous accolades over her 20-year career. Her specialty has always been taking the power of something large and making it available to the everyday person. Her passion is empowering life change through knowledge.
When not traveling, speaking and developing new products, Corina is a mother to three grown sons and loves to workout and give back to her local community. She is often recognized for her signature purple, curly hair.
