CEA 2022 Speakers Bio

News

CEA 2022 Speakers Bio

June 16, 2022

Andrew Carruthers

Andrew Carruthers
CEO

Andrew’s journey started as an apprentice at a salon that instantly proved there is more to be had in the hair industry than could be seen from the outside. In the past 23 years, he has been a full-time hairdresser, salon owner, artistic director, education director, photographer, editorial stylist, educator, and coach both within and outside the hair world. “Both my paths as a teacher and a personal coach were spawned from a feeling of paying it forward.” Andrew saw first-hand how skilled teachers and his life coach were able to shape a future more expansive than his eyes first envisioned. He wanted to do the same for others so teaching and coaching became a major focus early in his career. As Artistic Director for Paul Mitchell Schools and Education Director for Sam Villa, Andrew’s passion turned towards building future teachers, coaches, and leaders.

Again, all with the purpose of offering those gifts that were given to him to the widest audience possible. “Every coaching client I work with and every class I teach returns inspiration for my own journey.” In his life coaching practice, The Journeyist, Andrew draws on his certification as an mBit (Multiple Brain Integration Techniques) coach/trainer, an Oxygen Advantage breathwork facilitator, and his education through Soul Salt Academy and Ultimate Coach University to support people in using their own intuition, compassion, and creativity to grow personally, spiritually, and professionally. “I truly believe that our journeys are our best teachers”. Motorcycle trips, outdoor adventures, meditation, music, and training in Aikido are all directly infused into Andrew’s vision of life and therefore find their way into every class, every presentation, and every coaching session. “If you are open to your own journey and ready to explore forward with joy and curiosity, my greatest hope is that I can offer some part of my training and experience to support you on your path.” “There is something magical about bringing the crew together. When we discover life together, each individual’s unique experience shines a new perspective on our own.”

Angie Shuler

Milady Master Educator & Owner, of Kenneth Shuler

Angie Shuler
Milady Master Educator & Owner, of Kenneth Shuler

Angie Shuler is an entertaining and enthusiastic national educator with over 45 years of teaching experience and a reputation for telling it like it is with a touch of Southern magnolia drawl. With a Master’s Degree in Secondary Ed, she is an author, motivational speaker and a classroom guru on what it takes to “bring it” in the classroom. She taught 8th Grade English/Language Arts for 26 years; joined the cosmetology industry over 25 years ago as an Educational Director and is currently also serving as an Advocate for the Special Needs community focusing on housing development for those with disabilities.

She has served as a NACCAS academic evaluator, on the NACCAS Panel Review Board and is the founder/CEO of This Works! – an educational consulting business focusing on educational improvement. She is a Milady Trainer and has achieved her Trailblazer Master Educator certificate. She proudly contributed to the new 4th edition of the Milady Professional Educator content. She has taught 41 Methods of Teaching classes required to become licensed instructors in South Carolina and has presented at AACS/CEA conferences for over 19 years. Married to Kenneth Shuler for 25+ years, they own and operate 8 cosmetology schools across South Carolina.

Carla Jones

Health & Beauty Industry Influencer

Carla Jones
Health & Beauty Industry Influencer

Carla Jones, MBA is a Health and Beauty Industry Influencer performing “money makeover” artistry for beauty and barber industry professionals with focus on three key areas. • Customized Business Growth Profit Strategies • Digital & Social Media Marketing • School Operations, Academics & Accreditation With a career that spans 27+ years at power houses that include L’Oreal, USA, Revlon, General Motors, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals and Empire Education Group, Carla Jones is shows beauty and barber professionals, corporations, and academic institutions how to connect their distinctive style with revenue and profitability for their businesses and where applicable educational operational and student success. Carla Jones has been charged with driving revenue in every corporate position she’s held, and this licensed industry professional has accomplished exactly that across multiple industries. Companies have been tapping into her thought leadership on revenue generation, cost cutting, and consumer trends for innovative approaches to operations and education that increased business efficiencies and identified revenue opportunities.

As a co-author of the 2016 release of “Upfront: An Entrepreneur’s Quick Start Guide”, Carla leverages her expertise and proprietary business tools to assist beauty and barber professionals, corporations, and educational institutions in driving predictable revenue that morph into highly compensated entrepreneurs and businesses. Online digital, live streaming and social media marketing strategies are the color mix of her edgy brand. She understands that the beauty and barber industry professional must consistently generate profits to live the lives they love and to build the successful businesses they dream of.

Carol Woodard

Owner

Carol Woodard
Owner

Carol Woodard has helped thousands of students reach their dream of becoming successful in their chosen careers—while continuing to inspire those who educate them. An international speaker, educator, and author, Carol is an American Board-Certified Neuro-Linguistic Master Practitioner and a member of the International Guild of Neuro-Linguistic Practitioners. She is the former chairperson for the Career Educators Alliance (CEA), where she served a role in planning annual events while leading a committee of more than 20 people and teaching workshops.

Carol’s public speaking engagements have gained international attention and has been featured in O, The Oprah Magazine as an education expert. She has been published multiple times in BeautyLink magazine and various other publications. She is the author of the groundbreaking book, The Educator’s Diet: Teaching With 21st Century Recipes. Her latest book, Going Woodard, was released in Dec. 2020

As a member of the United States Tennis Association, her passion for helping others realize that they can be any and everything they want to be on and off the tennis court has resulted in many lifelong relationships. She is known around the globe, from her hometown in Texas to Russia, Sweden, Chile, and Australia, as “Momma Muffin” by players on the collegiate tennis circuit. In 1975, she married her high school sweetheart, Mark, and is the proud mother of two daughters, Jill and Angie. Carol and Mark are “Mop and Pop” to five beautiful grandchildren and currently live in Burleson, Texas.

Cole Thompson

Director, and Founder

Cole Thompson
Director, and Founder

Cole is originally from Manchester England and has been active in the hair industry since the year 2000. Cole started his career in independent salons around the Manchester area before beginning work for Vidal Sassoon in 2003, where he quickly became one of Vidal Sassoon’s youngest “Creative Directors”. During his 12 years at Vidal Sassoon, Cole gained tremendous respect in the industry while working closely with many schools in their “School Connection” program. He has traveled the world to educate professionals at all levels on hair cutting technique in both seminar and classroom settings. He also became an expert consultant as he developed programs to help clients grow and improve school curriculums, business and salon management and structure, client growth, assistant training programs, and more.

Cole has also worked on developing collections, has directed and run photo shoots, and has even appeared in a Vidal Sassoon TV commercial as a “Salon Genius.” Cole left Vidal Sassoon in 2015 to continue spreading his expansive knowledge to hair professionals of all levels all around the world, this time through Elevation H – Apprenticeship and Training Programs for Schools and Salons. Cole’s passion for educating is evident in his work, as he continues to help others strive for excellence in all areas of the industry. Cole is also an expert in building Salon and School businesses, from social media, improving client count, raising prices, enrollment and tuition and how to run an efficient business. For all of your salon, school or personal goals Cole can help.

Corina Santoro

VP, Product and Customer Specialist

Corina Santoro
VP, Product and Customer Specialist

Corina Santoro is the VP of Product and Customer Experience 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, including the prestigious 40 under 40 awards. 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 mom to three boys and loves to work out and give back to her local community. She is often recognized for her signature purple, curly hair.

Daniel Dunworth

Learning Experience Sr. Manager

Daniel Dunworth
Learning Experience Sr. Manager

With 20 years of professional experience Daniel Dunworth – with Pivot Point International brings high energy, passion, and a drive to help educators, students, and professionals reach their full potential. His background includes positions as a cosmetology educator, student salon manager, school director, and corporate trainer. Daniel works with owners, staff, educators, students, and licensed professionals across the world to share core values of Pivot Point education and methodologies. With his inspiration and passion for blending technology with education he has helped thousands in the industry maintain a modern approach to creating beauty.

Dawn Maloney

Owner & Creator

Dawn Maloney
Owner & Creator

As a world-renowned makeup artist, Dawn Maloney has been a professional makeup artist and educator for almost three decades. Since 1999, Dawn has inspired and empowered aspiring makeup artists and beauty professionals with incredible makeup artistry courses. Her passion is driven by the love of her students, clients, and the beauty industry. Dawn Maloney is the owner and creator of Makeupclasses.com, a beauty company that stimulates the mind and inspires the heart! Dawn has been a professional makeup artist for almost three decades.

Dawn is a speaker, author, YouTube personality, and career coach with the credibility and experience that will wow and inspire you. Her love and passion for beauty, fashion, and a healthy lifestyle are the driving forces behind Makeupclasses.com and The Makeup Studio! Dawn started her professional career path in 1996 as a personal trainer then makeup artist for Lancôme cosmetics and Glamour Shots. She has always connected the dots between health and beauty. Through perseverance and courage to put herself out there, Dawn has created an incredible career. Her professional makeup artistry career includes: Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, MSNBC, Weather Plus, Maury Povich Show, Ricki Lake Show, Inside Edition, The Sally Jessy Raphael Show, celebrity clientele, independent films, corporate videos, photo shoots, NYC Fashion Week, special occasion clientele, and theatrical productions.

Dawn is one of the most sought after makeup artistry educators and speakers trusted by individuals to help them design and build a beauty career, business, and most importantly a life beyond their wildest dreams. She has designed numerous makeup artistry training programs including her sell out 40 Hour Advanced Makeup Techniques Class which she has taught in 22 major US cities to people from all over the globe. She teaches her 49 face shapes, 36 lip combinations, and 24 eye combinations technique which is unique to the beauty industry! No one teaches this, but her! Dawn self published The Makeup Artist Design Book in 2003. Her latest book, The Sandcastle, is an original short story, Christian parable illustrated for children, but a timeless, classic for adults. The Makeover has always been the theme of her life. She’s a makeup artist by trade, but a “makeoverist” by heart! “My life has been my greatest makeover!” Dawn’s makeover message resonates to women and girls all over the world. “I love my male clients but I am especially faithful to women and girls. I honor women and all their struggles.

It has always been my vision for Makeupclasses.com to give to and support domestic violence and alcohol and drug addiction charities near and dear to my heart.” Compassion, generosity, and a loving heart is truly what makes Dawn unique to the industry. Dawn Maloney is a Montclair State University graduate with a BA in Broadcasting with a focus on Women and Gender Studies. She has a New Jersey State Cosmetology License. She lives in New Jersey with her fabulous husband and amazing children.

Denise Herman

Managing Attorney

Denise Herman
Managing Attorney

Denise Herman began her legal career over 30 years ago, having attained a dual master’s degree in education and business at Seton Hall University and a J.D. at Rutgers Law School. Throughout her legal career, Denise has provided counsel to various regulated industries, including the aviation, health care, financial services, and education sectors. Her most memorable achievement is being appointed vice president and assistant general counsel for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in New York City at an induction ceremony at the top of the former World Trade Center in 1994. Denise relocated from New York to Florida in 1995 to become general counsel for MetLife Financial Services, Southeastern Region. In 1999, she diverted from the practice of law to attain the requisite FINRA licenses and work as managing director of five MetLife Financial Services offices on Florida’s Gold Coast. In that role, she and her admissions, compliance, and sales teams led the country for three consecutive years in growth and sales. With that team, Denise supervised 165 financial advisors and brokers, overseeing daily trades and transactions.

Ready for a change, Denise opened her law offices in Florida in 2009 while simultaneously teaching undergraduate pre-law students at Keiser University in Tampa. In her law practice, her goal is to apply her extensive and diverse professional experience to help clients find practical and cost-effective solutions to legal problems. She is both a trial and transactional attorney, practicing at both the state and federal level. In 2014, Denise began providing legal advice and counsel to beauty school owners and their management. Drawing upon her experience in the law, education, sales, and business, she has successfully defended administrative agency complaints, negotiated beauty school specific leases, addressed a myriad of employment-related issues, challenged personal injury demands, proposed the implementation of risk management tools, devised succession plans, addressed regulatory issues, and undertaken complicated contract negotiations. For more on Denise, please visit www.beautyschoollaw.com.

Elizabeth Faye

CEO and Founder

Elizabeth Faye
CEO and Founder

Elizabeth Faye is a globally recognized business and trauma informed coach, speaker, podcast host, author and the CEO and founder of Hair Love University. She coaches ambitious hair professionals, educators and salon owners how to build dream of lives they’re wildly in love with, complete with unapologetic wealth. She is currently a salon owner, retired hairstylists and has over a decade of education experience. She’s responsible for facilitating 1000s of full-blown career transformations via her soul-spurred retreats and hair business mentorship programs, masterminds & private coaching. When she’s not holding space for amazing humans at retreats, coaching industry leaders, she’s off living her life with her fiancé Derek, her 8-year-old son Strider & two poodles. Elizabeth and her beautiful blended family lives in Southern Utah, and loves to travel the world.

Erin Kuhn

President

Erin Kuhn
President

Erin serves as President of Qnity, and has played a pivotal role in the global expansion and impact driven mission of Qnity. Since joining Qnity, Erin’s leadership has helped bring Qnity’s simple and visual learning methodology to companies of all sizes ranging from beauty to finance and globally from Spain to India. Erin also serves as a partner in Qnity for Schools, which provides simple and visual financial literacy training to students in cosmetology, esthetic, barber, nail, and massage programs. A gifted speaker, leader, and writer, Erin’s deeply passionate about the power of education to help companies and individuals create behavior changes that lead to results, helping us all go from ‘knowing’ to doing to experience a greater level of financial success.

Jalia Pettis

Visionary

Jalia Pettis
Visionary

Jalia Pettis is a Visionary and a woman who wears many hats. Having a business background composed of over 20-years in Human Resource Management coupled with Training and Marketing experience. Understanding her purpose is aligned to her passion she made the decision in 2006 to create 3Jay Productions, a multi-faceted firm of professionals that caters to those in the beauty, fashion, and entertainment industries. 3Jay Productions offers a broad range of services to include business development, brand management, imaging, creative direction, event planning, and public relations. The following year Jalia was the brainchild behind an event entitled the Style Exhibition which was awarded a proclamation by the Mayor of Columbia, SC as the premiere fashion event of the city. The event has been re-branded and as of 2019 is a beauty workshop for students and licensed beauty professionals. In 2008 she went a step further and launched her freelance makeup artistry career. After a solid year of trial and error, she reached out to others in the industry and began studying the craft of makeup artistry.

After many fashion events, photoshoots, and travel throughout the southeast she relocated to Arizona which took her career to the next level. In 2014 she returned to school to study esthetics and graduated at the top of her class. In July 2015 she became a Beacon Award Winner and in May 2017 was named NAHA Finalist for Makeup Artist of the Year both accomplishments through the Professional Beauty Association. In 2018 she began her journey as a Platform Educator traveling to offer other professionals training and has developed a seven-week-long curriculum for those interested in becoming Certified Makeup Artists. In 2020, she was named an International Beauty Industry Award Winner and most recently named 2022 NAHA Winner for Makeup Artist of the Year. Through a pandemic she launched BLND Beaute a line of cosmetic tools with an online education component and added yet another licensure to skill set as a Hair Stylist.

Jalia also contributes as a guest writer to various publications and blogs where she shares insight and practical tips. As a Licensed Esthetician, Hair Stylist and Professional Makeup Artist, Jalia educates her clients on loving the skin they are in. She is a Certified Trainer through Achieve Global, a member of three elite non-profit organizations and the 2018 American Small Business Champion for the state of Arizona. As a proud mother of three, her life philosophy is based on faith, passion, and perseverance.

Jason Russell

Product Experience Sr. Manager

Jason Russell
Product Experience Sr. Manager

Sharing Pivot Point education globally as a stylist and licensed cosmetology instructor is a dream come true for Jason. His goal when working with students, stylists and instructors around the world is to ignite passion for the beauty industry and provide each one with a phenomenal educational experience that will inspire them to a long and prosperous career. The greatest joy that he experiences as a Field Educator comes from helping thousands of beauty professionals hone their creativity and practical skills. Jason has facilitated trainings at all major events: ISSE, ABS, Premier, Creative Jam, CEA and AACS. He is involved with on-set production for Pivot Point educational materials and trend releases and his work has been featured in Modern Salon magazine and on Modernsalon.com.

Jen Kuhn

Cosmetology Supervisor

Jen Kuhn
Cosmetology Supervisor

Jennifer Kuhn is the Cosmetology Supervisor at the Eric Fisher Academy. She also works behind the chair at the Eric Fisher Salon. She has been in the industry for 17 years as a stylist and educator. Jen is passionate about helping students achieve their goals and reach their potential. She is always learning and studying new ways to reach her students and help them find success.

Jen Martinelli

Co-Founder

Jen Martinelli
Co-Founder

Co-Founders of Canvas Me & husband and wife team, Jen and Matt Martinelli set out to disrupt the world of beauty recruitment as we know it and to empower beauty pros and beauty businesses everywhere to be seen and find their tribe. After over two decades of working at a high-profile beauty software company and working with thousands of beauty business owners, the dynamic duo grew frustrated at the lack of resources that beauty professionals had to showcase their creative work, achievements, and goals. Similarly, they were unhappy about the lack of resources for beauty business owners in finding their next cultural fit to join their work family. That was the moment the two made the leap to create Canvas Me, the digital beauty platform created from pure passion, purpose, and transformation. Today Canvas Me is home for thousands of beauty students, beauty professionals and beauty businesses across the country sharing their stories through their digital portfolios so that they can find and connect with their people and live out the beauty career of their dreams

Jennifer Palomba

Learning Experience Specialist

Jennifer Palomba
Learning Experience Specialist

Jennifer has a passion for service flourished in the Cosmetology Industry. She has become an expert in education & training. Jennifer also has a strong background in business administration, recruiting, coaching, & leadership experience.

Jesse Linares

Sam Villa

Jesse Linares
Sam Villa

Jesse Linares has worked full-time in the salon for close to two (2) decades. He’s a veteran educator of over fifteen (15) years and is obsessed with the unique challenges & educational needs of the working hairdresser. Jesse has taught hundreds of classes from coast to coast in every situation venue imaginable. He is known for his real-world demeanor for teaching in language that is down-to-earth, humorous, and easy to understand. Jesse has trained extensively in all disciplines of hair, working alongside some of the industry’s best-with the intent and purpose of bringing that knowledge to the salon professional.

Jessica Beck

Director

Jessica Beck
Director

Jessica Beck is the Director for Prosper U and the former Director of Education for Eric Fisher Academy. She has been in the industry for over 15 years. The first five years were spent behind the chair and managing a salon. Since then, she has been an educator working closely with Eric Fisher, the founder of Prosper U. Jessica is dedicated to the development of business education for beauty professionals and has been a key player in making the Prosper U programs engaging for today’s students.

Johnny Pickering

Business Development

Johnny Pickering
Business Development

Johnny Pickering specializes in helping instructors understand the impact social media has on the success of their students, and the importance of teaching the next generation how to effectively market themselves to reach their goals after graduation. He currently heads up Business Development for Beauty as a Business, working with schools internationally to improve the educator’s and student’s understanding of social media.

Kevin Nguyen

Education and Artistic Team

Kevin Nguyen
Education and Artistic Team

Kevin Nguyen, known to the barber community as “Yakuza Barber” is a second-generation barber residing in San Diego, California. Kevin is an interictal part of the Wahl Education and Artistic Team. After winning Wahl’s online Barber Battle 3, Kevin represented the Unites States on the international WAHL Stage and is an artist in WAHL’s DisrupTour. Kevin creates social media content for Wahl Professional, collaborates with the Wahl Artistic team on the education curriculum and contributes to photo and asset creation. When Kevin is not working on Wahl education, he can be found educating future professionals at California Barber and Beauty College in San Diego California where he works alongside his family developing the next generation of barbers. Kevin’s gift is his ability to educate. He has a way of taking the most complicated barbering techniques and making them simple and easy to understand. His students find in him an inspiration to not just be a better barber, but a better person.

Lisha Barnes

Academic Development Manager

Lisha Barnes
Academic Development Manager

Lisha Barnes currently serves as the Academic Development Manager for Milady. She is responsible for developing and delivering the Master Educator instructor training program, Master Educator Online Instructor series, Milady’s Academic Blog, supporting schools with curriculum develop and product knowledge. She is a licensed cosmetologist, barber and instructor and is committed to improving the quality of cosmetology education.

She received a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Eastern New Mexico University and her Cosmetology, Barber and Student Instructor training at Olympian University of Cosmetology. Lisha’s thorough understanding of the cosmetology school industry comes from over 25 years of hands on experience serving in various roles, including Instructor, Director of Education, Admissions, Financial Aid, Accreditation, and School Administrator for multiple private cosmetology schools.

Barnes has served as: • NACCAS Commissioner • Cosmetology Educators of America Committee Member • AACS Accreditation Committee Chair • SkillsUSA Cosmetology Co-Chair • California State Board of Cosmetology School Advisory Committee and Curriculum Advisory Committee Lisha has worked on numerous writing projects for Milady and various industry publications. She has presented multiple Continuing Education approved courses to thousands of educators across her career as via school trainings, state associations events and national conferences such as CEA and AACS. This industry experience allows her to see the industry from a variety of viewpoints, which helps in sharing information and ideas with educators all around the world.

Matt Marinelli

Co-Founder

Matt Marinelli
Co-Founder

Marcia Bird

Education Advisor

Marcia Bird
Education Advisor

In more than four decades in the professional beauty industry, one thing has become clear: great technical skills must now be augmented with effective soft skills—communication, customer service, time management, teamwork, and so many more—to distinguish professionals and truly contribute to lasting success. The challenge is that these skills are often disregarded in most training programs. I’ve made it my goal to change that. I am passionate about this industry and am always seeking new discoveries that will elevate the profession and promote higher standards. From working in a salon fresh out of high school to managing education for manufacturers such as the Wella Company, designing the first community college beauty profession program in New Jersey and many steps at private and public beauty schools in between, I have lived most facets of the beauty industry. Through it all, a dedication to education has been a common thread. At Wella, I created educational content that over 200 technical educators and artists taught to distributors, schools, independent and multi-site salons and franchise operations across the U.S. By training our trainers to adopt participant-focused teaching methods, we boosted training quality and increased training productivity.

Modern Salon’s Excellence in Education program recognized the innovative teaching venue that I designed for Raritan Valley Community College in New Jersey. Blending my experience in the public and private sectors of beauty education, I created and executed a model course of study for each program that taught beyond standard school curricula. It embraced the best aspects of education and industry, instilling the quality required to emulate a real-world experience for students in a dynamic venue that looked and functioned like a high-end salon and spa. Working for large manufacturers, I learned the power of “sales through education” programs to build sales and success.

My experience with these programs and their synergies allows me to customize educational programs that distinguish brands and expand sales for clients big and small. At Protégé, I draw on my unique combination of skills and experiences, imbued with a focus on excellence and a tireless commitment to professionalism, to deliver the best practices of the beauty industry customized to my clients’ needs and dreams. Whether training trainers, delivering a keynote presentation or brainstorming innovative brand-building educational strategies, my clients rely on my dynamism, my deep knowledge of the industry and my ability to listen closely to identify what they need to move their careers and businesses to the next level.

Michael Bondi

Artist Educator

Michael Bondi
Artist Educator

Passionate makeup artist and educator with 20+ years’ experience working seamlessly between high profile projects and teaching. Michael has done projects like NBC’s live cast of Miss America, The Academy Awards and the Sundance Film Festival. A dynamic and innovative artist with exceptional communication and people skills who was among the handful of artists who opened the first MAC store in NY City.

Nikki Le

Founder

Nikki Le
Founder

At 28, Nikki Trowbridge launched the Statements Brand with her first salon and three employees. Over the last 22 years, as the founder of Statements Inc., she has transitioned hundreds of new professionals into the beauty industry through her school and salon apprenticeship. The Statements Project focuses on consulting through mentorship, offering free on-line education for stylists and students, and on-line courses for extensive business development. Nikki hopes to inspire salon owners/professionals with a method of interpreting business metrics, and the keys to dynamic leadership that will renew the dual experience, technical innovation and inspiration for happier, more fulfilling careers.

Paul Thompson

Creative Director

Paul Thompson
Creative Director

Paul Thompson has been passionately active in the hair industry for almost twenty years. A native of Manchester England, he started out working behind the chair. Because of his high skill level and consistent customer satisfaction, Paul’s popularity grew to such a high level that he was quickly able to transition into salon ownership. He is now the proud owner of two successful English salons, continues to work behind the chair, and has plans to continue expanding his brand. Paul’s two decades of experience have made him a master at customer relations, and an expert in what it takes to grow a successful business from scratch. Paul knows the importance of consistent education within a salon and that a salon is only as good as the skill level and professionalism of its stylists. Paul is an educator for Elevation H and teaches classes all over the world.

Paul Suttles

Sr. Director, Experience Management

Paul Suttles
Sr. Director, Experience Management

With a strong hairdressing background, Paul’s goal as Senior Director of Education Implementation, North America is to capitalize on the strengths of each team member to ensure a well-rounded implementation strategy. He does so with progressive tools that will inspire, motivate and empower the industry to raise the bar of excellence. Paul has diverse and dedicated experience within the beauty industry. He has directed and participated in a number of editorial photo shoots with renowned artists, including celebrated photographer Babak, and has been featured in industry trade publications, including Modern Salon, South African Hairdressers Journal, Sophisticate’s Hairstyle Guide, Penteados, Beauty & Hair, Estetica Italia, Inspire and Canadian Hairdresser.

Random Facts · Loves cooking and entertaining; is addicted to Ina Garten (AKA Barefoot Contessa) · Reads motivational leadership books · Plays the piano · Before going into cosmetology, worked in mortuary science · Had the privilege of combing Sir Anthony Hopkins’ hair on a Hollywood movie set—and still has the brush!

Stephenie Dugan

Director

Stephenie Dugan
Director

Stephenie began her career in the beauty industry in 1994. After graduating from Xenon’s, she went on to work for Eric Fisher at his salon in Wichita, Kansas. She put in her time as an assistant before she began working behind the chair. She seized any opportunity and traveled all over the world to master her skills. After 19 years of being behind the chair, she realized her love for this industry came from helping her client’s look and feel their best. She decided she wanted to share her knowledge and talent with others, who like her enjoy inspiring confidence. She changed her focus to education and became a licensed instructor at Eric Fisher Academy in 2012.

From there, she was promoted to Salon Floor Supervisor and then on to the Director of Education. As the Director of Education, she gained knowledge on other areas of the academy and helped create a positive work and learning environment. In 2019, Stephenie was promoted to the Directors position at EFA, a goal she always envisioned for herself. She was recognized by the Wichita Business Journal for Women Who Lead in Education in 2020. Above all, Stephenie is proud to be a part of the beauty industry and continues to challenge herself to never stop learning and to always leave a positive impact.

Tammie Stevens

Milady Master Educator Trainer & Corporate Ed Team, Kenneth Shuler

Tammie Stevens
Milady Master Educator Trainer & Corporate Ed Team, Kenneth Shuler

Tammie Stevens has been in the beauty industry for over 37 years with 35 of these years involving education in the industry. She has also owned several salons. Tammie has worked for public and private schools in the industry before opening her own school, which was sold to her current employer, Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology. She has been part of the Corporate Education Team for the past 11 years. Tammie is very passionate about education for the beauty industry. Her past activities include serving on the South Carolina All-Industry-Council board, Past President of the SC Association of Cosmetology Schools, served on the Executive Board for Association of Cosmetology Salon Professionals, SCACS Competition Chair. She has taught classes required to become licensed instructors in SC, and continuing education classes for license renewals.

She is a Milady Master Educator Trainer and has achieved her Trailblazer Master Educator certification. She has reviewed content for past and current Milady Cosmetology textbooks. She proudly contributed to content for the new edition of the Milady Professional Educator textbook. She is also featured in the new Professional Educator content in the Educator Spotlight section. Her motto for education- never stop learning! Keep it real and keep it fun!

Tracey Nugent

Education Team Member

Tracey Nugent
Education Team Member

Little did Tracey Nugent know that she would be the driving force behind the new Wahl Men’s Method Course Book when she was prepping hair for one of the most magical platform stage performances at a NYC trade show 26 years ago. But that’s what happens when absolute determination and a passion for hair fuse into one’s life calling. Tracey has done just about everything – excellently – at some point during her versatile career: National Educator, Cosmetology Instructor, licensed barber and cosmetologist, and most recently: Education and Artistic Coordinator for Wahl Professional, U.S. And while Tracey is just as comfortable behind the chair as she is in the classroom, her infectious personality has led to countless students finding their true potential with every curriculum she creates and every classroom she leads. Tracey is a huge believer in the promise of Wahl’s potential and is unshakable in her drive to make significant contributions in her position as a WAHL Education Team member.

Lacey LaRose

Founder/CEO

Lacey LaRose
Founder/CEO

Licensed in the states of Kansas, Missouri and Tennessee, Lacey LaRose is a cosmetology educator with over 10+ years of combined experience behind the chair, on film sets and in the classroom. Lacey specializes in helping educators and students perfect their craft, find their passion and love the life they live.

Stephanie Melvin

National Training Specialist

Stephanie Melvin
National Training Specialist

With over twenty years of leadership, sales, and consultative experience with top beauty brands, Stephanie Melvin blends her passion, education, and experience to guide the success of salons, schools, and corporate industry partners.

Stephanie joins the Canvas Me from Paul Mitchell Schools, where she led the organization in creating and implementing strategies and tools to elevate recruitment campaigns, enrollment systems, and salon relationships, for over a decade. Stephanie specializes in recruitment, cross-generational communication, and educating others on the technology and tools necessary to not only embrace but define the future of the beauty industry.

As a national training specialist, speaker and business consultant, Stephanie is committed to providing industry leaders with results-driven support and education to take Canvas Me, and the schools, salons, and industry professionals they serve, to their next level of success.

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Federal Update – August 26

August 26, 2026

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS HIGHLIGHTS Trade Dispute Escalates: Tariff War with Canada Congress in Recess: Funding Fight Awaits…

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State Update – August 19

August 19, 2026

HEADLINES California Sunset Bill Continues to Advance2026 State Bill Enactments: Part 2 of 2…

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