All staff members at The Salon Academy are licensed by the state’s Board of Cosmetology to practice in the fields that we prepare our students for, and are all actively involved in the industry.
Each staff member with the word “Educator” in their title also possess a teaching registration issued by the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission confirming that they are qualified to teach.
Amelia – Administrative Assistant
Amelia came to The Academy with the background of having been a cosmetology student as well as having salon coordinator experience. While she currently holds a Nail Technology license, her love of the industry as a whole, is seen in her current role as an Administrative Assistant.
Among the many tasks that Amelia handles daily, her most fulfilling activity is helping the next generation of industry professionals exceed their goals, through impactful scheduling practices and prioritizing their time management.
Carrie – Educator
Carrie’s background in hair, makeup, special effects for the stage, film sets, and photography, have led her to share the many paths that are available to others. Her experience combined with her desire to help people be their best, creates an extraordinary learning environment.
Her credentials include being a Mud Makeup Designory Master Makeup Artist , as well as certifications in Flaunt Hair Extensions, Elan International Lash Extensions, Advanced Aesthetics Inc. Microneedling and Advanced Aesthetics Inc. Dermaplaning. The thing that she is most excited about as an Educator at The Academy, is helping others to see all that is possible for them.
Chandra – Educator & Administrator
Chandra’s role at The Academy is versatile. Her training in Esthetics and Nail Technology has propelled her career into a spa environment where she discovered a passion for understanding ingredients and how they work.
Her additional certifications include Milady Lash Lamination, Procell MicroChanneling, and Advanced Aesthetics Inc. Dermaplaning. As an Educator and Administrator at The Academy, Chandra’s talents inspire students in the classroom and on the salon floor.
Don – Admissions Director & Educator
Don was drawn to the cosmetology industry because of a haircut he received in 1971, that changed his life. His career as a Hair Designer and Salon Owner for over 40 years has led him to a role at The Academy as an
Admissions Director / Educator. He is the virtual hug that welcomes interested individuals into this amazing industry. He embodies the position with an abundance of knowledge (and humor)! He always takes the time to answer a question or help find an answer, and he shows up for our students and staff with heartfelt honesty every day.
Kelly – Educator
Kelly describes her attraction to cosmetology as a LOVE that never ends. She loves chemistry, she loves facing a challenge and finding solutions. Most of all, she loves helping people have a win and learn how to create more wins for themselves. During her time serving clients, she made each one of them feel seen and heard. She now does that for our students as an Educator at The Academy. She helps our students succeed from the beginning, in an unlimited number of ways. Kelly is Flaunt Extension Certified, a curly hair specialist and she leads our community through state of art digital resources.
Michelle – Educator
Michelle is described as a “People Person”. She found her place in cosmetology where she can connect with clients. This, combined with her natural desire to understand the “WHY” behind how things work, has led her to teaching.
Supporting the discovery process of others and continual growth for all is what led Michelle to become an Educator at The Academy. Michelle is currently working towards becoming a Master Educator and sees herself as a life-long learner.
Nancy – Operations Director & Educator
Nancy traces her start in the field of cosmetology back to childhood where her dolls, pets and neighbors all had evolving looks as a result of her gravitation toward visual impact. She went on to build a loyal clientele, own a salon and work with manufacturers and distributors to help others succeed as well or better than she had.
This experience led to Nancy’s role in The Salon Academy as Director of Operations / Educator. Nancy’s most recent accomplishments include Flaunt Hair Extensions certification, Mud Make-up Designory Faculty Certification and Redken Design Certification.
Susan – Educator
Susan (Suzi) has worked in education at North Clackamas School District and Mt Hood Community College (MHCC), and she was also honored to participate on the search committee for the MHCC President Dean of Arts. She is certified in Safe College training to include Title IX, equity and diversity training and Safe Sport training. Her organizational skills stem from conducting presentations for seminars. In addition to being a salon owner who maintains clientele in her salon, while also pursuing personal interests on a competitive level, Suzi is also a part time Educator at The Academy where she coaches and mentors students to develop their potential.
Traci – Education Director & Educator
Traci began her career in cosmetology as a talented Nail Technician with strong business ethics in 1995. She has continued to grow and evolve by adding the title of Salon Owner, as well as Esthetics and Tattooing licenses to her portfolio. In 2000 she became a quintessential part of the development and education for a major nail manufacturer. This is where she discovered the passion for helping others learn and grow. To date she continues on that path as the Education Director / Educator at The Academy. Traci helps students stay focused on their goals while they navigate their educational journey. Her additional credentials include Mud Make-up Designory Faculty Certification, Advanced Aesthetics Inc. Microneedling, Advanced Aesthetics Inc. Dermaplaning, Procell Microchanneling, LED and CBD Certified, and Blood Borne Pathogens Certified.
Yvonne Hawker – Specialized Trainer
Yvonne came to The Academy directly from the MUD Makeup Designory LA. Yvonne’s role at The Salon Academy is Specialized Training of the MUD Level 1 Beauty Essentials Certification. She also facilitates featured workshops for licensed professionals a few times a year. She has designed, supervised and taught Studio Hair Styling for the Make-Up Artist Beauty 201 course. She is the author/designer of Make-up Designory’s Beauty textbook that is currently in use for the Beauty 101 and Beauty Essentials courses. She wrote an online Make-up Artist Training Course for Artistry Cosmetics. She has traveled worldwide as a trainer/instructor and sales rep for MUD Cosmetics.
Yvonne’s professional credits include film, television, print, and various award shows. Notable credits include: The Michael Jordan Story (Fox Family Channel), Menno’s Mind (Showtime), Under the Big Muu-Muu (Castle Rock), and Jungle Book: The Interactive CD-ROM (Powerhouse Productions), E! Television’s Mysteries & Scandals, True Hollywood Stories, and Celebrity Profiles as well as Skin & Ink and People magazines. She has also worked with celebrities that include: Billy Bob Thornton, Henry Winkler, John Ritter, Estelle Harris, Francis Fisher, Kathleen Helmond, Judith Light, Jerry Stiller, Gary Busey, Lou Rawls, Bill Campbell, Nathan Lane, Chris Leary, Ernie Hudson, Dot Marie Jones, and Heidi Hamilton.
