Milady proudly sponsors bestselling author Marcus Buckingham, a global researcher, focused on unlocking strengths, increasing performance and pioneering the future of how people work. An internationally renowned thought leader and business expert, Marcus has been the subject of in-depth profiles in The New York Times, Fortune, Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal and has appeared on numerous television programs, including “Larry King Live,” “The Today Show” and “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” Building on nearly two decades of experience as a Senior Researcher at Gallup Organization, he currently guides the vision of ADP Research Institute as Head of People + Performance research. He founded The Marcus Buckingham Company in 2006 with a clear mission: to instigate a “strengths revolution” by bringing the message of personal strengths to the world through education and technology. Beginning with First, Break All the Rules and continuing through his latest book Nine Lies about Work, he is known for challenging entrenched preconceptions about achievement to get to the core of what drives success. He is widely considered the world’s leading expert on Talent at work.
Pete Hegseth is the co-host of FOX & FRIENDS WEEKEND--America's #1-rated cable morning television show. He also hosts multiple programs on FOX NATION and provides commentary across all FOX NEWS and FOX BUSINESS programming.
In May of 2020, Hegseth's second book--AMERICAN CRUSADE--was published by Center Street and makes the case for a political and cultural crusade to fight for America's freedom. Hegseth's first book--IN THE ARENA--was published in 2016.
Pete is an Army veteran of Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay who holds two Bronze Stars and a Combat Infantryman's Badge for his time overseas. He still serves as an Army Major.
Pete is a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard University's John F. Kennedy's School of Government. Pete and his wife Jennifer have seven kids, all future Crusaders.
About Daymond John, Star of ABC's Shark Tank and CEO of The Shark Group, is an entrepreneur in every sense of the word. His marketing strategies and ability to build successful brands have made him a highly influential consultant and motivational speaker today. His marketing firm The Shark Group offers advice on how to effectively communicate to consumers through innovative means and connects brands with the world’s top celebrities for everything from endorsements to product extensions. John is also an author of four best-selling books including his New York Times best-selling books, The Power of Broke (2016) and Rise and Grind (2018). In March 2020, John released his sixth book, Powershift, that walks through his tried and true process of how to transform any situation, close any deal and achieve any outcome through his own experience and vast network of industry leaders.
About Sara Whiffen, Chief Learning Officer, InnerVation Lab™, is a renowned expert in innovation, new product development and corporate training. Most often recognized for her strategic and pragmatic approach to innovation, she has successfully founded and operated multiple ventures since leaving Toyota in 2008. Her broad business background includes both corporate leadership and start up experience. In 2016 as a result of her extensive entrepreneurial consulting work and research alongside Dr. Saras Sarasvathy, a world-renowned entrepreneurship professor, Whiffen caught the eye of The Shark Group. She became the lead instructor for their entrepreneurial training program, InnerVation Lab™, a program whose foundational principles are based on “effectuation,” an entrepreneurial thought process formulated by Sarasvathy and researched extensively by Whiffen.
Brooke Baran has spent her career in Communications, Marketing, Education and Development and has vast experience leading executive teams and being a business connector.
She was trained in the rigors, and fast pace of public relations at the State Capitol in Hartford, CT where she served as a press secretary for the President Pro Tempore. In this role she polished and sharpened her PR skills to become top notch. She understands how to shape a story so there is always a hook that assists with placement and pickups by reporters and media outlets; she can sell the narrative of her clients; she is a connection cultivator and creates long-lasting relationships with her clients and reporters alike.
Brooke has run marketing and communications for one of the largest, privately owned post-secondary institutions in the Country, where she oversaw a marketing budget of $8 million, led campaigns for 5 separate brands, managed a sales team of 20 individuals and all aspects of marketing from traditional television, radio and print. She oversaw the shift to digital marketing and was responsible for website creation, SEO, digital leads, social media and email campaigns. It is here that Brooke learned to have data and analytics be the driving force behind all campaign decisions. She learned firsthand how to analyze leads to sales units and how to make fast, well timed marketing decisions.
Staying true to her roots Brooke also managed all communications for the schools (internal & external) as she continued to enhance her public relations skills. She has gone on to be responsible for marketing and public relations in other for-profit school groups, the Vice President of Education, and has also spent time in the non-profit space enhancing messaging and communications.
Brooke is a proud Board Member for Healing Therapies Through Sharing.
Dave Bracken is the COO of Bene’s Career Academy. Bene’s has over 350 students in 3 campus locations just north and west of Tampa Florida. Since joining Benes 5 years ago, Dave
led the projects to move the school to a paperless environment, created a new Student Information system with mobile student portals and converted all students to electronic textbooks and Chromebook computers. His background is in operational efficiencies and introducing new technologies into a traditionally non-technical field. Dave has an MBA from the University of Nebraska.
Katherine D. Brodie heads the
Washington, D.C. team of the firm’s established
national higher education law and policy practice. She serves as a team lead for the Duane Morris
Education industry group. She is one of a small number of attorneys in the United States with a daily practice devoted primarily to the needs of higher education institutions (non-profit, public and proprietary), higher education associations, higher education companies, and investors in higher education. She has a keen interest in supporting institutions and their partners to effectively lead and adapt to the fast pace of change in the U.S. education sector while maintaining high quality postsecondary educational services as measured in cost and student outcomes.
Katherine supports her clients with effective and cost-efficient regulatory advice geared toward identifying and reducing operational risk or facilitating acquisitions, lending and other transactions that promote institutional adaptation and innovation. When necessary, she advocates in defense of institutional interests in response to adverse federal, state or accrediting agency actions with the goal of limiting both institutional liability and the likelihood of reoccurrence through strengthened internal controls.
Ms. Brodie’s experience includes, among other areas of the law, U.S. Department of Education Title IV student financial aid regulations and accrediting agency standards including substantive change (ownership and governance, program, location and other changes), Title IX compliance and response, campus safety, marketing (federal and state misrepresentation prohibitions), distance education, foreign school and overseas operations including study abroad programs, affiliation and partnership agreements, and skills focused programs including coding boot camp and other short term courses. Her advice also includes compliance with U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), U.S. Department of Veterans (VA)/U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) education benefit, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding, state education grant program, and other federal and state regulations and programs relevant to institutional operations. Because the needs of institutions are so diverse, she is often aided in her work by subject matter experts in the firm’s other disciplines including tax, real estate, immigration, corporate, and trial.
She is a frequent speaker and writer on higher education topics and trends and, as a registered federal lobbyist, advocates before the U.S. Congress and U.S. Department of Education on higher education policy reform proposals.
Through hard work and perseverance, Gwen Chaney-Braimoh’s dreams are now a reality.
Ms. Braimoh has been a successful entrepreneur for over 33 years. Armed with her Instructor’s license and the training experience with Dudley University, Ms. Braimoh was inspired to open a School of Cosmetology in Las Vegas, NV.
Her commitment and capabilities were recognized. In 2002, with funding secured and licensing requirements satisfied, Ms. Braimoh co-founded and opened the Expertise School of Beauty, Nevada’s first African American owned School of Cosmetology. Ms. Braimoh was instrumental in the school’s success as a training ground was recognized both locally and nationally. The new facility opened in August 2006, and currently conducts the state’s only Spanish Language Cosmetology training program. To highlight this advancement, the school changed its name to Expertise Cosmetology Institute, but remains dedicated to “teaching the art of beauty”.
In 2007, She earned her Master Educator’s Certification and conducts Instructor Development training on behalf of the Milady Career Institute throughout the Western United States.
In 2014, under the direction and leadership of Ms. Braimoh, Expertise Cosmetology Institute secured funding to construct a beauty a barber college. The expansion of services will allow Expertise Cosmetology Institute to provide additional services to North Las Vegas residents as well as a barbering program to the State of Nevada residents. The newly constructed beauty facility also includes a much needed child care center for its students. In 2015 Ms. Braimoh was appointed to the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology.
In order to meet the ever increasing demands of the community, Ms. Braimoh entered into an agreement with the Nevada State Department of Corrections at the FMCC. Expertise Cosmetology continues to change lives one cosmetologist and soon one barber at a time.
Ms. Braimoh attributes her success and innovative ideas to achieve empowerment to her spiritual values and her relationship with God. She believes that if you want to make a difference in your life and in the life of others you must believe in your dreams. It is crucial that you align yourself with people who are like minded when it comes to the conviction of serving others.
Edward Cramp is a partner in the Higher Education Practice Group at Duane Morris LLP, where he also serves as the Managing Partner of the firm’s San Diego office. Edward exclusively represents higher education institutions. He advises his clients in all areas of operations, including the federal and state law, accreditation standards, civil rights matters, and the defense of claims by students and employees.
Edward is active in the private postsecondary education community. He serves as general counsel to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation, and the Andrew Gomez Dream Foundation. As the general counsel for AACS, Edward also served as lead counsel in AACS v. DeVos, in which a U.S. District Court enjoined the U.S. Department of Education from enforcing the Gainful Employment Rule against AACS member schools. The case led to substantial revisions in the Gainful Employment Rule for all privately owned colleges.
Edward served on active duty and in the reserves as a judge advocate in the United States Navy, where he was appointed to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. During his time in the services, he defended numerous matters before courts-martial convened in the United States Armed Forces.
Edward is a strong advocate of diversity and inclusion in the workplace and LGBT rights. He serves on the steering committee of the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion program. He regularly represents members of the LGBT community in civil rights matters on a pro bono basis and is active in the local LGBT community
Diane Da Costa is the "Go-to-Girl" for the beauty industry, a celebrity stylist and the curly textured hair guru to thousands of Curlies, Naturalistas and Transitioning women of all colors. Diane believes "Texture is a Lifestyle! Your true beauty comes from within, it is not determined by your hair texture or the color of your skin." A Beauty & Lifestyle Expert, Ms. Da Costa is the author of Textured Tresses, The Ultimate Guide to Maintaining and Styling Natural Hair, Simon and Schuster, June 2004. She firmly believes it is her calling to educate both consumers and professionals with this informative and inspirational textured hairstyling guide.
Diane has shared her knowledge and expertise with publishers and beauty brands, including the Milady Perspecitive In Hair Design: Cutting Curly Textured Hair DVD Series with Diane Da Costa (2013); Milady Standard Natural Hair Care & Braiding, 1st Edition textbook (2013), and Milady Standard Cosmetology Textbook, 13th Edition (2015) with Ms. Da Costa as contributing author & editor.
Da Costa has consulted with L'Oreal owned brands: Carol's Daughter as Brand Stylist & Curly Textured Expert; as Multi-textured Expert and Creative Consultant for Mizani. She has also consulted with Aveda, Phyto Specific (Ales Group) and Design Essentials (McBride Laboratories).
Ms. Da Costa is a licensed cosmetologist, master colorist and writer. She holds a B.B.A in Marketing from Pace University and resides in New Rochelle, NY.
Tracy Donley is an accomplished, achievement-driven sales and marketing senior executive with more than 20 years of experience working with C-level clients at national and international Fortune 500 companies. Her successful track record of growing revenue and sales teams through strategic sales direction, analytical thinking, and creative solutions has led her to work within a diverse set of industries which include professional beauty, financial planning, investment banking, precious metals, high-end homes and lifestyle brands.
Tracy has launched award winning, multi-million dollar, B2B national publications and online suites of customized revenue-generating lead collection products. Tracy has loved media since she was a kid and briefly had her own TV show called Aspen’s Talking in Aspen Colorado, as well as played the “intern” on the morning show for a small radio station in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. She has transformed that passion into creating technique and educational videos and has recently launched a new podcast series and magazine for hairstylists.
She is a high-energy, innovative, and enthusiastic executive who enjoys sales, strategic planning, and inspiring teams. She has an entrepreneurial spirit and thrives on new opportunities to create businesses and products that solve problems and encourage desire. When Tracy isn’t busy immersing herself into all things beauty and skin care, she enjoys negotiating iPad time with her 5-year-old daughter Kennedy, playing board games with 13-year-old Kylie, FaceTiming with her 22-year-old son, Cole, and drinking wine with her husband, Jonathan.
Mr. Brandon Dixon has been a part of the beauty industry for more than sixteen years, ten of which he’s dedicated to Cosmetology Education. After spending three years at a production company and starting his own makeup company in Dallas, Texas, he discovered his knack for education. He uncovered that his true passion lies in helping others to unlock their full potential by discovering a fulfilling and enriching career. Having stepped out of the public sector and into the private sector, Brandon is currently the Director of Education for Sunstate Academy Fort Myers and Clearwater in Florida. When he is not conquering reports and mentoring his faculty members, he enjoys kayaking and relaxing on the peaceful Florida beachside.
Representative Jim Dunnigan is a dedicated public servant and advocate for the residents of Taylorsville and Kearns. Jim and his wife Vicki are 43-year Taylorsville residents. They are the proud parents of two wonderful children who graduated from Taylorsville High and have now blessed them with 6 grandchildren.
Jim served on the Taylorsville/Bennion Community Council from 1991-1996, helped organize Taylorsville as a city, then served on its inaugural City Council, from 1996 to 2002. Jim is a small business owner in Taylorsville. He is also Chairman of the Taylorsville Dayzz Festival.
Representative Dunnigan was honored as a 2020 Business Champion by the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce. He was named the Utah Small Business Champion of the Year from the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the Utah Business Coalition presented him with the Top 30 Business Friendly Legislator Award, and he was awarded the Meritorious Service to the Community as a Legislator Award from Taylorsville City and Legislator of the Year by the Utah Health Insurance Association.
Jim received his Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Utah. When not working or doing legislative business, Representative Dunnigan enjoys playing competitive volleyball and spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Renee serves as the Vice President of DJA Financial Aid Services, Inc., a third-party financial aid servicer that has served the post-secondary education industry for over thirty years. Renee has been with DJA as an official employee for the past fifteen years, but swears it feels like she has worked there for as long as she can remember. As the daughter of the founding partners, DJA had always been a second home and it only seemed natural that after she graduated from college, she would make it her permanent career home. Renee has held previous roles within the company as management and the Human Resources Director, before becoming the Vice President. She is responsible for overseeing organizational development, employee outreach and relations, financial administration and policy procedures.
Renee is passionate about the education industry and helping her clients navigate the dynamic changes policy shifts often generate. She enjoys the opportunity to work with clients on evaluating current organizational procedures and implement new processes to match regulation expectations. With a dual bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Marketing from Newman University, she knew early on she wanted to pursue a career in financial aid due to her personal connection to the industry, as well as her natural interest in overall business administration.
Outside of her time here at DJA, Renee can be found spending time with her three boys, Tatum, Trey and Gage and her husband, Brandon. The five of them love to travel to the lake and enjoy participating and watching each other play a variety of sports. When not with her family, Renee enjoys her daily gym workouts, taking trips with her husband and making the most of the life God has blessed her with.
Meagan E. Garland is an
employment lawyer whose industry focus is fashion and beauty. Ms. Garland is an implicit-bias interrupter and serves as a diversity-and-inclusion consultant to clients in various industries. She is licensed to practice in California and New York.
A seasoned litigator, Ms. Garland defends employers in harassment, discrimination, retaliation and wage-and-hour matters. She conducts workplace investigations as well as sexual-harassment-prevention, anti-bullying and ADA-compliance training. Ms. Garland counsels clients on day-to-day employee-related issues and has a robust transactional practice.
Ms. Garland is a 2006 graduate of Boston College Law School, where she was staff editor for the
Boston College Environmental Affairs Law Review, and a
summa cum laude graduate of Spelman College, where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.
Kristina Gill practices in the area of
education law. Ms. Gill’s practice focuses on issues related to federal and state higher education law from both a policy and regulatory compliance perspective. Her experience and advice includes issues surrounding compliance with the federal regulatory process, particularly as related to the Title IV student financial aid programs authorized by the Higher Education Act and administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Specifically, Ms. Gill counsels institutions regarding institutional, student and program Title IV eligibility requirements, including Title IV program review and audit response and resolution, Title IX (sexual harassment) and Clery Act (campus safety) compliance, Annual Safety Reports, EEOC complaints, change of ownership questions and approvals, incentive compensation, licensing requirements, state authorization (on-ground and distance education), DOD/VA educational benefit regulations, gainful employment compliance, and borrower defense to repayment issues. She also advises schools regarding consumer protection and disclosure regulations and trends, and a variety of other legal and regulatory issues impacting educational institutions, including marketing and advertising practices, and third party servicer relationships. She assists clients in providing formal responses to rulemaking and draft legislation. As a former staffer on Capitol Hill and registered lobbyist, Ms. Gill brings an insiders perspective to the federal legislative process. She has a strong command of the intersection between policy and regulations. She works with clients to develop advocacy and engagement strategies for issues related to higher education and more specifically the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. She is a speaker at higher education conferences on emerging and on-going regulatory issues impacting postsecondary educational institutions.
Sean Jason Glassberg, Director of Faculty Development at Horry Georgetown Technical College in Georgetown, South Carolina, has over twenty-five years of academic and professional experience, ranging from teaching English at community colleges and universities to training industry and technical professionals to become educators. Born into a family of educators - his father, grandfather, and grandmother are retired teachers, and his brother, sister, sister-in-law and wife are all teachers - provides a solid foundation of best teaching practices for Sean, and his Master's degree in Special Education and work with children with disabilities have enabled Sean to respond to the wide spectrum of learners in our classrooms. His firm, Educator Training & Consulting, was established in 2003 and has been contracted to deliver faculty-training sessions at post-secondary institutions across the country. His passion to help others, in and outside of classroom, led him to found Racers for Pacers, a non-profit organization with a mission to include children with disabilities in the running community.
Neal Heller is currently the CEO and President of the Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers, located in Hollywood, Florida. Neal holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Miami and his Juris Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University. In his current role, Neal oversees the day-to-day operations, compliance and development of three campuses; including state licensure and NACCAS accreditation. Prior to Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers, Neal was co-founder, CEO and President of the Florida College of Natural Health, where he successful led the school to become the largest of its kind in the South Eastern United States. He also served as past-President of the Florida Association of Post-Secondary Schools and Colleges and as an Executive Board member for four years.
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, South Eastern 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.
Mike Halmon was raised in Tampa, Florida where he began his career at an early age. Mike was running the cash register in the family’s beauty supply business at the age of 7. Once in high school he took his first job outside the family business working at Publix supermarket.
When he was a senior in high school his father asked him to leave his job and return to the family business to assist the family in starting another business venture. Mikes career development was now about to really begin as he assumed additional responsibilities in sales.
American Institute of Beauty was formed in 2003 and Mike joined the business in maintenance. Over the next few years he would assume additional and new responsibilities. He was promoted to the Director of Operations of the Largo Campus in 2009 when that campus was opened.
In 2012, AIB opened it’s 2nd campus in St. Petersburg, Florida. Mike assumed the position of Campus Director and now operates that campus with a staff of 15.
Sarah Holmes has more than 12 years of experience as a former executive director of admissions & marketing with a prominent beauty school, fostering one of the highest conversion rates in the industry. She uses her sales techniques and expertise to help schools grow enrollment. She has been consulting with vocational schools for the past five years. Most recently, Sarah joined Advance 360 Education and is helping to demonstrate the power of marketing and admissions working together to drive enrollment.
Jessica High practices in the area of education. Ms. High’s practice focuses on counseling private sector colleges and universities in matters of state and federal regulation, accreditation compliance and advocacy, and student and employee disputes and concerns. Ms. High was previously a Campus Director and founder of a private allied health college branch campus location. She has over 17 years of experience in this sector, 10 years of which she spent employed by private sector colleges in their financial aid, admissions, accounting, student services, and human resources departments.
Alicia L. Hyndman was elected to the New York State Assembly on November 10, 2015 in the 29th AD, encompassing the neighborhoods of Laurelton, Rosedale, St. Albans, Addisleigh Park, Hollis, Springfield Gardens and Jamaica. The daughter of Caribbean immigrants, Assemblywoman Hyndman emigrated to the U.S. from London, England as a young child. She spent her formative years growing up in Hollis & South Ozone Park attending public schools, PS 34, IS 109, JHS 226 & John Adams High School.
Prior to being elected to the State Legislature, Assemblywoman Hyndman worked closely with community stakeholders as an active member of Community Boards 12Q, and 13Q, serving as a member of the Boards Education Committees, and also as a regular participant of the Rosedale Civic Association. Additionally, Assemblywoman Hyndman served on the NYC Department of Education’s Community District Education Council 29 (CEC 29) for ten years, the last four years as President. Leading the advocacy for the 36 elementary and middle schools in the district, through collaborative leadership, she was able to bring in $30 million in capital funding for technology upgrades, facilities improvements, playground rehabilitation and other amenities to enhance the quality of education for students.
Assemblywoman Hyndman’s professional career spans over a decade and a half with the NYS Department of Education as a Senior Professional Conduct Investigator, overseeing trade and vocational schools. She previously has held many positions in the fields of education and higher learning including but not limited to: Counselor for the Brooklyn College Talent Search Program; Director of Minority Affairs at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine of NYIT; Assistant with the New York State Education Department Office of Higher Education. Assemblywoman Hyndman also helped create the Long Island Barber Institute which graduated hundreds of Queens residents, allowing them to obtain jobs and become entrepreneurs, and opening dozens of establishments throughout the Borough.
As a longtime community education advocate, Assemblywoman Hyndman will focus heavily on bringing resources and information back into the community to support youth and senior services, alleviate flooding, grow small businesses, and provide access to living wage jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities. She will continue her advocacy in Albany as a tireless fighter for residents of the 29th Assembly District.
Assemblywoman Hyndman holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the State University of New York at New Paltz, and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Framingham State College, Mass. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She currently resides in Rosedale, Queens with her two lovely daughters Nia and Nyla.
Mr. Landy focuses his practice in the areas of complex commercial litigation, business torts, contract litigation, class actions, employment litigation and counseling, real property litigation and appeals. Mr. Landy regularly represents businesses and individuals in litigation relating to complicated business disputes, injunction matters, shareholder disputes, and employment litigation.
Mr. Landy coordinated the negotiation and distribution of settlements for class actions and collective actions. He has also participated in the firm’s representation of receivers and distribution agents for securities matters.
Mr. Landy received his law degree from the University Of Miami School Of Law (J.D., May 2007) and was a member of the University of Miami Business Law Review. Mr. Landy was awarded Honors recognition for Trial by the University of Miami School of Law Litigation Skills program. Mr. Landy received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Miami in 2004. He double-majored in Marketing and Finance while serving as both the Athletic and Academic Captain of the Men’s Track and Field team.
Mr. Landy also represents several clients on a Pro Bono basis. Mr. Landy has served as the Chair of the Business Litigation Committee of the Business Law Section of the Florida Bar.
Victoria Lim has led award-winning communications efforts at the highest levels for organizations in global entertainment, electronic auto manufacturing, telecommunications, national sports leagues and beauty. She is also an Emmy and AP honored journalist who set herself apart from the industry norm almost two decades ago as one of the first journalists to utilize the practice of multimedia storytelling. Lim has conducted trainings around the world on best practices for content marketing, public relations and journalism.
Jenn Lyles is a beauty school marketing and lead generation expert, now serving as the Executive Director of Beauty Schools Marketing Group. She worked for AACS before pivoting to the school side as a Marketing Director for Bellus Academy. Most recently, Jenn was an independent consultant for vocational schools around the nation, working with some of the most well-known beauty schools in the country and has helped dozens of schools increase their lead flow, conversion rates, and created high-converting social ads for nearly 100 unique career schools.
Currently, Kim and her husband Stan McIntosh own Crave Beauty Academy. She changed the name of Xenon International Academy to Crave Beauty Academy in Wichita, KS, and Ballwin (St. Louis), MO in December 2014. Kim and her husband acquired Xenon International Academy in Kansas and Missouri in 2013. Prior to the acquisition, the past eighteen years Kim has been a partner in three of the six Xenon International Academy campuses. Her educational background includes college studies in Business Administration and Marketing. Kim has been active in the Beauty Industry for twenty four years. She holds a Cosmetology, Esthetics and Instructor license in Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. She has worked behind the chair, salon owner, spa management and as a manufacturer educator teaching professionals in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Colorado. Kim opened Salon Crave in December 2014. Kim currently serves on the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS) board for the last fifteen years. Kim has served in various positions on the AACS board to include; Vice-President, Secretary, Historian, co-chair of the Annual AACS Convention, chair of the CEA convention, team leader of events and supervised an education task force team. Kim also serves on the MACS -Missouri Association of Cosmetology Schools. She is also very active in the communities of the Crave locations; she serves on the board for Cricket Alley Ministries, she is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Women’s Business Owners (NAWBO), National Association of Female Executives (NAFE) and is currently chair of the Executive Leadership Team for the American Heart Association/Go Red for Women.
With over 20 years in the beauty education industry, Kim McIver has excelled as a strategic executor and innovative leader. Over the years, Kim has channelled her passion for training future beauty industry leaders and connecting business thinkers into developing and driving growth at two cosmetology and esthetics academies in Edmonton, as well as at two private vocational colleges focused on adult education and online learning.
In her current role as President at Sugarlash PRO, a leading Ecommerce global cosmetics supplier that sources and develops groundbreaking eyelash products and training for lash service providers, she has been instrumental in leading their online academy to unprecedented success. Sugarlash PRO Academy has graduated and certified over 20,000 students from online courses since 2014. Wanting to continue to provide the best in online training, they have recently upgraded their online training platform. Sugarlash PRO Academy now shares the same operating system as Harvard University, making it not only more accessible for students but one of the most robust in the industry.
Kim has also led success in securing a partnership with Ulta Beauty, the largest beauty retailer in the US. As well as kick-starting the Salon and Academy Partner programs, which creates successful alliances with dozens of beauty businesses and training organizations. Kim feels that students want the leading and cutting edge technology in the Beauty Biz.
She is a past volunteer and Vice Chair of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools, and an active member of TEC Canada. When she isn’t overseeing business development or immersed in strategic planning, Kim can be found spending time with her family — three grown sons, two adult step-children, and her husband — while making it a point to frequent local businesses and restaurants.
Dr. Mirando has been the Executive Director of the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts & Sciences, Inc. (NACCAS) since March, 2008. Over his tenure, Dr. Mirando has successfully maintained a focus on providing excellence in accreditation to NACCAS’ 1300+ member institutions, through streamlining processes and systems, providing educational resources (such as webinars, pocket seminars, workshops and one-on-one consultations), maintaining a solid handle on legislative and regulatory matters impacting the industry, and increasing NACCAS’ impact by expanding its scope of offerings and thus directly impacting the quality of student educational programs. He has over 34 years of proven and effective performance and management techniques across an array of industries, including 9 years in association management, 15 years in post-secondary accreditation, 4 years as an executive coach and 4 years in post-secondary education as a college instructor/facilitator.
A managerial leader and human resources administrator of 35 years, Dr. Mort is a highly experienced executive educational manager. For well over a decade, Dr. Mort held numerous Human Resources professional positions where he had direct responsibility of Employment, Recruitment, Training & Development, Benefits, Compensation and Labor Relations departments. After his early work in Human Resources, Dr. Mort utilized his Human Resources background and assisted adult students with career and work readiness skills at a Post-Secondary, non-degree granting school. His Regional Director of Career Services position introduced him to school accreditation. Dr. Mort’s expertise and passion for school accreditation and continual school improvement propelled him to become a School Director for over fifteen years. In his capacity as School Director, he was the Chief Academic Officer, set the vision for the school, and supervised all faculty, staff and students. Dr. Mort has been affiliated with the Middle States Association for over 16 years. His most recent appointment as Vice President of Accreditation at Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools allows him to work with all member schools in nearly 50 states nationally and over 115 nations globally on curriculum-based student and organizational capacity objectives and collaborates on the necessity for continual school improvement through accreditation. Dr. Mort holds a Bachelor Degree in Education with a concentration in Elementary & Special Education, along with Masters and Doctoral Degrees in Educational Administration
Brian Newman is currently the principal of Abington Strategies, LLC, a government and public affairs firm. In this capacity, he serves as State Relations Advisor to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS) and annually tracks over 300 state bills of interest to AACS member schools.
From 1997 to 2013, Brian was a member of the Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities’ (APSCU) government relations department. As APSCU’s Director of State Affairs, Brian established a state government relations program for an association that was previously federally focused. He resides with his family in Arlington, Virginia and holds a Bachelor’s degree from Emory University and a Master’s degree in Political Management from The George Washington University.
Lisa Nickerson is the founder and CEO of Nickerson, a full-service marketing and communications agency with offices in Boston, LA and Miami. Lisa and the Nickerson team were recently named the 2019 PR Daily 'Winner' and 2020 PR Week 'Finalist' for Crisis Communications/Reputation Management.
Lisa was also recognized by Bisnow in 2018 as one of Boston’s “Most Powerful Women in Real Estate”, was featured on WCVB Channel 5’s (ABC) Chronicle in June 2018 as Greater Boston’s Real Estate Expert, and was also the recipient of the 2016 PRISM Award for Marketing Professional of the Year. She was also recognized as The Nashua Telegraph’s 91 Progress’ Entrepreneur of the Year at 17 years old.
Lisa is a multiple-industry award winner, a well-respected, sought-after speaker and moderator, and a devotee of professional and community service. Lisa is an active member of Urban Land Institute (ULI), ULI | New England’s Advisory Board, ULI Women Leadership Institute Co-Chair and Communications Chair, Board Member & Founder's Circle Chair of the Arts & Business Council, Board Member & VP of Sponsorship of Boston Women in Media & Entertainment, former SIOR New England Board Member & Communications Chair, and a member of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW Boston).
Philanthropic endeavors include Board Member and Development Chair of Housing Families Inc. since 2006 and various roles and now Board Member of the Joshua Frase Foundation since 1997.
Lisa received her BS in Marketing and Finance from Boston College. She received her Real Estate Certificate from Boston University.
Sally is one of the country’s leading authorities on Federal financial aid administration with more than 42 years of “in the trenches” experience. As a respected Industry leader, she is frequently called upon to speak at School, Accrediting, Regional and State conferences as well as to act as school liaison during program reviews and compliance audits.
Having processed, reviewed, and taught financial aid for over 42 years, Sally’s experience includes representation at over 500 program reviews and certification visits for postsecondary institutions. In addition, Sally brings real life experiences, observations, and illustrations to her audience, adding a touch of humor to regulatory compliance. Her style makes the sometime complex topics easy to understand and audiences always come away with practical knowledge that they can apply to their everyday situations.
Sally is a senior member of the FAME management team and currently serves as Director of Compliance for FAME. She is a former board member for the Private Career Colleges & Schools (PCCS) and has served on several committees for the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), as well as a member of NASFAA & SASFAA. Her experience and regulatory knowledge make her uniquely qualified to bring you the latest regulatory information and training.
Rodrick is recognized as a renowned leader in cutting-edge educational methods in Barber Education and Men’s grooming as a Subject Matter Expert in the field of Barber Styling Education, he raised the bar in personal appearance education. He has been an educator and consultant for publishers and manufactures as well as the exciting and eclectic advanced educational powerhouse Hair Lab Detroit and now Hair Lab Detroit Barber School. Rodrick has also been named a finalist in two of the most prestigious awards for the beauty industry, International AIPP award for his Men’s Collection in 2016, NAHA 2017 for Men’s Hair Stylist of the Year and International Visionary Award for Men’s Stylist of the Year 2017 and 2018.
Corina Santoro is the Sr. Product Director 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 award. 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 workout and give back to her local community. She is often recognized for her signature purple, curly hair.
Brenda Scharman is second generation school owner of Cameo College of Essential Beauty, a single campus in SLC, Utah celebrating over 50 years in business. She’s been the owner for nearly 35 years training in 7 core programs and numerous advanced short courses. Brenda holds an instructor license in each program offered and plays an instrumental role in daily operations. She also has a strong interest and love for government relations, heading a Committee for AACS State Relations Affairs, is on the NACCAS Accreditation Appeal Panel, as well as leading Government Relations in the State of Utah.
Dr. Susan F. Schulz is Founding Owner of Schulz School Advisors and president of Susan F. Schulz & Associates, Inc. She has been an innovator in the career school sector for over 25 years and focuses on for-profit schools and colleges in the U.S. and internationally.
Dr. Schulz speaks at various career school and college-related organizations and is an annual presenter at the yearly Regions conferences. In 2014 she was invited to give a college graduation speech in North Africa and began her presentation in English, French, and Academic Arabic. Her talk was “Make a Difference,” is the focus of her daily goals.
Dr. Schulz’ articles have appeared in Career College Central and Career Education Review. In 2012 an entire issue that focused on the benefits of Alumni Communities, was written and edited by Dr. Schulz, and published and distributed by Career Education Review.
Dr. Schulz’ companies have enjoyed membership in national and state associations. In July 2015 Dr. Schulz was awarded the Associate Member of the Year Award by the Florida Association of Private Schools and Colleges (FAPSC).
Dr. Schulz is has authored several courses offered through MaxKnowledge. Dr. Schulz has a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership. Her dissertation, "
Program Completion in Proprietary Schools," was among the first to use doctoral research methods to examine the postsecondary career school and college sector.
Aaron Shenck currently serves as the Executive Director of PAPSA, which is the non-profit state association in Pennsylvania that represents about 100 accredited career and technical colleges and other specialized postsecondary trade schools across all corners of the state. Membership of PAPSA is diverse and includes small and large schools, a wide variety of private institutions and a few public members, and schools that teach to a large cross-section of careers, including but not limited to; construction, welding, HVAC, auto-mechanics, aviation maintenance, truck driving, business, computing, nursing, allied health, culinary arts, cosmetology, massage, and many more careers. Most of the schools he represents focus on shorter-term programs (Associates Degrees, diplomas, certificates, and/or industry credentials), but a few members offer Bachelor Programs.
Prior to PAPSA, Aaron worked for four years in the Office of the Pennsylvania Governor specializing in legislative and regulatory affairs with certain state agencies under the jurisdiction of the Governor, including time with the PA Department of Education. He also previously worked for the Pennsylvania Senate for seven years, including tenure as the Director of the Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee. He also worked for four years for the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives. He started his career in public policy as an Intern with the United States Congress for two years.
Aaron is a Class of 2000 Graduate of Millersville University with a BA in Political Science and a double minor in International Relations and Economics. He subsequently earned a Masters in Government Administration from Penn State University in 2008.
When not working, Aaron enjoys spending time with his wife Sasha of 16 years and his three kids. He enjoys many sports and has helped coach youth soccer, football, and basketball, plus volunteers with a local ski mountain. He also enjoys traveling, trying new things, humor and sarcasm.
Janet is passionate about helping companies drive strategy, organize, hire and inspire people to match their company’s mission with contributions that leave a lasting, positive legacy. She excels at developing leaders, individuals and teams to shift their thinking and behaviors to make significant business improvements. Through talent selection, optimization and diversity, inclusion, equity + belonging focused solutions, Janet helps organizations realize their vision.
Throughout her career, Janet has led L&D, organizational change, business transformation and facilitation work focused on culture and DIEB initiatives. She holds expertise in designing organizational strategies and building customized programs for continued learning and impact.
Janet brings significant salon industry experience to her work. As Director of The Aveda Institute, in Washington, DC, Janet led all Institute operations and departments, including the top revenue generating retail products store, salon and spa within the AI South Aveda Institute system. She has also served as the Sr. Director of Operations Education for an international hair salons organization.
With approximately 15 years lobbying before the United States Congress, TC Wolfe has built his career advocating for good public policy and a healthy and fair federal regulatory environment. His commitment to trust and honesty in his career has enabled many relationships to develop over the years with Members of Congress, Congressional Staff and executive branch political appointees and bureaucrats. TC brings a hard work ethic coupled with a good gut instinct and a robust knowledge of both the legislative and political processes, allowing him to better serve his clients and partners.
TC’s area of expertise is in primary, secondary and post-secondary education; he has also developed extensive knowledge in healthcare, information technology, municipal government, immigration reform, veterans’ affairs, mental health initiatives and the Congressional appropriations process.
Wolfe began his career in public policy as a Legislative Aide and Committee Secretary, learning the process of lawmaking and governing while also gaining understanding of each unique factor outside of the legislative process which has positive or negative impacts: third parties, think tanks, the media and social media, donors, constituents and political party leadership.
In Washington, Wolfe has worked to improve the regulatory environment and rulemaking processes while representing numerous quality institutions of higher education. Student success, accountability to the taxpayers, communities and students remain a critical driving force in legislative ideas and debate. In leadership roles in government relations for Keiser University and Southeastern College, he effectively led grassroots and mobilization efforts throughout the tumultuous regulatory years of the Obama Administration. He served on multiple operating subcommittee on the Career College Association (CCA) and fought back against unfair legislation and regulatory rules including changes to 90/10, Gainful Employment (GE), Borrower’s Defense to Repayment. As a State Captain in Florida for CCA, he and others on the team produced a near-united Congressional Delegation from Florida over the years fighting against GE.
Wolfe resides in Washington, DC and maintains an office in Miami, FL and is a proud graduate of The Ohio State University.