Meet the Team

Team of Educators

The educators in our Beauty School are experienced in teaching and are award-winning professionals. Besides highly motivated, Master Educators at Pivot Point Academy are trained with our proprietary Mindful Teaching Professional Development product. We provide clear and consistent training to make the most out of your fun and interactive educational experiences. The focus is on you becoming the best beauty professional possible.

Ms. Frances (Lead Educator and Master Educator, Teacher Trainer)

Mrs. Frances is an enthusiastic instructor who motivates all students – specialists to beginners – by demonstrating a passion for cosmetology and customer service. Ms. Frances is a skilled presenter and platform artist. In 2000 Frances set on the board to help produce Pivot Point’s Textbook Salon Fundamentals, currently she has several techniques that are used in Pivot Point’s videos, and in 2015 Ms. Frances was the first educator to use the new interactive digital platform learn about beauty program (LAB).

Mrs. Frances is holding the following Licenses: Cosmetologist & Cosmetology Instructor. She is a Pivot Point Alumni with more than two and half decades of Experience in the beauty industry. Also holding the following Degrees: Associate in Psychology and a bachelor’s degree In Elementary education. She led instruction for cosmetology students and cosmetology teachers in the U.S. and abroad. Mrs. Frances has received 6 teachers of the year awards.

Ms. Diana (Lead Master Esthetics Educator)

“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”
Maimonidies

Ms. Diana is a licensed Esthetics Instructor, Dermalogica Expert, Certified MUD Lead Makeup Educator, and CIDESCO Diplomat with over 15 years of teaching experience in the beauty industry. Ms. Diana has been involved with many projects, contributing her makeup skills in NAHA nominated and winning teams and in a reality TV show, Global Beauty Masters. Her latest endeavor is contributing her knowledge as a Subject Matter Expert in the Fundamentals Esthetics coursebook for Pivot Point International.

Ms. Ria (Cosmetology Educator)

“Teaching is more than just teaching the fundamentals. It takes compassion, patience, and the ability to make learning fun.”

Holding the following licenses: Nail Technician, Cosmetologist and Cosmetology Instructor. Ms. Ria has
more than 15 years of experience in the beauty industry and started teaching in 2015.

Mr. Ken (Lead Master Barber & Master Cosmetology Educator)

“My passion is sharing knowledge in the hair industry at all levels.”

Mr. Ken is a licensed Barber and Cosmetology Educator and holding an active barber and cosmetology license. In 1994 he decided to put his dedication toward the education of the next generation of beauty professionals. Mr. Ken continues to work as a barber in a barbershop to stay up to date and relevant in the field to share this information with his students.

Ms. Marissa (Cosmetology & Barber Educator)

“Cosmetology is a way to create art, hair becomes the canvas. Teaching cosmetology, for me, is a way to share how to create art, build relationships, inspire growth, and help turn passion into purpose.”

Besides being a licensed Cosmetologist and Teacher, Ms. Marissa also holds a Barber and Barber Teacher license. In this wonderful profession and behind the chair for 8 years. As an undergrad Marissa competed and placed: 2nd in trending cut and color and 5th in long hair design. Marissa is our champion in BaaB business training that focused on social media presence.

Ms. Niki (Cosmetology Educator)

“My philosophy is to equip our future professionals with the tools necessary to succeed in the beauty industry by providing exceptional technical education. Both in the classroom and on the student salon floor. With my personal experiences, the training our students will receive is real life hands on with client & stylist interaction.”

Ms. Niki is licensed cosmetology instructor for 6 years. She is holding a Cosmetology license for 10 years. As our champion of the business training Prosper U we focus on students skills to rebook, increase retentions, product knowledge that will help them prepare our graduates to be salon ready in the real world. This foundation will enable the to successfully attain employment in the beauty industry and related fields.

Ms. Ursulla (Cosmetology Educator)

“Pivot Point Academy will be your wonderful beginning to your pathway to success in this industry, creating beauty along your journey.”

Holding the following licenses: Cosmetologist and Cosmetology Instructor.  Ursulla is known as a charismatic, driven, passionate person. Believing – Life is beautiful, everyone sees beauty every day. Our industry allows us to formulate that vision, apply it to our work, and create happiness in the world. Beauty is very powerful! I have found absolute success in the beauty industry, continuously learning, and valuing the great relationships established along my journey. Competition and Awards: Led Multiple Event Competitions. From her Alma mater for “Perfect Attendance.

Ms. Petra (Cosmetology Educator)

“Education is not the filling of the pail, but the Lighting of the Fire”  William Butler Yeats

Petra has been in the beauty industry for over 30 years as Artistic Director, Salon Owner, traveling product Representative, and now an Educator.  She strongly feels, giving back to the industry that has given her so much in her life is like ‘The icing on my Cosmetology career. I believe as an Educator when you teach a skill to a student and they own it, it is for life. That’s truly what being an educator means to me. Passing on our craft.” Petra one of the first few classes to embrace the Mindful Teaching Approach Module with Pivot Point and is a Pivot Point Alumni. She holds a Diploma in Food and Wine from Leith’s School of Food and Wine in London, England. After running marathons in Europe and Chicago, Petra gained Elite Status in her running career.

Ms. Yvette (Cosmetology Educator)

“If you do what is easy your life will be hard. If you do what is hard your life will be easy”

Ms. Yvette is a licensed Cosmetologist with over 40 years of experience in the industry and has been teaching for over 19 years. She is passionate about her craft and passing the baton of knowledge to up-and-coming Cosmetologists. She has always believed that making people feel good and look beautiful is fulfilling to her soul. Ms. Yvette is also a certified lash extension specialist.

Team of Student Support and Services

Our Student Support and Services Team is here for you. From getting to know us, our educators, our campus and programs, creating a financial plan, FAFSA (financial aid, federal student aid) support via onboarding, and being around for questions you may have until your graduations and beyond. Our focus is on you being successful.

Michelle (Director Admission, Guest Services)

“What sets us apart? Our culture, our mission. We have a professional energy and family culture. Our staff is an education gold mine, our owners are involved in the day to day and you can feel everyone LOVES what they do. You will experience that that when you walk into Pivot Point Academy.”

Read Michelle’s Interview in Voyage Chicago

Michelle has been a licensed Cosmetologists for 16 years and is currently the Director of our Admission team, Student Salon, Spa and Barber Clinic.

Lisa (Lead Student Services & Financial Aid)

“I love helping our students from the start of their dream until they graduate from our program.”

Lisa has worked at Pivot Point Academy for over 14 years. I manage student services and assist with all student financial services responsibilities. Lisa has her Bachelor of Science Degree in Family and Consumer Sciences with a Minor in Business Administration.

Bridget (Guest Service Manager & Financial Aid Assistant)

“I choose to have a career at Pivot Point Academy because this is a place where we help students grow into
amazing beauty professionals. Pivot Point Academy welcomed me into the beauty industry. It introduced me
to some of the most remarkable people in my life. The beauty industry has the warmest, kindest, and most
accepting people that I have ever been honored to meet. I love working at Pivot Point Academy being surrounded by people who inspire me and others daily.”

Bridget’s philosophy: Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.

Meleina (Guest Services for the Student Salon, Spa, and Barber Clinic)

“I love overseeing all the students in the school express themselves & elevate while placing confidence in growth towards their passion to allow a successful future.”

My favorite quote: “Beauty is an attitude.” (Anonymous)