Our Team – Pivot Point International

Aubrie joins the Pivot Point team as an enthusiastic newcomer, bringing her a rich customer service and administration background. While she may be new to the industry, she is eager to learn and committed to delivering exceptional customer service. With each interaction, Aubrie strives to meet and exceed each customer’s needs.

Bea began her career as a cosmetology student at Pivot Point, where she earned her cosmetology license. From the beginning of her career, she’s immersed herself in various roles within the academy and the corporate office, gaining diverse experience and expertise. Her journey has led Bea to become the Customer Experience Manager, leveraging her extensive background and love for the industry to ensure exceptional customer service.

Debbie brings over three decades of expertise in the beauty industry, from nail technology education to nationwide contributions in competitions, teaching, and publications. She spearheaded program advancements and mentorship as Director of Nail Technology Education at Pivot Point. Debbie now provides vital online support to schools and students, leveraging her extensive knowledge to enhance educational experiences nationwide.

Jose brings over a decade of specialized experience in shipping and receiving to Pivot Point. Jose’s current role is to leverage this extensive knowledge to elevate the customer experience. His commitment to delivering exceptional service is evident in his approach to meeting all customer needs.

Matt’s expertise spans over 25 years of customer service across multiple industries, where he excels in creating memorable interactions. As a licensed cosmetologist with years of experience behind the chair, he not only masters the art of hair styling but also understands client satisfaction. His journey has infused his work with a profound appreciation of self-expression and creativity, fueling his passion for the beauty industry.

Rachael comes to Pivot Point with nearly a decade of customer experience and service. Her passion for the beauty industry started in retail management and flourished during her time with Pivot Point. As part of the Customer Experience team, Rachael excels at open and transparent communication while prioritizing customer satisfaction.

With over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, Rosalia is a licensed cosmetologist and instructor specializing in hair styling, makeup artistry and skin care treatments. Her extensive background in cosmetology and her teaching experience equips her with a unique perspective on customer needs and preferences. She prides herself on building authentic customer relationships to ensure they feel heard and valued throughout their experience.

Dawn is a seasoned Business Development Manager dedicated to revolutionizing the education industry. With over three decades of experience, she’s excelled in roles collaborating with manufacturers and schools, earning accolades like Educator of the Year and Brand Manager of the Year. Her current role with Pivot Point allows her to merge her expertise and passion to reshape education.

Ginger has 40+ years of sales management experience across North America., training countless professionals and driving sales for top brands. Since 2013, she’s led as the U.S. Director of Professional Beauty at Pivot Point, advancing our mission in the market. She firmly believes in continuous learning, growth, and connection. Ginger is always eager to meet new individuals who share our vision and values.

With over 40 years in the industry, Jamie excelled as a platform artist, author, and producer of instructional videos specializing in long hair design. Driven by a genuine desire to serve, she thrives on building meaningful relationships and assisting clients in maximizing Pivot Point’s education and tools. Inspired by Pivot Point’s founder, Leo Passage, she is committed to lifelong learning and enriching lives.

Joe had been in retail sales for about 16 years prior to coming to Pivot Point. He has a passion for sales and customer service and has spent most of his 16 years at Pivot Point on the Customer Experience team. He has just recently started a new position in our Sales Development Department and will bring his passion for sales to this new role.

With 23 years of experience on the Pivot Point team, Julie has a passion for supporting schools. She is a licensed cosmetologist and educator and has held numerous school positions, including Classroom and Student Salon Instructor, Admissions Counselor and School Director. Julie’s service-orientated mindset is the perfect guide for any questions or concerns.

With a diverse background in technology and retail, Laurie has cultivated a passion for driving exceptional customer experiences and fostering meaningful relationships. As the leader of the Customer Experience and Customer Success teams at Pivot Point International, she focuses on developing strategic selling plans and nurturing key client relationships within the school market.

With 30 years in the beauty industry, Lisa has held various roles, from cosmetology educator to salon owner. In her current role, she focuses on nurturing client relationships and driving sales aligned with the company’s vision. Lisa thrives on innovation to exceed customer expectations and is committed to shaping the future of beauty.

Londa has been part of the Pivot Point team for 27 years. As a licensed cosmetologist and educator, she combines her passion for the industry with her expertise. She has held various positions within beauty schools and gained invaluable experience in cosmetology education and school administration. Londa is tuned into the ever-changing needs of both students and educators.

Melissa brings 25+ years of experience developing Pivot Point’s international business. With a Master’s in Linguistics, fluency in Spanish, and sensitivity to diverse business cultures, she builds partner relationships across five continents. Melissa is exceptionally passionate about broadening and deepening our Latin American presence.

Buddy brings over a decade of diverse experience in the beauty industry. Starting as a Nails Subject Matter Expert, he became a finalist in the global Next Top Nail Artist competition. He has worked with distributors, manufacturers, and cosmetology boards, owned a salon, and holds an instructor’s license. Beyond nails, Buddy helps educators and students enrich their classroom experiences through innovative methodology and technology.

Daniel has been a dynamic force in the beauty industry for over two decades. His diverse experience ranges from cosmetology education to corporate training. Daniel is dedicated to nurturing talent and modernizing learning through technology. Daniel’s servant leadership approach has empowered countless professionals to embrace innovative education, fueling their success.

Jason boasts 25 years of expertise in the beauty industry, excelling as a stylist and Cosmetology/Barbering Instructor. For over a decade at Pivot Point, he’s been a driving force, conducting workshops worldwide, serving as on-camera talent, and leading training sessions at major industry events. In his current role, Jason channels his passion for client satisfaction and product innovation, overseeing Pivot Point’s hair products’ evolution, design, and quality control.

Jennifer showcases 19 years of seasoned expertise by providing a nurturing approach to education. Throughout her career, she has held positions as a cosmetology educator and Director of education. Her passion for inclusive facilitation shines through as she creates learning environments that are safe and productive—meeting learners where they are and guiding them forward.

Bringing over a decade of experience in salons and schools, Jordan has a passion for blending education and beauty. With a background in education, she strives to foster learning environments that inspire creativity and skill development. Jordan brings a unique flair for merging a love for beauty and a desire to uplift and educate others in self-expression.

With extensive experience in the beauty industry and certifications in respected teaching methodologies, Paul is committed to the educational success of schools across North America. His diverse background includes directing and participating in editorial photo shoots with renowned artists like Babak, and his work has been featured in industry publications worldwide, including Modern Salon, South African Hairdressers Journal and Sophisticate’s Hairstyle Guide.

Specializes in combining analysis, design, and storytelling to create visual data representations that help people understand and evaluate information more easily.

Specializes in primary research – leading and designing research initiatives, conducting market research, analyzing data, and providing insights to drive business growth.

With over 30 years of leadership in marketing, communications, data, and technology, Steve has spent the last 15 years focused on the salon industry. His experience spans the school, salon, manufacturer, and distribution segments, where he has led research initiatives, organized both in-person and online data/technology events, and managed recognition programs for students, beauty schools, stylists and influencers, and salon owners. Steve’s dedication to the industry is further reflected in his active involvement in various cause-related activities. Recently, he enhanced his expertise by earning a certificate in Data Science and Visualization from Northwestern University.

Specializes in secondary research – analyzing and aggregating 3rd party and government data, as well as regulatory, licensing, and accrediting agency requirements to inform business decisions.

Adriana brings over a decade of experience, with a background in marketing, e-commerce, and sales support. Her proven track record includes driving successful marketing and e-commerce initiatives for notable brands. With a Master’s Degree in Marketing and fluency in Spanish, her experience uniquely positions her to navigate global markets. Adriana’s passion for excellence will ensure the best overall experience for our customers on our e-commerce platforms.

Alyse began her career in the beauty industry at 16 years old as a shampoo assistant. After earning a BA in Digital Communications and Creative Writing, she helped adults achieve their educational goals through her role in admissions. Eleven years ago, she joined Pivot Point, using her admissions experience in the academy while completing her MBA. Having held various positions within the marketing department, Alyse now leads the brand and communication strategy for Pivot Point.

Evan brings over a decade of graphic design experience, infusing creativity and enthusiasm into every project. With a BA from Columbia College Chicago, he excels on the marketing team and thrives in a collaborative environment. Passionate about design and the arts, Evan believes good design can improve the world. Known for his positive energy and love for teamwork, he is dedicated to creating impactful and meaningful work.

Hanna has over 8 years of experience in the beauty industry. After earning a BS from DePaul University, she managed digital products and technical initiatives for America’s Beauty Show. Hanna excels in managing marketing technology systems, focusing on advanced tools and platforms to optimize digital strategies and drive growth. She is passionate about sharing her expertise to innovate within the beauty industry.

With a BA from Michigan State University and over 15 years of professional experience, Maranda’s role is focused on ensuring our student kits meet our customers’ expectations. From sourcing products to aligning products to our educational curricula, Maranda ensures that each kit is thoughtfully designed to enhance the educational experience for beauty school students.

As the Director of Creative Services, Agnieszka brings over two decades of design experience. She is dedicated to advancing the brand’s evolution while maintaining impeccable standards. Responsible for the visuals of all our products, from education to packaging and marketing materials, her commitment to enhancing the visual brand narrative is evident in everything Pivot Point delivers.

Robert Passage grew up in the business founded by his father, world-renowned hair stylist and educator Leo Passage. He has been deeply connected to the beauty industry from an early age. Before assuming leadership of Pivot Point, he gained valuable experience working as both a beauty school educator and academy director. Robert is an active industry participant, and his activities include serving as a board member and former president of Cosmetologists Chicago, a founding board member of Beauty Changes Lives, and a board member of the Green Beauty Community. Robert also served on the board of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS) for many years. He takes great pride in the fact that two of his sons and his nephew, all licensed hairstylists, have joined him in continuing the family legacy at Pivot Point as a third-generation family business.

Nina is passionate about helping to support and further the mission and vision of Pivot Point’s founder, Leo Passage. She has over 20 years of finance experience in a variety of industries. Before joining Pivot Point in 2023, she held positions of increasing responsibility at consumer products, travel, commercial real estate, and digital gaming/media companies. She currently leads Pivot Point’s accounting, financial planning & analysis, tax and legal functions. Nina holds a BA from Yale University and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

Jan was born into a family of hairdressers and first joined Pivot Point in 1986 as a trainer in his home country, the Netherlands. After joining the U.S. team, he traveled the world working with Pivot Point distributors, training Pivot Point trainers, and performing in seminars and shows in over 50 countries. Jan has since held various leadership roles within the organization, including CEO. He currently leads our international business development team, focusing on developing European direct distribution markets.

For over 25 years, Sabine has played a pivotal role within Pivot Point. She began her journey as an Educator and Platform artist before quickly ascending to leadership positions within the company. Since 2007, she has led the evolution of Pivot Point’s educational programs, covering print and digital media for learners and professionals. Sabine’s visionary leadership and passion for learning are evident in her pursuit of ensuring our educational products lead to sustainable careers. She continues to focus on the strategic development of our education for future learners.

Javed comes from a family of educators and finds great satisfaction working in education. He brings nearly 25 years of experience in technology and a passion for problem-solving to Pivot Point. Javed began his career in software development and database design and then transitioned into management after returning to school for his MBA. In his current role, he oversees technology, platform development and project management.

Brandon has been with Pivot Point International for over 21 years, representing the 4th generation of licensed hairdressers in his family. He began his career at Pivot Point working in the warehouse and then moved on to manage Pivot Point Academy locations, gaining extensive experience in both operations and educational leadership. Today, he oversees Pivot Point’s global Educational Hair business and Supply Chain Operations. Brandon holds a degree from DePaul University, an EMBA from Marquette University, and is a graduate of Loyola University’s Next Generation Leadership program.

With a childhood love of beauty and a successful career in Human Resources, he found his true passion after encountering Leo Passage. As the former Director of the Pivot Point Flagship Academy, he honed his skills in beauty education. He transitioned into sales, specializing in building partnerships with beauty schools and brands. Alcott excels at cultivating meaningful relationships and driving business growth through collaboration.

Corey, who was practically raised in the industry, has worked at Pivot Point for over 15 years. Starting in the warehouse as a teen, he transitioned to internships (IT, Production & Publishing, Sales & Marketing) during college. Upon graduating from DePaul University with a major in Business Management and a minor in General Marketing, Corey enrolled in the cosmetology program at Pivot Point Academy to become a licensed professional. Since then, he has held various positions at the company and now oversees all global marketing initiatives. Most recently, Corey completed the Next Generation Leadership program at Loyola University.

With over 25 years of experience in Human Resources, Katy is a passionate and strategic HR leader who drives value-added HR strategies and solutions to support Pivot Point’s business and financial goals. She holds the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification and has extensive knowledge and skills in talent acquisition, benefits, compensation, leadership and professional development, succession planning, and retention strategies.