Anna is a theatrical
costume, hair, & makeup designer with a strong passion for the beauty
industry. She finds purpose in helping others, especially in growing their
confidence. Working at Summit Salon Academy allows her to help others in this
way and allows her to continue in professional growth & develop meaningful
connections within the community. Anna loves to craft and spend time with her
dogs in her free time.
Tonia
Front Desk Coordinator
I loving working with our students and our guests! When I see our amazing students provide a fantastic guest experience to our wonderful guests there is truly nothing better. I've spent my career working in customer service and it is very rewarding and something I very much enjoy!
Ashley
Cosmetology Educator
Ashley graduated from Independence College of Cosmetology in 2004. After graduating, she began her career at a salon in Independence. Working in the salon it became clear to Ashley that her passion was not only working behind the chair but also sharing her vast knowledge and love of cosmetology with clients and coworkers. It was and still is extremely important to Ashley that she and her guests are on the same page during the service and that her guests' left the salon with a smile on their face and confidence knowing that they have the knowledge and are capable of recreating the same look at home. In 2010, she decided it was time to for a new challenge, and decided to get her instructors license.
Ashley has been working as an instructor teaching the freshman class at Independence College of Cosmetology since 2010. Ashley is always researching the new trends that are going on. She is extremely passionate about teaching and making that she can reach every learning style in her classroom. She takes great enjoyment helping and studying with her students so they can reach their goals and become successful in this wonderful industry.
Courtney
Cosmetology Educator
I started my career in 1999 at Mario Triccocis where I really learned so much about the guest experience and how to be a member of a successful team. I am also passionate about teaching and I'm licensed in both Kansas and Missouri. My teaching career begin in 2012. When I see a student succeed and "get it" its one of the most fulfilling experiences. When I see my students go on and elevate this amazing industry, it warms my heart. I'm also proud of my 1997 Class Clown award from Blue Springs South Highschool! I like to work hard and meet amazing people along the way and encourage and inspire!
La' Tasha
Cosmetology Educator
I started my Cosmo journey in mid spring 2004 and graduated early in late winter of 2005. I didn't allow myself to stay in a box and accepted the challenge to experience as many positions in the cosmetology field as I could. From self-employment to salon manager and many other positions, building a well-rounded background was very vital for me in becoming the educator that I am today. I decided to go back to school and get my instructor license in 2014. I have always been a person that wants to share any piece of knowledge that I have learned from my educational and work experiences with others. I believe that the sole purpose of an educator is to always be ready to teach others as you continue to learn. Helping others become successful in all the endeavors of the industry is the ultimate goal and the best form of gratitude that a student shows as a true reflection of the educators that helped pave the way for them to excel.
Lisa
Cosmetology Educator
Coming Soon!
Beth
Esthetic Educator
I became an esthetician because I am passionate about skin care and how it makes me feel when I'm able to help people feel better about themselves. I'm certified in dermaplane and I continue furthering my education to keep up with the newest trends. Being a CIDESCO certified graduate is something I'm very proud of. The CIDESCO Diploma is the world's most prestigious qualification for Aesthetics and Beauty Therapy which has set the international standards since 1957. This same passion is what leads me to teach at SSAKC. Nothing excites me more than passing my experience and education on to the next generation of estheticians who will continue to elevate our beautiful industry.In my spare time I love preparing gourmet meals, reading and writing, and growing herbs and flowers in my garden. I love sharing all of this with my wonderful family and friends!
Christine
Esthetics/Cosmetology Educator
I am passionate about helping others be as beautiful as they are on the inside on the outside. This passion began in 1991 and for the past 26 years, I have served as an instructor and service provider in a wide variety of esthetic services. This time has granted me the ability to gain extensive technique and esthetic knowledge that I'm excited every day to share. I am honored to be trusted by many for their beauty and education needs and look forward to making the world a little more beautiful every day.
Evelyn
Esthetics Educator and Substitute
Pastor
Evelyn D. Foster
Loving
the world of theater, Evelyn, at the age of 9 years of age, began to exhibit a
love for skin care and in particularly makeup.
Evelyn would begin her journey by regularly combing and brushing her
mother’s wigs and playing in eyeshadow from her church summer long rummage
sales. Watching her passion grow, her
mother had her to try and read a book entitled “All About Health and Beauty for
the Black Woman”, by Naomi Sims. Little
did she know that that would be the beginnings of a vision and a calling to the
beauty industry.
After
graduating high school, Evelyn went on to work for several companies in the
corporate world such as, The City of Kansas City as an Administrator of the
Circuit Court for Child Support; St. Paul School of Theology; Sprint; First
Guard Health Plan and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City. It was during that time that Evelyn began to
desire to fulfill a dream and further pursue it by attending Xenon International School of
Cosmetology and Esthetics and would go on to graduate Valedictorian of her
class and currently holds Esthetic Licenses in both Kansas and Missouri for
over 10 years, as well as a Master Educator’s License in the state of Missouri. Evelyn would go on to become one of the top
instructors in the state of Kansas and worked at such schools as Xenon
International School of Cosmetology; Marinello Schools of Beauty; Entourage
Institute of Beauty and Esthetics, and currently works as lead Esthetics
Educator at Summit Salon Academy of Independence Missouri.
Evelyn
is also the CEO and President of Faces by Eve LLC, where she enjoys taking
extreme care of the health and wellness of the skin, as well as a Makeup Artist
of 38 years – working in fitness competitions for the Four State Region;
Runway; Weddings, and Photoshoots!
Evelyn
is a wife of 36 years; a mother of three
daughters; one son-in-love; four granddaughters; 5 grandsons, and 1 grand-doggie. She enjoys summer evenings; swimming;
laughing and having dinner with her family. Her Motto: “Dream Big, then Plan
Your Work, and Work Your Plan!”
Sarah
Esthetics/Cosmetology Educator
I have been a licensed cosmetologist since 2001 and a
licensed esthetician since 2011. I have an extreme passion for all things
color whether that be hair, makeup or nails. The creativity that is
involved on both sides of this industry is why I felt it was important for me
to be licensed on both sides. I am a certified makeup artist and LOVE
special effects! I have been fortunate to work with some pretty phenomenal
names in the industry and continue to learn as much as possible. I also started
my own hand made makeup line while I was in esthetics school and was selling
custom blended makeup out of the classroom! My company has been featured on
Buzz Feed and LPSY and I still continue to work on creating special custom
blends like eyeshadows, highlighters and lip pigments. I have been
teaching for 3 years and this has been the most rewarding part of my career so
far. My favorite part of teaching is igniting students passion for makeup
especially when they did not feel it before and leaving school excited and
confident in their skills.
Mieisha
Esthetics Educator
I love esthetics and makeup!! I'm very proud to be a three time award winning make-up artist Kansas City native. My background is very diverse in this amazing industry and I love sharing this with my students. With twenty plus years of service, I'm excited every day to continue to elevate the beauty industry one student at a time!
Nikki
Esthetics Educator
I joined the SSAKC staff after graduating from the esthetics program in December 2021.
I’ve always been in professions that allowed me to serve others. It began when I earned my degree from NWMSU in Corporate Recreation and Wellness with a minor in Health Education and worked as a personal trainer. I later went on to get my massage therapy license from Wellspring School of Allied Health. Other careers I’ve had over the years prior to following my true passion of esthetics include working as a flight attendant and police officer
I have always had a passion and interest in all things beauty thanks to my momma. She always took such good care of her skin and loved makeup, which naturally flowed over to me. I took my love of makeup and the creative outlet it gave me, out to California where I earned my certification as a makeup artist from the Makeup Designory in LA. I have worked as a freelance makeup artist off and on while working my other jobs since 2009.
In 2018 my momma was unfortunately diagnosed with ovarian cancer. During her treatments, I observed the toll chemo took on her skin and hair despite her efforts to continue taking care of both the way she always had. This observation got me looking into skincare for oncology patients. I discovered there were estheticians who were trained to work with individuals undergoing chemo and radiation treatments as well as products specifically formulated to be less irritating and comforting on oncology patient’s skin.
Sadly, in 2020, my momma lost her battle with cancer and it was this loss that turned me towards a career change. I took the leap to go back to school and get my esthetician license from Summit Salon Academy KC so that I might help and work with individuals with health compromised and sensitive skin concerns.
Beyond my esthetics license, I have continued my education by earning my certifications in Oncology Trained Esthetics, Beauty Nutrition, Microneedling, Microchanneling, Lash Lifts, Brow Laminations, Dermaplaning, and Gua Sha. I have also renewed my massage therapy license and will be working on getting certified as a lymphatic drainage specialist.
It is my honor to pass on my knowledge and life experiences in the various careers I’ve had on to my students.
Anil
Director of Administration
I
joined SSAKC at the beginning of 2022 as our Director of Administration.
Previously, I have experience in many fields from designing, co-founding and
advising tech start-ups from ideation to acquisition (KazoorHR & Philo to
name a few) to Venture Capital (LightBank VC) to global Fortune 500+ strategic
consulting (PwC) to designing new solutions and processes for Chick-fil-A. I
have a diverse set of international education from Ivy League institutions and
a-like in entrepreneurial business and solutions design engineering.
I
have always loved learning and still do. I grew up on one of the worst streets
in Kansas City for crime and poverty and I’ve been fortunate to receive
scholarships, mentors and investment from industry leaders to turn me into
someone that feels comfortable in any industry, across the table with any
demographic, just as long as truth is shared for the collective effort of being
better than we were yesterday.
My
focus now is helping our stakeholders at SSAKC. Those stakeholders being the
students and their futures, the instructors and their daily experiences and the
owner’s and their vision. I am fortunate to be able to apply my experience to
this unique group of individuals that are passionate and great at what they do.
With
that being said, in my personal time I love spending time with my favorite
person and significant other, an awesome Cosmetologist that inspired me to join
the industry by observing her experience and success in an under-represented
field. My goal is to help others find what she has found, joy and financial
freedom in her passion, which is rare these days and more valuable than what
most realize. We are both hard workers but at home we hang out with our three
dogs in the evenings on the couch and on the weekends you can find me riding a
horse training for Equestrian Eventing or acting like a cowboy. The other place
you might find me is at a local winery enjoying my time with the people I love.
I seek peace and others that respect the fragility and value of every moment we
have. My mottos are: "Entrepreneurs don’t ask for permission, they ask for
forgiveness." "Carpe Diem." "Nike, Just Do It." And of
course, "Give a man to fish, feed him for a day, teach a man to fish, feed
him for a lifetime!"
Ginger
Director of Admissions
Coming Soon!
Janet
Director of Education
Teaching students how to be successful in this amazing industry is what I truly love to do. I've been a licensed Cosmetologist for over 20 years and love giving back to an industry that has been so good to me. Seeing our students build their technical and business skills where they can graduate and then go and elevate our industry is what drives me each and every day.
Marcia
Financial Aid Director
I've been passionate about higher education for over 20 years and love playing a role in students achieving their educational goals. Here at SSAKC, I get to work hands on with each of our students helping them with their financial aid so they can graduate and begin their career in this amazing industry.
Carl
Director of Operations
With over twenty years of hair, fashion and performance industry experience, I have seen an industry grow and change in may wonderful ways and I'm very proud to be apart of it. I began my career right out of high school by attending cosmetology school. After graduation, I was lucky enough to work for a couple different salon owners that really had a hand in shaping not only my technical skills, but my leadership skills. At our Academy, we work hard to partner with our industry's best. Through our partnership with Summit Salon Academy Business Center we strive to bring solid business principles to our curriculum. I've seen first hand how these principles drive successful, long lasting careers and I'm so very proud to be apart of this success.
Jason
Director/Owner
I love helping people build careers is this amazing industry. When someone is able to combine their passion and talent with business principles, graduate, then go out there and kill it, there is nothing better! Motivating people and elevating our industry through education and opportunity is what drives me each and every day. I'm proud to have a career that helps others live the life they have always wanted! When you combine passion with education there is nothing that can stop someone from reaching their dreams.