Owners: The CAO Institute of Aesthetics
CEO: Alee Cao
President: Peggy Lee Cao
Co-Director: Jayson Fernandez
Co-Director: Angela De Leon
Operations Leader: Peggy Lee Cao
Enrollment Team Leader: Yadira Valladares
Admissions Advisors: Tiffanie Dorange and Pedro Dena
Guest Service Leaders: Kenia Ramirez, Karen Rodriguez, Nicholas Spare
Financial Service Leader: Jasmine Lomeli
Student Accounts: Loren Pierce
Education Leaders/Future Professional Advisors: Jayson Fernandez and Angela De Leon
Cosmetology Education Team
Alexander Martinez: Learning Leader - Part Time
Course(s) Taught: Cosmetology
License # KK329782
Alexander, also known as “Alex” has began his career working behind the chair with SuperCut since 1998.Alex transition into his teaching career in 2006 and he is now our Core Specialist for the Evening School Program, teaching the fundamental of the Cosmetology.
Angela De Leon: Co-Director, Future Professional Advisor / Learning Leader - Full Time
Course(s) Taught: Cosmetology
License # KK542598
Angela has been a licensed cosmetologist since 2012.She worked as a master stylist for 8 years - specializing in color and styling artistry. Since being given the opportunity to work in education, her dream of being an educator came to fruition. She’s worked for companies such as Dry Bar, Regis, Carlton, Salon Republic, TONI&GUY, and is now a part of the education team at Paul Mitchell.”
Britni Gillespie: Learning Leader - Full Time
Course(s) Taught: Cosmetology
License # KK615031
Britni started her career training with Toni and Guy in Dallas, TX in 2015. During her time there at school she realized she always had education in the back of her mind, wanting to teach others to pursue their passion. She then worked with Aveda during her time in Texas, then moved to Los Angeles and pursued her dream of working in Education and now is the Daytime Core Learning Leader for Paul Mitchell the School Pasadena.
Nichole Martinez: Learning Leader - Full Time
Course(s) Taught: Cosmetology
License # KK300439
Licensed in California, Nevada, and Arizona. Nichole has worked for Joico International as a Technical Advisor for 11 years. Also collaborated with brands like CHI, Farouk Systems, GJAhair, and Kuene as a sales/education consultant. She has taught cosmetology for ROP in Baldwin Park, San Dimas, and Bonita High School, and mostly volunteered at local beauty schools, offering free education through sales. She has since retired from working behind the chair in 2024 to teach at Paul Mitchell School in Pasadena.
Judith Rojas: Clinic Classroom Development Leader / Learning Leader - Full Time
Course(s) Taught: Cosmetology
License # KK399554
Judith or Judy has been a licensed Cosmetologist since 2001 and began her teaching career in a Cosmetology school in 2007. She holds the position of Clinic Classroom Development Leader for both Cosmetology and Barbering Program.
Tracy Taylor: Learning Leader - Part Time
Course(s) Taught: Cosmetology
License # KK632855
Tracy Taylor is a hair designer, photo and product stylist offering 15+ years experience in excellence and knowledge of the latest product trends and hairstyles. He has worked in Television Fashion Production for QVC & L'oreal. He has also participated in Mercedes Benz Fashion Week doing hair behind the scenes. His training includes the Sassoon Academy ABC Collection as well as Aveda Advanced Education.
Khianna Romero: Learning Leader - Part Time
Course(s) Taught: Cosmetology
License # KK636455
Khianna, known as "Kiki" is a homegrown from the Paul Mitchell School in Sherman Oaks. She is a licensed Cosmetologist with expertise in Braiding and Makeup. She has worked on projects with reputable companies such as Paramount Studios & Nickelodeon. She has also showcased her specialty braiding in fashion shows, music videos, and photoshoots.
BARBERING EDUCATION TEAM
Jayson Fernandez: Co-Director, Education Leader / Learning Leader - Full Time
Course(s) Taught: Barbering
License # B104019
Jayson has been licensed for barbering since 2002, he has worked as the men’s groomer for Disney, Fox, Warner Brothers and Hartfield Jackson. He is currently self-employed Master Barber and he dedicates his time educating as it is what he’s passionate about as much as being behind the chair.
Sebastian Ludena: Learning Leader - Full Time
Course(s) Taught: Barbering
License # B100675
Sebastian started his career as a freelancer, working in the entertainment industry as a hairstylist. Working with the LA Rams Cheerleading team & working in film. He holds both Barber & Cosmetology licenses in California & his Cosmetology license in Nevada. He has also trained in Rotterdam, Netherlands at The Old School Barber Academy. He was a Regional Educator for Floyd's Barbershop, training licensed professionals all around the U.S. He now works for Paul Mitchell Pasadena and found that his passion was teaching and working with Future Professionals.
Skin Care EDUCATION TEAM
Amber Shane: Learning Leader - Full Time
Course(s) Taught: Esthetics
License # Z129392
Guillermina Loarca: Learning Leader - Full Time
Course(s) Taught: Esthetics
License # Z17095
Guillermina, also known as "Guille" is a licensed Skincare Therapist (Esthetician) with two decades of successful experience in skincare. She specializes in facial extractions and waxing. Guille is semi-retired, occasionally helping in spas and salons to train their team. She is a strong believer in the power of a positive attitude in the workplace. She is honored to share her knowledge with new generations in this industry.
Tamara Smith: Learning Leader - Full Time
Course(s) Taught: Esthetics
License # KK528304
Tamara has been a Licensed Esthetician since 1990. She has worked as a Celebrity Skin Care Specialist & Makeup Artist for Local Union 706 working on Celebrity music videos, print, and runway. She's also worked for prestigious companies such as Paramount studios, Universal, VH1, and MTV. She is a motivational speaker and advocate for women and children of domestic violence. In 2020, she won the State of California Award from Gavin Newson to end domestic violence for her work and passion for the cause. She also owns her own Skincare Business and Beauty Brand. Now working for Paul Mitchell School in Pasadena where her passion and purpose is to educate our Future Professionals.
Substitute Education Team
Alee Cao:
Course(s) Taught: Cosmetology
License # KK32077
Alee has been in the industry since 1986 from Florida, he worked behind the chair ever since, he is well versed in all aspects of hair but his ultimate love is in the Hair Cutting. Alee became an International Master Educator for Paul Mitchell, he travel around the globe educating Professional Hairdressers. Alee moved to California to pursue the next step of his career in the beauty industry and got him to work on Hollywood Rockstar A-Listers for many years before he opened a Paul Mitchell school in 2004.He later founded a Cosmetic line called CAO in 2010 and opened a franchise salon called SIMPLE in 2018. Alee is a substitute for Classroom and Clinic.
Riechard Alexandre:
Course(s) Taught: Cosmetology
License # KK540600
Riechard is a homegrown of Paul Mitchell the School - Pasadena and has been licensed for over a decade. His skill in styling has earned him access to work in many events including celebrities events both for-profit and nonprofit, pageants, Rose Parade Royal court and many more. Riechard also trained the school Community outreach team on Hairstyling prior to events
Wanda Sossa:
Course(s) Taught: Esthetics
License # Z144424
Wanda Sossa completed her esthetics training at The Aveda Institute Washington DC. She owned and operated successful businesses in the nation’s capital and in Maryland. Wanda has enjoyed many freelancing opportunities including one with the Kurdish Royal family. She is an educator at heart and pours into the next generation of estheticians not only to develop their technical skills but also to build their confidence, compassion, and resilience.
Leah Peters:
Course(s) Taught: Cosmetology
License # KK399554
Leah, ”Long Beach Leah” is originally from Espanola, New Mexico. After graduating from New Mexico State University with a Bachelor degree In Mass Communications and a minor in Spanish she moved to California to pursue her true passion “Hair Cutting “ and has been a licensed professional in the industry since 2006.Leah is currently a learning leader for Adaptive and Creative Future Professionals at Paul Mitchell The School - Pasadena. She considers herself to be a social artist who works on “human canvases” and loves creating, learning and teaching.
Nia Sutherland:
Course(s) Taught: Cosmetology
License # KK613838
Nia is a homegrown of Paul Mitchell the School - Pasadena. She practices her craft locally and specializes in Loc Maintenance and starting Locs on all hair types including sisterlocks. Although she has her expertise in longhair, she also has a huge male base clientele along with being tagged the knotless braid queen.
Stephanie Austin:
Course(s) Taught: Cosmetology
License # KK625119
Stephanie Gomez:
Course(s) Taught: Cosmetology / Barbering
License # B90374 / KK537870
Christina Bielen:
Course(s) Taught: Barbering
License # B97026
Owner
Alee Cao: Alee is a Master Associate for John Paul Mitchell Systems and a Celebrity Hairstylist Alee possesses a unique vision formed by his experiences traveling across the globe, from North to South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. His travels have granted him the opportunity to study with the great masters of the industry and express his creativity through crisp and commanding creations. Alees’ works have been published in various magazines, including American Salon, Launch Pads, Studio, Cut & Dry, and Timeout. Among his celebrity clientele you can find Rod Stewart, Rachelle Hunter, “Eddie” Van Halen, Christina Applegate, Robin Antin of The Pussycat dolls, Apolonia, and Miss World Kseniya Suhinova .
With three decades of dedication, continued learning, and development; Alees’ own vision of a Cosmetology Institute came to life in 2004 when he opened Paul Mitchell The School - Pasadena. Later he ventured off on another project in the beauty industry through the development of his own makeup line; CAO Cosmetics. Through CAO Cosmetics Alee wanted to create professional makeup that was still affordable in price. When you come to Paul Mitchell The School - Pasadena you will quickly get familiar with Alee’s unique approach to the art and business of hair design and cosmetics. Alees’ humor, enthusiasm, and wisdom make coming to cosmetology school an unforgettable journey for all Future Professionals. “I learned from many of the industry’s’ greats and I wish to pass on the knowledge that I have accumulated. I strongly believe that continuing education is a MUST for continuous success, not only for myself but for everyone .”
PRESIDENT
Peggy Lee Cao: Starting from a young age Peggy has been determined to bring out the best in people and believes that everyone could be a great leader if they put their mind to it. It was this goal that helped pull her through what she likes to call “a roller-coaster ride of a life” as she managed to graduate from one of the most reputable business universities in Thailand with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. Peggy was also inspired by her parents and gained a management touch from her mom and motivational character from her dad as they too were in business as owners of a Tupperware business .
Peggy later became part owner of two salons in the late 90’s as well as later venturing off and starting her own establishment in the form of a trading company for French and American products. In 2001 she was invited to attend a Paul Mitchell school summit where she was reminded of how much she loved to be part of the beauty industry and thus has been a part of the Paul Mitchell network ever since. As a strong believer in leadership learning she got herself certified as a John Maxwell Team Coach, Speaker, and Trainer.
Aside from being a great leader Peggy is a grateful daughter, a loving wife to her husband, a proud parent to her step-daughter as well as a mother to her two Miniature Schnauzers, Kenzo and McKale. Whenever she is able to Peggy also loves traveling the world and loves being exposed to new culture, people, languages, and food. Favorite Quote: “Know your strength and embrace it because it is what makes you unique .”