Owners: The CAO Institute of Aesthetics
CEO: Alee Cao
President: Peggy Lee Cao
Director: Angela De Leon
Operations Leader: Peggy Lee Cao
Admissions Advisor: Makayla Ortiz
Lead Clinic Classroom Coordinator: Felisha Fowlkes
Guest Service Leaders: Kenia Ramirez, Sofia Sutliff
Financial Service Advisor: Marisa Lopez
Education Leaders: Judith Rojas
Cosmetology & hairstylist Education Team
Alexander Martinez: Learning Leader - Full Time
Course(s) Taught: Cosmetology & Hairstylist
License # KK329782
Alexander, also known as “Alex” began his career working behind the chair with SuperCuts since 1998.Alex transitioned into his teaching career in 2006 and he is now our Core Specialist for the Evening School Program, teaching the fundamentals of Cosmetology.
Bretina Pittman: Learning Leader - Full Time
Course(s) Taught: Cosmetology & Hairstylist
License #KK542133
Britni Gillespie: Learning Leader - Full Time
Course(s) Taught: Cosmetology & Hairstylist
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.
Judith Rojas: Education Leader / Learning Leader - Full Time
Course(s) Taught: Cosmetology, Hairstylist & Nail Care
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 Education Leader for all programs.
Stephanie Austin: Learning Leader - Part Time
Course(s) Taught: Cosmetology & Hairstylist
License # KK625119
Terrah Haffner: Learning Leader - Part Time
Course(s) Taught: Cosmetology & Hairstylist
License # KK533630
Barbering Education Team
Stephanie Gomez: Learning Leader
Course(s) Taught: Cosmetology & Barbering
License # B90374 / KK537870
Pedro Dena: Learning Leader
Course(s) Taught: Barbering
License # B109520
Skin Care Education Team
Lavine Linarez: Learning Leader - Part Time
Course(s) Taught: Skin Care
License # Z149581
Yolanda Corzo: Learning Leader - Part Time
Course(s) Taught: Skin Care
License # Z105594
Substitute Education Team
Alee Cao:
Course(s) Taught: Cosmetology & Hairstylist
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 traveled 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.
Angela De Leon:
Course(s) Taught: Cosmetology & Hairstylist
License # KK542598
Angela has been a licensed cosmetologist since 2012 and brings over a decade of industry experience to her work. She spent eight years as a master stylist, where she honed her expertise in color and styling artistry. Transitioning into education allowed Angela to fulfill her long-standing passion for mentoring and developing future professionals. Her career includes experience with renowned brands such as Regis, Carlton, Salon Republic, and TONI&GUY. Today, Angela proudly serves as a member of the team at Paul Mitchell Pasadena, where she is dedicated to inspiring excellence and confidence in the next generation of artists.
Riechard Alexandre:
Course(s) Taught: Cosmetology & Hairstylist
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
Leah Peters:
Course(s) Taught: Cosmetology & Hairstylist
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.
Mary Nicole Warmack:
Course(s) Taught: Skin Care
License # Z151790
Gabriel Giron
Course(s) Taught: Barbering
License # B115151
Rachelle Murua
Course(s) Taught: Barbering, Cosmetology, & Hairstylist
License # B111488 / KK391008
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. Alee's work has 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; Alee's 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. Alee's 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 .”