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: Yadira Valladares and Pedro Dena
Guest Service Leaders: Pricilla Delgado, Natalie Nayola-Gomez and Janette Chavez
Financial Service Leader: Jasmine Lomeli
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.”
Judith Rojas: Learning Leader - Part 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 Education Leader for both Cosmetology and Barbering Program.
Lakeiya (Lake) Payne: Learning Leader - Part Time
Course(s) Taught: Cosmetology
License # KK296453
Lakeiya “Lake” Payne is a master stylist and owner of American Beauties Salon. She specializes in advanced hair cutting , extensions, and natural hair care techniques. Twenty years of industry experience has allowed her the opportunity to style several celebrities and work alongside other top stylists. Lake is passionate about sharing her knowledge with future professionals at Paul Mitchell Schools.
Leah Peters: Learning Leader - Part Time
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: Learning Leader - Full Time
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 sisterlocs. Although she has her expertise in longhair, she also has a huge male base clientele along with being tagged the knotless braid queen.
Patrick (Ryan) Escandon: Learning Leader - Part Time
Course(s) Taught: Cosmetology
License # KK609506
Patrick ( Ryan) has been a color specialist site 2018.Creating wonderful and majestic masterpieces on every guest. Patrick is also a homegrown here at Paul Mitchell The School - Pasadena. Started teaching at his alma mater in the start of 2023 as the color specialist (learning leader)
Nadin Injeian: Learning Leader - Part Time
Course(s) Taught: Cosmetology
License # KK499129
Nadin has been in the beauty industry for 24 years now. She loves to connect with clients as she creates custom color and cuts for men and women. As her career has developed she’s discovered a deep love for education within the industry. She’s currently behind the chair and a part time learning leader and cutting specialist at Paul Mitchell The School - Pasadena
Shannon H. Mompeller: Learning Leader - Part Time
Course(s) Taught: Cosmetology
License # KK609506
Shannon is homegrown and attended Paul Mitchell The School - Pasadena in 2017-2018 after being passionate about cosmetology since 2002. She became a Master Stylist at a well known children’s salon that she had been managing for 10 years and is currently self-employed behind the chair. Teaching runs in her family, and she is excited to share her love of cosmetology with Future Professionals.
Danielle Turrentine: Learning Leader - Full Time
Course(s) Taught: Cosmetology
License # KK633024
Danielle is an experienced cosmetology educator with over two decades in the industry. Specializing in hair care, she began to cultivate expertise in the art and science of hairstyling. She is committed to sharing knowledge and shaping the next generation of cosmetologists.
BARBERING EDUCATION TEAM
Jayson Fernandez: Co-Director, Learning Leader - Part Time
Course(s) Taught: Barbering
License # B104019
Jason has been license for the barbering since 2002, he has work as the men’s groomer for Disney, Fox, Warner Brother’s and Hartfield Jackson. He is currently self-employed Master Barber and he dedicate his time educating as it is what he’s passionate as much as being behind the chair.
Jason Ocampo: Learning Leader - Part Time
Course(s) Taught: Barbering
License # B93170
Skin Care EDUCATION TEAM
Daviahna Rivers: Learning Leader - Part Time
Course(s) Taught: Esthetics
License # Z138026
Meet Daviahna! She began her career in the beauty industry at 18 doing eyelash extensions and became a licensed esthetician just shortly after. Being an educator in the industry has always been her passion. Equipping future professionals with the confidence and purpose to contribute to a beautiful service community. Daviahna wants to make people feel their best by looking their best.
Yolanda Corzo: Learning Leader - Full Time
Course(s) Taught: Esthetics
License # Z105594
Yolanda has been a licensed cosmetologist and esthetician since 2012.As an esthetician she has worked for Massage Envy, Massage Green, medical spas as well as owned and operated various studios. In 2023, Yolanda transitioned into teaching and is currently learning leader for the esthetician day program.
Amber Shane: Learning Leader - Full Time
Course(s) Taught: Esthetics
License # Z129392
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 pursuit 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.
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 .”