Meet Our Staff

Cheri Parcells
Senior Director of Operations & Guest Relations

Where are you from?
Phoenix, AZ

What is an interesting fact about you?
I have 2 turtles.

Someday I’d really like to…
Travel the world with my husband.

Why did you choose to work at Penrose Academy?
I love the atmosphere and the staff and students are all amazing!

Candice Healey
LE, CLT, CLI, LSO
Senior Director of Medical Services

Where are you from?
Leamington, Ontario Canada

Who or what inspires you?
People who give without expectation.

What is one of your greatest strengths?
My sweet laser skills.

Why did you decide to work at Penrose?
The culture based on honesty and integrity.

Parci Flake
LC, LCI
Assistant Director of Education and Cosmetology Educator

Where are you from?

Snowflake, AZ

Who or what inspires you?

My mom is a teacher and I have always watched how she interacts with others and it makes me want to be just like her.

Why did you decide to work at Penrose Academy?

I love the culture and curriculum. They combine nicely making an amazing schooling experience for students.

Describe yourself in one word.

Caring.

Andria Young
Director of Student Services | Placement & Title IX Coordinator

Where are you from?

BORN AND RAISED IN THE VALLEY OF THE SUN!!
Phoenix, AZ 😊

What is an interesting fact about you?

I own a dalmatian!

What does your perfect day look like?

Attending a music festival with friends!

What about your profession do you find most rewarding?

Guiding students through their program and seeing them find their niche in the professional beauty industry!

Haleigh Trout
LC, LCI
Director of Education & Deputy Title IX Coordinator

Where are you from?

Reno, NV

What is an interesting fact about you?

I was raised by a single dad.

Why did you decide to work at Penrose Academy?

I went to Penrose for my cosmetology license, and I knew I wanted to come back to work here.

What’s your perfect day like?

Spent with my daughter and husband.

Ashlee Traasdahl
Admissions Lead

Coming Soon!

Kim Goedker
Enrollment & Financial Services Lead

Where are you from?

Columbus, Ohio

What is an interesting fact about you?

I weirdly tuck in my ears when I sleep.

Describe yourself in one word.

Adventurous.

What about your profession do you find most rewarding?

I like making future and current students feel comfortable for their journey here at Penrose!

Marina Conciatori
Admissions Coordinator

Steffi Toth
LE, LEI
Events and Community Manager & Deputy Title IX Coordinator

Where are you from?

Los Angeles, California

What is an interesting fact about you?

I speak fluent Hungarian.

What’s your perfect day like? 

Being outdoors hiking or kayaking.

What about your profession do you find most rewarding?

The ability to see students reach their potential.

Yessenia Torres
Enrollment Services Coordinator

Where are you from?

I was born and raised in Phoenix, AZ.

Who or what inspires you?

Cliché, but my mom. She is quite literally the strongest person I know.

What is one of your greatest strengths?

One of my greatest strengths is being a great listener.

Clare Zinn
LC
Student Services Assistant

Where are you from? Denver, Colorado.

What is an interesting fact about you? I have lived all over the world and visited more than 90 countries.

Why did you decide to work at Penrose Academy? I graduated from Penrose in 2014 and wanted to be a part of other students’ beauty journeys.

What about your profession do you find most rewarding? I love doing hair and making people feel their best, as well as helping students start their careers in this industry!

Someday, you’d really like to … Retire on a beach!

MacKenzie Sturgill
Student Services Coordinator

Where are you from?

Cave Creek, Arizona

Why did you decide to work at Penrose Academy?

I used to be a student here at Penrose and just absolutely loved it and knew I wanted to come back and work here.  

Describe yourself in one word?

Easy-going

Someday, you’d really like to …

Have a vacation home in another country!

Yazania Romero
Student Services Assistant

Where are you from?

I was born and raised in Trenton, New Jersey to Costa Rican Parents.

What is an interesting fact about you?

I am an avid dancer. I grew up loving dance and became a pro dancer at 15. I know how to dance most latin and ballroom styles, from Samba all the way to Waltz.

What is one of your greatest strengths?

I always find a way to relate to a person. Whether it be through music or even personal beliefs, I always try to hear and consider each person’s convictions in an objective way.

What is a quote you live by?

“Live and let live.” -Gerard de Malynes

Alex Ulrich
LC, LCI
Cosmetology Educator

Coming Soon!

Allie Edel
LC, LCI
Cosmetology Educator

Where are you from?

I’m from Scottsdale, AZ; I grew up one block away from Penrose Academy.

What is one of your greatest strengths?

Being able to think about things from all perspectives.

What is an interesting fact about you?

I did martial arts for 9 years.

Who or what inspires you?

My dad inspires me to be a hard worker and be as kind of a person as I can be.

Why did you decide to work at Penrose Academy?

I went here 10 years ago, and it has always been an amazing school. It’s somehow even better than when I went here, and it has always been a goal of mine to be a part of it again.

Annie Gandara
LC, LCI
Cosmetology Educator

Describe yourself in one word:

Dependable.

Why did you decide to work at Penrose Academy?

I heard only wonderful things about Penrose and wanted to shift into educational role in the industry.

Who or what inspires you?

Strong, motivated people with vision and integrity.

What about your profession do you find most rewarding?

The most rewarding part of my profession is being able to connect with people and be a positive factor in their life. I love to hear how much they look forward to and value the time they get to be themselves and decompress in my chair.

Bailey Gerstein
Laser Educator

Briette Flake
LE, CLT
Lead Laser Educator

Where are you from?

Snowflake, Az

Why did you decide to work at Penrose Academy?

My heart just keeps pulling me back to Penrose. The culture is just different here and I love it. 

Describe yourself in one word.

Driven

What does your perfect day look like?

Surrounded by my people on a beach. (Completely covered and slathered in SPF of course)

Who or what inspires you?

As cliche as it sounds my family and friends. They push me to be the best I can be and are my biggest cheerleaders. 

What is one of your greatest strengths?

I’m always trying to learn and trying to better myself. 

What is a quote you live by?

“What if it doesn’t come true? Ah but what if it does?”

Drenise Matthews
Cosmetology Educator

Where are you from?

Phoenix, AZ.

What’s your perfect day like?

Moderately busy, full of laughter.

Who or what inspires you?

Our community.

What about your profession do you find most rewarding?

It’s impossible to get bored. There is always something new to learn.

Gigi Delgado
Esthetics Student Educator

Coming Soon!

Jodi Denk
LE, LEI
Esthetics Educator

Where are you from?

  I was born and raised in Phoenix Arizona. One of the few natives I guess you can say.

 Why did you decide to work at Penrose Academy?

 I have a passion for the beauty industry and I wanted to share that passion with others and what better way than to come back to the very place that gave me that passion and teach alongside the greatest educators and staff at Penrose. 

 Describe yourself in one word?

 Spunky

 Someday, you’d really like to …

 Someday I’d really like to travel the world & see places I see online or in travel magazines and just experience the world and different cultures. 

Kolleen Rice
LC, LCI
Cosmetology Manager & Cosmetology Educator

Where are you from?

Born and raised in Phoenix.

What is one of your greatest strengths?

Greatest strength? Maybe empathy, compassion, and reliability. Oh you only needed one?!?! 🤣

Why did you decide to work at Penrose Academy?

Going to school here was the best year of my life, so why would I not want to do that every day as my job?! 💛

Who or what inspires you?

The students. Watching and witnessing their challenges and growth! And Brad Mondo, sooooo funny.

Madison Smith
LE, LEI, CLT
Esthetics Educator

Where are you from?
I was born in Wisconsin, grew up in Prescott, AZ and now reside in Cave Creek.

What is one of your greatest strengths?
I have grown to be a good listener over the years.

Why did you choose to work at Penrose Academy?
I love to share my knowledge with all of the students and guests. I need to have pride in my place of employment and I have lots in Penrose Academy as a graduate and now employee!

What’s an interesting face about you?
I never really learned to ride a bike.

Olga Cordova
LE, LEI
Esthetics Educator

Where are you from?

I’m from San Diego, California.

What is an interesting fact about you?

I can’t say provolone.

What does your perfect day like?

Spending the day with Daffy and eating a corn dog.

What about your profession do you find most rewarding?

Being able to help students be confident and love what they do.

Someday, you’d really like to …

Have a farm full of rescued dogs.

Rachel Sheets
LC, LCI, LE, LEI, CLT, LSO
Esthetics Manager & Cosmetology Educator

What is an interesting fact about you?

I received my cosmetology, esthetics and laser licenses all before the age of 22! 

Why did you decide to work at Penrose Academy?

I love the beauty industry and wanted to be a part of Penrose’s amazing culture. 

Who or what inspires you?

My mom, she is the most intelligent woman I know and my biggest supporter.

What about your profession do you find most rewarding?

Helping others and pushing myself to grow as a person.

Sami McLenon
Esthetics Educator

Tarajah Johnson
LC
Cosmetology Educator

Where are you from?

I’m from sunny California.

What is an interesting fact about you?

I’m a 3-time worlds champion cheerleader.

What is one of your greatest strengths?

My greatest strength is my ability to go through life smiling even when it’s hard. I generally lead with kindness and compassion. I’m a glass half-full girl.

Who or what inspires you?

My son; he’s such a smart little guy in a world not quite built for him. Being on the spectrum is hard, and he’s just rocking through life, not letting anything get in his way.

Why did you decide to work at Penrose Academy?

It’s an educational environment unlike most in this industry. My fellow educators are unmatched, and I’m excited to be here. 

Araceli Mendoza
Front Desk Manager

Where are you from?

San Jose, California 

What is an interesting fact about you?

I played basketball for 5 years.

Why did you decide to work at Penrose Academy?

I love the industry and I love the culture! 

Describe yourself in one word.

Determined.

Breanna Landa
Guest Relations Coordinator

Someday, you’d really like to … 

move to New York.  

What does your perfect day look like?

A day by myself at the park with my headphones on. 

Who or what inspires you?

My older sister 

Brezlyn Langer
Guest Relations Coordinator

Where are you from?

Portland, Oregon.

What is an interesting fact about you?

I used to own a pet hedgehog.

Someday, you’d really like to …

Go to Greece.

Who or what inspires you?

My parents are both really hard workers and they inspire me everyday.

Describe yourself in one word.

Tall.

What is one of your greatest strengths? 

Being able to reach the top shelf.

Jada Hill
Guest Relations Coordinator

Coming Soon!

Wendy Torres
Guest Relations Team Lead

Where are you from? 

Glendale, Arizona

What does a perfect day look like? 

A perfect day would be taking care of my dogs in the morning while I make and enjoy my breakfast. I then journal and do my Bible study for the day. After I take my dogs for a walk to the park, I come home, rest and catch up on my TV shows. Then prepare dinner for my family and end the night on FaceTime with my boyfriend.

What is one of your greatest strengths? 

Being empathetic.

Describe yourself in one word? 

Dynamic