Principals
Daniel Pritchard
Director of Education
Daniel Pritchard, currently the co-owner of Daniel Christopher Salon has been leading change in the beauty industry for more than 30 years. As an entrepreneur, Daniel has developed five successful salons and has built his business acumen with strengths in leadership and community engagement. He has created new beauty concepts and has instilled them into other hair stylists as a platform educator across Europe and North America, and has judged numerous hair styling competitions. Daniel works to challenge the status quo of beauty education and create career opportunities for new stylists by sharing knowledge and providing responsible leadership.
Awards & Achievements
- Established five successful hair salons
- Global salon award nominee two consecutive years
- Recognized for top retail sales in Western Canada five consecutive years
- Platform Artist
- Journeyperson Hairstylist Certification, Saskatchewan Apprenticeship & Trades Certification Commission
Candyce Fiessel
Director of Operations
Candyce Fiessel is Richards Beauty College graduate and the owner and operator of Shear Escape Salon and Spa, founded in 2005 in Regina, SK. Candyce has achieved success as business professional and visionary, with a commitment to education, leadership & mentorship. She is a founding director for Saskatchewan Fashion Week, through which she is inspired to build and sustain Saskatchewan’s creative industries in design, beauty and cooperative imagination. Candyce Attended the Salon Summit Business College in Tampa, FL, becoming an industry leader, incorporating Summit’s cutting-edge business model into Saskatchewan’s salon industry. Candyce is also an advocate for empowering and mentoring women, with initiatives that benefit and engage the community.
Awards & Achievements
- 2011, Founding Director, Saskatchewan Fashion Week
- 2009 Dale Carnegie Leadership for Managers Award
- 2007 YWCA Young Women of Distinction Award
- 2006 Paragon Award-Young Entrepreneur of the Year nomination
- 2003, Red Seal Journeyperson Hairstylist Certification, Saskatchewan Apprenticeship & Trades Certification Commission
Hairstyling & Barbering Education Team
Siobhan Loos
Vice Principal & Lead Educator
Beginning her career as a Richards Beauty College alumni in 1985, Siobahn has 30 years of industry experience! She has been an educator for 18 years at Richards Beauty College and a competition mentor for Skills Canada Saskatchewan for 14 years. She is considered to be a Hairdressing Expert by the National Technical Committee of Skills Canada.
Awards & Achievements
Gena Kropinak
Basic Design & Hair Cutting Educator
Gena began her career as a Richards Beauty College Alumni in 1994. She worked behind the chair for 17 years. “I wanted to share my passion for the industry with others.” She was given the opportunity to become an educator at Richards Beauty College in 2011. Gena spent two years mentoring under Carol Scott & Siobhan Loos.
Carol Scott was an educator at Richards for 30 years, in which she taught both men’s & women’s haircutting techniques. Carol attended many Cicilia Leatherberry advanced haircutting classes, was a Platinum Master Judge & a trainer for Skills Canada.
Under the mentorship of Carol & Siobhan, Gena was groomed to teach texture, design & haircutting. She now shares her wealth of knowledge with her students in her current role as The Style Academy’s 101 Hairstyling program.
Gena has taken advanced design & colour classes from Redken Educators Jorge Jaio & Sean Godard. She is a Wella accredited senior colour specialist, as well as a waxing technician. Gena holds her Red Seal Journey Person and is The Style Academy’s Academic Advisor.
“As an Educator I am committed to helping each of my students achieve success. Teaching 101 skills to my students can be challenging for them at first, but watching them grow as they journey through their program is amazing! This is a very rewarding industry, but it takes a lot of hard work and determination."
In the end, I want my students to think to themselves, "because of you, I never gave up."
Candace Wilkie
Floor Educator for Guest Services
Candace Wilke, a graduate of The Academy Hair Design, Moose Jaw has been an active Stylist for over 25 years both as an employee and salon owner. She has an immense passion for her industry and clients, “I often thank clients for letting me play with their hair, as it rarely feels like work!”
With advance education in colour and cutting courses, Candace found herself participating in local competitions, competing in cutting, colour evening & fantasy categories. She also has volunteered many hours for non-profits including Dress for Success and Beautiful Lengths (cancer wig program)
Candace is excited to be part of The Style Academy team where she support students in their guest services experience. “I love it at the school, the staff and students are an inspiring group. It’s exciting to see first hand all the potential and growth in the new era of our industry!”
Candace also offers professional services at The Style Academy.
Nicole Ruttig
Floor Educator for Guest Services & Hairstyling Educator
Nicole has been a Journeyperson Hairstylist since 1996, and a successful business owner for more than half her career. Having worked as a stylist for over 25 years, she believes that when you allow your passion to become your purpose, one day it will become your profession.
Nicole has competed in several competitions and as a student was fortunate to be a part of the Canadian Student World Hair team in 1992.
"I have an insatiable need to create, teach and help others grow. With my vast understanding of diversity and individual needs, I provide each one of my clients with an extremely personal experience. I attack each day with passion and immerse myself fully into every situation."
Not afraid to try new things, regularly attending workshops to update her skills, Nicole believes the more knowledge she obtains and the more she can grow in her own craft, and the better equipped she is to help others embark on their journey.
"I am extremely excited to be part of The Style Academy as teaching has been a dream of mine for a long time. I look forward to mentoring others by sharing my passion and helping them be the best version of themselves."
Halima Alli
Floor Educator for Guest Services
Halima began her career at the Vidal Sassoon Academy for Advanced Cut & Colour in Toronto, but her passion for hair really started at 12, when she was already doing hair extensions and braiding. Halima has been in the industry for 9 years and recently became a co-owner of MillionHairs Salon last year. She is always furthering her education by taking advanced classes and volunteering for fashion shows and photo shoots. Halima earned her first award while attending school; she won 1st place at the National Wella Young Protege Fantasy Competition and since then, has won multiple awards at the ABA Competitions. Halima specializes in hair extensions and ethnic hair care and facilitates these classes at The Style Academy.
Joe Duarte
Floor Educator for Guest Services
Joe is a passionate Guest Services Educator & Mentor for The Style Academy’s Hairstyling students. He has been part of the Rumors team since 2004. His attention to detail and dedication as a stylist has made him irreplaceable. Joe has competed in provincial competitions and has worked directly with leaders in the colour industry.
Myrna Hastings
Floor Educator for Guest Services
Myrna has been in the industry for 11 years. She has won 13 Awards - 7 gold, 3 silver and 3 bronze at multiple hair competitions and even won the 2014 National Cup in Toronto. Myrna has experience with events like Saskatchewan Fashion Week and her continuous training in Montreal and Las Vegas allow her to help students prepare for new trends in the industry. She also is a part-time hair instructor at The Style Academy.
“I specialize in colour and extension services and love to share my knowledge and passion with my students on the salon floor!”
Spa & Makeup Education Team
Adria Austin
Esthetics: Skincare Educator
Adria’s love for the spa industry started when she was working for Sahara Spa. Beginning as a receptionist she quickly learned she had a passion and wanted to be on the other side of things. Adria enjoyed everything from set up, to sanitation, to intent of delivering an amazing treatment for her client and sharing her knowledge. "In my almost ten years with Sahara, I was able to build relationships and gain leadership skills delivering training on protocols and product knowledge."
306 Salon & Spa was the next step in her career path. Taking on the roll as spa/salon manager, and learning the salon side of things. This was a great experience that introduced her to exciting opportunities on photo shoots and TV, including being able to help with makeup behind the scenes at Sask Fashion Week. "I had the best time working with like minded creative artists."
The next step for Adria was branching out on her own, moving into her own studio as Esthetics By Adria. "This was a dream. Designing my space, preparing treatment protocols, researching product lines, curating my retail space! When you love what you do its not work!"
"I knew fairly early on that my goal for the future was to become an esthetics educator. I am beyond excited to join The Style Academy team sharing my skills and passion helping others to achieve future goals in this exciting and ever changing industry."
Leanne Brown
Advanced Nail Tech Educator
Leanne Brown is a Richards Alumni, graduating in 2003 from Cosmetology, Advanced Esthetics & Nails. Leanne is a creator, designer, innovative trendsetting nail artist and self proclaimed “Nail Nerd”. Having worked in the industry for more than 13 years, Leanne is trained in many gel and acrylic lines. Being recognized by the nail community, many of her couture looks have been published in Nail magazines. Leanne continues to grow as a nail artist by updating her education and staying on top of new products and techniques.
“I am so excited to dedicate my time to contemporary design & art through the wonderful nail industry. I have high hopes of sharing my passion and love of creativity through the art of nail design. I have the ability to think outside the box and bring knowledge of the industry in every aspect from, helping students acquire the technical, creative and work ethic skills they need to be successful nail techs & entrepreneurs in the workplace.”
Becca Gurski Educator
Make-up Artistry
Becca Gurski has an incredible passion for the beauty industry that started from a young age. She always thought she would become a hairstylist, but Becca decided launch her beauty career as a nail technician! After doing nails for awhile, Becca found her true passion and dove head first into makeup.
Her makeup career started at Sephora and sky rocketed from there, where she became one of their SOS (Science Of Sephora) trainers, traveling across western Canada. The groups that she taught ranged from 25-45 people, with topics varring from selling techniques, makeup, to skincare. Sephora continued to grow Becca by sending her for 360 training in Vancouver, which included high fashion makeup trends and looks, intense knowledge on skincare and ingredients, and a history of fragrance.
Shortly after, Becca was given the opportunity to join Sephora back in Vancouver to attend a session called Color Brand Encore, which lead her to meeting national brand educators and pro artists such as Erik Soto who is Kat Von D’s global artist.
Becca shares her experience “I got to learn from the following brands; Kat Von D, Cover FX, Sephora Collection, Nars and last but not least my absolute favorite brand Makeup Forever! Over the three years I worked with Sephora, I met so many incredible educators and got to learn tips and tricks that are executed during New York Fashion Week.”
Becca left Sophora and continued her Makeup Career with Slayed Esthetics lounge, working brand support with Cover FX and Benefit Cosmetics and has been involved in Sask Fashion Week the last 2 years.
“To say the least, I love sharing everything I can about the makeup industry and the amazing opportunities there are within!”
Stephanie Man Educator
Make-up Artistry
Stephanie’s role as Makeup Educator is a true marriage between her two passions - makeup artistry and teaching. Her warm and patient demeanour has allowed her to excel in both professions.
Stephanie brings over a decade of experience in the beauty industry. She developed her skills in Alberta working in various cosmetic retail settings as well as contracting and mentoring under many of Calgary’s best makeup artists. Stephanie also has experience as a selling specialist and makeup artist for some of the biggest brands in the industry. These brands include NARS, Shiseido, Bobby Brown and Dior. She has been featured in Cosmetics Magazine and has had her work published in Summit Magazine. Today, Stephanie continues to freelance, with the bulk of her work, in bridal and make-up for photography.
Stephanie graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Calgary. She continued to pursue her studies and graduated with an Education degree from the Masters of Teaching Program in 2010. Stephanie is committed to student success and has a desire to get to know each of her students both as people and as learners. She believes in creating a connected classroom culture ideal for collaboration. The classroom becomes a place where not only does she teach but also where she will learn from her students. "The master becomes the student, and the student becomes the master." This environment of mutual respect allows for optimal student success.
Support Staff
Cydney Frank
Marketing & Communications - On Maternity Leave
Cydney Frank is an honours graduate of the Alberta College of Art and Design’s Bachelor of Design / Photography program. As a creative mind and award winner photographer, Cydney has always had a passion for the beauty industry, having worked as a beauty expert in boutiques.
Cydney has won photography awards and had her work featured on Applied Art’s magazine cover. Over the years her passions have led her to a world of graphic design and communications. After interning at The MacKenzie Art Gallery, she was able to secure a position on their Communications team.
Upon joining the TSA team Cydney facilitated the visual rebrand of Richards Beauty College to what TSA is today.
"I love the energy at The Style Academy and the opportunities for collaboration. Being a photographer, these professionals are who help bring ideas to life, and I love when students are able to experience that!"
Jadi Engele
Admission & Sales
Jadi Engele, born and raised in Regina, a University of Regina Paul J. Hill School of Business student, joined the TSA team in 2017. With a strong background in luxury goods sales and marketing, paired with her passion for networking, Jadi is putting her knowledge to work in our new Admissions and Sales department. Through salon visits and school tours, Jadi is able to share the opportunities that The Style Academy offers to new students, current industry professionals, and service guests.
Jadi is trained as a Certified Eyelash Technician and understands the career potential that is available through continuing education. Jadi has grown her own education through the
Dale Carnegie Leadership Management Training, and a Public Relations Certificate from the University of Regina. Contact Jadi today to discuss education opportunities and find a class that compliments your skills! admissions@styleacademy.ca
“I am excited to be joining a team that is making a difference in the lives of business minded, creative individuals looking to make the most out of life.”
Thane Gaveronski
Student & Guest Services
Thane Gaveronski was born in Moose Jaw, raised in Regina, and attended The Alberta College of Art in Calgary. Thane joins us as an Alumni of The Style Academy Hairstyling program. Thane, always having an interest in the beauty and hair industry, decided to make a career change in 2015 and follow his passion.
Thane’s background in drawing, sculpture, and textiles from the Alberta College of Art has helped in the creative hair and beauty industry. Over the years, he has been involved in many hair shows, fashion shows, live performances both in front and behind the curtains, whether it be with modeling, make up or hair styling.
Thane is currently working in the field as a hair stylist and colourist. As a fellow stylist, his knowledge of the hair and beauty industry is an asset as part of our front end team.
"I am excited to be working with the TSA team that was part of my education. I look forward to learning even more in the years to come from the amazing educators and staff at The Style Academy!"
Fashion Education Team
Janis Procyk
Salon Coordinator & Fashion Design Educator
Janis grew up in Fillmore, SK and went on to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from the University of Lethbridge and later a Diploma in Fashion Design from the Blanche Macdonald Centre in Vancouver, BC. Janis has worked for a number of years as an event coordinator and manager at a variety of non profit organizations in both Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Since moving back to Regina, Janis has been heavily involved in the local fashion industry where she worked as an assistant designer and pattern drafter at Dean Renwick Design studio in addition to launching and managing her own label, Prahsik. Janis launched Prahsik in 2014 and has since shown full clothing collections in a variety of fashion shows across Western Canada. Prahsik’s design portfolio includes tailored and sophisticated ready-to-wear clothing collections as well as bespoke designs as requested by clients.
Awards & Achievements
2013, Overall Achievement Award – Blanche Macdonald Centre
2014, Fast Forward Emerging Designer Award – Saskatchewan Fashion Week
