Meet Our Team

Gary Duchnowski

Chief Operating Officer/ School Director

Mr. Duchnowski has over 30 years of experience in the post-secondary education sector throughout the United States. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and has an extensive background in College Admissions, Education and Campus Management. Mr. Duchnowski’s mission is to educate, train and help students achieve their career goals.

Jay R. Christmas

Director of Education

Mr. Christmas has over 12 years of experience in the Beauty Industry in both retail and spa management. As a New York State licensed Esthetician and Massage Therapist, Mr. Christmas supports a structured, disciplined approach to learning and manages the school’s courses to prepare students for successful careers in the skin care industry. Mr. Christmas inspires excellence in the instructional team and upholds the standards and integrity of the school’s policies and procedures. Simply put, he wants the best for our students!

Regina Manning

Admission Director

Ms. Manning is a licensed esthetician, beauty blogger, and skin enthusiast. After working as a journalist for nearly 15 years, she became an Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics graduate where she incorporates her love of fashion and beauty into the perfect career of introducing others to the career of esthetics. As the school’s Enrollment Director, gets to know each student, and stays with from the day they enroll until they graduate and enter the professional world of beauty and esthetics.

Tessy Guerrero

Continuing Education Coordinator

Ms. Tessy is a graduate of Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics. As an Esthetician, she expresses her passion for the industry by sharing her knowledge with others while eager to learn about the latest trends and processes or methods to achieve “eternal beauty”. Ms. Tessy values “continued education” and helps students, graduates, and industry professionals build on their knowledge and skills by taking Advanced Courses to strengthen their “toolbox”.

Irene Johnson

Finance Director

Mrs. Johnson has been with Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics for over 20 years. She possesses an Associate’s Degree in Accounting and Information Systems and has over 35 years of experience in accounting and financial management. As Finance Director, Mrs. Johnson maintains all student accounts as well as the school’s financial records. Mrs. Johnson is happy to provide help and assistance to anyone who asks.

Kevin Torres

Financial Aid Advisor

Mr. Torres has worked in colleges for over 10 years, assisting thousands of students apply for Financial Aid as a Financial Aid Advisor and Administrator. He holds an Associate’s Degree in Office Technology and Computerized Accounting. Mr. Torres is passionate about educating students on the various financial options available to pay for school and helping them achieve their education and career goals.

Jeannine Troncoso

Student Services Coordinator

Ms. Jeannine is happy to share her experience and passion of the beauty industry with our students. Ms. Jeannine possesses a BA degree in English and was the Spa Director for many years at Skin Spa New York. She is here to assist our students throughout their program and help keep them on track toward graduation. Ms. Jeannine also helps students in signing up for New York State licensure and provides job placement assistance and resources.     

Licensed Instructors

Kyra Svetlovsky, Lead Instructor

Having worked in the costume industry as a designer and operations manager, Ms. Svetlovsky decided she loved skin care and went on to become a New York State licensed Esthetician in 2009. She practiced her craft in an upscale spa in New Jersey. She continued to work as an Assistant to the President and became the school’s Enrollment Director in 2011. Ms. Svetlovsky, having been a student herself, is an ideal instructor who inspires students to grow and succeed. 

Karen Wedderburn

Ms. Wedderburn is a graduate of Atelier Esthétique and has over ten years of experience in esthetics and a background in Psychology. She specializes in Nutrition and Wellness as it relates to the skin care industry. It is also her express desire to assist burgeoning esthetician’s along the path in making their unique mark in this exciting industry. She teaches our advanced course in Laser/IPL Hair Removal. Ms. Wedderburn is very proud to be a part of the education team at Atelier Esthétique Institute.

Valery Molina

Ms. Valery is a proud graduate of Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics and is a New York State licensed Esthetician. She has worked for some of New York City’s most well-known and distinguished spas: Massage Envy, Equinox, European Wax Center and Heydey Skin Care. Ms. Valery excels in business sales and clientele retention and satisfaction. She is excited to share her wealth of knowledge with our students!

Leo Andujar

Teacher Leo is a New York State licensed Esthetician and has worked at Skin Spa in New York City. Leo has a B.A. degree in English and has also worked in human resources as a recruiter, onboarding specialist and trainer of volunteers in community service. Leo has a passion for the skin care business and educating others on their way to a new career in Esthetics.  

Daniela Jimenez

Ms. Daniela is a proud alumnus of Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics and is a New York State licensed Esthetician. She has worked in New Jersey as a Spa Esthetician for the past 7+ years, specializing in skin rejuvenation therapies.  Prior to that, Ms. Daniela worked in the financial industry both in the U.S. and abroad in Chile. She was also trained on popular product brands such as Biologique Recherche, Aveda, Naturopathica, Collins, and iS Clinical. Ms. Daniela combines her love of Esthetics with business and instills a professional approach to the skin care industry with her students. 

Elizabeth Hughes

Ms. Elizabeth is both a New York State licensed Esthetician and Massage Therapist. She has been in the industry over 15 years and had worked for some of NYC’s best spas and clinics such as Equinox, Bliss and Caudalie USA. Ms. Elizabeth brings a wealth of practical experience to the classroom and inspires her students to perfect their professional demeanor and skill.

Genevieve Santos-Bann

Ms. Santos-Bann is a New York licensed Esthetician, Makeup Artist and Beauty Consultant.   She has also worked in Public Relations and was a Marketing Coordinator for L’Oreal Paris.   Ms. Santos-Bann has a BA degree in Advertising and Public Relations and is a graduate of Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics.  She is happy to be teaching and sharing her wealth of experience with her students.

Lakeisha Ward

Ms. Lakeisha is a New York State licensed Esthetician and has her own business: JLTC All Natural in Forest Hills, New York. She is well-versed in a wide variety of skin care procedures in providing customized client treatments. Ms. Lakeisha shares her vast knowledge with her students by educating them on a multi-faceted approach to skin care to promote youth and beauty.

Mayuu Vargas

Ms. Mayuu is a New York State licensed Esthetician and Make Up Artist. She has worked for Equinox Spa and MAC Cosmetics for many years. Ms. Mayuu’s specialty is Make Up and she brings a wealth of knowledge to Atelier Esthetique in providing our students with the training needed in Make Up for the State Board Examination and beyond.

Tricia Clark

Ms. Clark is a proud graduate of Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics! She has her B.S. degree in Health Education as well as being a New York State licensed Esthetician. Ms. Clark has worked freelance for hundreds of clients throughout her career. Ms. Clark loves to inspire her students with practical experience so they can become successful, well-rounded Estheticians.

Yaling Zheng

Ms. Yaling is a New York State licensed Esthetician and has worked in the beauty industry for almost ten years, deciding to bring her focus to skincare in 2015. From on-the-go treatments at Ulta to laser facials in various Medi-spas, Ms Yaling is excited to share her knowledge of skin treatments and experience in paramedical esthetics with her students.

Yvette Arenaro

Ms. Yvette’s inherent passion for skincare and desire to help others led her to become a licensed esthetician where she’s worked for companies such as Avon Salon & Spa; Skin Laser Rejuvenation and Exhale Mind Body Spa. In addition, she held the position as Managing Esthetician for Skin Spa New York. In total, Ms. Yvette has been making people’s skin beautiful for well over 20 years. She thrives on the daily interaction with her students and considers it a privilege to be part of their educational process. 

Workshop Guest Instructors

Amanda Richards

Amanda Richards is a proud graduate of Atelier Esthetique. First entering the esthetics industry as a make up artist, Amanda soon found herself emerged in the skincare industry. Amanda is currently the National Esthetics Trainer for Silver Mirror Facial Bar, traveling nationally to train multiple teams on treatments such as Dermaplaning, EMS, and various high technology driven facials.   Amanda is thrilled to be sharing her knowledge and skill in these areas with students, graduates, and licensed professionals.  

Francisco Catedral

Esthetician, Make-Up Artist, Lash Expert and Beauty Educator, Francisco possesses an instinctive passion and expertise in the beauty industry. He has been mastering his style as a professional makeup artist for over a decade. As a principal make-up artist, he has participated in ads, videos, short films, campaigns and commercials. Currently he is the Beauty Editor for World Bride Magazine, even appearing in Vogue.com.

Tammy Pahel

Learn the latest techniques from one of the country’s foremost experts, Tammy Pahel, President of Spa Management Solutions. Tammy has over 28 years’ experience as Spa Director for some of the largest, most renowned spas in the U.S.A., including, Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, the Turnberry Isle Resort in Florida, and Nemacolin Woodlands, Pennsylvania.

Ping Zhang

Dr. Ping Zhang, is a doctor of Oriental Medicine, and the first to bring the TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) anti-aging and facial and body rejuvenation course to the U.S. Over the past 20 years, Dr. Zhang has been teaching and training along with her clinical experience specializing in facial and body rejuvenation, holistic well-being and advanced treatments and techniques to beauty and medical professionals and students around the world. Dr. Zhang’s passion and goal is to share her knowledge on how to implement this time-honored technique to tap the underlining causes of aging to promote health and beauty come from inside out.

Lynn Hawxhurst

Lynn Hawxhurst is the founder of Lymphatic Healing in Stamford, Connecticut, offering Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Combined Decongestive Therapy and Orthobionomy®. She completed her undergraduate studies in the Arts and her many years of working with musical artists and dance companies opened her eyes to repetitive performance injuries and sparked her interest in bodywork. She has been a New York and Connecticut Licensed Massage Therapist since 1995 and a Certified Lymphedema Therapist since 2011. She has studied many modalities over the years, including principally Ortho-bionomy®, CranioSacral Therapy, Peri-Natal massage, and Reiki. Ms. Lynn is pleased to share her vast experience with Manual Lymphatic Drainage to help expand students’ holistic skills.

Anna Timonina

Anna is an Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics graduate and owner of DESEYENER. Anna has close to 10 years of experience in Esthetics with her primary focus on permanent make up. Anna has studied extensively across Europe and has appeared as a judge for several International Competitions. Driven by her passion and customer focus, she continues to keep up with the ever-changing trends of the permanent make up industry, offering the latest technologies and best materials to her students. Her philosophy: “No two faces are the same!”

Marlene Wallach

Marlene Wallach is a tenured Conscious Beauty Advocate. From her early days at Wilhelmina Models to promoting conscious beauty to the new generation of esthetic professionals, she is devoted to the mission of advocating for awareness, and a conscious effort to use products with ingredients that are not shown or suspected to harm human health or the planet. Marlene became passionate about clean beauty and cutting-edge formulations which resulted in effective products and her line: Gleem Beauty

Binta Faye

Binta is a proud Atelier Esthetique graduate and is both a New Jersey and New York State licensed esthetician. Binta started her own company in 2019: The Brow Lasherie. She has perfected her techniques in permanent makeup and eyebrow services in the New York area as well as internationally in Dakar, Senegal, West Africa. Binta is thrilled to be sharing her knowledge and skills with her alma mater – where it all started!

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