Amber Fox - Director of Operations
Redken Color Certified, Redken / Fuel Design Certified, Fuel Finishing Certified, Fuel Men's Design Certified, MUD Makeup Certified
Amber joined The Salon Professional Academy/Shorewood team in July 2008. She has accrued 13 years of experience in the cosmetology industry with an array of advanced training and certifications that include: Certified make up artist in high fashion, film, photography and bridal, Redken Certified Colorist and Redken Design Certified. Amber's main goal as a leader and facilitator is to successfully mentor aspiring cosmetology professionals from their first day to their graduation day.
Maintaining and fostering a supportive learning environment that promotes individual creativity is a key element towards reaching that goal.
Joe Doti - Director of Admissions
Joe has been with The Salon Professional Academy-Shorewood, IL for 6 years in the role of Admissions Director. Joe has over 20 years of sales & management experience.
Professional Development Certified in:
-Norton Norris Enroll Match Training by Dr. Jean Norris
-All Dale Carnegie Workshops
-Selling technique for improved sales
-Sales advantage training
-Small business management training
-Matt Schmoker's Legacy Solutions Sales Training
Joe's main goals as an Admission Director are to help student's change their lives and ultimately help them change this industry that is ever evolving!
Michele Patchik - Financial Aid Officer
Michele has over 20 years of experience working in the Financial Aid Department at various institutions of Higher Education. She has presented at local, state and national conferences on various aspects of financial aid and has also been a local trainer for the Illinois Student Assistance Commission Financial Aid workshops. Michele has knowledge in Federal and State Title IV Financial Aid rules and regulations and has been a VA School Certifying Official for 5 years. She has trained staff, created policy and procedures to help remain compliant and implemented financial literacy programs on college campuses.
Michele's goals are to assist students in navigating the confusing and complex financial aid process. Also, to help students afford their education and help students graduate with the least amount of student loan debt possible.
Jill Kaczmarek - Caauwe, Lead Educator
Redken Color Certified, Fuel Finishing Certified, Fuel Men's Design Certified, MUD Makeup Certified
Jill has been in the salon industry, and behind the chair for 14 years. She is The Salon Professional Academys Lead Educator and has been at the Academy for 10 years since grand opening. Jill is currently Redken Color certified and continues to further her education to be Design Certified as well. She is also a senior stylist at Images Hair Studio and has been working there since graduating cosmetology school in 2002.
Jill prides herself in coaching and mentoring the students professionally and guiding them in the salon area through formulating color, doing trendy haircuts and also teaching them how to build their business. She is also a free lance make up artist specializing in bridal makeup and photography and has had her work published in local magazines.
Ashley Kasai - Educator
Redken Color Certified, Redken / Fuel Design Certified, Fuel Finishing Certified, Fuel Men's Design Certified, MUD Makeup Certified and Certified in Hidden Hair Extensions
Ashley has been working at The Salon Professional Academy since 2011 but has been in the cosmetology industry since 2008. She has a strong backround in the KRS system which she practiced successfully in a salon for 5 years. She uses this to mentor and coach the students to build the most successful clientele possible. Ashley also on her free time has a passion for doing special occasions such as bridal hair and make up. She also maintains her education being a Redken Certified colorist and Fuel Design Certified.
Christine Cryder - Educator
Redken Color Certified, Fuel Finishing Certifed, Fuel Men's Design Certified, Certified in Hidden Hair Extensions
Christine has been in the beauty industry since 2007 and an educator since 2011. She maintains a wide understanding of the varied aspects of the hair care industry including: student curriculum, salon operations, customer care, as well as the latest haircolor and haircutting trends. Christine is Redken Color Certified and is currently working towards Design certification.
Laura Schwab - Educator
Redken/Fuel Design Certified, Certified in Lox Extensions
Laura has a strong background in team focused leadership, professional development, and communication. She has been working in the cosmetology industry since 2011 and has practiced and attended a variety of training in areas such as advanced haircutting, advanced hair coloring, Redken hair color, and hair extensions. Her passion for learning and coaching lead her to pursue her cosmetology educator license in 2015 and she has been teaching at TSPA since 2016. Laura enthusiastically utilizes modern teaching methodologies and technology, consistently updated knowledge of the latest trends in the beauty industry, and creates a positive and motivational environment to ensure each student at TSPA is provided with the knowledge and attitude to succeed in the cosmetology industry.
Andrea Albor - Educator
Andrea Albor has been in the industry since 2012. As a TSPA alumni, she furthered her education in a high-end salon afterwards. She has attended a series of training courses that involve testing out on a variety of different advanced techniques in haircutting, hair coloring and hairstyling. She attends more than the required amount of additional training courses needed per year to help further her education in the Cosmetology field. Andrea is a Certified Redken Specialist and has currently completed phase one of becoming Fuel/Redken Design Certified. She loves to stay up to date with all of the latest trends and she strongly believes that in this industry learning never stops. As an educator, Andrea is extremely passionate with helping other's reach their goals. She understands that life can sometimes be unfair and throw barriers at anyone any time. She loves coaching other's and creating a positive, genuine and open professional relationship with the students to help inspire students to be all that they can be in life and help them reach their goal of becoming a licensed Cosmetologist.
Mallory Stewart - Educator
Mallory Stewart has been in the beauty industry since 2004 and educating since 2012. She has worked at an array of different salons where she has attained a multitude of experience and education. These advanced courses include an 8 month precision haircutting coarse, advanced hair coloring techniques as well has advanced styling. She manages her own salon suite and continues to freelance. Mallory is an extremely passionate, caring and patient educator who truly loves to help her students succeed!
Christine Bilek - Educator
Sade Henry - Educator
Kylie Pucel - Lead Support Staff
Taylor Hartshorn - Support Staff

Over a decade ago, The Salon Professional Academy joined forces with Redken 5th Avenue NYC to develop a salon and cosmetology franchise that has changed the industry. Redken and TSPA collaborated to redesign what a “beauty school” was from the ground up – revisiting everything from the way things were taught to how the student salon area looked and functioned. The result was a ultra-modern training facility providing students with skills beyond what they do behind the chair; skills that prepare them for a professional, successful career.

This exclusive award is earned for the commitment to, and delivery of, Redken’s advanced education protocols and standards. This recognition can only be earned by successfully completing a rigorous examination of the Academy’s facility, systems, curriculum, and staff.

With a commitment to industry-leading education, business skills that prepare students for more than passing state boards, and a desire to see our students surpass all expectations for this profession, Redken has provided The Salon Professional Academy franchise locations the exclusive designation of “Recognized by Redken for Excellence in Education.”