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Aveda Florida Staff

Aveda Institute Orlando

Paulo Figueiredo
Director
Orlando Institute

Paulo is a highly accomplished, respected hairdresser as well as an experienced instructor and Educational Director. Paulo optimizes learning by self-motivating students, encouraging idea sharing, and using a framework that inspires the development of new talents within the salon and spa industry.

Paulo also has over six years of experience as a Creative Director, Partner and International Art Team Member for a large international hairdressing company. He has appeared on stage and in publications all over the world and has also received numerous awards. In addition to teaching stylists how to develop and refine their skills, he has served as Creative Director for STRUT and the Blue and White Party in Florida.

While Paulo loves being a hairdresser, his passion is in education. He enjoys working with artists from their first contact with hair through their first career success as a hairdresser. Paulo is very excited to be a part of the Aveda team.

Laura Dewey 
Admissions Manager
Aveda Institute Orlando

Laura graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts from Slager in St. Augustine in spring of 2006. Laura was attracted to Aveda by the company's mission and devotion to environmental awareness.

At the Aveda Institute Orlando, Laura is excited about watching the students grow and come into their own as stylists, estheticians, massage therapists and future owners. Laura believes that an education is the best gift you can give yourself.

Aveda Institute St. Petersburg

Paul Villenueve
Technical Director

Paul completed his cosmetology training in 1980 and began working as a stylist for the national chain salon S&L in Chicago and Denver. During his three years with S&L, Paul continued his career by serving as a stylist trainer. He left S&L to join the Horst Educational Center as an Instructor and was quickly promoted to Lead Instructor. He then joined the center’s Artistic team and ultimately became the Director of the Institute. Between 1983 and 1995, Paul worked closely with AVEDA founder Horst Rechelbacher – traveling to work trade shows, editorial projects and photo layouts. Paul worked with Horst to create the original AVEDA School curriculum – implementing the systems that now constitute the AVEDA Institute St. Petersburg program.

In 1995, Paul joined the Van Michael Salon in Atlanta as General Manager and helped to grow the company from one salon to six salons, and increase annual revenue to $14 million. Paul created the New Talents Salon Training System and traveled extensively for trade shows and photo layouts supporting Van Michael Salons and AVEDA. Paul brought his extensive experience and impressive knowledge base to the AVEDA Institute St. Petersburg team in 2004.

Maryann Brathwaite
Admissions Manager
St. Petersburg

Maryann brings a wealth of knowledge to the AVEDA Institute St. Petersburg.
As the Admissions Manager, Maryann strives to change lives one student at a time. She has an Instructor license in Cosmetology, Skin and Nail Care and Massage. She recently won the Coach of Year award and Excellence in Education award. Beyond the Institute, Maryann enjoys fashion, wellness and traveling.

Laura Eicher
Director of Admissions
Aveda Institutes Florida

Laura comes to the AVEDA Institute St. Petersburg as the Admissions Manager, where she works tirelessly to change lives through assisting students with acceptance to the Institute and their careers after graduation. Before coming to St. Petersburg, Laura was the Director of Education for a major prestige cosmetic company, where she recruited, developed and promoted sales and education executives and national makeup artists. Laura has been recognized with the Education Executive of the Year award. Prior to Laura’s engagement in the education industry, she was a runway, print and video model in New York and Europe. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication. In her spare time, she loves relaxing at the beautiful Florida beaches, as well as yoga classes, golf and everything fashion!

Miriam Stinnett
Admissions Manager
Aveda Institute St. Petersburg

Miriam lives her passion! Before coming to the Institute, Miriam was a Store Manager at Victoria’s Secret, Account Coordinator of Estee Lauder- Macy’s, Business Manager of Estee Lauder- Dillard’s and Makeup Artist at Estee Lauder Clinique. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Florida State University. During school, she was a member of the National Collegiate Scholars Association. She also has taken AVEDA Product Knowledge courses. After her busy days at the Institute, Miriam enjoys fitness, nature, beaches and visiting museums.

Aveda Institute Tallahassee

Tracey Thompson 
Director of Aveda Institute
Tallahassee

Tracey relocated to Tallahassee over 10 years ago because of the incredible family atmosphere and the unprecedented Florida lifestyle. She began her career by practicing her Bachelor of Science degree in risk management/insurance at State Farm while restoring a 25-year-old family business.  Each day Tracey gives back to society by aligning with the AVEDA mission of environmental responsibility while focusing on changing students' lives.  She connects with the students from the moment they walk through the doors to the day their dreams become a reality as a professional Cosmetologist.  Beyond AVEDA, she spends her time with family at the beach, cooking and attending Florida State football games! Go Noles! Go AVEDA!

Charlotte Hall
Admissions Manager
Aveda Institute Tallahassee

Charlotte is a native Floridian and enjoys the Florida lifestyle with her family. She is very passionate about providing guidance to others and helping them make life-changing decisions. Charlotte’s favorite quote is, “choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

The AVEDA culture is very important to her and she is excited about encouraging others to live better and love the earth. In addition, she is involved with charitable organizations and supports many fundraising events. She loves to help others and enjoys being a positive role model for her children and friends.

Tori Pressley
Admissions Manager
Aveda Institute Tallahassee

Tori is a native of Tallahassee and loves the laid back Panhandle lifestyle!

As Admissions Manager, she shares her passion by connecting students with AVEDA, its mission and giving them the opportunity to become future industry leaders. She graduated from Wingate University with a degree in Psychology and has a strong background in marketing and territory management. Tori loves spending time with family, attending sporting events and raising her son to be kind to the world and everyone he meets! 

Jennifer Lanham
Admissions Manager
Aveda Institute Tallahassee

Jennifer loves to inspire students and help change their lives. She is a graduate of Florida State University with a degree in Marketing and Communication Studies. Through her two years of experience working in an AVEDA salon, Jennifer has become a loyal advocate of AVEDA and its culture. In addition to her enthusiasm, she brings her creativity and compassion for learning to the Aveda Institutes.