Our Team
Cinta Gibbons - President
With over 20 years in the beauty industry in Europe and the US, and having run a successful San Francisco salon for over 15 years, Cinta Gibbons is the ideal partner to own and operate the Cinta Aveda Institute, San Francisco.
Cinta Salon opened in 1991, and from the beginning attracted the best and brightest in the beauty industry; salon professionals passionate about beauty and dedicated to delivering current and cutting-edge styles. In April of 1995, her salon was invited to join the prestigious Intercoiffure Modaile, an international association that promotes excellence in the beauty industry.
Cinta is committed to continually mentoring and nurturing new talent, and is a renowned leader in promoting the highest level of excellence in the profession. Cinta is excited to connect her team of salon professionals to people interested in starting a career in the beauty industry.
Karolina Ziemniewicz - Institute Director
Raised in San Francisco, Karolina has always been drawn to the fashion and beauty industry. Her passion for the industry has taken her from humble beginnings as a salesperson/beauty adviser to management and ultimately, to the corporate level. In the past 10 years her drive and enthusiasm enabled her to flourish in companies such as Benefit Cosmetics, Macy's Inc, and Villains Inc (SF). Working with licensed professionals over the years at Benefit inspired her to work with an experienced education team in cultivating the industry’s future talent. Moreover, Aveda's “green” philosophy and Cinta's reputation—as a committed professional and magnet for talent--attracted her to work at the Institute. Her keen knowledge of the San Francisco market and competitive nature of the beauty industry is an asset to her as Institute Director. As Director one of her goals is to ensure our students are prepared to enter the exciting world of Esthiology and Cosmetology with the skill set to succeed. Furthermore, Karolina serves as the leader for the faculty and administration. Her interest in enriching the culture of the Cinta Aveda Institute translates to setting the stage excellence for both our Institute Team and student body. Karolina’s presence as Institute Director provides Cinta Aveda Institute with ever-present examples of how inspiration, motivation, and focus are key elements to the success of every beauty industry professional.
Priscilla M. Varela - Director of Education
As a native San Franciscan, Priscilla is proud to be a key member of a team responsible for molding and shaping the next bright stars in the beauty industry. She graduated from Miss Marty's of San Francisco and received her Cosmetology license in 1979. While in college she majored in Fashion Merchandising and worked in the fashion industry. After working in salons throughout the bay area, she returned to teaching to pursue her career as an educator. As an educator, Priscilla specializes in State Board Technique and Business Classes as well as floor instruction where she can assist students with translating the current trends in the industry from High Concept to “Wearable” art. As the Director of Education she oversees the education team keeping them inspired and motivated to expand and share their expertise with our students. Priscilla is a constant example of how passion, personal strength, and confidence come into play every day in the classroom, salon floor, and out in the “real” world. Outside of the Institute, Priscilla celebrates her close connection to her family and of course, all things San Francisco!
Charlotte Price - Esthetics Team Lead
Charlotte is a native Californian; born and raised in Lake Tahoe, Charlotte moved to San Francisco five years ago and began working for Cinta at the Cinta Salon, as the lead Esthetician there. She has been with Cinta Aveda Institute since its inception. Drawn to the field of Esthetics because of her love of industry, it was while in school that she realized she wanted to be an educator. Charlotte is a Certified Aveda Educator and a Certified Aveda Spa Coach. Charlotte is looking forward to becoming a CIDESCO diplomat, so that she can bring her intense passion for the industry and the field of education to CAI’s latest Skin Care program. When she is not at the Institute Charlotte spends her free time outdoors and traveling with friends and family.
Kevin Blackwell - Cosmetology Educator
Kevin is a 2004 graduate of The Aveda Institute New York after moving from his beloved San Francisco. After graduating, he worked for Ted Gibson and Janet Rufin in New York City. His nurturing and caring personality lead him back to The Aveda Institute New York where he began teaching in 2005. It was the discovery of a passion not only educate but to uphold the Aveda vision through the development of the abilities of Aveda-trained stylists. He is originally from Salt Lake City, Utah and lived in San Francisco for seven years before moving to New York City where he has lived for 7 years. He considers San Francisco his home and is thrilled to be home.
Jon Clifford - Cosmetology Educator
Jon Clifford trained in London, England in the late eighties, and has taught classes, and performed at hair shows on three different continents. He has performed on stages for companies such as Lanza, Goldwell, KMS, Ergo, and Mastey of Paris at top hairshows in several countries.
Jon is actively involved with a charity in Laos which trains victims of sexual trafficking in hairstyling, to give them the skills to better their lives, and support their communities He is passionate about this charity and spends several weeks a year teaching hairstyling in Laos.
Joel Cortes - Cosmetology Educator
Sharing a hometown with Aveda is no easy undertaking. A native of Minneapolis, Joel has been a gypsy of sorts having lived and worked in Minnesota, Washington, Hawaii, and California. He is a graduate of the Glen Dow Academy (Spokane, WA) in both their Cosmetology and Instructor Certification programs. Fluent in both written and spoken Spanish, Joel is also a great asset to our team; moreover, his management, marketing, and customer service skills honed in great salons across the country add a bright spark to the existing multi-faceted Education Team.
Shayna Gibin – Esthiology Educator
Shayna started her training at the Makeup Designory in Los Angeles where she studied fashion makeup ranging from runway to film. She worked as a freelance artist for Smashbox cosmetics for 2 years as well as working with agencies in San Francisco and several photographers for print and portfolio building. After a few years of freelance Shayna decided to take her education to the next level and enrolled at Cinta Aveda Institute in the Esthiology program. After graduating from the Esthiology program she continued to freelance and build her portfolio and personal client base. She has worked for Bobbi Brown and Christian Dior Cosmetics as a business manager at both Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom, as well as traveled to her clients’ homes for their skin care and makeup needs. Shayna returned to Cinta Aveda Institute in order to realize a lifelong goal: she has always wanted to be an educator! In addition to her wealth of Makeup experience, Shayna brings a great understanding of the retail, business, and client loyalty aspects of the Beauty Industry that will aid in our Esthiology students’ growth as trusted Skin Care professionals.
Maria Lorenzi - International CIDESCO Educator
Maria has been educating since 1981. As a former apprentice of the San Francisco Opera House, Maria's career has taken her from a deep knowledge of make-up and image consultation to being proficient as a photographic make-up artist and award winning fantasy make-up artist. She has been certified by U. of CA Berkely as an Instructor, CIDESCO as a certified educator and examiner, along with the National Holistic Institute and many other industry related certifications. Maria is a licensed cosmetologist whose passion is education and sharing her knowledge with her students.
Monique McDonald - Esthetics Educator
Monique is a licensed Cosmetologist who specializes in Esthiology. A former member of Benefit’s star Waxing team in San Francisco, Monique’s talent and attention to detail has been widely recognized. She is considered an eyebrow and body waxing guru. Her extensive makeup experience in fashion, weddings, and photography make her a unique asset to the Cinta Aveda Esthiology program. Often she can be heard referring to her students as “[her] little waxing ninjas” as they master their speed waxing techniques and Aveda’s gentle approach to spa services. It is this enthusiasm and close connection to her students that nurtures them, cultivating them into the next generation of acclaimed Estheticians.
Raehan Pattison - Cosmetology Educator
Raehan comes to the Bay Area from Southern California. After nearly a decade in the industry, where she chose to devote herself to Men’s cutting, Rae followed her attraction to the constant evolution of the beauty industry into the realm of Education. Poised at the brink of stardom, our students benefit directly from her commitment to the industry and Cinta Aveda Institute’s contributions to it. Raehan is delighted in having a hand in cultivating our industry’s biggest, brightest, and upcoming talents.
Kimberly Riley - Esthiology Educator
Kim joins Cinta Aveda Institute with over 15 years of cosmetic experience. A Bay area native, Kim first entered the beauty industry as a licensed Cosmetologist. Inspired by her mother’s struggles as an adolescent with acneic skin, and the ridicule that followed, Kim developed a passion for helping men and women with their own skin care issues. As a lover of all things related to the beauty industry, Kim has already had an impressive career: she has been Benefit’s Lead Esthetician for the San Jose area and has also carefully crafted a specialty for Speed Waxing Services. Kim was drawn to the world of education because she loves learning, sharing the knowledge her experience has provided her, and helping shape the next generation of beauty professionals.
Rhonda Ruf - Cosmetology Educator
Rhonda has spent the past 10 years in the beauty industry. She is a licensed cosmetologist specializing in styling for weddings, modeling, and photography. Rhonda has worked extensively in salons geared towards African American women, specializing in Relaxers, wig styling, and various types of hair extensions. She has had an extensive career in makeup as well working on commercials, movies, print ads, and even for Fashion Week (NYC). She is excited to be working with the students of CAI; in the past five years’ of her experience in the Education field Rhonda has developed excellent communication skills and a passion for Coaching. She loves witnessing “the light bulb moments” where her students get to realize how the information they receive in the classroom actually applies in the salon. Her experience in the industry also lends well to Rhonda help with student portfolio development. She looks forward to being a source of inspiration, motivation, and focus for her students, extending a guiding hand wherever it is needed.
Juli Smith - Cosmetology Educator
Juli is a graduate of the Aveda Institute St. Petersburg, Florida, thoroughly trained in Aveda technique and culture. Having worked and trained with such Aveda hair color experts as David Adams and Ana Karzis, her true passion lies in hair color. After spending multiple years training fellow stylists in Aveda hair color theory and techniques in the salon, her love for education began to blossom. Having been extensively trained in the Jacques Dessange technique of hairdressing, and specializing in hair color in New York City, Juli brings a diverse and extensive background to the education she provides the students of Cinta Aveda Institute. Juli is thrilled to be working with the students of Cinta Aveda, and truly values the opportunity that she has to help them grow into prepared and successful professionals in the beauty industry.
Jenna Summers - Cosmetology Educator
Jenna is a graduate of the Aveda Institute Chicago. She has worked with Aveda greats such as Jerry Gordon and Kurt Kueffner. Jenna draws from multiple years of experience with Aveda techniques and culture in both the Chicago markets and Ohio. Her extensive continuing education includes many of the industry leaders such as the Toronto Vidal Sassoon Academy and up-do legend Patrick Cameron. She enjoys sharing her experiences and helping students grow in their art. Looking toward the future, Jenna is excited about becoming the next Aveda Color Coach for Cinta Aveda Institute.
Alanna White - Retail/Guest Services Lead
Alanna is a Northern California native who comes to the Institute with a background in wellness and the diverse world of the Spa industry. After attending the California Institute of Massage and Spa Services in Sonoma she moved to Hawaii to continue her training at the International School of Beauty and Esthetics on Oahu; she then worked at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Yearning once more for the mainland she returned home, working for the Sonoma Mission Inn as their Program Coordinator refining her skills as a Booking Specialist. Inching closer to San Francisco Alanna transitioned to Novato’s NH2 Salon, one of Marin County’s premier Aveda salons. After falling in love with Aveda and its mission, she longed to grow within Aveda. Her sights took her across that famous Golden Gate and right into the Retail Store of Cinta Aveda Institute. Alanna has married her passion for Aveda with the opportunities inherent in our learning environment. Initially drawn to CAI because of the reputation of the Aveda Institutes, Alanna is using her experience here to rekindle her own enthusiasm for continuing education; she is currently pursuing certification in Spa and Retail Hospitality through UC Irvine. When she is not here she is visiting the gym, travelling around the world, or spoiling her English bulldogs, Madison and Sophia.
Katie Phillips - Admissions Team Lead
Katie was born and raised in the Napa Valley and later moved to San Diego, where she received her BA Degree in History from the University of California San Diego. She took a beginning level massage and bodywork class for fun during that time and discovered her passion for massage therapy and holistic health. Katie has been a Massage Therapist since 2000. She has a wealth of knowledge in the health and wellness industry from her experience managing and practicing massage in day spas, healing centers, and her own private practice. She also has an Admissions background at a local massage school, where she thoroughly enjoyed working with students one-on-one to assist them in achieving their goals and realizing their career dreams. In her free time, Katie loves to run, hike, cook, and spend time with friends and family.
Jocelyn Stringer - Admissions Coordinator
Jocelyn comes to Cinta Aveda Institute by way of the world of higher education. She holds a Bachelors in Theatre Arts and History and a Masters in Literature and is a certified ESL instructor. Drawn to the creative intensity of the beauty industry because of its fast pace, exponential creativity, and attention to detail, Jocelyn relishes in being a part of the Admissions team; she enjoys being a part of the first impressions our students make upon entering into their chosen fields. Being a part of such an amazing entity, she loves the idea of marrying her passions for education and creativity. She is also a senior company member in one of San Francisco’s thriving non-profit theatre companies, an avid cook, and connoisseur of all things San Francisco.
Karolina Zachoszcz - Financial Aid Administrator
Karolina has worked with Cinta since 2008. She grew up in San Francisco and attended SFSU where she completed her BS in Biology with a minor in Public Health (2007). As the Institute’s Financial Aid Administrator, she enjoys helping students with the often daunting task of understanding how their beauty industry dreams are financially accessible. In her spare time she is “mommy” to Koko, her 3 year old rescued mini Pinscher/Chihuahua.
Taylor Keahey - Student Records
Drawn to the beauty industry because of its personality and creative work ethic, Taylor brings experience stemming from several Aveda Institutes around the country. Now a part of the Cinta Institute, Taylor is excited to work with the best team in the network. Along with a slight coffee addiction, Taylor also indulges in lazy photography and generous portions of southern cuisine.
Bernadette Harris - Administrative Assistant
Bernadette joins the Cinta Aveda team with more than five years of retail experience as well as administrative knowledge. Her burlesque alterego, passion for performance and David Bowie attracted her to the world of beauty. Bernadette holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature, and is also a freelance music journalist.
