Speakers
Guzal Adekoje
Guzal Adekoje is an AKC Certified and National Certified Master Groomer with years of experience, and also an internationally recognized multi-award-winning groomer and speaker. She is the owner of a mobile pet grooming company and upscale grooming salon in Northern Virginia. Originally from Uzbekistan, she found her destiny in the United States in 2003, when she moved with just one suitcase and $200 in her pocket and built herself up to become a well-known business owner, groomer and speaker in the USA. Recently, in Barcelona, Spain, she took silver in a class competing against groomers from Korea, China, Spain, UK, France and other countries. As a well-rounded groomer, she has earned multiple awards in poodle, all other pure breeds, sporting, handstripping and freestyle classes.
Allison Alexander
A student-become-master of purebred dogs, Allison Alexander has honed her skills through hands-on experience with breeders, handlers, and groomers all over the world. She has become the go-to resource for both beginner and advanced Poodle owners, handling everything from basic grooming techniques to planning and executing the most difficult show trims. Allison is known around the world for her unique teaching ability that connects with students on every level. Allison has presented seminars on grooming Poodles, Shetland Sheepdogs, Australian Shepherds, Spaniels, Setters, Afghans, Affenpinschers, Kerry Blue Terriers, and many others all over this planet. She is also the Creative Educational Advisor and Specialist for Chris Christensen Systems. In 2017, she launched Leading Edge Dog Show Academy, the world's first online dog show training and grooming school. LEDSA has won the award for Best Online Education each year since its inception. Her mission is to help mentor a new generation of dog enthusiasts through innovative video-based grooming lessons.
Chris Anthony
Chris Anthony, weary from her travails in retail management and office work, found her calling when she discovered pet grooming. Her near fifteen year journey in this career has led her through many opportunities, experiences & life lessons, including grooming and managing in both small and corporate salons, and starting her own successful house call grooming business in New Jersey. Supplementing those life lessons by educating herself on the varying aspects of her career, she always sought out innovations in pet care, education, grooming techniques, tools and products. Now her passion for grooming & education has added more in depth knowledge on scissors, scissoring techniques and ergonomics to help preserve her own health and longevity in her chosen profession.
Jennifer Bishop Jenkins
Jennifer has been grooming, breeding, and showing several breeds of dogs and cats for four decades. She opened Love Fur Dogs in Glencoe, Illinois and was later named "Best Groomer in Chicagoland" in 2015 by the Chicago Tribune. She was also featured on Season Three of the Hulu TV series "Small Business Revolution" as a Grooming Expert. A retired career teacher, an ICMG, and PGC credentialed, Jennifer is a grooming educator who also writes grooming articles and an award-winning blog. She founded the Illinois Professional Pet Groomers Association. Jennifer and her husband live with their retired show dogs, two miniature poodles and two Australian Shepherds. Jennifer looks forward to hosting groomer retreats in her new Forestway home in Virginia.
Elli Bultemeier
Elli discovered her passion for grooming over a decade ago, starting as a bather at PetSmart. After training as a groomer, she transitioned to the private sector, where her career flourished. Elli is an award-winning competition groomer, a dually certified pet aesthetician, and an NCMG. As the Owner and CEO of Retro Stylist Wear and Grooming Biz Momentum, Elli helps groomers succeed both in style and business. Since joining Smoochie Pooch in 2017, she has taken on the role of VP of Operations, overseeing 17 salons and four mobile units with more than 80 employees. Shes passionate about growing the business, creating a compassionate, employee-first environment, and helping others succeed in the grooming industry.
Dave Campanella
Dave Campanella is an informative and entertaining seminar speaker, contributing trade columnist and genuine grooming enthusiast. He has over 30 years of pet industry knowledge, and has been Best Shot Pet Products sales, marketing, and product director for 15 years. He and his wife Tracy have co-owned a full service pet salon and self-wash in Ohio prior to relocating with Best Shot to Kentucky. Together they enjoy exhibiting at grooming shows, being industry ambassadors and showing their Kerry Blue Terriers, Lowland Polish Sheep Dog, and Samoyed.
Teri DiMarino
An industry veteran, Teri has owned and operated successful salons and mobiles in Florida and California. A winning grooming contest competitor, Teri was a member of three GroomTeam USA Gold Medal teams. A multiple Barkleigh Honors and Cardinal Crystal Award winner, Teri was a regular columnist for Groomer to Groomer Magazine as well as a popular speaker and judge at seminars and trade shows across the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, Korea, Australia and New Zealand.
Mindy Dinwiddie
Mindy Dinwiddie owns Classy Canine in Litchfield, Michigan. She began grooming in 2007, having her own shop by 2008. She started in a back bedroom of her house, growing her business to a storefront. Her experiences include daycare, boarding and training. All while consistently furthering her education by attending expos, seminars and private lessons from top stylists in the industry, Mindy has been competing for three years. With a passion for learning and teaching, she began speaking in 2017 after having one of her grooms published in Doodle Modern Styles Special Edition. Mindy is also a Brand Ambassador for Evolution Shears.
Dr. Cliff Faver
Dr. Cliff Faver, a 1987 graduate of CSU, is the founder/owner of Animal Health Services in Cave Creek, Arizona. He is the US distributor for Iv San Bernard products. He uses the two businesses as a means of merging the grooming and veterinary professions to pursue his life's passion of healing and helping pets. Dr. Faver is an international speaker and teaches the ISB Pet Aesthetician Certification program. He is a member of AVMA, AAHA, AZVMA, a sponsor for the CPPGA, a Board member for the Burbank Kennel Club, and previously served on the Novartis Lead Committee, Hill's International Global Veterinary Board, and is still active in a Veterinary Management Group.
Denise Heroux
Denise Heroux owns Awesome Paws Pet Salon, a Cleveland-based chain with two locations and active plans for expansion. Awesome Paws fosters a healthy environment for employees and pets with a focus on employee investment and learning. While managing both locations and a staff of over 20 employees, Denise finds time to work with the Ohio Professional Pet Groomers Association, which she founded. The association focuses on setting a higher standard for pet safety, business-building opportunities, versatile learning experiences, and creating legislative fluidity in the industry. You may have listened to Denise on both the Women PetPreneurs and Small Business Hiring podcasts.
Lis Johnston
Lis Johnston is a National Master Certified groomer and owner of Serenity Pet Spa in Madison, WI. She has 15 years of experience as a professional groomer and more than 20 years showing dogs. She has won multiple awards across the United States and Internationally. She made GroomTeamUSA in 2018 and continues to strive for her goal to become a member of the USA travel team. She runs two full service, kennel free grooming salons with an apprentice programs to help groomers become master certified.
Alyssa Kasiba
Alyssa Kasiba is an international award-winning creative groomer. She has almost 15 years of grooming experience, and she began competitive grooming in 2016. Over the past years, she has specialized in creative grooming from competing on stage to teach the know-hows. In the 2022 season, Alyssa won 30+ awards nationwide, was on the cover of Groomer To Groomer magazine twice, and ended the year winning the Barkleigh Honors Creative Groomer of the Year. You may have seen her featured on Night Line News, Good Morning America, or as a Finalist on ABC's dog grooming competition show, Pooch Perfect. Alyssa has found a passion for teaching the art and creativity of grooming and can't wait to share it.
Milena Kon
Milena started off in graphic design and direct sales before realizing that she wanted to do more with animals. So, she went into grooming in 2013. She is now the owner of Driving Me Knots (Mobile Grooming), DMK Bowtique (Pet Accessories), and DMK Marketing Solutions (Custom Graphic Designs). She started competing in Extreme Creative Styling & Creative Abstract grooming contests in 2015, and won Up-and-Coming Creative Groomer that same year. Her creative work has also been seen on "The Greatest Showman" with Hugh Jackman and "Orange is the New Black" on Netflix. She was awarded the Barkleigh Honors Creative Groomer of the Year in 2018.
Angela Kumpe
Internationally renowned creative stylist and instructor, Angela Kumpe has more placements in creative styling than anyone, worldwide. She won the first ever Barkleigh Honors Award for Creative Competitor. She is the author of A Creative Collection, a step-by-step guide to creative styling. Angela's work has been featured on Animal Planet, TLC, The Today Show, Regis and Kelly, and ABC Nightline as well as in The New York Times and on the cover of Groomer to Groomer magazine. Angela is the owner of Angela's Grooming and Pet Spa in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Brenda Mendez
Brenda represents a fresh voice in the grooming industry. With more than 30 years of experience in various salon settings, she has developed a unique perspective to learning and a motivation to stay involved and encourage innovation. Brenda's laid-back style and humorous approach to teaching has her encouraging her students and peers alike, "Never limit yourself to one source of learning." Along with owning a successful cat-exclusive grooming salon, Brenda is an Internationally Certified Master Cat Groomer and Certified Professional Groomer with IPG. She has been a Master Cat Groomer Certifier for PCGAA and she has recently joined Pet Tech as a Pet First Aid and CPR Instructor.
Ashley Pacini
Ashley LaVonne Pacini, owner of The DogHouse in DeLand, FL, has been in the grooming industry since the age of 14 as both a bather and a groomer. She graduated from Merryfield School of Pet Grooming, and became the youngest Nationally Certified Master Groomer with the NDGAA only 3 months later. Ashley is the winner of numerous grooming competition awards, including a Best in Show, winning 1st Place with a Kerry Blue Terrier at Hyponic IGC in South Korea, moving from Entry to Open Division's Top 15 in 2019, placed in the GroomTeam USA Top 10 in 2020 and was nominated for Barkleigh Honors "Up and Coming Groomer of the Year" award in 2018. She currently represents Hyponic Americas, Jirpet USA and Utsumi.
Samantha Palya
Samantha Palya started her grooming career in the year of 1996 at Great Lakes Academy of Professional Pet Styling. She entered her first competition at the All American Grooming Show in 1996. From then she earned placements in poodles, and handstripping in her division. She was awarded Best Groomer and Best Groomed Dog in Show for a handstripped terrier at Groom Expo in 1998. At the age of 21 she opened Absolutely Pawfect Pet Styling. Samantha apprentices to help give opportunities to future pet care professionals. She holds certificates for CPR and Pet Safety, Skin and Hair, Salon Sanitation, Canine Body Language, Dog Gurus College, Pricing for profits, and many more.
Agnieszka "Aga" Pluta
Born and raised in Poland, Aga developed a passion for cynology from a very young age. She pursued this passion by obtaining a master degree in cynology where she studied the genetics and behavior of various dog breeds. As a prominent Shih Tzu breeder in the international dog show community, she has showcased her dogs across Europe and the United States. In 2012, she and her business partner noticed a gap in the market for high-quality, natural based dog grooming products and decided to create their own brand. As a product developer, Aga has participated in many grooming seminars and workshops across Europe showcasing her products and problem-solving grooming solutions.
Vanessa Rushing
Vanessa Rushing is the founder of Certified Doodle, an entrepreneur, and an industry innovator dedicated to advancing the art and science of professional dog grooming. With more than 20 years of experience that began in the Chicago market, she is known for her structured, relationship-first approach to grooming doodles and mixed breeds. Her expertise even earned her an invitation to showcase her skills on Animal Planet's “Groomer Has It.” Vanessa is also the creator of Traitlogik—a technology platform designed to bring greater consistency, clarity, and confidence to professional service consultations. She has built her career around one simple belief: exceptional grooming begins long before the haircut.
Kayla Scott
Kayla Scott is a professional pet groomer from Waco, Texas with over five years’ experience. A competitive groomer and educator, Kayla also runs a salon called The Groomery where she provides exclusive one-on-one services for the dogs of Waco. She's passionate about Bedlington terriers and providing educational opportunities to both up-and-coming groomers as well as pet parents.
Jay Scruggs
Jay and his wife, Michelle, own Here Comes the Groom, a highly successful mobile grooming salon in Germantown, Tennessee. Jay has won multiple Best in Show and Best All-Around Groomer awards and helped GroomTeam USA win the Gold medal in Calgary, Canada, in 2001. Jay was named American Groomer of the Year in 2001, Groomer of the Year Award at Westminster Dog Show in 2002, and Grooming Judge of the Year in 2004. In 2003 Jay won an International Gold and Bronze medal in Barcelona, Spain, helping GroomTeam USA win the silver team medal. Along with Sue Zecco, he teaches seminars and offers a video series under the "Super Styling Sessions" title.
Kelsey Ann Sexton
Kelsey Ann Sexton is an award-winning Nationally Certified Master Groomer, international speaker, industry consultant and journalist with over 20 years of experience professionally pet grooming. She owns a top-rated salon near Nashville, TN where she focuses on routine grooming services. Kelsey is a five-time Barkleigh Honors nominee and was named the 2024 Seminar Speaker of the Year. She’s passionate about uplifting everyday groomers through confidence building education, partnerships, and inspiration.
Anna Stowell
Anna Stowell, widely known as "The Doodle Queen," is a 28-year-old entrepreneur and proud owner of Zoom Groom, a highly successful grooming salon in Hopkins, Minnesota. At the age of 14, alongside her mother, Anna's journey transformed a modest operation grooming dogs in the basement of a rental into a thriving enterprise. Driven by her determination and passion for animals, she embarked on a journey of self-education and skill acquisition. Her self-taught expertise allowed her to develop a unique approach to grooming, combining her inherent creativity and eye for detail with a deep understanding of animal behavior and needs. Today, Zoom Groom stands as a testament to Anna's unwavering dedication and entrepreneurial spirit. With a team of nine talented groomers, Anna continues to lead her salon to new heights of success.
Joey Villani
In 1998, Joey purchased the Nash Academy in New Jersey which he owned and operated until 2008. Now a well-known pet industry speaker and judge, Joey has been nominated 14 times for the Cardinal Crystal and Barkleigh Honors awards. He has been enthusiastically involved with Intergroom International for 33 years and has been instrumental in expanding the organization's reach into Belgium, Italy, and France. Joey is one of the original members of the International Judges Association and has made many television appearances. Today, Joey continues to innovate and explore new dimensions in the pet care and grooming industry. In early 2009, Joey became part of the Animal Radio on-air staff where he is known as "The Dogfather".
Olga Zabelinskaya
Olga is a Certified Master Groomer and owns two grooming salons, Elite Pet Spa & Boutique in Madison, NJ and Grooming Gallery in Morris Plains, NJ. She has multiple BIS and Best All-Around Groomer wins as well as two prestigious Winners Circle Champion titles. Olga is 2009 and 2010 American Groomer of the Year by Cardinal Pet, and was awarded the Lynne Carver Memorial Award as Best All Around Stylist 2009. Olga was born in Russia where she had a Master Degree in Engineering and finished law school. Olga was a GroomTeam USA member 2008-2012 and won the Silver medal in Belgium, 2011 as a part of the traveling team. Olga co-hosts many pet fundraising events.
Sue Zecco
Sue is a 2011 Barkleigh Honors Award winner. She is a Certified Master Groomer with both the National Dog Groomers Association (NDGAA) and the International Professional Groomers (IPG). She has been grooming for over 30 years. She has won multiple grooming awards, including her biggest show accomplishments: 1998 International Groomer of the Year and 1999 Oster Invitational Tournaments Grand Champion. Sue has been a member of GroomTeam USA since 1997 and broke all records in 1999, earning 113 points. She is also a Wahl Clipper Corporation spokesperson. With Jay Scruggs, she conducts a series of full-day seminars called Super Styling Sessions. Sue breeds Standard Poodles under the "Dreamcatcher" prefix.