Introducing a diverse and truly global collective of industry leaders to guide and inspire us. At the Hair By Schwarzkopf Festival, Berlin, April 13 and 14 2025.
Alexandra Santos is a Brazilian professional hairstylist with 24 years of experience and currently oversees the academies of hair in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Alexandra leads educational coordination for Henkel Brazil, managing the national education team, brand ambassadors, and the “Blonde Authorities Brazil” program. Alexandra is true expert on textured hair and inspiring educator.
The Flensburg-born artist is a musician, actress, activist, boundary-breaker, and style icon all in one. Her music blends masterful songwriting with effortlessly cool lyrics about empowerment, radiating both playfulness and a fiery drive for change. Alli Neumann is a flamboyant artist with her feet firmly on the ground – a free spirit with strong convictions. She has a clear vision of how the world should be and how it is. She releases her music under her own label, JAGA Entertainment, and her impact goes far beyond music. From the very start of her career, she has been actively involved in social projects.
After years of working in the industry, Andrea embarked on an independent career as an international colorist, specializing in fashion shows, films, and photo shoots. Her passion lies in identifying trends and making them accessible to a broader audience.
With a deep understanding of beauty, she focuses on creating services that not only enhance individual appearance but also provide an allied experience for everyone who sits in the hairdresser’s chair. Driven by her dedication to helping people feel more beautiful, she ensures they stay at the forefront of the latest trends in the ever-evolving world of beauty.
Over 35 years ago, Anna opened her first salon, driven by passion and determination. Today, she leads nearly 70 Trendy Hair Fashion salons, proving that dedication and vision can create lasting success. More than a business leader, Anna is a mentor who listens, understands, and inspires women to recognize their potential. She is dedicated to investing in people, fostering growth, and empowering others to step into leadership. Her journey is not just about building a brand—it’s about uplifting those around her and shaping the future of the industry.
Anneli Rispens is a globally recognized social media strategist, speaker, and advisor to some of the world’s most loved brands, including Nestlé, Heineken, and Philips. She doesn’t just talk about social media—she lives and breathes it. With 20 years of experience and a unique ability to bridge the gap between marketing teams and the boardroom, Anneli delivers bold, insightful, and highly practical sessions that leave audiences equipped to lead with confidence.
Arjan Bevers is a multi award-winning hairstylist and the owner of the stunning Avanti Kappers salon in the scenic Netherlands. Built around Arjan's fundamental belief that hair is the reflection of personality, the customization of individual looks are key to him and his salon staff. Arjan is a Global Color Ambassador for Schwarzkopf Professional and a true expert in creating outstanding hair imagery that wins competitions.
Ashlee Norman is a master hairstylist and educator renowned for her expertise in balayage, textured haircuts, and extensions. Since 2015, she has travelled internationally, collaborating with brands like Schwarzkopf Professional, while also offering a comprehensive range of online courses. Ashlee inspires stylists worldwide through her innovative techniques and educational programs.
Gary’s son and future CEO of the Gary Rom brand - with an impressive 18-year career as a stylist, Calvin has personally run five successful salons and barbershops. Having undergone training in Australia, New Zealand, England, and South Africa, Calvin brings a unique global perspective to the industry.
As a specialist in retail and consultation training, Calvin is dedicated to empowering teams to deliver exceptional customer experiences that embody the ethos of the Gary Rom brand.
@tryanam.ai
CEO and Co-founder of Anam, Caoimhe Murphy is changing how we interact with technology forever. An AI expert, Caoimhe previously led GTM at Synthesia (a generative AI unicorn) where she and her co-founder met. Her extensive experience at the intersection of commercial and software development has enabled her company Anam to develop AI personas who feel as natural as a human being. Having built their own foundational AI models, Anam is able to generate AI faces in real time - a massive research breakthrough.
Launching only last year, Anam already has 100s of customers ranging from learning and development to sales and customer support. They are backed by Redpoint Ventures, Torch and Concept Ventures having raised 11M last year.
Competing in hair since she was a student, Chriss started with National championships in Sweden, moving forward to Europe and the OMC World Cup winning 2 National Gold medals, 2 World Cup Silver medals in Team and 1 individual European Gold Champion in 2012. The last couple of years, Chriss has been involved in photo competitions such as Hairdresser of the year in Sweden with a lot of winning looks. She also owns one of the largest salons in Stockholm, NOVO, and regularly visits Sweden’s biggest channel, TV4, giving hair advice and inspiration to the viewers as the Hair Expert.
Christos Michailidis is a celebrated Greek editorial session stylist with over 25 years of experience and multiple hairdressing awards, including the Behind the Chair #OneShotHairAwards and the AIPP & IH Awards. Christos’ exceptional work has been featured in top fashion magazines like Vogue, Elle, and Marie Claire - he is a master of creating stunning hair images, and his recent venture into photography includes leading masterclasses as an art director for brands and fellow stylists.
Constanze Grimm is a Global Capability Manager for Schwarzkopf Professional, empowering trainers worldwide with innovative learning methods, creativity and technical excellence. Born into a hairdressing family combined with over 15 years of trainer experience in Switzerland, Constanze's mission is to ensure that hairdressers worldwide remain at the forefront of their craft, becoming real game changers of the industry in the process.
Daniel Granger is a renowned British hairdresser, educator, and TV personality who turned adversity into artistry. Once struggling through homelessness, Daniel found salvation in hairdressing-a craft that rebuilt his life. Through resilience and passion, he overcame setbacks to create Daniel Granger Hairdressing, a leading luxury salon. Rising to fame on Body Fixers, his skills now transform lives. But his true mission is mentoring stylists and advocating for positive mental health. With deep empathy for those facing hardship, Daniel proves that hairdressing isn’t just about styling-it’s about confidence, healing, and reinvention.
With over 14 years of experience, Daniel Gryszke has established himself as a prominent hair stylist in the fashion industry. A multiple finalist in the L'Oréal Professional Colour Trophy competition and a styling expert for Schwarzkopf Professional Poland, Daniel’s work can be found in top publications like Vogue Poland, Vogue Czechoslovakia, Vogue Ukraine, HTSI, and Elle Poland. Daniel's clientele includes iconic models such as Anja Rubik, Małgosia Bela, Jac Monika, and Kasia Struss. Daniel Gryszke has also collaborated with brands such as OSiS. He participated in London and Paris Fashion Weeks as part of the teams led by Nick Irwin and Pablo Kumin, working backstage for shows including Vetements, Paloma Wool, Kenzo, ISSEY MIYAKE, Sabirah, and Marques Almeida. He is currently represented by D'vision agency.
Dee Parker-Attwood is a hairdressing trailblazer, known for her exceptional skill and innovative approach. With accolades like 2022 AHIA Australian Hairdresser of the Year and 2019 Hair Expo Australian Hairdresser of the Year, Dee has more than made her mark in the industry. As a self-professed hair junkie with an unrelenting passion for avant-garde, boundary-pushing hair design, she thrives on taking calculated risks and challenging conventions, always aiming to inspire and help others unlock their full creative potential.
A global powerhouse whose electrifying mix of disco, soul, and house ignites dance floors worldwide, Sophie Lloyd is a festival favorite and London headliner. She’s shared stages with icons like Horse Meat Disco, Purple Disco Machine, Dimitri from Paris, and Todd Terje. With Tracksource No.1 spots, remixes by top producers, and tracks chosen as closing anthems by legends such as Carl Craig and Louis Vega, Sophie commands the dance scene. Now hosting her own radio show, she delivers electrifying sets—from Balearic gems to high-octane house anthems—that keep hearts pounding and crowds smiling.
A trailblazer in beauty wellness, Elizabeth is a former hairstylist turned life coach, speaker, and healer, she is the Founder & CEO of The Vitality Project and Hair Love University. With a viral TEDx talk, an award-winning documentary, and transformative retreats, Elizabeth empowers salons, spas, and beauty schools worldwide to conquer burnout and embrace emotional resilience. Through dynamic keynotes and immersive workshops, she shares practical techniques in breathwork, and mindset shifts to future-proof careers. Discover a new era in beauty wellness and unlock the transformative power of self-care.
Gary Rom is the visionary founder of the Gary Rom Hairdressing Group, an internationally recognized leader in the hair industry. With a career spanning decades, Gary’s accolades include the Global Salon Business Award for Industry Leadership and sharing his expertise and passion in keynote speeches across 14 countries.
Gary now leads an expansive network, including 11 Gary Rom Hairdressing franchises and 17 Gary Rom Man Signature Barber franchises. Gary’s journey from sales consultant to influential industry innovator highlights his dedication to quality, education, and driving the future of hairdressing.
Ian Mayer-Marszalek is the Senior National Trainer in the United States, leading the quality of technical training and education innovation and launches, like the Science Behind the Tube program. He is a featured artist within academy and digital touch points locally and globally and a dedicated U.S.A voice for the Schwarzkopf Professional authority in hair education.
Coordinating major fashion events like Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Google Fashion, and Fashion Fest Liverpool, Javier Romero leads seminars and shows worldwide, representing Black Academy in Spain, the U.S., France, and across Latin America. As a Regional Ambassador for Schwarzkopf Professional and Artistic Director of Black Academy in Mexico, Javier Romero is renowned for his expertise in blonding and freehand techniques tailored for Latin America.
A Holistic Empowerment & Success Coach, Jo is passionate about helping salon owners and teams build thriving, value-led businesses. With 25+ years in the hair industry, she blends mindset coaching, energy work, and leadership development to create inspired, high-performing cultures.
Jo empowers professionals to lead with purpose, align vision with action, and build teams that flourish inside and out - she is dedicated to helping others cultivate success that feels as good as it looks.
Kate Rawnsley is a passionate and skilled educator in the Australian hair industry, committed to empowering aspiring hairdressers through advanced training and education. With over 28 years of experience, Kate has honed her craft as a colourist and educator, bringing innovative techniques and trends to the forefront. Kate has built a reputation for her exceptional knowledge of colour, specialising in strong creative placement of colour and embracing individual colour techniques. Kate is dedicated to fostering creativity, confidence, and technical advancement among hairdressers.
A pioneering Barber, Educator & Advocate for Inclusive Hairdressing, Keri is dedicated to making the hair industry more inclusive. After being denied a short fade due to their gender, they trained as a barber to ensure no one else faced that exclusion.
In 2021, Keri founded “Hair Has No Gender”, empowering stylists to create gender-affirming spaces. This grew into Affirmation Hair Studio—a first-of-its-kind salon in West Yorkshire offering inclusive services like silent haircuts, chest-binder exchanges, and pay-it-forward initiatives. “I’ve faced a lifetime of discrimination,” says Keri. “Now, I’m creating spaces where everyone feels they belong.”
As Managing Director of specialist PR agency LWPR, Laura plays an integral role in shaping the agency’s growth, driving impactful results for the brands they represent.
With an innate ability to think big and a passion for storytelling, Laura ensures that every campaign delivers meaningful engagement, bringing brands, salons, and hair professionals closer to their audiences. She is committed to innovation, always looking for new ways to enhance brand visibility and strengthen industry connections. As a driving force behind LWPR, Laura’s leadership, vision, and passion continue to shape the agency’s success.
One of the best colourists in Spain, Maria Roberts is the genius behind a range of colours, from intense blacks to the brightest blondes. She has attended to celebrities such as Blanca Suárez, Marina Rivers, Mónica Cruz and many others. She is also the founder of two well-known salons in her sector: Studio25 and MADART. With decades of experience and clients from all over the world, she has redefined the concept of colour.
CEO and Co-founder of Black Academy, Michelle Ceballos boasts over 20 years of experience in the hairdressing industry. Formerly responsible for Trend Vision and the hair and makeup expert for "Cámbiame El Look" on E! Entertainment, she has worked with top celebrities and leading fashion magazines. Michelle is also a tarot reader, numerologist, and certified holistic healer, blending beauty with energy and transformation.
Michelle is a 15-time national and international award-winning artist. A passionate and engaging presenter, Michelle’s spent her career sharing expert skills and inspirational trends on some of the biggest stages and platforms across North America.
With over 17 years as an educator and platform artist, Michelle is the head of the Canadian Artistic Team and has recently been named Creative Manager for Schwarzkopf Professional Canada. Her goal is to share knowledge, uplift, and empower hairstylists of all levels by combining versatility, fundamental skills and creative inspiration.
Michelle Tanner is an Australian salon coach, stylist, educator, podcaster and the proud owner of two industrial style salons in the heart of Switzerland. She is on a mission to transform the salon industry and its toxic burnout culture. With proven, real-world business strategies she helps salon owners build successful salons, strong systems, and happy teams without being chained to the chair.
Nicole Muckel is a Master Hairdresser and Master of Business Administration in Crafts. Her family’s salon, Friseur Muckel, founded in 1919 by her grandfather, Hermann Muckel, has flourished under her leadership.
Her commitment to the hairdressing community extends far beyond her salon. In 2019, she joined the Shaping Futures initiative, volunteering in Myanmar to train women from a Catholic shelter for survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and abuse. In 2024, she continued her volunteer work in Hamburg, supporting refugees as they launched their hairdressing careers through a training program delivered by Schwarzkopf in collaboration with the social enterprise jobs4refugees. Nicole’s journey reflects her dedication to her craft and her passion for empowering others through education and mentorship.
Oday Habib discovered his passion for hairdressing at just 12 years old. After fleeing the Syrian civil war, a chance opportunity in a Lebanese barbershop set him on the path to success.
Since participating in Shaping Futures in Nuremburg in 2018, he has since won multiple competitions, including the hairGAMES 2022 (Men Fade Cut) Championship. A featured creator at Colorcrafters Berlin 2023 with a loyal community of over 300,000 followers, Oday Habib inspires aspiring stylists worldwide. Now, he takes the stage to share his journey of resilience, passion, and artistry.
Pablo Kuemin is a Paris-based hairstylist and brand consultant. Rising from the underground rave scene of early 2000s Europe to the world’s top fashion houses, his passion for transformation has shaped an extraordinary career. Two-time Swiss Hairdresser of the Year, Pablo’s expertise spans from high-fashion editorials to intricate wig craftmanship. He has collaborated with Vogue, ID, Hermes and Mulberry, and his work has been exhibited at the Getty Museum and sold at Sotherby’s. Pablo maintains a star-studded client list – including Heidi Klum, Gigi Hadid, Charli XCX and Emma Corrin and leading shows including Vetements, Kenzo, Ottolinger, Paloma Wool, LGN and many more.
Carles Sanchez, one half of Pelsynera, is a creative force and visionary Hair Artist known for his integrity, innovation, and reverence for tradition. Pelsynera embodies the beauty of simplicity, blending technical mastery with bold artistic expression.
Their vision has earned them top industry recognition, including an AIPP Award, five Figaro Awards, a Visionary Award, and the title of Spanish Hairdresser of the Year.
Rankin is a British photographer, publisher, and film director renowned for his provocative and trendsetting work. Co-founder of the influential magazine ‘Dazed & Confused’, he has photographed icons like The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Kate Moss, and Queen Elizabeth II.
Through his agency, Rankin has shot groundbreaking campaign imagery for brands such as Rolls Royce, while also directing music videos for artists like Miley Cyrus and Rita Ora.
For Reto, hairdressing is a deeply human experience—intuitive, conscious, and transformative. At RetoHQ Hair & Art Studio in Cape Town, he creates a space where clients feel seen, understood, and empowered. Through his education platform, he helps stylists move beyond routine, trust their instincts, and connect more deeply with their craft and clients. For Reto, hairdressing isn’t just about technique—it’s about presence, energy, and the power of human connection.
For over 14 years Robin LaChance has been an integral member of the Canadian Artistic Team. As a stage artist, she is known for her excellent delivery of education and creative skill, as well as her eye for creating editorial shapes and silhouettes. She brings her vivacious energy to encourage and promote passion for hairstyling and education. Her focus is crafting custom colours, showstopping form and textures when cutting and styling hair to enhance and highlight each individual. Robin is a multiple award winning stylist including 2022 North American Styling & Finishing Hairstylist of the Year and Canadian 2017 & 2018 Texture Stylist of the Year.
Nearly two decades in the industry, eight of which as an education expert, Roegshana Versfeld is known for uplifting hair stylists to reach for their potential.
With a passion for all things revolving around lifting and lightning hair, Shana is driven to create transformations right before her. Her patience and understanding of various learning abilities shapes the confidence of her delegates while equipping them with the tools to push themselves further.
Sayaka specializes in creating hairstyles with movement that enhance the overall mood, making her one of the leading figures in Japan’s hugely popular “layered style” trend. As the director of “ SHIMA HARAJUKU LEAP,” a salon located in Harajuku, Tokyo—the heart of Japan’s Kawaii culture—she is highly regarded by fashion-forward female clients. Beyond the salon, she is active in a wide range of fields, including hair and makeup for magazines and advertisements, lecturing and leading seminars, and serving as a judge for competitions, making her a highly influential figure among female hairstylists as well.
Shinya Harada specializes in layered styles created with precise cutting techniques and soft, high-quality coloring. He is a popular stylist who is sought after by many celebrities both in Japan and abroad. Serving as the Director of the " SHIMA AOYAMA " and " SHIMA AOYAMA PEAK " salons, located in Aoyama, Tokyo—a district home to flagship stores of high-end brands from around the world. Shinya has been awarded Japan's beauty industry "Hair Charisma," the equivalent of the Michelin Guide, for four consecutive years. A recognized master of creating hit hairstyles, he is in constant demand seminars and shoots. His unwavering role as a trendsetter comes from his personal motto, “Eat,Sleep,Slay,”Hair”"— a testament to his dedication, to pushing himself forward.
A colourist who sees beyond traditional guardrails, Siobhan Haug’s emotionally creative nature, combined with an empathetic understanding of individual style, has established her as a colour leader whose techniques resonate globally. Her craft is a seamless blend of editorial principles and technical brilliance.
This fusion of innovation and precision earned her the prestigious British Colour Technician of the Year title at the British Hairdressing Awards in 2021 and secured her a place on the global stage as both a visionary colourist and a sought-after educator. As the founder of an award-winning Central London salon, Haug London Haus, Siobhan has curated a salon experience that balances London cool with understated Parisian chic. The space reflects her ethos of gentle luxury, a retreat where culture, style, and connection converge.
Refugee from Afghanistan, Tamana is a graduate of the most recent Shaping Futures training in Hamburg, delivered in collaboration with jobs4refugees. Despite having no formal school education, she has demonstrated exceptional determination, mastering conversational German within just three years. Through her dedication and talent, she secured an apprenticeship with FON Friseur, a key industry partner, immediately after the training, paving her way for a promising career in hairdressing. Her story exemplifies the transformative power of education, opportunity, and resilience, showcasing what is possible when individuals have the chance to succeed..
A bold entrepreneur who has transformed adversity into success, Tara has overcome addiction, homelessness, and a 48-hour stint in prison. Refusing to let her past define her, she opened her first salon a decade ago, pushing through challenges to build a thriving empire. Now leading a team of over 100 and founding a personal development academy, she is passionate about integrating wellness into business and proving that with the right mindset, anything is possible.
Tendai is an award-winning entrepreneur driven by the power of community and purpose-led innovation to create global impact. As co-founder and CEO of Ruka, Tendai’s on a mission to transform the hair extension industry with a game-changing, patent-pending sustainable alternative to human hair, rooted in biomimicry. With a background in Business, Maths & Stats from LSE and experience consulting for major FMCG brands at Bain & Co, Tendai took the leap in 2020 to build something that truly matters. Since then, Ruka has opened a first-of-its-kind retail space at Selfridges, and served over 27,000 customers worldwide.
Tina is a leader who puts elevating hairdressers first. As COO of Omorfia Group, Tina oversees 75+ salons. Championing creativity, well-being, and growth for stylists, her leadership is built on empathy, active listening, and a belief that success comes from small, consistent efforts. By fostering supportive salon cultures and ethical business practices, Tina ensures hairdressers don’t just work—they thrive. She’s proof that the right leadership can turn talent into legacy.