Our Team

The educators at Aveda Institute New Mexico are some of the most highly skilled, highly educated and experienced professionals in the business. However, they don’t rest on their laurels. All of our educators go through multifaceted yearly training to keep up with the latest techniques in cut, color, and leadership.

Our educators are masterful, but also personable. They have been known to volunteer time to help students with projects like fashion shows, field trips, donations, photo shoots, and community outreach. They are some of your first and most important relationships in the Aveda professional world, and they strive to develop those relationships to make learning impactful.

Darlene K Gallegos

Cosmetology Instructor

Darlene has been working at the Aveda Institute New Mexico since 2010. She has been a licensed cosmetologist for 35 years and a licensed Educator for 17 years. Darlene is Aveda certified in Color, Haircutting, and Aveda Makeup. She is also an Aveda certified Color Coach and has additional training in 4-Mat and 7 Habit Training. Darlene has a son, daughter, and granddaughter, who are the lights of her life. She has been in the beauty industry for 35 years and loves every moment. To Darlene, hers is the most rewarding profession out there—she loves that she has been able to touch so many lives throughout her journey.

Evangelina “Lina” Sosa Galloway

Esthiology Instructor

Evangelina has been an Esthiology Educator at Aveda Institute New Mexico since 2010 and a licensed cosmetologist since 1988. She is also certified in eyelash extensions. Evangelina has two sons that have followed her down this career path: one is getting his barber license, and the other is currently finishing up cosmetology school. She is immensely proud of their accomplishments. Evangelina believes that everyone you meet has something to teach you.

Dillon Spranley

Cosmetology Instructor

Dillon has been with Aveda Institute New Mexico since May 2018. She Graduated from Aveda Institute Houston in 2006, and was an instructor at Aveda Institute New Orleans for 2 years, Dillon also taught at the Institute in Baton Rouge and Dallas and worked at Douglas J Aveda Institute in Chicago for 2 years.

Dillon is certified in Aveda Cut and Color Educator, Oster Clipper Certified, and Farouk Texture Smoother Educator. she has been with Aveda for 14 years, in salons specializing predominantly in cut, organized 3 hair shows, continued education classes, directing photo shoots, worked on set with a few interviews and has been teaching now for 9 years. Her passion has been with hair since she was 7 and enjoys traveling and learning about different cultures around the world, cooking vegetarian food and discovering new music. Dillon is a huge advocate for environmental awareness and animal rights.

“The beauty industry has so many routes it can take you. You can work 9-5 behind the chair doing the same haircut everyday if that’s what makes you happy or you can travel the world and be on stage as a platform artist. The possibilities are endless. Stay inspired and join this always evolving industry!” – Dillon Spranley

Tiffany R Rice

Cosmetology Instructor

Tiffany has been working at Aveda Institute New Mexico since 2015. She has an associate degree in applied sciences (cosmetology) and graduated with highest honors. She is also a Licensed Cosmetology Educator and is Aveda Haircutting Certified. Before Tiffany stated at Aveda Institute, she owned a nail boutique for three years. She believes that education is the key to success and that knowledge is power.

Roxanne Fernandez

Director 
Prior to coming to the Aveda Institute of New Mexico in October 2016, and becoming our Director. Roxanne has been with the Aveda brand since 1995. She has experience as an Aveda Distributor, which allowed her to work closely with education teams and Aveda lifestyle stores. For 13 years she also was on the Mark Pardo SalonSpa team, as a team leader, and valued member of the family.
“My experience has been amazing, the relationships that we build with team members and students is like another family. I love that we are always evolving and growing.” – Fernandez, Said.
Roxanne does have some words of wisdom for student’s when looking for new jobs. She suggests you always research where you are applying, visit the salon and interview the staff, you will know when you walk in,
if the place for you
Her favorite quote is: “It all begins and ends in your mind, what you give the power to has power over you if you allow it.”

Kristina Yazzie

Cosmetology Instructor

Kristina has been with the Aveda Institute since March 2018 and is a licensed Master Barber and Cosmetology Instructor. She Became a Licensed Cosmetologists since 2013 and worked in A Salon before returning to school to take part in the Instructors Program. In 2015 she became a Licensed Instructor for Cosmetology. After successfully gaining two Licenses in the Hair industry, Kris was determined to add yet, another Title to her ever-growing List of Skills. In 2015 she completed the Crossover Barber Program and became a Master Barber.

 

Victoria Marquez

Lead Esthiology Instructor

Victoria has been an Educator at Aveda Institute New Mexico since 2003. She is an Aveda certified esthiology coach and Aveda certified makeup coach. Currently, she is the acting Esthiology Team Lead. Victoria loves guiding students and helping them grow to become the best professionals they can be.

Emily Kohen

Esthiology Instructor
 With an enthusiasm for education, we are excited to announce the addition of our newest educator Emily. Having worked in an Aveda salon for 9 years, it’s there that she discovered her passion for makeup, skincare and educating. During her free time, she enjoys reading comic books, belly dancing, going on walks with her husband and dog, Ichabod.

 “I believe learning never ends and continuing your education plays a crucial role in having a successful career in the beauty industry.” Said, Emily.

Emily has been licensed in cosmetology since 2008, and has sought after continuing her education ever since. Currently, she also holds an Aveda Freelance Artists Licsnece and has been a certified Aveda Spa educator since 2012.

“Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” -Winston Churchill

Rosanna M Naranjo (Rosie)

Lead Cosmetology Instructor
Rosanna is a licensed Cosmetologist and is extension certified. She has been doing hair for 4 years and continues to work at Mark Pardo SalonSpas as a Master Stylist. A new addition to the Aveda Institute education team, Rosanna brings her years of experience behind the chair and more. She currently is a member of the Mark Pardo SalonSpa creative team. Who works on fashions shows, hair shows, photo shoots and other creative projects.
In addition to her professional work, she loves and cares for 3 dogs. Currently, she is also attending school to become a certified yoga instructor.
“What I love about teaching is being able to guide and develop skills for the future. I also enjoy the nurture and support that comes with teaching. ” – Naranjo, Said.
Her favorite quote is:
“You create beauty with your attitude your behavior your actions
 it’s all up to you.”

Monica Trujillo

Recruiting and Outreach Director

Monica has been with the Aveda Institute New Mexico for 7 years. She holds a BA in Psychology & Spanish. Prior to her time at Aveda she was an Academic Advisor; promoting higher education and providing support for disadvantaged and underrepresented students, helping them to pursue their career goals. Now at the Aveda Institute New Mexico, she recruits and advises students who are interested in furthering their education and pursuing a career in the beauty industry.

Monica is a proud native New Mexican Chicana and lifelong resident of the small town of Bernalillo, NM. Currently she is a student and promoter of traditional medicine, such as herbology, REIKI, and natural birthing practices. She also continues to work with local community groups planning and organizing educational, political, and cultural arts events in Albuquerque. “Everything I do, whether work or play; comes from a place of love and a genuine desire to have a positive impact on the world and people around me.”

“I’ve learned to surround myself with positive people and supportive environments, that’s why I love working at Aveda Institute and why I am so confident in recommending our school to others.”

Nicole Mueller

Nicole Mueller has been at Aveda Institute New Mexico since 2019 but gained much of my experience working at the Inspire Greatness Aveda Institute-Phoenix, previously. She is a licensed Esthetician and Esthetics Instructor/ Educator in both Arizona and New Mexico. In addition, holds a Bachelors’s Degree in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Business Management. Nicoles has experience working for Mark Pardo SalonSpa after graduating from the Aveda Institute in 2005, she then ran her own small business and managed a resort spa. Nicole also has had the opportunity to work as a freelance makeup artist and have found a passion for teaching, most recently. she has always come back to the Aveda brand and the Ayurvedic philosophy behind it, throughout her 15-year career. Additionally, Nicole loves outdoor sports, especially running, and appreciates the science of nutrition and supplementation and enjoy spending much of my spare time researching.