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.

Yvette Mendoza

Yvette Mendoza recently joined the Aveda Institute New Mexico after working at Mark Pardo SalonSpa, where she was a Senior Stylist and Protege Mentor. Yvette is an Aveda Institute Alumni, and is excited to combine her love and passion for the hair and beauty industry with her passion for education and teaching. Yvette is a native New Mexican and grew up in the small community of Bernalillo, surrounded by several acres of irrigated farm-land. Utilizing natural remedies, botany, herbology, and alternative medicine has always been a way of life for her. When Yvette isn’t educating, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and dog.

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.

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.”

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

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.

Angela Baros

Angela has had  a passion for hair and makeup since she was young. At 22 she decided to take a chance on herself and go to cosmetology school. She graduated from the Aveda Institute New Mexico in 2013 and has been in love with her career ever since. Over the years she’s taken many advanced training classes focusing mainly in hair cutting, color, blonding and makeup. Angie has had a very fulfilling career behind the chair and is excited to be back as an alumni and instructor to share all she has learned with the future of our industry.

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.

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.”

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.

Kristina Yazzie

Lead 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.