Our Team.

John Aultman serves as the International Director of Education on Gina Rivera’s International Artistic Team. With more than 15 years of experience in the industry, Aultman has served as an educator for the past decade first with Matrix then with Phenix Salon Suites.

As a certified color specialist, Aultman specializes in advanced color techniques and color theory. Since joining Rivera’s Artistic Team in 2012, he has taught a variety of classes and seminars throughout the United States.

Aultman’s portfolio includes numerous hair shows, model preparation for photo and camera shoots, on stage presentations, and multiple classes where he has served as the key educator. As a sought after stylist, Aultman has a vast clientele and has been featured several years running as the winner of Best of Colorado Springs, the city where he resides.

Heather Nitta is an established beauty expert with more than 15 years of professional hair and makeup experience. Nitta has worked with well-known clients, top influencers, and mainstream celebrities in the fashion and entertainment industry. Her vast portfolio includes the Sundance Film festival, NBCs Biggest Loser Finale, and multiple award show runway looks including the GRAMMYs and the Academy Awards. 

As a member of Gina Rivera’s Artistic Team, Nitta has a passion for collaborating with clients and models to bring out their natural beauty with the artistic aid of hair and makeup expression. Known for being highly educated and current with today’s hair and makeup trends, she is well versed at being extremely creative as an artist while remaining true to the classic beauty aesthetics that she loves. 

Judit Hillman started her beauty career 16 years ago at the Montage Resort in Laguna Beach, California. From there she went on to work for the Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel. In 2010 she opened her own business in Phenix Salon Suites where she has built a large portfolio of clients.

Hillman has a passion for beauty and fashion that lead her to pursue a career as a hairstylist. Her signature client look is healthy hair that includes dimensional, blended color, as well as cuts that compliment her client’s face shapes. Hillman joined Gina Rivera’s Artistic Team in 2017 and was selected based on her talent and commitment to excellence.

As a member of Gina Rivera’s Artistic Team, Chenille Pauls arrived on the hair design scene with an exceptional mastery of her craft. With a knack for matching clients with that “just right” look, Pauls utilizes advanced techniques to provide that perfect style and color design. 

Pauls is the owner of Chenille Cheri Salon. She is well known for her masterful skills at creating color that flatters and accentuates the beauty in each individual. From fashioning the perfect look to providing the most innovative color techniques, clients are impressed and drawn to her well-informed approach. Pauls excels at leveraging her professional experience with the ability to innovate and design fantastic results for her diverse range of clientele. 

Marie Cofinco is a passionate and highly skilled hairstylist with almost 40 years of experience working in beauty. Her love for the business comes through with every client that she has the privilege to work with. With nearly four decades of work, and her drive to make each client feel special, Cofinco defines what it means to “Love what you do”.

Cofinco has a fervor for continuing education and prides herself in staying current with popular trends. This commitment has allowed her to develop a large and loyal clientele.

Based on her commitment to the industry and her well refined skills, Confinco was invited to join Gina Rivera’s Phenix Artistic Team in 2015 as an Ambassador. She believes education is the key to success and loves traveling to teach the art, and science, of hair color, cutting and styling techniques.

Dana Powell has been in the beauty business for close to 20 years. Dana joined Gina Rivera’s Phenix Education team in 2015. She is passionate about educating others and travels regularly to share the newest trends and most current techniques in the industry. As a member of Gina Rivera’s Education Team, Dana has been seen in the classrooms and on the stages of Phenix Salon Suites as well as Peter Coppola.

Dana enjoys sharing methods with stylist that will help them to work smarter rather than harder. As an artist, she encourages others to follow their intuition and work outside of the box. She believes there are many options for exercising her craft and emphasizes trying new formulas and expressing art through color.

Dana works with a broad range of clients who she helps to achieve just the right look. Her goal is to make all of her clients feel beautiful while finding the style that helps to define and depict their unique personalities. Dana strives to grow and change with the industry as an avenue for providing the most premier services possible.

Richie Roman is an internationally televised celebrity hairstylist. Millions grew to love him after watching him on the CBS Emmy winning television series UNDERCOVER BOSS. There he was selected as an award recipient by Phenix Salon Suites Founder & Beauty Icon, Gina Rivera. He was also featured on the Bravo hit series Tabatha’s Salon Takeover. 

Roman’s talent in the hair and beauty industry is well recognized and has earned him two North American Hairstyling Award nominations. Roman is passionate about textured hair and is a platform educator as well as an Artistic Director on Gina Rivera’s Artistic Team. Roman’s creative eye and attention to detail has made him a sought after hairstylist on the set and runway, by his loyal clientele, and at national education events throughout the United States. 

Kim Berry, the owner of Kim B On Set, is an established beauty expert with over 30 years in the industry. Berry is a well-known artist who traveled for several decades with music legend Prince as his personal hairstylist and confidant. She has spent years refining her craft and dedicates a portion of her time to inspiring young artist with her story.

Berry focuses on treating each client as a blank canvas whose beauty she can enhance. She has a passion for raising her client’s spirits and confidence each time she sees them. As a well-rounded artist, Berry is a student of her craft that loves to create daring looks with a special emphasis on shorter cuts and extensions. As a member of Gina Rivera’s Artistic Team she enjoys the process of working collaboratively with other strong artist.

Amber Youngblood is a seasoned beauty expert with more than 20 years of professional experience behind the chair. Youngblood’s work has been well noted in the industry. Her portfolio of awards includes recognitions for Color and Creatively in Hair Design 2017, being named Best of Gwinnett, Georgia in 2017 and being noted as one of the Best Salons In & Around Duluth, Georgia in 2018.

As a member of Gina Rivera’s Artistic Team, Youngblood views each client’s hair as a canvas which inspires her to express herself creatively in a collaborative manner.  Known as a color specialist, she is constantly working to enhance her knowledge through gaining education and learning new trends. As a highly creative artist, she looks forward to sharing her knowledge with other Salon Professionals in the industry

Rachael Flynn enthusiastically embraced the beauty industry 11 years ago. Since that time, she has received a certification as an Italy Educator. Her work includes a portfolio of highly progressive color work. Most recently she started her own business with her loyal following of cliental that she has gained over the past decade.

Flynn is inspired by helping others with a focus on how they view themselves through enhancing their own natural beauty.  As an artist, she is drawn to the beauty business by the creativity and expression that it allows. As a member of Gina’s Artistic Team she looks forward to sharing her passion with others and the endless opportunities that the industry allows.

Shannen Ebert has gained immense respect in her field during the past 18 years. Ebert’s work has been recognized multiple times in San Diego Bridal magazine. Wella has also recognized Ebert twice as the winner of their color competition. However, beyond the awards, she values her relationships with her clients above all.

Ebert is passionate about hair and operating her own business in the industry. She believes that one should never stop learning and values the importance of changing with the trends and the times. Ebert believes that becoming a member of Gina’s Artistic Team is an avenue for her to share her knowledge as well as to gain knowledge from others.