Bruce Vermeulen, CEO of GetHair MD, is a seasoned healthcare executive who has helped physicians open more than 300 med spas and led teams of 30 plus consultants focused on implementation, ROI, and profitability. A former Deloitte partner and CFO of two banking groups in South Africa, he has spent decades advising and investing in early-stage cosmetic medical businesses.

For more than 20 years, Angie Parris has listened to the stories of independent beauty and wellness professionals and champions the associations’ 130,000+ members who have found community as they build their independent businesses. She connects members to trusted resources that help safeguard, elevate, and sustain thriving careers. As Advertising Director, she also builds meaningful partnerships with leading skin, hair, and body care brands and educators, creating powerful connections through the associations’ publications, podcasts, educational events, and digital media. Angie is also featured in ABMP’s Meditate & Move series on ABMP’s YouTube Playlist, as well as several episodes of The ABMP Podcast. For 18+ years, she ran a private part-time practice that explored physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. She also co-founded the nonprofit, Project Inti, an organization that provides aid, education, and healing touch to underserved communities, primarily in Peru. 

Jim Kartelias is a business development leader in the professional beauty industry and currently serves as Director of Suite Development at SalonCentric, a subsidiary of L’Oréal USA. In this role, he leads strategic initiatives focused on building and expanding partnerships with salon suite operators and independent beauty professionals, helping them successfully integrate SalonCentric’s products, tools, and business resources into their operations. With a background in sales leadership and partnership development, Jim is dedicated to supporting the growth and sustainability of modern salon businesses. He is actively engaged in industry networking and community events nationwide, fostering meaningful connections that strengthen the professional beauty ecosystem.

Ted Gibson is a globally recognized beauty entrepreneur, celebrity hairstylist, salon owner, and educator, and the founder of TED GIBSON BEAUTY WELLNESS SCIENCE—a next-generation brand redefining beauty through the integration of performance, wellness, science, and artistry. With a career spanning decades, Ted is one of the industry’s most sought-after stylists, with work featured in leading publications including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Vanity Fair, and Allure, and backstage credits with iconic fashion houses such as Chanel, Prada, and Dolce & Gabbana. Beyond his editorial and celebrity work, Ted is a familiar media presence and trusted industry voice, appearing on major television platforms and global podcasts. Inspired by his family’s personal health journey, his work today centers on building a holistic beauty ecosystem that bridges internal wellness and external transformation, shaping a new era where beauty and science converge.

Elizabeth Faye is a globally recognized coach, speaker, and author who serves heart-led leaders and organizations across the beauty and wellness industry. A hairstylist by trade turned industry advocate, she has worked with tens of thousands of clients, thousands of educators, and more than 100 brands and school networks worldwide. Elizabeth is a trauma-informed business and life coach, breathwork expert, and creator of the Sacred Success Method—a holistic framework that integrates science, somatic healing, subconscious rewiring, spirituality, and strategy to create lasting transformation. A sought-after corporate wellness speaker and retreat host, she is on a mission to elevate leadership and wellbeing through an inside-out approach to personal growth, business, and culture.

A global voice in the hair and beauty industry. John Gillespie, the Managing Director of Phenix Salon Suites Europe, is a globally recognized hair industry professional with over 40 years of experience, performing in 60 countries worldwide. He has an established track record in

driving improved business performance and continuous innovation through the

management of his own businesses as well as positions with the globally operating brands; Schwarzkopf, Amway Corporation and L’Oreal. He offers an invaluable level of knowledge and critical business expertise to help an organization achieve sustainable change, enhanced revenue generation and maximum customer engagement. His areas of expertise include Training Programs; Sales/Marketing Processes; International Business Knowledge,

Market Awareness; Sales Generation; Maximizing Market Presence.

Nikki Ong is the founder and driving force behind Slick Marketers, a results-focused marketing agency dedicated to helping brands scale with clarity, strategy, and measurable impact. With a strong background in digital marketing, brand positioning, and growth strategy, Nikki specializes in transforming ambitious ideas into high-performing campaigns.

Known for her data-driven approach and creative problem-solving, Nikki has worked with startups, entrepreneurs, and established businesses to refine their messaging, strengthen their online presence, and accelerate revenue growth. She combines strategic insight with hands-on execution—ensuring that every initiative not only looks great but delivers tangible business results.

Under her leadership, Slick Marketers has built a reputation for transparency, innovation, and client-centered service. Nikki is passionate about empowering businesses to stand out in competitive markets through smart branding, performance marketing, and scalable systems.

When she’s not leading campaigns or mapping out growth strategies, Nikki stays at the forefront of industry trends, continuously refining her approach to help clients thrive in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

David Huffman is the founder and owner of David Huffman Construction, a residential and commercial construction firm based in Escondido, California. Established in 2015, the company specializes in building and remodeling projects with a focus on quality craftsmanship, client satisfaction, and personalized service. With hands-on leadership and deep industry experience, David guides projects from initial concept through completion, ensuring they meet both design goals and budgetary expectations. Under his direction, David Huffman Construction has built numerous Phenix Salon Suites locations since the inception of the company. He has completed a range of construction work that reflects a commitment to durability and detail. David’s approach emphasizes clear communication and tailored solutions for each client, helping homeowners and businesses bring their visions to life with professionalism and integrity.

Ian Laskowski is a seasoned real estate executive with more than 18 years of industry experience. He began his career with Cushman & Wakefield in New York and has since worked with leading national and regional developers, landlords, and tenants across the United States. Throughout his career, Ian has managed thousands of transactions totaling more than 10 million square feet of retail space.

For the past 12 years, Ian has focused on serving franchisees and franchisors across multiple retail categories. He has spent four years with Morrow Hill, where he has led teams and initiatives to support large-scale franchise growth and has overseen expansion efforts for some of the fastest-growing franchise concepts in the industry. Ian brings deep market knowledge and relationships across primary and secondary markets nationwide, providing strategic insight into real estate markets and transactions in an evolving landscape.

R.C. Heaton is a Senior Relationship Manager at ApplePie Capital, a leading franchise financing platform dedicated to helping entrepreneurs access the capital they need to start, grow, and scale their franchise businesses. ApplePie Capital focuses exclusively on the franchise sector and has facilitated billions in loans through a combination of proprietary products and an extensive lender network. R.C. brings deep expertise in franchise finance, with nearly two decades of experience in the industry. Since joining the team in 2017, he has originated over 500 franchise loans and works closely with both new and existing franchisees to understand their goals and secure the right financing solutions for their business journeys. As a graduate of the University of Michigan, he combines his strong financial acumen with a client-first approach, building trusted relationships that support sustainable growth for franchise owners across a wide range of brands and sectors. Known for his commitment to service and deep knowledge of the lending process, he helps demystify financing and guide entrepreneurs through each stage of their franchise journey.

Zack Zarrilli is the founder and CEO of SureFire CPR, a leading provider of American Heart Association–aligned CPR, first aid, and emergency response training focused on building real confidence and lifesaving competence. Before launching the company in 2008, Zack spent 15 years as a firefighter and paramedic, where he saw firsthand how lack of confidence often prevented bystanders from taking action in emergencies. That experience inspired him to transform how lifesaving skills are taught through practical, engaging, real-world training. Today, SureFire CPR operates nationwide with 24/7 certification stations and thousands of classes each month, serving individuals, businesses, schools, and healthcare organizations. Under Zack’s leadership, the company has trained tens of thousands of learners and continues to expand its impact in emergency education.

Brian Kelley assumed his role of CEO in 2021 after joining the company as President & COO in 2019. Under his leadership, Phenix has sold more than 350 franchise licenses domestically and internationally and opened 190 locations, including its first six in the UK, while also acquiring and developing 45 company-owned locations. Prior to Phenix, Brian was Managing Partner of a multi-brand restaurant group operating more than 100 locations nationwide, including Hardee’s, Jersey Mike’s, Blaze Pizza, and Donovan’s Steak & Chophouse. He also spent 12 years in corporate and merchant banking with Citicorp, GE Capital, and Atherton Capital. Brian holds a BA in Business Economics from Brown University and an MBA from USC. He is active in charitable initiatives focused on youth sports and pediatric cancer research. Today, Brian will be serving as the moderator for this panel.