Melanie Charland
Melanie Charland is a nationally certified, multi-award-winning groomer with 10+ years of experience. Melanie's grooming journey is marked by her dedication to the craft, which she views as an art and a commitment to improving dogs' lives. From competing at and attending trade shows, to teaching students, Melanie’s passion for grooming is evident in every aspect of her work.
Rachel Colant
Rachel Colant is a second-generation dog groomer with over 14 years of experience. Based in Los Angeles, she owns her own salon and serves as the LMS Director at Groom Curriculum, where she teaches college students nationwide. An award-winning freestyle competition groomer, Rachel is also a sought-after seminar speaker, known for her expertise and commitment to elevating the grooming industry through education and gentle grooming techniques. Her passion for teaching has earned her a coveted Barkleigh Honors nomination for Speaker of the Year in 2024.
Elizabeth Gibbs
Elizabeth Gibbs is an award-winning National Certified Master Groomer who has been in the grooming industry for over ten years. She spent nine years of her career in corporate and worked her way from a bather up to a grooming trainer. In 2018 she was nominated for Barkleigh Honors "Up and Coming Groomer of the Year". She has been featured on the educational video page "groomsource" and you can now catch her in the grooming ring competing in open level or showing her Bichon and English Cocker in the AKC ring.
Blake Hernandez
Blake Hernandez is a NCMG and three-time Barkleigh Honors recipient. He is best known for his online persona and caterwauling lyrics that speak to our industry. Blake has brought innovation and current outside trends to the grooming industry from Personality Marketing to the FoxEye, a phone holding device for the everyday groomer or aspiring influencer. Blake runs Foxy Roxy's Pet Salon in San Diego, CA, in addition to competing in grooming contests and dog shows all over the country. He is the co-creator and founder of GroomSource, an app made for groomers' continued education, as well as creator and producer of many products with Foxy Roxy's Supply Co. Blake was also a feature groomer in Netflix's "DOGS" documentary and a contestant on ABC's Pooch Perfect Season 1.
Judy Hudson
International Grooming Industry Speaker and Judge, Judy Hudson, holds an Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology and is a National Certified Master Groomer and certifier for the National Dog Groomers Association of America. Judy owns and operates Groomingtails Mobile Pet Grooming in Nashville, Tennessee. Judy has multiple Best in Shows and Best All Around Groomer awards to her credit and stayed in GroomTeam's top 10 groomers for four years. Having retired from the contest ring, Judy enjoys sharing her knowledge and experiences with new groomers. She is also a level V Rodan and Fields skin care consultant.
Melissa Jepson
Melissa Jepson has owned the award-winning Pupscale Pet Salon in California since 2013. As a founding member of the Association of Holistic Pet Professionals, she believes in creating a soothing environment for all aspects of grooming. She is thrilled to partner with Precision Sharp to offer high-quality products and also enjoys teaching webinars through Pawsitive Educational Training when she isn't traveling. Nearly two decades of experience and a comprehensive knowledge base have made it possible to impart a fresh take with practical applications to her students which she hopes they'll use long after the seminar has ended.
Macie Pisa
Macie has been grooming professionally since 2012. She started competing in 2014 and quickly rose to the top, becoming one of the youngest competitors in open division. Since then, Macie has catapulted her career in competitive grooming, with multiple Best in Show placements at the top grooming shows in the USA and Canada. She earned her Master Groomer certification from NDGAA in 2016 and a coveted spot on GroomTeam USA in 2019, where she was ranked #5 , 2022 she ranked #6 and 2023 she ranked #3. Macie was been nominated for Barkleigh Honors Up and Coming Groomer of the Year in 2017, and the Brian Stoppa Congeniality and Spirit Award in 2020. In 2021 she won season 1 of Pooch Perfect USA. Macie is passionate about continuing education and teaches techniques and skills at grooming shows across North America and Asia. Macie Specializes in Bichons and Poodles but has proved herself proficient in many breeds and techniques.
Kayla Scott
Kayla Scott is a professional pet groomer from Waco, Texas with over five years’ experience. A competitive groomer and educator, Kayla also runs a salon called The Groomery where she provides exclusive one-on-one services for the dogs of Waco. She's passionate about Bedlington terriers and providing educational opportunities to both up-and-coming groomers as well as pet parents.
Kelsey Ann Sexton
Kelsey Ann Sexton is an award winning Nationally Certified Master Groomer, International Speaker and Journalist with two decades of Professional Pet Grooming experience. She owns an award winning salon outside of Nashville, TN that focuses on customer relationships for routine pet grooming services. Kelsey was nominated for Barkleigh Honors Speaker of the Year in 2022 and 2023. She has a passion for continued education in the Pet Grooming Industry collaborating with several brands to help everyday pet groomers both seasoned and new.