Ambassadors

SELINA TOMASICH - CEO HAIR AID

Selina is the CEO and Founder of Hair Aid. An academic of 20+ years, Selina’s day job is teaching business at university. Selina uses her skills to plan, manage and facilitate projects as well as the Hair Aid Community Cuts (HACCs) programs in Australia. Selina also speaks at events, sharing the message of Hair Aid to raise awareness and to build and secure networks with industry suppliers and sponsors.

DENISE XIDIAS - NSW AMBASSADOR

Denise Xidias is a teacher of Hairdressing and Beauty and a professional educator and trainer at TAFE NSW Western Sydney Institute. She is committed to delivering the highest standard of skills and training for her students.

JESSICA TIKKA -SWEDEN AMBASSADOR

Jessica graduated hairdressing school in 2003. She immediately began her own business, and as a fully qualified master hairdresser began educating for Keune in 2008. Her skills saw her freelance educate for O&M beginning in 2013, as well as for Excellent Edges as an educator. Jessica is very passionate about her craft and educating; she mentors her trainees as they grow and learn. She says: ‘Learning how to cut, colour and dress hair has changed my life for the better. It has taken me places I never thought I would go! I always try to improve myself and the world surrounding me’.

Marcela Lastra is Principal Stylist and owner of Longko Salon. This year marks 20 years of Marcela being in the hairdressing industry. After working for a number of high-end boutique salons, Marcela started her own business 7 years ago.

She is an expert colour correctionist, and enjoys all facets of cutting, styling, wedding hair, barbering, editorial work and runways. Marcela runs a number of Hair Aid Community Cuts in her area and also provides hair cuts to hospital patients in her region that are undergoing treatment and recovery.

DEBBIE ATKINS - QLD AMBASSADOR

Debbie Atkins has been in the Hair and Beauty industry for over 32 years. During that period she has owned two successful salons and worked in amazing places and is now sharing her knowledge and skills as a TAFE teacher. When she discovered Hair Aid she knew that she could help and completed her first project in January 2018 to Manila. Debbie’s role also incorporates managing the Qld Hair Aid Community Cuts programs.

JO - TASMANIAN AMBASSADOR

Jo has owned South Terrace Hair & Beauty in Hobart for 23 years employing 12 staff. Jo has trained many talented hairdressers in this time and as a testament to her management, many of them still work with her today. After 30 years of being involved with IHS hairdressing competitions, Jo wanted to find something in the industry she could be involved in, something where her skills could give back. Hair Aid was the perfect project to include her family and help change lives one haircut at a time.

PETE WALSTAB - VICTORIAN AMBASSADOR

Pete Walstab has been involved in the hairdressing industry for over 25 years as a hairdresser, salon owner and owner of Excellent Edges. Pete's role is based around education so when the opportunity arose to do more than just donate scissors to Hair Aid, he jumped at it. Pete's role is the Victorian Ambassador for Hair Aid but when on projects floats between hairdressing and the livelihood skill of scissor and knife sharpening which he started with Russell Rentmeester from Excellent Edges.

LISA POLINI - WA AMBASSADOR

Lisa Polini is a passionate and proactive Hairdresser/Barber born and bred on the West Coast. Her motivation and drive to see the industry continually improve and strive for excellence, is a key ingredient to who she is and why she’s 100% devoted to helping others grow as artists. Her role in Hair Aid has seen her attend many overseas projects as well as run Hair Aid Community Cuts in the Perth region.