Meet Our Team
AMY DUZAN
Director of Education/Owner
With over 22 years in the Hair & Esthetics industry and over a decade of experience as a successful business owner, Amy is passionate about helping students and beauty professionals thrive.
Amy took her training in Hairstyling in 2003 and Esthetics in 2004. After completing both programs she knew one day she wanted to help students in this industry receive the best education possible in this industry- and here we are!
After building her first business, Elite Training Center in 2013, she expanded to create a space where individuals in the health and beauty industry can grow their own successful businesses(right next door!) with tailored support.
She is dedicated to offering the best programs in the province, taught by the most experienced and passionate instructors, all while ensuring our facility and learning resources stay up to date, so that Elite can provide top-tier education to the next generation of beauty professionals!
What do you specialize in? Helping future beauty pros master their craft, gain confidence, and prepare for the real industry. Also, keeping my coffee warm for more than 5 minutes (still working on that one).
Go-to coffee order (or fave snack): a nice fresh (it’s probably never actually fresh) brewed coffee with french vanilla creamer. Most days I will drink any kind that is in front of me.. lol.
If I wasn’t in the beauty industry, I’d be… literally nothing – I decided weeks before I started my hairstyling program and here I am! I had no other plans.
Song that hypes me up: anything by Nelly
Most relatable instructor moment: that I have helped so many students since I began teaching in this industry – including a few who are now working alongside me as instructors! 
Best advice for students entering this industry: Trust the process. You will hear me say this over and over during your programs but it’s the truth. You will get where you want to be if you trust the process!
CASS SMITH
Guest Services, Coordinator & class clown/office jester 🤡
Cass now proudly sits in the position of Guest Services Coordinator at Elite! Since her past job positions had a heavy influence of education, Cass was able to settle in gracefully.
“Moving back home to Moose Jaw and finding my home at Elite has been one of the most positive and uplifting stages in my life. I LOVE this team of strong and inspiring women.
What I like to bring to the table is giving a mix of having fun with professionalism. My goal when I walk in to work each day is make everyone as an individual feel special and to show the public that they too can find their home in Elite.”
What do you specialize in? Making people laugh and feel good and to show off to the world how amazing our crew is! Go-to coffee order (or fave snack): iced caramel macchiato with vanilla cold foam If I wasn’t in the beauty industry, I’d be… a high school counselor Song that hypes me up:anything by Black Eyed Peas gets me dancing on a table real fast Most relatable instructor moment: travelling all over the place with students for career fairs Best advice for students entering this industry: don’t compare your chapter 1 someone else’s chapter 10.
DEIDRE ISINGHOOD
Esthetics Instructor
Originally from Moose Jaw, SK, Deidre brings over 13 years of experience in the esthetics and beauty industry. After refining her skills in high-end spas across Vancouver and Victoria, she expanded into advanced esthetics and permanent makeup, gaining valuable expertise along the way.
Since returning to Moose Jaw in 2017, she has been dedicated to beauty education at Elite, sharing her passion and knowledge to help students develop their skills, build confidence, and launch successful careers in the industry.
“I got into this industry because I didn’t want to wake up everyday hating my job and dreading going to work. I always had a passion for all things beauty, so becoming an esthetician was the best decision I could’ve ever made for my life. Now, having the opportunity to be an educator, I’m able to share my knowledge and experiences with my students to teach them that they can be successful and love what they do all at the same time.”
When she’s not instructing, Deidre enjoys relaxing at home with her husband and Shih Tzus, watching anime, gaming, and sipping a warm drink!
What do you specialize in? as a Journeyperson in both trades of Skincare Technician and Nail Technician, I love all aspects of this industry, but advanced skin treatments, massage and brow services will always have a special place in my heart!
Go-to coffee order (or fave snack): I’m not a coffee drinker, but I love Taro Boba Tea and if you want to know the way to my heart – it’s through baked goods 
If I wasn’t in the beauty industry, I’d be… professional organizer or graphic designer Song that hypes me up: anything EDM, house, indie/folk, rock and of course 90s/early 2000s Most relatable instructor moment: watching a student overcome their anxieties and limiting beliefs that they can’t do something or aren’t good at something to truly believing in their skills and becoming confident when they are working with their clients! Not to mention, I love when old students come back to visit and catch up – it’s so fulfilling watching them “grow up” and go on to lead successful careers … *wipes tear*
Best advice for students entering this industry: never be afraid to ask questions and make mistakes! We’ve got your back, plus you’ll learn waaaay more from your mistakes than you will from your successes.
SHANDA MAYER
Hairstyling Instructor
As Shanda says, “I’ve been gracing the halls as your favorite hairstyling instructor at Elite since 2017.”
Shanda started her hairstyling career in 2006 being “personally victimized by the Kelly Clarkson red and blonde highlights.”
Since then she’s spent countless hours taking advanced education in everything from lived in blondes color classes to barbering skills such as achieving that perfect fade and hot shaves.
When instructing, Shanda loves seeing the lightbulb moments when something clicks for her students, but more than that she appreciates a little sarcasm and some good natured ribbing.
When she’s not working you can find her sipping her favorite drink, walking her dogs, playing old Nintendo games with her husband or screaming Taylor Swift songs in her car.
What do you specialize in? confidence boosting, it is important to me that every client who sits in my chair regardless of whether it’s a men’s cut, blonding service or even a perm leaves feeling their best. Go-to coffee order (or fave snack): a lactose free chai latte (or pumpkin spice if it’s fall) If I wasn’t in the beauty industry, I’d be… a dog trainer or maybe a party planner (I LOVE throwing a good theme party). Song that hypes me up: anything by Taylor Swift Most relatable instructor moment: My most memorable instructor moment came on a Thursday evening shift when one of my students accidentally knocked over a full pot of wax, a few blow dryers, paper towels, wax cleaner and a ton of laughs got it all cleaned up but I’ll never forget it. Best advice for students entering this industry: to check your ego and learn from absolutely everyone you work with because everyone has something to teach you, and don’t forget to have some fun.
HEATHER JEBSON
Hairstyling Instructor
Heather started in this industry back in 2004. After working in the industry for a few years, she ultimately went on to be a co-founder and owner of one of the top salons in Saskatoon for 15 years.
“I would say as a hairstylist some of my top achievements in this industry would be working with and learning from highly accomplished hairstylists across the world. As a salon owner, some of my top achievements would be helping and growing many hairstylists careers over the years, as well as, creating a multiple award winning salon in sales and brand achievements.
What I love about this industry is the joy of helping people. As a stylist you get to bring joy to so many people in your career. There are so many wonderful parts to this career like creating amazing hair styles and colors, or being apart of a bridal party’s morning, having long lasting friendships with people who once were strangers, and the opportunity to travel the world while doing hair.
Not only as a hairstylist, do you get to create and enhance people’s beauty, you also get to be a unique part of another person’s life.”
What do you specialize in? I love all aspects of the hair industry and don’t specialize in one specific thing other than helping people! Go-to coffee order (or fave snack): Caramel macchiato blonde roast If I wasn’t in the beauty industry, I’d be… in architectural design or something to do with gardening. Song that hypes me up: pretty much everything but country – you’ll always catch me singing throughout the day Most relatable instructor moment: when I was a student I can remember completing all my perms for signatures – so I know what my students go through Best advice for students entering this industry: embrace change, and focus on your people skills. You maybe a hairstylist but you’re in the business of people and having good people skills will help you get through the tougher situations as a hairstylist.
BROOKLYN BANILEVIC
Hairstyling Instructor
Brooklyn, who was born and raised in Moose Jaw has been doing hair for just over 5 years and own’s her own business right next door at The Common and was one of the first since it opened! 
Brooklyn’s always dreamt of becoming an instructor, so when the opportunity presented itself she didn’t hesitate to take it! She absolutely loves being around students who are motivated and eager to learn about this industry. Brooklyn could talk about hair literally all day long so she figured she should surround herself with people willing to take in the information she has to give, rather than her friends and family who probably can’t stand to hear it anymore
When she’s not at work she’s probably at home curled up under a blanket in a sweat suit (she own’s about a 100 and if you know her, she practically lives in them!) Brooklyn’s hair has been every color in the book, and she changes it at least once a month, so if you can’t recognize her, that’s probably why!
Brooklyn’s boyfriend and herself moved into their first home last December and together raise his daughter, who is 3 and their son who’s almost 2. She has 2 hairless cats named are Franklin and Felicia
who, even though they live with her parents after she moved, still say’s they’re hers!
What do you specialize in? Lived in colors, bridal, making your hair beautiful😉 Go-to coffee order (or fave snack): Can’t ever go wrong with an iced capp, or an iced chai tea latte 🤤🤤 big lover of anything salty aka chips hahaha If I wasn’t in the beauty industry, I’d be… I asked my parents because I truly didn’t know the answer (as being a hairstylist is all I’ve ever wanted to do) according to them my future didn’t look too bright. My mom said I’d probably be a bum and my dad had no answer 🤣 Song that hypes me up: anything by Post Malone. He lives rent free in my brain 24/7 or The Spins by Mac Miller Most relatable instructor moment: one time during a foil class, I showed how to do a proper foil on a students mannequin, once she was finished all of hers, we opened up the foils up to go through them and see how they looked. After opening the first one I went on to say what could’ve been done better, and what specific things need to be worked on – turns out that foil was the one I did 🤣 made for a good laugh. Clearly I needed to do better too hahaha Best advice for students entering this industry: It doesn’t come easy, but it’ll be so worth it