Dale Le Monds #20
Founder, Director of Aveda Institute Denver
A native of Lake Elmo, Minn., Le Monds graduated from Mahtomedi High School in 1994. He lettered four years in baseball, three years in basketball, two years in golf and one year in football. He was captain and all-state selection in baseball.
Le Monds earned a degree in finance from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls where he was a two year letterman in baseball. Le Monds recorded a 7-1 pitching mark during his senior year and was all conference and all Midwest Region selection.
He later graduated in the spring of 2001 with a sport management degree from Virginia Commonwealth University.
While in Richmond he was an assistant baseball coach at the University of Richmond. In his two seasons they set a school record with 53 wins in 2002 and came within one inning of going to the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska only losing to the University of Nebraska.
It wasn’t long ago Le Monds would drive the 30 minute drive from his home in Lake Elmo to get his haircut at the Aveda Institute in Minneapolis as a high school student. If they offered an baseball scholarship Le Mond’s said Aveda would have been his first choice after high school.
Dale and his wife Lisa relocated from Richmond to Colorado Springs, Colo. where Lisa attended cosmetology school. Le Monds was unemployed at the time and sought a temporary position at his wife’s school implementing their financial aid program. He quickly climbed the ladder to director of the school and eventual partner. His philosophies were not aligned with that company and he always had Aveda in his mind.
He took the risk and quit his job to pursue building an Aveda Institute in Denver. It was a long shot but Le Monds secured Aveda corporate approval, an SBA loan, City of Denver loan, personal loans, a business partner, and landlord financing to build their world-class Institute in vibrant Downtown Denver.
The joy and great satisfaction Le Monds derived from coaching – working with and teaching young baseball players , helping them reach their potential in contributing to the team’s common goals – ultimately surpassed outscoring an opponent, the standings, even championships.
What occurred in their practices is what gave Le Monds the most joy and satisfaction – teaching others to bring forth the best of which they are capable. Le Mond’s states:
“Ultimately, I believe that’s what leadership is all about: helping others to achieve their own greatness by helping the organization to succeed.
How you accomplish balance, leadership, and greatness is the focus of our education at the Aveda Institute Denver. My greatest joy is now developing talented future professionals into the worlds greatest hairdressers and spa technicians.
Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best of which you are capable.”
Dale and Lisa have two future world-class hairdressers Lucy (2) and Chloe (1).
He’d like to thank everyone who believed in his vision including his wife, business partner, parents, Aveda, Jim Pacifico and employees.
Brad Van Dyke
Spa Director & Purefessional
Brad Van Dyke has been in the Beauty and Wellness fields for over 11 years. He began his career by utilizing a Major in Psychology, Exercise Physiology, and a Minor in Coaching. He received a license in massage in 1996. After gaining experience performing World Class facials aboard an International Cruise Ship, Brad also became a licensed esthetician.
While being rooted in balance, respecting Mother Earth and Father Universe, and building on the belief of conscious living, Brad found his home at Aveda in 2000. This journey leads us to today where he has made the decision to combine his talents along with the desire for constant learning and is now the Esthiology Team Lead at the beautiful Aveda Institute Denver. In this position Brad has been able to gain Level I Spa Educator and Aveda Spa Purefessional for esthetics and massage.
Brad believes learning is constant. He believes wellness is a fusion of many beautiful healing modalities. With a desire to balance the mind, body and spirit, Brad presents a variety of Aveda classes that embodies his whole person approach in both esthetics and massage.
Adam Lanning
Massage Team Lead & Purefessional
Adam Lanning is a passionate body worker. Adam started his pursuit of Massage Therapy by receiving massage for multiple surgeries form sports-related injuries. This prompted massage school as the next step. After graduation, Adam went to work for Trios Salon and Spa in Ft. Collins, Colo. While at Trios, Adam become one of the first massage Purefessionals in the Aveda network. Adam was also working as the Spa Manager/Director at Trios and was a dedicated employee at Trios for five years.
Adam’s passion for education and travel led him to Pacifico’s Beauty Products where he spent over two years traveling in the United States teaching Aveda philosophy, product knowledge, Ayurveda, Aromaology, body treatments and massage techniques.
This passion for education eventually led Adam to the Institute where he became Massage Team Lead. The next path for Adam and the AID spa team is to progress with a strong diverse continuing education program for all spa therapists. This would help strengthen the bond between owner and therapist. This will also build stronger clientele, retention and overall wellness for the therapist.
This passion for education eventually led Adam to the Institute where he became Massage Team Lead. The next path for Adam and the AID spa team is to progress with a strong diverse continuing education program for all spa therapists. This would help strengthen the bond between owner and therapist. This will also build stronger clientele, retention and overall wellness for the therapist.
Tony Wilson
Cosmetology Team Lead, Certified Cutting Coach & Certified Educator
Tony Wilson started in the industry when he was 17 years old. As a young stylist, he began his career with Aveda doing face color. After working for 17 years, Tony decided it was time to pass on his knowledge and his passion for education. Having worked on and off with Aveda throughout his career, it was only natural that he would join the Aveda Institute Denver to embark on his new career as an educator. Tony is also one of few certified in Aveda’s Men’s Cutting.
Heather Gonzalez
Cosmetology Team Lead, Certified Color Coach & Certified Educator
Heather has been in the industry since 1998. Originally from Utah, Heather began her advanced education working for a color company doing in-salon education and platform work. Later on she began working at an Aveda Lifestyles Salon and Spa, which sparked her passion for Aveda. Her path soon took her to California where she worked on various fashion shows and editorial shoots. After living in Los Angeles for a couple of years she decided to try something different. Education being a goal, she decided to follow her aspirations, which led her to Colorado. Heather has been an educator at the Institute since January 2006. Heather is Aveda Educator Certified in Hair Color as well as Aveda Certified in Haircutting.
Alicia Parks
Student Services Team Lead
“Learn, grow, live.” Alicia started her path to wellness and environmental leadership at Wild Oats Natural Marketplace, following college graduation with a degree in journalism. Her passion for natural living, environment, and wellness set the foundation for a future with Aveda. Alicia started in the Experience Center at Aveda Institute Denver when the doors first opened for services back in November 2005. Along with leading the Student Services Department, Alicia also teaches an Intro to Ayurveda class, weekly yoga and pilates classes, as well as guided meditation. She is also the co-lead of the Green Team. Alicia is a proud mother of a 5-year-old boy, Tyler, the source for her inspiration to make this world a better place.
Amanda Touch
Certified Cosmetology Educator
Amanda Touch started out in the industry at an Aveda salon in her Hometown of Des Moines, Iowa in guest services at the age of 16. She worked with face color and as an Aveda Advisor until she completed cosmetology school and began her career as a cosmetologist. In the past four years her experience in the salon has helped her master the Aveda product line. Amanda is specifically passionate about Hair Color, and Men's Cutting. She is very excited to explore the education aspect of the industry in her new position at the Aveda Institute Denver, and still holds a part time position as a stylist with Planet Laboratories in the Highlands. Amanda is an Aveda certified educator in Hair Cutting.
Nanette Linder
Certified Cosmetology Educator
A Colorado Native, Nan has been a cosmetologist for 18 years. Her Aveda training includes: Cutting Coach, Skin Waxing and Facials, Body Treatments, Spa Lead and In-Salon Trainer. I love this industry because it is endless. Nan’s passion is to learn because from learning she is able to give her knowledge to Future Professionals. Nan is an Aveda certified educator in Hair Cutting
Katie Bunek
Cosmetology Educator
Katie, originally from Colorado Springs, is a cosmetology educator at the Aveda Institute Denver. She has been a cosmetologist for seven years and has worked passionately with the Aveda line to build a strong knowledge of Aveda. Katie teaches in the Water phase, where she focuses nails, and some advanced haircutting, and enjoys sharing the knowledge with the Future Professionals here everyday. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family, especially her daughter, Meadow.
Jenni Fuller
Dual-Licensed Esthiology/Massage Educator
Jenni is a native of Colorado. She has always had a passion for holistic healing and medicine. Jenni has been in the industry for over 11 years as a licensed massage therapist and esthetician. She has studied a myriad of modalities from deep tissue, sports massage, swedish, trauma touch, cranial sacral, pre/post natal, neuromuscular , reflexology, skin disease and dysfunction.
She is also currently working as a dual-licensed therapist at Montana Salon and Day Spa. Jenni loves that the industry is forever changing and there is ALWAYS something new to learn, but becoming an educator has been the greatest gift.
Dr. Randy Moyer
A&P Educator
Dr. Randy Moyer, DC is the lead anatomy, physiology, and pathology instructor for the massage therapy program at the Aveda Institute in Denver. Dr. Moyer’s passion for helping students become the best therapists they can possibly be is demonstrated by his commitment to helping students master the general massage sciences, as well as the many aspects of health and wellness.
Dr. Moyer completed his Doctorate of Chiropractic at Cleveland Chiropractic College in Los Angeles, graduating Summa cum Laude and Valedictorian of his class. His wellness experience includes the world renowned Cenegenics Medical Institute where he worked alongside medical doctors, osteopaths, and a naturopathic doctor. Here he learned how to guide patients through lifestyle changes in order to prevent chronic degenerative diseases, facilitate weight loss, gain more energy, and optimize hormone levels naturally.
As a chiropractor, Dr. Moyer specializes in a variety of techniques, from Diversified adjusting to gentle, non-force protocols. He also utilizes various soft tissue or muscle release techniques to help his patients maintain optimal physical wellness. Dr. Moyer practices at The Wellness Center (www.wellnessdenver.com) with over 15 massage therapists.
Dr. Moyer enojys fishing, hiking, camping, and snowboarding in the Colorado outdoors with his family. Also Dr. Moyer is an avid Ultimate Frisbee player, enjoys running and working out, among other physical activities.