“What makes Gordon's Salon different from other salons in the area is their team orientation. In the past three years, I have seen more than five stylists, and each one is great!”

– Renee Keats

Tony brings every client his passion for excellence and keen eye for style. “I intuitively know what hair styles go with various face shapes, skin tone and eye color – and I’m not afraid to tell my clients that!” He also factors in what each person wants, what their hair is capable of, and what works with their lifestyle. As a result, his clients are regularly stopped on the streets and asked the question, “Who does your hair?”

As a fourth generation hair stylist, beauty is truly in his blood. It began with his great grandmother who was a wigmaker for the Chicago Lyric Opera. His grandmother was a principal of the American Beauty Academy in Chicago, founder of Elizabeth Gordon Hair Designs in Hyde Park and considered one of the top colorists of her time. His father, Jerry Gordon, owns J. Gordon Salon in Chicago and was recognized as the 1990 Hair Salon Owner of the Year. His sister, Katherine Gordon, is a hairdresser in New York and Los Angeles and has worked with numerous celebrities on films and television.

Tony especially loves cutting short hair, razor cutting and color. He has trained with the top people in the world, including Sassoon, Jacque Dessage, Nick Arrojo, David Adams, Antoinette Beenders, and Van Council, the North American stylist of the year for several years.

Also passionate about fashion and style, Tony founded and runs fashion shows in Chicago and Highland Park. He’s also worked on New York Fashion Week for Badgley Mischka, partnered with Versace and styled top models. A natural teacher, Tony used to be a global Purefessional trainer for Aveda and taught hair fashion collections and hair color around the county.

"Tony really listens to what I want for cut and color and I get absolutely amazing results every time! He has turned a boring suburban mommy into a chic edgy woman with kids!" - Donna Spector

Pam Gordon
Senior Hair Designer, Guest Fulfillment, Co-Owner

As Co-Owner, Senior Master Stylist and Guest Fulfillment Officer, Pam’s skill and artistry is evident both in the chair and behind the scenes. Her favorite part of the job is making people feel great, both her clients and employees. “I don’t know any other industry where you always feel good going out,” she said. The Salt Lake City native trained at Ippolitos and MacDaniels in Chicago. While she genuinely loves all aspects of being a stylist, including coloring, she’s passionate about working with textured hair. Certified in Advanced Hair Texturing, she’s the only stylist at Gordon Salon certified to relax hair. When she’s not at the salon, she enjoys pursuing photography and experimenting with a number of vintage cameras that belonged to her father.

Michelle Jens
Senior Hair Designer, Education Director

Michelle Jens has been a Hair Designer with Aveda since 1992. In 2001 Michelle moved from Indiana to Washington, D.C. In 2003 an exciting opportunity arose allowing her to take her talents back to the Midwest. After transferring to Chicago she started working for Gordon in Highland Park and quickly became the Director of Education for all three Gordon Salon locations. Michelle has had the opportunity to develop curriculum in understanding techniques that create new haircuts. She educates and motivates stylists using methods acquired through Pivot Point, Vidal Sassoon and Aveda.
Her passion and love for education has helped her develop a new understanding for real-world techniques and teaching points. Michelle began as an Aveda Purefessional in 2004, allowing her to work and train with Aveda's top educators such as, Tristin Morrison, Kurt Kueffner, Gerard Scarpaci, Allen Ruiz, Antoinette Beenders, and Hauns Korpela.
The ability to make people feel better about themselves through beauty or in teaching allows her to maintain her passion for the industry.

"Michelle does a great job on my curly hair. She really knows how to do every single style! I've never had a more talented and educated stylist, she really knows what she is doing!" -K.M.

Dale Jones
Senior Hair Designer
Perm Educator
A Chicago native, Dale has been with the Gordon Salons since day one and is a Gordon Salon Color Coach. After training at Pivot Point in Chicago, she has worked in places as diverse as Sweden, New Zealand, and California. With more than 20 years of Aveda experience under her belt, she was asked to help open the Aveda Institute in Chicago. Dale was formerly a Salon Director at Neiman Marcus in Oak Brook, a Glemby Trainer, and is certified as a L’Oreal World Class Colorist. She loves to make people feel special and says that if her clients don’t receive a compliment on their hair, then she hasn’t done her job well.

"I have been going to Dale for 16 or 17 years and she has taken my hair from over permed and frizzy to shiny and healthy and has given me a very classic, professional haircut." -Meryl Sosa

Berit Shea
Hair Designer

A Denmark native with more than seven years of experience both here and abroad, Berit received her training at the renowned Aalborg Hair Academy in Denmark. Her trademark is her highly developed technical cutting skill and creative finishes. Her color skills vastly range, from conservative to extreme. Berit also prides herself in her finely honed ability to work with curly hair. She has traveled extensively throughout the United States teaching hair extensions, hair integration, and hair replacement for one of the top hair suppliers in the county. Bringing her passion to each client, she revels in being able to use her creative skills to make a positive difference in each person’s day.

Abby Unger
Hair Designer

A true artist when it comes to both color and cut, Abby excels at giving each client their own individualized look. In tune with each client, she customizes each person’s style after carefully listening to their needs and wants. “I love knowing that my customers are thrilled with their style,” she stated. “And I love making people smile.” After growing up in Buffalo Grove, she attended Arlington Academy Beauty School and received additional training from the Aveda Institute in Chicago. A dancer from the age of three, Abby draws inspiration from the artistry of dance. Her bubbly personality and friendly demeanor are contagious – and she thrives on being around her clients and fellow stylists.

Maria Garcia
Hair Designer, Hair Color Educator

“ Fulfilling my guest's needs and making them feel good about the way they look,” is Maria’s guiding philosophy. From Gurnee by way of Monterrey, Mexico, she trained at the Technology Campus of Lake County for Cosmetology. To ensure her skills and knowledge stay sharp, she is continually taking classes and has received certificates from the Aveda Institutes in Chicago and Minneapolis, the Aveda Academy of New York and the Latin Cosmetologist Association. She is also well-educated about the latest looks for hair. Maria is passionate about doing both cuts and color. “I couldn’t do just one!” she explains. As part of her commitment to total client satisfaction, she prides herself in being a great listener and educates her guests on how to do their hair at home, to ensure they’re pleased with their final look.

"I was lucky enough to be scheduled with Maria, and I will never go to anyone else! I've had two cuts with her now, and she takes her time and really listens to what the client wants. She's an extremely talented stylist and a super sweet girl. I would definitely refer my friends." -Lynn K.

Jake Stancato
Hair Designer, Highland Park & Wilmette
Hair Cutting Educator

With years of salon experience, Jake is not only an Expert Stylist, but an expert at working with people. “My desire is to make people happy – it’s what makes my job so rewarding. I’ll go that extra mile for someone to make their day,” he stated. The Kenosha, Wisconsin native studied at Vici, an Aveda Institute, in Milwaukee. He keeps an eye on fashion and has proudly participated in Highland Park's fashion week for the past three years.

Carrie Coroneos
Hair Designer

Carrie is a graduate of the Aveda Institute in Chicago and sped through the Gordon Training Program in just eight months. With more then seven years of experience, the Libertyville native is passionate about doing color. Also an expert in special occasion hair and up-do’s, Carrie has been an integral part of many bride’s big day. She uses her communication skills to understand her clients and determine a look. “I love making people feel better about themselves – and getting to have ‘girl talk’ all day!”

"Carrie is very nice and knows how to cut my hair so it looks nice and is easy to maintain." - Nick Desmond

Adaku Zerhouni
Hair Designer

Adaku loves highlighting hair with natural tones and polishes clients with smart, fashionable cuts. "The styles and cuts that I provide will focus on who you are and what you want to project to the world". Believing in the importance of balance, especially in how it relates to hair styles and hair color, is one of the ways Adaku embodies the Aveda philosophy in her own work. "One can't exist without the other," she explains.
Working professionally in the salon field for more than four years, she is the granddaughter of a hairstylist. Adaku's welcoming personality will put you at ease as she works to find the ideal hair design to match your lifestyle, your ability in styling your own hair, and how much time you want to spend doing it. Adaku has earned additional certifications in Men's Hair Design, Relaxer/ Straightening Techniques, Aveda Full Spectrum Hair Color and loves working with curly hair textures. The Ann Arbor, Michigan native focuses on educating her clients because she believes that, "Loving your hair starts with learning how to care for it." Adaku also enjoys doing makeup and hair for fashion shows and has participated in Gordon Salon's "Makeover a Mom" photoshoot and "Fashion Week" in Chicago and Highland Park.

Kelsey Garcia
Hair Designer

Kelsey was born and raised in Lindenhurst, Illinois. She trained at the Aveda Institute in Chicago and has been dedicated to Gordon Salon since her graduation. "I love what I do and making people good about themselves is what makes my career so thrilling," she stated. Kelsey is excellent at foiling and using Aveda color. "I take Aveda's mission with my own to ensure my client's have a fun, natural look, that not only they can enjoy in my chair, but also at home!" Kelsey exclaimed.

Dana Wexler
Hair Designer

Dana is a Highland Park native thrilled to return to her familiar roots in the Chicagoland area after 12 long years. Dana is a graduate from Indiana University with a degree in Art History where she used her love and passion for the arts as a springboard to enter the beauty industry. She studied at the AVEDA Institute in Columbus, Ohio and worked for three years behind the chair before developing her passion for beautifully natural highlights and make-up. She stayed with AVEDA because she wanted to work with a natural, socially responsible product without hindering her creativity. Dana is rarely shy and admits that her favorite part about the industry is the constant opportunity to meet new people. For her, the power of beauty is that spark of confidence. "Everyone should take the opportunity to feel beautiful," she says. Dana's daily reward is that she is able to help people remind themselves of how special and beautiful they are.

Megan Predl
Hair Designer

Megan fell in love with hair design while attending Columbia College for Marketing and Advertising. After realizing hair was her passion she attended the Aveda Institute in Chicago and made the transition to become a stylist. She has been working in the salon industry for six years. Color and styling is what she is most passionate about. Megan finds joy in creating a personalized style that best suits each guest's personality and style.

"I really thrive on making some one's day just a little better by making their hair look great!" she exclaimed. She also finds her inspiration through fashion and current trends. When she is not in the salon making people feel beautiful, Megan is running and training for her next race.

Tony brings every client his passion for excellence and keen eye for style. “I intuitively know what hair styles go with various face shapes, skin tone and eye color – and I’m not afraid to tell my clients that!” He also factors in what each person wants, what their hair is capable of and what works with their lifestyle. As a result, his clients are regularly stopped on the streets and asked the question, “Who does your hair?”

As a fourth generation hair stylist, beauty is truly in his blood. It began with his great grandmother who was a wigmaker for the Chicago Lyric Opera. His grandmother was a principal of the American Beauty Academy in Chicago, founder of Elizabeth Gordon Hair Designs in Hyde Park and considered one of the top colorists of her time. His father, Jerry Gordon, owns J. Gordon Salon in Chicago and was recognized as the 1990 Hair Salon Owner of the Year. And his sister, Katherine Gordon, is a hairdresser in New York and Los Angeles and has worked with numerous celebrities on films and television.

Tony especially loves cutting short hair, razor cutting and color. He has trained with the top people in the world, including Sassoon, Jacque Dessage, Nick Arrojo, David Adams, Antoinette Beenders, and Van Council, the North American stylist of the year for several years.

Also passionate about fashion and style, Tony founded and runs fashion shows in Chicago and Highland Park. He’s also worked on New York Fashion Week for Badgley Mischka, partnered with Versace and styled top models.

Pam Gordon
Senior Hair Designer, Guest Fulfillment, Co-Owner

As Co-Owner, Senior Master Stylist and Guest Fulfillment Officer, Pam’s skill and artistry is evident both in the chair and behind the scenes. Her favorite part of the job is making people feel great, both her clients and employees. “I don’t know any other industry where you always feel good going out,” she said. The Salt Lake City native trained at Ippolitos and MacDaniels in Chicago. While she genuinely loves all aspects of being a stylist, including coloring, she’s passionate about working with textured hair. Certified in Advanced Hair Texturing, she’s the only stylist at Gordon salon certified to relax hair. When she’s not at the salon, she enjoys pursuing photography and experimenting with a number of vintage cameras that belonged to her father.

Dawn Karner
Hair Designer,
Wilmette Floor Manager, Hair Color Trainer

Dawn grew up in McHenry, IL and is a graduate of the Cosmetology and Spa Institute, now in Crystal Lake, IL. Dawn has been involved in the hair and beauty industry since 1997 and enjoys all aspects of what this industry has to offer! She enjoys cutting, coloring, up styling, and make-up. Dawn carries a certification as A Board Certified Hair Colorist since 2004 and enjoys all aspects of hair color, specializing in corrective color. Dawn has taken her training to the next level with completion of Advanced Academy training in cutting with AVEDA in New York, and Advanced Color classes in San Fransisco and Dallas. Dawn also enjoys the business side of our industry and has taken Coaching Excellence classes with "Strategies" in Connecticut to refine her leadership skills. She also completed Leaders in Action through the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce in 2006, and completed a Business College coarse through AVEDA to continue to grow her strengths in leadership. Dawn is one of our In-Salon Color Trainers helping her team members grow to their fullest potential by guiding and teaching them the proper techniques used at the Gordon Salons and helping them with color formulation and color confidence. Her attention to detail allows her to stay innovative and creative.
In her free time, Dawn enjoys running to stay fit and active, playing softball, watching baseball and hanging out with her family whenever time allows.

"Dawn is one of the best colorists in the world. Always a great experience, love my hair, love this place!" -Anne Alder

Jake Stancato
Hair Designer, Highland Park & Wilmette
Hair Cutting Educator

With years of salon experience, Jake is not only an Expert Stylist, but an expert at working with people. “My desire is to make people happy – it’s what makes my job so rewarding. I’ll go that extra mile for someone to make their day,” he stated. The Kenosha, Wisconsin native studied at Vici, an Aveda Institute, in Milwaukee. He keeps an eye on fashion and has proudly participated in Highland Park's fashion week for the past three years.

Holly Pistas
Hair Designer, Artistic Director for Hair

Holly is an amazing stylist and make-up artist. Her abilities have made her a sought after photo stylist. After being in the beauty industry for many years, Holly is great if you are looking for long hair styles or highlights. Her many credentials include Aveda Advanced Classes and Sassoon Training.

"Holly absolutely listened to what I wanted in a hairstyle. My husband actually complemented my hairstyle!" -Charlette Braun

Lissa Simbrowsky
Hair Designer

Lissa is alternative and infectious. After years of experience in the beauty industry and having obtained a beauty license from the infamous Pivot Point school in Huntsville, AL, Lissa can take care of your locks in a fun and exciting way.

Lauren Worth
Hair Designer

Lauren was born and raised in Lindenhurst, Illinois. She studied cosmetology at The Institute of Beauty and Wellness in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. With over three years experience Lauren is passionate about her career as a stylist. Excelling in color, she is on the Gordon Education Team as a Color Coach. She also loves to do formal styles, making sure brides have perfect hair for their special day. Lauren enjoys doing makeup applications and lessons and has studied advanced makeup techniques with Aveda's Janelle Geason.

"Lauren is amazing. I love my haircut. It was so easy talking with with her and getting feedback about my hair." -Rene Carlson

Lisa Rose Kluk
Hair Designer

Lisa Rose is an innovative, passionate, and charismatic individual. One who exerts positive energy, while creating the perfect cut and style. Lisa Rose delivers an amazing salon experience from start to finish. A Chicago native, Lisa attended Columbia College for Dance Performance. It was there that her desire for art flourished. Her growing interest in theatrical hair and make-up, began her journey. Shortly thereafter, she decided to pursue a career in cosmetology at the Aveda Institute of Chicago. Lisa Rose's devotion to continuing education keeps her techniques current and polished, making her a huge asset to the Gordon Salon Team.

"Lisa was excellent as usual. She took the time to talk to me about what I wanted and then made some good recommendations. I love my hair and color I feel ten yers younger." -Jenny McKean

CJ Dougherty
Hair Designer, Hair Cutting Trainer

Completing Cosmetology School in 2003 from the Arlington Academy, CJ has been dedicated to the Gordon Salon for several years. Since graduation, CJ has mastered expert Aveda training in both haircuts and color. With a passion in advanced education, she became an Aveda Cutting Coach. Perfecting her skills by completing Advanced Cutting Courses at Vidal Sassoon in London and Santa Monica. CJ enjoys bringing unique perspectives to modern men's cuts, while also specializing in texture treatments including perms, and relaxers.
When not making the world beautiful, CJ can be found traveling to music festivals, jamming out to her favorite bands, Cut Copy, and LCD Soundsystem. CJ believes that it takes excellent technique to support innovative design.

Eric Pfleider
Hair Designer, Hair Color Trainer

Eric Pfleider, an Indianapolis native, trained at Honors Beauty College there. He’s also taken classes with Lupe Voss and Charlie Price of Shear Genius. As a 10-year veteran in the beauty industry, he’s an Aveda Certified Hair Color Trainer, a Gordon Salon Hair Color Coach and loves being creative with hair color. A believer that “learning never ends,” Eric enjoys expanding his working knowledge of Aveda’s hair color. He’s worked with celebrities including Catt Sadler from The Daily 10 on E! and Sara Snow from Discover Health Network.

"If you have curly hair do yourself a favor and get a haircut by Eric. He is amazing. He takes his time, checks his cuts often and can style curly hair perfectly. I said to go shorter and he explained exactly why I shouldn't. This has never happened before. Seriously, curly or straight get your hair cut by Eric." -Sarah Rocchi

Gina McKane
Hair Designer

Originally from New Jersey, Gina studied at the Rizzieri Aveda School in Marlton, New Jersey and received additional training from Graham Webb, Vidal Sassoon, and Sebastian. With more than nine years of experience, Gina worked in salons in New Jersey and Washington DC before landing at Gordon Salon four years ago. She especially loves doing haircuts and highlights. Gina is dedicated to making sure her clients have a relaxing experience and feel beautiful.

"Gina McKane has been expertly cutting and coloring my hair for the last several years. She has wonderful suggestions and I always leave feeling thrilled with my hair." -Pamela Meyer

Melissa Messer
Hair Designer, Make-Up Coach

With more than eight years of experience, Melissa loves when her clients say that they love their hair and feel good about themselves. Passionate about doing color, the El Paso native has been one of Gordon Salon’s Color Coaches for the past four years. From color correction to highlights, brunettes to redheads, she loves it all. “Especially reds, since I’m a redhead myself,” she said. She also specializes in working with fine hair. Melissa attended the Aveda Institute of Chicago, has taken curly hair cutting classes and has a certificate in hair extensions. To ensure her clients get the look they want, she listens carefully and does a thorough consultation. “I do the consultation that I’d want someone to give me,” she explained. She also does hair and makeup – both everyday looks and avant-garde – for photo shoots, model portfolios, bands and magazines.

"Melissa did a fantastic job and gave me exactly the color I wanted after studying the pictures I showed her. Both Melissa and the rest of the salon staff were very friendly and approachable." -K.L.

Amanda Caplan
Hair Designer

“Being able to make someone feel good about themselves and seeing their smiles after you've finished their hair,” is what drives Amanda. With finely honed listening skills, she carefully pays attention to what each client wants and needs in a hairstyle. She then combines that with her ability to look at each person and determine the cut and color that looks best on them. The result is a very satisfied clientele. Originally from a suburb of Detroit, she trained at the Aveda Institute of Chicago and then moved onto Gordon Salon. Amanda is passionate about providing color services, especially blonde highlights. When Amanda is not doing hair she loves relaxing at the beach or the dog park with her brown and tan chihuahua Gus Gus!

"Amanda has been my stylist for the past 2 years. I recently chopped 8 inches off my hair. I was nervous because I have had long hair for awhile. Amanda made my short cut look cute and stylish! I trust her with any haircut!" -Deanna Hirt

Tina Hethcoat
Hair Designer

Tina grew up in the Northwest Suburbs and has been a Stylist since 1997. She's been doing hair in the Lakeview neighborhood since 2002 and has been on the Gordon Team since February 2010. Tina loves the challenge of corrective color and making hair come alive the healthy way. On her down time she loves traveling to exotic places, various outdoor activities, and spending time at her home in Lincoln Park.

Cynthia Rivera
Hair Designer

Cynthia Rivera was born and raised in the city of Chicago. She has a Spanish heritage and is fluent in both Spanish and English. With a Redken education and a background in design and color, Cynthia has sleek, clean, and modern style. She encourages her clients to embrace their femininity and loves cutting short to medium lengths on women. Cynthia also loves men’s cuts! She believes each client should be treated with individualism and always customizes each cut and color.

Ashley Erhart
Hair Designer, Manager

Ashley has been in the salon environment since 2002. She has always had a passion for the art of beauty. Following her love of art, she attended Harrington College of Design, to pursue Interior Design. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in 2008. While working in a design firm in Chicago she went back to her original roots and began studying cosmetology at the Aveda Institute in Chicago. Ashley then quickly completed The Gordon Advanced Training Program and studied "precision haircuts" in London at the Toni and Guy Institute.

Ashley takes her inspiration from design to create customized highlights and fabulous blow dry styles. Her enthusiasm truly shows when she is combining the two arts. Ashley is able to use her communication skills, leadership abilities, and attention to detail to help make a positive difference in the lives of every person that sits in her chair. She is also the manager of Gordon in Ravinia and is currently enrolled in advanced educator training to become a mentor.

Jenny Paoli
Hair Designer

Jenny has been in the salon industry since 2003. She discovered her love for hair and makeup when she started as an apprentice a local Chicago Salon. Jenny attended Tricoci University and obtained her cosmetology license in 2008; afterwhich she joined the Gordon Team. She has a growing passion for hair color and thrives on inspiration from looks of the past and on current trends. Jenny takes great joy in introducing a new look to each guest and providing them with an individual sense of style. She is a great listener who is determined to show compassion to each of her guests. Jenny also enjoys doing make up and giving you that finished look for a casual outing or a night out on the town!

Emmie Bottorff

Hair Designer

"I feel like the beauty industry has been staring me in the face my entire life and once I realized I wanted to be a hair stylist I changed my career path and went for it!"

Growing up on a farm in Illinois, Emmie used to argue with her sister every day before school about doing her hair and make up. "I love making people feel good about themselves and this industry allows me to do so, while still being able to express my creativity." After ten years in the medical field Emmie attended the Aveda Institute in Chicago and never looked back!

Christopher Zonada

Hair Designer

Christopher is a proud new member of the Gordon Styling Team with an extensively diverse background in the performing arts and education. His professional development in the hair industry began at the Steven Papageorge Hair Academy, after which he continued to receive advanced training in cutting techniques and colour placement with L'Oreal and TIGI hair artists before joining Gordon Aveda Salons. Christopher's artistic and technical approach to hair styling is heavily influenced by fifteen years of studying classical musicianship. Prior to engaging himself in the beauty industry, he attended Western Michigan University where he became an accomplished composer, teacher, and multi-instrumentalist.

"I've always loved to entertain others. When I'm doing hair, it feels like I'm writing a song; I sit with my guests and think of the right chords, the right melodies, and special 'hooks' that will make them feel more in tune with their attitude and lifestyle."

Aside from doing rockstar-blowdrys and creating fluid, layered haircuts, Christopher is an active part of the Chicago independent music industry as a singer, songwriter, band leaders, and recording artist. In both hair styling and music, Christopher is continuously inspired and influenced by the arts, culture, and immensely talented friends. He prides himself on going above and beyond to provide the best look for each guest, and looks forward to making your salon experience simply awesome.