Meet Our Team - PNAA Faculty

Mike Mitchell, MD

Medical Director

After attending the UCLA School of Medicine in California, Dr. Mitchell relocated to Oregon for surgical training at Oregon Health & Science University. He has spent the last two decades treating patients in an emergency setting and brings a unique, compassionate touch to every situation. He’s also trained in aesthetic and advanced aesthetic injections and has an extensive background in repairing minor and major facial trauma. As a result, Dr. Mitchell brings his considerable knowledge of facial anatomy to provide highly-informed and effective patient assessments. In addition to serving as the Medical Director at Pacific Northwest Aesthetics Academy and Med Spa, Dr. Mitchell is the acting Medical Director at a busy medical spa on the Oregon coast and works independently consulting and treating patients in the Portland area.

Kathy Kramer, RN

CEO & Certified Aesthetics Instructor

Kathy Kramer is CEO of Pacific Northwest Aesthetics Academy and Med Spa and a registered nurse with over 30 years of experience. She is a former critical care, trauma, and emergency medicine nurse. In 2010, she switched her expertise and devoted her time to learning about cosmetic medicine. She earned her Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist Certification in 2014 from the Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board. Following her certification, Kathy spent seven years working at two premier facial plastic surgery clinics in the Portland, OR area, where she developed a broad base of loyal clients. She co-founded Pacific Northwest Aesthetics Academy and Med Spa and Med Spa in 2016, where she develops curriculum and leads courses.

Saskia Magner

Chief Operating Officer

Saskia joined the Pacific Northwest Aesthetics Academy and Med Spa team in January 2019 as chief operating officer. With over 20 years of experience in the aesthetics industry, including work with several leading medical device and pharmaceutical companies, Saskia lends her extensive skills and expertise to ensure PNAA students get the best training possible.

Beyond her work at PNAA, Saskia consults with aesthetic providers to strategize and implement plans to enhance patient outcomes and maximize revenue. Saskia is passionate about aesthetics, travel, the Pacific Northwest, and her family.

Kim McClelland

Patient Coordinator|Front Desk

Kim McClelland graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in exercise physiology and recreation, and has a background in the fitness industry. She's served on numerous community boards, coached youth sports, participated in theater productions, and helped run her family business. She joined PNAA as the patient care coordinator and administrative assistant, quickly becoming a vital part of the team. Kim always makes sure that each client gets exactly what is needed. When she’s not at work, Kim enjoys spending time with family and friends and traveling to warm destinations.

Julie Hoodenpyl, LE, CAE

Enrollment Specialist & Certified Aesthetics Instructor

Julie has been a Medical Aesthetician since 2005. She has an eclectic background and shares a wealth of knowledge in the field of aesthetics. Working with various colleagues has allowed her to perfect her knowledge and skills with surgical and injectable consultations, multiple laser modalities, and her personal favorite, educating patients on proper skin care. She enjoys teaming up with patients and students to ensure they have the tools and knowledge to achieve their goals.
When Julie isn’t teaming up with Pacific Northwest Aesthetics Academy, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two grown sons, as well as singing in local theatres and lounges.

Lauren Pearson, FNP, CANS

Certified Aesthetics Instructor

Since joining the Pacific Northwest Aesthetics Academy and Med Spa team in 2018, Lauren has provided didactic and hands-on training for neuromodulators and dermal filler injections. She earned her Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist Certification through the Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board in 2014. With 16 years of nursing experience, nine years in aesthetics, and a background in ICU and post-operative care, Lauren’s multifaceted background makes her an incredible resource for her students.

Lauren appreciates that aesthetics is an ever-evolving discipline. She enjoys continually learning and improving the techniques and procedures that offer her clients the best outcomes and her students the best training. A southern girl at heart — originally from Mississippi — Lauren is known for being an outgoing and caring instructor. She loves giving students the tools they need to help clients look and feel their best.

Lana Nadirov, FNP

Certified Aesthetics Instructor

Lana was 10 years into her acute care nursing carrier when she completed her Basic and Advanced training at Pacific Northwest Aesthetic Academy in 2016. She soon realized that she found her true passion as she dove into the world of aesthetics. She went back to school and earned her master's degree as a Family Nurse practitioner. Lana is committed to learning and expanding her skill set to better serve the needs of her clients. She learned from the best aesthetic professionals and took advanced courses in the US and Europe. Her caring attitude and love for beauty fuel her practice in two Washington locations: Woodinville and Vancouver, WA.

Lana is thrilled to be a part of the PNAA faculty. She finds it rewarding to give back her knowledge and expertise to students and promote safety and excellence in Aesthetic Medicine. She’s down-to-earth and very approachable, and our students feel comfortable asking questions and learning from her.

Donna London, MSN, FNP-BC

Certified Aesthetics Instructor

Donna is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner. She’s originally from the Midwest, where she obtained her undergraduate degrees in nursing and healthcare administration. Her desire to become an advanced practice nurse developed as a result of her growing knowledge that there were thousands of Americans who didn’t have access to basic healthcare services due to a shortage of primary care providers. It was at that time that she felt a deep responsibility to be part of the solution to fill the gap in underserved areas and for those patients who lack access to quality health care.

Donna later attended Oregon Health and Science University’s RN to BS nursing program, where she graduated summa cum laude. She continued on to complete her initial training with Aesthetic Skin Institute in 2016 and opened her own aesthetic practice in California in 2007. Now, she brings 14 years of experience as a practitioner and lifelong student to help Pacific Northwest Aesthetics Academy and Med Spa’s students achieve the highest standards in aesthetic training. In her spare time, Donna enjoys traveling, singing jazz, home decorating, and spending time with loved ones.

Leah Umnitz, MSN, FNP-BC

Certified Aesthetics Instructor

Leah is a northwest native and achieved her BSN from University of Portland. She graduated and went active duty in the US Air Force. Her duties included pre/post-operative nursing and her interest for aesthetics sparked when she was assigned to work within the plastic surgery specialty. She loved the satisfaction her patients felt and the beautiful transformations. After serving in the Air Force Leah came back to her home town of Bend, Oregon and served at her local hospital, working all areas. This inspired her to go further to become a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and graduated from Gonzaga University. She was nominated into Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society. Her first job out of graduate school was working in medical aesthetics at a local Dermatology Practice. She has over 19 years of experience as a Registered Nurse and 9 years as a FNP.

Leah now resides in Texas where she owns Fresh Slate which primarily focuses on aesthetics, hormones and wellness. She travels back to Oregon often to serve her loyal clients and visit with friends/family and get a dose of mountain air. Leah joined Pacific Northwest Aesthetics Academy in July of 2022 as a Certified Aesthetic Instructor focusing on injectables training at PNAA as well as private, in office trainings. She loves to teach aesthetics and is inspired by her students’ enthusiasm.

Lesley Gretz, RN

Certified Aesthetics Instructor

Lesley graduated from OSHU School of Nursing in 2003. From there she worked at a local hospital in the Cardiac Recovery Unit for several years prior to entering into aesthetics. She joined a small private plastic surgery practice in 2007 where she was personally trained on injectables, lasers and post operative care by the surgeon. Today, she has an incredible practice with patients she adores and loves to continue learning new and innovative techniques.

She lives in a small suburb of Portland with her husband and three children. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends. “I have lived in the Pacific Northwest my entire life and I love where I live. This place gives us a unique opportunity for many reasons. In plastic surgery it has allowed me to inject in a more natural way that compliments a patient rather than defines them. I love everything about PNAA’s program because it encourages a safe and knowledgeable practice for practitioners. We didn’t have this when I started and it is something this industry so desperately needs.”

Alison Schulz, ND

Certified Aesthetics Instructor

Alison has been practicing medical aesthetics since completing her training with Pacific Northwest Aesthetics Academy and Med Spa in 2016. Prior to starting her career in aesthetics, she earned her degree in microbiology and became a doctor of naturopathic medicine (ND).

Since returning to PNAA in 2018 as a Clinical Medical Director and hands-on trainer for Injectable Foundations, Alison makes sure students feel comfortable and confident with injectable procedures. She also meets with new models and clients to discuss treatment plans and goals with their injectors. As a teacher and aesthetics professional, Alison lives for the “ah-ha” moments when it all comes together, and students demonstrate the art that goes into aesthetic injections.

Wendy Jacobson, BS, RN

Certified Aesthetics Instructor

Wendy has been working with patients for over 20 years. She is passionate about the aesthetic industry and has planned to become an expert Aesthetic Nurse most of her life. Her interest in human anatomy and biochemical make-up stems from her studies at Portland State University, where she earned her B.S. in Biology.

Wendy maintains her education by attending workshops in aesthetic medicine across the country. She currently serves as a Certified Aesthetic Instructor for Pacific Northwest Aesthetics Academy and Med Spa and co-owns W Aesthetics and Wellness with locations in Portland and Bend, OR.

Jennelle Suarez, MSPA, PA-C

Certified Aesthetics Instructor

After graduating with her B.S. in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Central Florida, Jennelle continued her education at Keiser University in Fort Lauderdale, where she graduated with her Master’s as a Physician Assistant. She’s also certified in Botulinum Toxin and Dermal Filler. As a clinical provider, Jennelle practices aesthetic medicine through a natural and holistic approach. She has a passion for guiding other medical professionals in the aesthetic medicine industry through a safe, effective, and integrative approach.

Jennelle joined Pacific Northwest Aesthetics Academy in January of 2020 as a Certified Aesthetic Instructor in Scottsdale, where she teaches the Aesthetic Injectable Foundations Course. Jennelle is motivated by leading her students into the world of aesthetic medicine while also helping them jumpstart their aesthetic careers. When she’s not offering endless support to her students, Jennelle owns and operates Holistic Beauty Innovations, an aesthetic medicine practice in Scottsdale. Her approach to aesthetic medicine incorporates a multi-faceted approach to a patient’s aesthetic care plan and encompasses the world of regenerative medicine.

Jade Simms, LE, CAE

Certified Aesthetics Instructor

Jade is a licensed esthetician and certified advanced esthetician. Her passion for esthetics emerged from a desire to merge her interests in science and beauty. When in the treatment room, her goal for all of her clients is to help them achieve their best bare face. Jade is a perpetual student who enjoys researching information, trends, and treatments in the esthetic realm. She finds great joy in sharing what she learns with her clients and other professionals.

Leah Easton, CAE

Certified Aesthetics Instructor

After graduating from the University of Puget Sound, Leah decided to pursue her lifelong passion for aesthetics by attending the Euro Institute of Skin Care in 2005. After working in a plastic surgery clinic and a resort spa, she found her happy place at Goodskin Dermatology. She has extensive training in microneedling, chemical peels, and laser treatments, and loves to learn about new technology in this ever-evolving field. Leah has also been an aesthetics instructor at Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics, working with students to gain confidence and skills to use in their own careers. She finds it incredibly rewarding to help clients achieve healthy and beautiful skin. In her spare time, Leah enjoys paddle boarding on any body of water she can find and hiking with her husband and their rescue dog, Max.

Ellisha Leal, CAE, LE

Certified Aesthetics Instructor

Ellisha has been in the world of aesthetics since birth because her mom was a makeup artist. She taught her at a young age the importance of health and beauty. She always knew she would be in the medical or skincare field. She became a medical assistant working in cosmetic Dermatology. She worked for one of the most sought out doctors in Newport Beach, California. Working beside her taught her so many things in the field of aesthetic beauty. Her passion for a more one on one experience with patients led her to esthetician school. Her background as an esthetician and medical assistant led her into the world of medical spas, plastic surgery, and cosmetic dermatology. In 2016 she moved to the beautiful Pacific Northwest and she once again found herself back in school to obtain her advanced esthetician license. She has 13 years of experience in skincare and will always give 100% of herself to the client. Skincare is not a one thing fits all industry. This is where she loves the chance to show a client that whoever you are, she will find what makes you feel beautiful from the inside out. She joined Pacific Northwest Aesthetics Academy in July of 2022 as a Certified Aesthetic Instructor, teaching Skincare for the Medical Provider and love the interacting with our models and teaching our licensed healthcare providers new skills to help them grow their own practices.

When she is not working, you will find her exploring the Pacific Northwest with her three pups.