Administration, Faculty & Staff

KAELEN H. JOHNSON – FOUNDER, DIRECTOR, CEO & LICENSED AESTHETICS INSTRUCTOR Kaelen began her career in the health and wellness industry in 1993, at the spa at Canyon Ranch. Additionally, at this time so also worked at a med spa which included consultations for laser hair removal and corrective makeup. With fifteen years at Canyon Ranch, and more than five years at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort Spa, Kaelen provided a wide variety of services that included herbal wraps, facials, and makeup. She was also an educator and sale representative for the exclusive organic skincare product line Essensa and completed a rigorous apprenticeship with Bliss Spa in New York City. Kaelen holds aesthetics licenses in both Arizona and New York, along with her aesthetics instructor license here in Arizona. She has been an invited speaker at national industry conferences and has written for industry trade publications.

Inspired by what she wished she learned during her own beauty school experience, Kaelen opened Pure Aesthetics Natural Skincare School in 2006 to help spread her passion for ecological responsibility and to fill the need for a quality aesthetics school in Tucson. In 2014, Kaelen made her dream a reality when she launched a line of organic skincare products. Based on her recognition that what we put onto our bodies is as important as what we put into our bodies, Kaelen and her product development team spent over a year getting the products Made-Safe Certified. This is a demanding process that ensures products are safe for humans, animals, and the environment. In 2018, Kaelen launched KH Organic Day Spa, where she could utilize her products and hire her top graduates. The spa is in the heart of downtown Tucson at the AC Hotel.

MAX SIMAKHODSKIY – ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, LICENSED MASSAGE THERAPIST Max comes to Pure Aesthetics with over 20 years of experience in therapeutic massage and bodywork, He was also awarded a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with Summa Cum Laude honors from the University of Maryland.  As Associate Director, he is responsible for managing program development, curriculum review and prospective growth.

YUNIKE JACQUEZ – STUDENT SERVICES Yunike has been with Pure Aesthetics since 2019. She graduated from our Aesthetics program in 2020. After earning her Certificate in Aesthetics, Yunike continued her education and pursued a Laser Technician Certification. Now, as part of the Student Services department, her work focuses on supporting students and their educational journey.

BRIANA ACEDO – SPA COORDINATOR Briana was born and raised in Tucson, AZ. She has been married for 14 years to her husband Nick who is currently in the Air Force. They have two kids, one daughter and one son. Briana has been a Licensed Aesthetician for almost 15 years. She worked in a med spa for a short period and for a few years at Canyon Ranch as an aesthetician, before taking some time off to be with her family. She loves to continue her education in Aesthetics as the industry is always changing. She loves being a part of the Pure Aesthetics team.