Team CND represents the brightest stars in the constellation of CND Education Ambassadors. Team CND is a hand-selected group of elite Education Ambassadors that represent the company’s ideals and set the standard for our education programs worldwide.
Workington/Cumbria, UK
Samantha.birkett-leigh@cndeducation.com
Q: When did you become a CND Education Ambassador:
A: 2006
Q: Why did you become a Nail Professional?
A: It must have been ingrained in me from an early age, as I used to sit every Friday night watching my Mum paint her ridiculously long nails. As soon as I left school at 15 I trekked round every nail salon in my area hoping someone would take me on... Finally I struck gold and found a salon that would take me on as a trainee. That salon also introduced me to CND, and the rest they say is history.
Q: What inspired you to become a CND Education Ambassador?
A: After sitting all the master classes twice, my amazing CND Educator at the time encouraged me to aim higher and think about education. I remember hoping that one day I could inspire people the way she inspired me. I will never forget that first class all those years ago.
Montreal, QC
Tamara.dilullo@cndeducation.com
Q: When did you become a CND education Ambassador?
A: I completed my CND boot camp in January of 2017. I've had the pleasure of working with CND Canada for a few years hosting media events at my salon Candy Nail Bar in Montreal.
Q: Why did you become a Nail Professional?
A: I've always loved doing nails even when I was little. I did nails for friends since high school, my mom bought me an airbrush and I did hand painting.....needless to say I was popular lol!!! I started training professionally while living in Hong Kong in 2006, and have done many certifications and nail art courses here and abroad, I opened Candy Nail Bar in 2009.
Q: What inspired you to become an Education Ambassador:
A: I realized that it's just as important to educate our clients as our staff. That's been the secret to my salons success. When CND approached me I realized the importance of knowledge. I love sharing my passion about what I do and as an education ambassador and hope I can inspire other nail professionals.
Chicago, IL
Diane.diaz@cndeducation.com
Q: When did you come a CND Education Ambassador?
A: 6/19/2016
Q:Why did you become a Nail Professional?
A:Ironically, I was not allowed to polish my nails in my childhood, so I blame my mother for my obsession! A simple pastime and stress reliever for myself turned into bonding experiences with family/friends and eventually, I embraced my passion and embarked on a new career. Being a Nail Professional is more than just doing nails. It is commitment, enthusiasm, trust, passion, communication, service, patience, knowledge and the list keeps going. It just so happens during that same interaction we make people feel beautiful, inside and out!
Q: What inspired you to become an Education Ambassador?
A: Educating is my passion and stems from my previous career in Office Management. Joining CND as an Education Ambassador will consistently raise my own level of education, allowing me to maintain high standards that can be used to motivate and inspire other Nail Professionals.
Athens, Greece
Kelly.melanitou@cndeducation.com
Denver, CO
Mary.chhea@cndeducation.com
Q: When did you become a CND Education Ambassador?
A: 5/7/2009
Q: Why did you become a Nail Professional?
A: I became a Nail Professional after finishing my undergrad degree as a temporary solution to paralyzing indecision and an unwillingness to become a conventional adult.
Q: What inspired you to become a CND Education Ambassador?
A: CND's education program turned my indecision into a sustainable, joyous, anything-but-conventional career. I became an EA to cheer on and support Nail Pros on their journeys--the possibilities for fulfillment are truly endless.
St. Clair, Australia
Cherie.pollard@cndeducation.com
Q: When did you become a CND Education Ambassador?
A: 8/1/1998
Q: Why did you become a Nail Professional?
A: I became a Nail Professional to complement my first career path in hairdressing and found my love of a smaller canvas to be greater. I also loved that the client did not go home and wash away my creations.
Q: What inspired you to become a CND Education Ambassador?
A: The desire to share information, ideas and techniques lead me to CND. Science based intelligence combined with technical excellence has kept me with CND. Helping advance the state of the industry globally drives my future hopes as an Education Ambassador.
Them, Denmark
Mette.steenberg@cndeducation.com
Q: When did you become a CND Education Ambassador?
A: 9/26/2008
Q: Why did you become a Nail Professional?
A: I became a Nail Professional because I wanted a job that gave me the opportunity to be creative and precise (maybe even a little geeky). A job that could reward me with close customer relationships, because I love being around people, but also a job that gave me the ability to work independently and to be flexible in relation to my family. It did not take long before I was completely captivated by the industry and my hobby became my profession.
Q: What inspired you to become a CND Education Ambassador?
A: I became a CND Education Ambassador because I had a huge desire to share all the CND knowledge with others in the industry. From the very first class where I was introduced to CND I was mesmerized, not only by the products, but also by these amazing EA´s that represented the brand with so much passion and integrity, elevating the industry one-by-one. I just had to be a part of that - a little piece of the CND puzzle, that just grows bigger and bigger every day.
Edinburgh, UK
Fee.wallace@sweetsquared.com
GLOBAL TEAM CND™
Edinburgh, UK
Fee.wallace@sweetsquared.com
Year Received Professional License: 1998
State & Country Licensed: UK
Year Became a TEAM CND Member: 2011 – 2017, rejoined in 2022
AN INDUSTRY INFLUENCER
“Working with Nail Professionals and Educators internationally as part of TEAM CND has provided the opportunity to connect with others who experience the shared passion and joy of artistic expression through nails! The professionals in our industry who rely on CND to partner in their career are a supportive global network – a family. It is an honor and a privilege to represent CND, who facilitated the development of my own unique set of skills and continue to do the same for others all over the world.”
CREATIVE TEAMWORK
“CND educator training events stand out as some of the most meaningful experiences in my life and career. Mentoring highly skilled Nail Professionals through the process of becoming CND Education Ambassadors has proved to be highly rewarding. Working with public speaking and presentation skills can be one of the toughest parts of this process. This experience directly inspired me to train as a Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapist, working in greater depth with self-compassion, confidence, and self-worth.”
MOTIVATED TO TEACH
“I believe the CND brand provides systems and pathways for Nail Professionals that stand head and shoulders above the competition. My own experience over my long career has proven this time and again. Being able to offer Nail Professionals and Educators the best solutions that exist across all systems and services, without exception, is a true honor.”
GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
What inspires you to continue growing and developing your nail professional skills?
As CND is always at the very forefront of innovation within the Nail Industry, the excitement and pleasure that comes from mastering new products and developing existing skills to integrate new techniques is absolutly thrilling!
