THE TEAM

CHI WAH : STYLIST

Chi Wah has been at her craft since 1985. She always had a longing to do hair but it wasn't until her thirties that she felt comfortable jumping in. She started her career working under Karen Maccarone at Avatar. There she fell in love with AVEDA, and that began a thirty year relationship with the brand. Chi Wah has a love of learning and has taken years of advanced education all over the world. She has studied with AVEDA, Alexandre de Paris, Arrojo, Deva Curl, Goldwell, as well as others. She has started an apprenticeship program over 20 years ago and has taught most of the Aveda educated stylists in Rochester, many of which now own their own salons - a fact she is very proud of today. Chi Wah has four children and a granddaughter. She loves to knit, listen to live music, eat exotic food, as well as travel to visit her baby sister Mimi whenever possible. 

      SALENA : STYLIST

Salena grew up in the beauty industry. Her mother, Chi Wah, always had her in the salons as a child. As an adult, Salena started working at Chi Wah Organica after moving back home from the University of Delaware in 2005 and has been part of the CWO family ever since. After a few years managing the salon she decided to attend Cosmetology school and graduated in 2008. Since then she continues furthering her education with Aveda, and has taken classes at Arrojo in NYC.  Salena loves that her career has brought her to many fun cities as she loves to travel. She spends most of her free time with her fiance Paul and their children, Ophelia, Miles, and Viola as well as their Shiba Inu's Lola and Odin.  Salena loves her Peloton community, and enjoys running daily. 

HEATHER : STYLIST

Heather started her career apprenticing under Chi Wah's first apprentice, Bronwyn Commesso back at Tru Salon. She had taken some time off to raise her two younger children and came back behind the chair with us at Chi Wah Organica. She has a love of learning and in her spare time, Heather enjoys attending classes offered by Aveda as well as being a co-leader for her eldest daughters Girl Scout Troop. Her hobbies include, camping and fishing with her eldest son, crafting, painting, sports, and of course family time with her husband and four children.

ERICA  : APPRENTICE

Erica attended her cosmetology school while in high school and graduated in 2019. She joined the Chi Wah Family in September 2020 with a passion to further her education and get behind the chair. 

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CORINNE : RETAIL

Corinne came to Chi Wah Organica in 2016 with twenty years of customer service experience and 2 years of Aveda knowledge under her belt. Her excellent multitasking ability, gracious personality, as well as her take charge attitude is what makes her such a pivotal part of our team. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her Son Ashton, and her niece Rosie. She loves the outdoors, hiking, reading, listening to music, as well as spending time with her husband and their dogs, Bentley & Boomer.
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KATIE : RETAIL

Katie joined our team in 2018, with over 15 years customer service experience. Her organizational skills, multitasking ability, and pure whit keeps the smiles large and the moral high at Chi Wah Organica. Katie loves dance, theatre and all things Macabre. During her free time she coordinates and performs in a local Dance & Sideshow Company. Katie welcomed baby Rosie to the Chi Wah family in Feb 2019. 

FRANKIE :  ESTHETICS

Frankie's beauty journey began at seventeen when he created the drag character "Frankie Starr". Through her eyes he could be anything and everything he wanted to be. That ultimately led him to go to school for Esthetics where his love of skincare grew. Nineteen years later, Frankie has polished his makeup skills and loves to help people achieve their own beauty desires. Frankie believes true beauty starts from within. The outside is your canvas to showcase to the world. Subtle to dramatic, makeup is meant to be fun and enjoyed.  Frankie also loves to play piano and sing. He and his husband Yeison have a fur baby named Federica who is from the Dominican Republic, like her papa. Frankie loves to laugh and believes a smile can change a persons day.

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JOIN OUR TEAM

Chi Wah Organica is a mindful, professional, education driven, and career orientated Aveda Concept salon in Rochester, New York. Our Mission is to   build a culture that promotes wellness, that strives for the highest form of team service, and nurtures your creativity. All while creating a truly caring and unparalleled experience for ever guest, everyday. We are always growing and have the opportunity available for an accountable, motivated, team member looking to grow their career with us.

We offer Aveda Advanced Education to develop your technical skills.
​We have an in house apprenticeship program that is offered to all staff regardless of your prior training, where you will learn our foundations of cutting and multidimensional coloring using Aveda's Full Spectrum hair color.
​We offer full and part time positions with a cooperative team atmosphere that will support you in growing your business.
We hold quarterly career and personal goal sessions to further your personal growth, development, and success.

If you are looking to join our team, please click below to email us your resume and set up an appointment for an interview!

JOIN OUR TEAM