BOARD MEMBERS

Vanessa de Mello

President of the Canadian Esthetic & Spa Association

Vanessa de Mello is the Co-founder and Co-CEO of Beauty Depot and The Esthetic Institute Training Center, with headquarters in Calgary, Alberta, Canada since 2000. Vanessa and Silvia D’Costa, her business partner and best friend since preschool, founded their corporation after completing their Bachelor of Commerce Degrees from the University of Calgary.

Beauty Depot has established itself as a leading, national beauty distributor not only in Canada but abroad. Beauty Depot distributes over 4000 beauty products to Estheticians and Beauty professionals with an emphasis on prestigious brands including Repechage, Silhouet Tone, LCN and countless other product lines. They have two beautiful boutique style showrooms and a large distribution warehouse with a successful e-commerce platform that efficiently serves thousands of Estheticians internationally.

In 2009, they established and opened The Esthetic Institute Training Center, a post secondary, accredited and licensed academic esthetic school. In 2016, TEI became an internationally accredited CIDESCO School. They offer 9 diploma programs and nearly 50 certifications. In 2015, they opened a second location and in 2017 opened a state of the art campus that attracts students from around the world.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, TEI transitioned and pivoted their education platform and introduced online education. This innovation has led to expanding many of their programs internationally and collaborating with other education platforms including CIDESCO USA and The Esthetician Connection who services more than 100,000 beauty professionals.

Vanessa attributes her success to her tremendous partnership and friendship with Silvia D’Costa and her devoted and hard working team at Beauty Depot as well as the extraordinary education faculty at The Esthetic Institute. She has a wonderful and supportive husband and son and extended family that encourage and allow her to successfully run her beauty enterprise.

Meredith Thompson

Vice President of the Canadian Esthetic & Spa Association 

Meredith holds a CIDESCO Beauty Therapy diploma and has been an educator with The Esthetic Institute Training Center since 2008. In 2012, Meredith returned to university, and graduated from the University of Calgary with a bachelor’s degree in Cellular, Molecular, and Microbial Biology in 2016. In addition, Meredith is an entrepreneur and spa consultant, and serves as Vice President of the Canadian Esthetics and Spa Association and is a certified podologist with the Canadian Examining Board of Health Care Practitioners.

“I’m proud to represent The Esthetic Institute and participate in the development of CIDESCO-trained Canadian beauty & spa practitioners and businesspeople. By choosing a CIDESCO diploma program, graduates join a global family of professionals who value knowledge and education, and who aim to be the best at what they do."

Silvia D’Costa

Treasurer of the Canadian Esthetic & Spa Association 

Silvia D’Costa is the co-owner of Beauty Depot & The Esthetic Institute Training Center, located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Silvia graduated from the University of Calgary in 2000 graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree with a Major in Finance.

Silvia oversees the company’s financial operations as well as is instrumental in sourcing new products and course offerings. Beauty Depot is a leading Canadian distributor of over 4000 professional esthetic and spa supplies and equipment. Aligned with key brands including Repechage, LCN and Silhouet Tone, Beauty Depot is a key player in the competitive beauty industry.

The Esthetic Institute is an exclusive school that specializes in beginner and advanced esthetics. In 2015 The Esthetic Institute became an internationally accredited school, offering the world renowned CIDESCO Diploma program of Esthetics. The Esthetic Institute now invites and attracts students from all over the globe and has elevated the credential of their school for every program offered. In the 11 year of operation, The Esthetic Institute has welcomed and graduated nearly 8000 students.

Suzanne Dias

MEMBER RELATIONS 

Suzanne’s journey in esthetics began in 1988. In 1989, she moved to Vancouver and over the next year had the privilege of studying and teaching at a CIDESCO-accredited school in Vancouver, BC. In 1990, she made the decision to work at a day spa. From there she continued her journey to Edmonton, Alberta, in 1995, where she started her own business and quickly grew within the professional beauty community. While running and growing her business, she began teaching part-time at a post-secondary accredited school. At the time, there were no accredited CIDESCO schools in Alberta.

In 2003, Suzanne attained her CIDESCO accreditation, which helped elevate the school she was working for to an internationally accredited CIDESCO institution. She also joined the Skills Alberta committee in Edmonton, helping bring esthetics competitions to secondary and post-secondary students.

In 2009, Suzanne decided to sell her Day Spa business to focus more on her family. This allowed her to explore new opportunities, such as spa consulting, facilitating workshops, and training post-secondary teachers and students on brand knowledge and protocols.

Suzanne’s motto has always been "health begins from the inside out". Having a passion for overall health and wellness led her to expand her knowledge by becoming a fitness instructor, personal trainer, yoga instructor, and nutrition coach.

In 2011, she collaborated with a high school principal to develop and facilitate the first esthetics-only program for Alberta high school students from grades 9-12.

In 2022, she received an amazing opportunity to oversee training and education for Beauty Cult Canada, where she is currently developing training and educational opportunities for beauty professionals and aspiring individuals in the beauty industry.

Suzanne is excited to join the board of the Canadian Esthetics and Spa Association (CESA) to advocate for a high standard of education and practice across the Canadian esthetics and spa industry. Her goal is to support and help industry professionals maintain excellence and to grow the importance of CESA membership and its benefits. With her extensive experience in the industry, a commitment to education and professional development, she is confident that she can contribute effectively to the board's mission.