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Staff

Front Desk Staff
Lauren has been working at Elaj since it opened in August, 2001. She graduated from Towson University with a bachelor's degree in business management. As the full-time Front Desk Manager, she also represents the Aveda Corporation as Elaj’s Aveda Mentor. This program allows her to carry out Aveda’s mission through maintaining product knowledge, staying informed of upcoming product launches and programs in which Aveda gives back to the environment and society. In Lauren’s free time she enjoys yoga, running and cycling classes. As an advocate for maintaining a healthy lifestyle through exercise, nutrition and relaxation, she is a firm believer in the spa’s wellness services.
Jillian joined the Elaj Front Desk Team in 2009. She is a graduate from the University of Maryland with a bachelor’s degree in public health and aspires to be a psychologist specializing in treatment for body image issues. Jillian is a full time Make Up artist at Elaj AVEDA Day Spa. She has been extensively educated by the Aveda Corporation on all levels of Make Up including advanced and Bridal techniques. Jillian will continue to be educated, twice a year, using AVEDA's seasonal collections. Her most recent accomplishment is becoming a certified AVEDA Freelance Makeup Artist, allowing her to extend her professionalism at any AVEDA location. In addition to her salon and spa events, her work has been published in Washington Life Magazine (Sept. 2011 issue) when she was invited to prepare a News Anchor on Washington's WUSA channel 9, for a professional photo shoot. Jillian performs her services from the heart, aiming to bring out both the inner and outer beauty in her clients. Stop by Elaj to have Jillian give you a complimentary "Finishing Touch" or color consultation on your make up!
Paige works part-time at the front desk, joining the Elaj team in April, 2010. She enjoys catering to the guests at Elaj, using the Aveda products, and receiving the signature services. She graduated from Gaithersburg High School in 2011 and attends Towson University studying exercise science.
Lindsey works part-time at the Elaj front desk after joining the team in August, 2010. She loves to laugh and make sure that clients feel welcome and comfortable at the spa. Her favorite product is the Comforting Tea and she recommends it to everyone! Lindsey is a 2010 graduate of Magruder High School and is currently attending Montgomery College in Rockville majoring in nursing. She loves to read, run and make bracelets.
Katya joined the front desk team in February of 2013. She is from Ukraine and has been in the United States for seven years. She speaks fluent Russian and Ukrainian. She plans to attend college in the Fall and eventually would love to be a criminal attorney upon her completion. Katya loves to dance and has been dancing since she was a young child. She also has a passion for learning about different cultures and their music. She loves to experiment with beauty and make up products and is obsessed with the Aveda line of products. Katya loves meeting new people and looks forward to meeting and assisting all of the clients at Elaj.
Kimberly is a local resident of Rockville, graduating from Richard Montgomery High School in 2003. She is currently in Cosmetology school studying hair, make up & will begin esthetics studies soon. Her passion for skin and make up has led her to Aveda's advanced education classes in make up application. In her spare time she enjoys her young son, taking walks, riding bikes & playing board games.

Nail Technicians
Amy has been a Nail Therapist at Elaj since its inception on August, 2001. She has had her cosmetology license since 1997. Amy is incredibly nurturing and caring to every guest that sits in her chair. Skilled in incredible massage techniques, she also excels at silk wraps, as well as, French manicures and pedicures. Amy is the “nail doctor” at Elaj! She loves to work and is always available to her valued clients. She works every day except Mondays.
Quan has been a part-time Nail Therapist at Elaj since October, 2001. She is from Vietnam and has been in the U.S. for many years. She enjoys working at Elaj, and pampering clients. In her spare time she loves being with her family, grandson, children, and friends. Quan works Friday through Sunday.
Mai has been a Nail Therapist at Elaj since 2002. She was born in Vietnam and has been in the U.S. since 1992. She completed her education for her Cosmetology license the same year. Mai’s specialty is the massage techniques she uses when performing manicures and pedicures. She loves to travel, visit with family, and spend time with her 8 year-old daughter. She works every day except Tuesdays.
Mymy has been a part-time Nail Therapist at Elaj since 2007. Arriving from Vietnam in 2007 she received her cosmetology license the same year. She has been doing nails for seven years. Mymy likes going to the gym in her spare time. Mymy works on Mondays.

Esthetician Team
Malakeh is one of our estheticians with 26 years of experience in the teaching and practice of the Esthetic Arts. After graduating in 1985 with her Esthetician’s License, she worked for several prestigious institutions, as well as instructing students at the Aesthetic Institute of Cosmetology. Malakeh is an original Elaj Aveda team member since our opening on August, 2001, and has a long-standing and loyal clientele. She offers a vast array of services including facials, body treatments, waxing, skin resurfacing and lash/brow tinting. No matter the service you may choose, Malakeh has a refined touch and will provide you with a personalized treatment to fit your specific needs. Her expertise truly provides a singular experience with radiant results, and she looks forward to welcoming you to our spa. Malakeh works Tuesday-Saturday.
Kristen is the newest addition to the aesthetics team at Elaj. She is a graduate of Von Lee International school of Aesthetics and enjoys everything about the skin care industry. Kristen has a passion for make up as well, which lead her to pursue skin care. Her passion and love for her career are driven by her clientele and knowing she is making a difference in their lives with her touch and knowledge of the skin. Outside of work Kristen loves to spend time with family and friends, bake, cook and take long walks. Kristen is on the schedule full time at Elaj.

Massage Therapists
Laude has been part of the team at Elaj since 2008. She is dual licensed in skin care and massage so she can perform all of the Aveda facials, waxing, massages and body treatments offered at the spa. She has been practicing massage therapy since 1994 and received her training at the Baltimore School of Massage. Laude attended the Aveda Institute in D.C. to obtain her Esthetics License and has been performing skin care and waxing since 2008. She enjoys being able to provide a service that enhances client well-being. Her philosophy is to provide the best possible service for clients based on their expressed concerns, the texture of their soft tissues, and her intuitive sense of the most appropriate techniques and products to apply. Her massage specialty is helping to reduce low back pain and neck and shoulder pain. She has performed sports massage therapy for various collegiate athletes, some internationally ranked. She is also a certified Medical Massage Therapist and has been referred by physicians to treat fragile oncology clients. Currently, Laude is the Montgomery County Massage Therapy Representative for the Maryland Chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association. Her hobby is applying equine massage to enhance the well being of valuable, injured and neglected performance horses.
Maggie joined the Elaj team as a Massage Therapist and Esthetician in 2010. She is a native of Central America and came to the U.S. in 1999. After suffering from chronic back pain, due to stress, her doctor recommended massage therapy. This was Maggie’s first experience with therapeutic massage and it was amazing!! She then decided to enroll in the National Massage Therapy Institute to become a therapist so she could help other people like she was helped through the beauty of massage therapy. Maggie feels that massage therapy is like a miracle for our body and mind. She is certified in Swedish, Deep Tissue, Hot Stone, Foot Reflexology, Pregnancy massage and Deep Heat & Cryotherapy massage. Maggie performs all of the AVEDA signature facials and body waxings as well.
Ten years ago, Andrew began his career as a massage therapist in Italy. There he worked as an employee at tourist resorts throughout the country, including the internationally known Adler Spa in Tuscany. In 2006, Andrew's adventures brought him to the USA. Though he had left his beautiful home country, he continued his massage career. He began by graduating from the Baltimore School of Massage and is currently nationally certified by the Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. He is also professional member of American Massage Therapy Association and is licensed in Maryland. Andrea sees massage therapy as a way to provide physiological and psychological balance and wellbeing. His passion for his work is appreciated by all his clients, who experience better recovery from workouts, relief from stress, and overall vitality after their massage. Andrew is also a certified personal fitness trainer.
Jami joined the Elaj Massage Team in April 2012. She is a graduate of the Baltimore School of Massage in 2000 when she began her "hands-on healing" career in massage therapy. She is a member of the NCBTMB and is Nationally Certified in Massage & Bodywork. Jami specializes in the AVEDA Chakra Balancing Massage which focuses on deep tissue back work, reflexology, energy work & guided meditation. Jami also specializes in Sports, Deep Tissue, Stress Relief & Swedish massage techniques. Jami is also certified in Access Consciousness.
Claudine has an extensive background in massage therapy. She graduated from the National Massage Therapy Institute and has been performing massage since receiving her certification and licensing in 2009. Her specialities include Swedish, Deep Tissue, Trigger Point, Prenatal & Hot Stone modalities as well as the Signature Aveda Treatments. Claudine feels massage therapy is her way of giving "overwhelming love through her hands". One might say, it is her hobby as well as her career. Claudine is originally from the Ivory Coast in Africa. She has been in the United States since 2004. She enjoys time with her young son, friends and family. Claudine looks forward to seeing you at Elaj help promote your well-being through massage therapy. She is available mornings, evenings & weekends.
Jan began her career as a massage therapist when caring for a family member diagnosed with a terminal illness. During that time she discovered the positive effect of touch on a person's well being. She received her training at the National Massage Therapy Institute. Her specialties include Swedish, Deep Tissue and Sports massage. Jan believes that massage provides natural relief for stress on our bodies and mind. She also believes it is important to help those in need, and volunteers for activities and organizations that assist the less fortunate in our community. In her spare time Jan enjoys cooking and is passionate about baking. The joy she receives from baking comes from the simple notion that the aroma of a fresh baked cookie can always bring out a smile.