our 2026 speakers

MC / SPEAKER

A Certified Master Groomer and award-winning professional, has been a leader in the pet grooming industry since 2009. With a strong foundation built under the mentorship of two renowned groomers, she transitioned from salon work to competitive grooming in 2010, earning multiple awards in Poodle and all other pure bred classes. Marcia’s expertise has also led her to groom dogs featured in international magazines and media productions. Known for her social media presence, her viral TikTok channel, “I Like Dog More Than You,” has earned her five Barkleigh Honor Awards and brand sponsorships. An active competitor, Marcia regularly showcases her skills with her Kerry Blue, Ayla, and Mini Poodle, Possum. Recently she opened her third salon, The Bark Side in Ontario. A small team oriented shop, focusing on one-on-one experiences that prioritize comfort and safety for both dogs and groomers.

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As a second-generation groomer, Macie has been immersed in the dog world her whole life. She has been grooming professionally since 2012. Macie started competing in 2014 and quickly rose to the top, becoming one of the youngest competitors in open division. Since then, Macie has catapulted her career in competitive grooming, with multiple Best in Show placements at the top grooming shows in the USA and Canada. She earned her Master Groomer certification from NDGAA in 2016. Macie earned a coveted spot on Groom Team USA in 2019, where she was ranked #5 since then she has held a spot in the top five until 2024 wen she became the #1 groomer in the USA Macie has been nominated for Barkleigh Honors Up and Coming Groomer of the Year in 2017, and the Brian Stoppa Congeniality and Spirit Award in 2020 for her positive attitude in the industry. In 2021 Macie won ABS’s Pooch Perfect USA. Macie is passionate about continuing education and teaches techniques and skills at grooming shows across the globe. She is a Brand Ambassador for three top brands that focus on quality and customer service. Macie Specializes in bichons and poodles however she has proved herself proficient in many breeds, and techniques. Winning a BIS in every Groom Team Sanctioned Category.

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During her 37 years in the grooming industry, Anjie spent a significant amount of time learning about every aspect of grooming and business. She knew she had to share the knowledge she had gained and began teaching grooming and business so others could learn the secrets of her success. This has also led her to teach Pet First Aid & CPR classes for pet professionals and owners and become a HELP Master Chief Instructor. Her passion for continuing education is evident in her achievements, including CMRG, ICMCG, CCE, PGC, CMPTI, and PGCE. In 2023, her book, the first rabbit grooming book in the industry, “The Quintessential Rabbit Book,“ was published and won the Barkleigh Honors Book of the Year. She has been a web designer for over three decades and owns Coates Design, a web design company specializing in the pet industry's needs.

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Lisa Leady is a third generation groomer with 40 years of grooming experience. She is a nationally certified master groomer and a certified for NDGAA (National Dog Groomers Association of America). She began her competition career in 1995 shortly after opening her first salon, Chez Paws. She has multiple best in shows and best all around groomer awards to her credit. Lisa ranked in the top ten from 2000-2007 to become a GroomTeam USA member during those seven years. In 2006 she was ranked #2 in the US. She was honored to compete in the World competition on multiple occasions with the US traveling team. Years later after selling her business, she became Head Instructor at two grooming academies, the Academy of Dog Grooming Arts, and Windy City Grooming Academy. After years of sharing her passion she missed daily grooming and decided to open a mobile salon. This allowed more time to dedicate to hands on workshops and judging assignments. These continue to this day and she has become a popular domestic, and international judge and speaker. Lisa has been a member of Wahl clipper corporation’s Extreme Team for 15 years. She has a multitude of Barkleigh Honors and Cardinal Crystal Awards to her credit for her substantial contributions to the grooming industry. She appeared on Animal Planets “Groomer Has It 2” series where she placed as runner up. Lisa is proud to be a regular contributor to the online instructional video platform, “Learn to Groom.com” where her videos are some of the most watched. Lisa currently owns Primp My Pooch Salon with her husband Eric, and shows and breeds AKC Champion Smooth Fox Terriers in her leisure time.

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Angela Kumpe has made a career out of creative styling. Some of her accomplishments include over 70 creative placements,multiple covers of Groomer to Groomer magazine, 3 Barkleigh Honors Awards for Creative Stylist of the year and Book of The Year with her book The Ultimate Guide to Creative Styling. Angela’s work has been seen on Animal Planet, TLC, Good Morning America, The Queen Latifah Show, Fox and Friends, HBO, and in The New York Times as well as numerous local publications.

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Meet Guzal Adekoje: The Award-Winning Groomer Transforming the Industry. Guzal Adekoje isn't just a groomer – she's a force of nature in the pet styling world. This internationally recognized, multiple award-winning groomer and speaker has spent years honing her craft, earning top certifications from the AKC and National Dog Groomers Association. Guzal's journey to success wasn't easy. Hailing from Uzbekistan, she arrived in the United States in 2003 with just a suitcase and $200. Through sheer determination, she built a thriving mobile pet grooming business and upscale salon in Northern Virginia. Today, she's a renowned competitor in global grooming contests. Guzal's expertise spans from Poodles to sporting breeds, hand-stripping to freestyle. As an open-level competitor, she's passionate about sharing her wealth of knowledge with others. Her educational approach emphasizes individualized attention, offering small group classes, private lessons, seminars, and webinars to accommodate all skill levels and learning styles. But Guzal's impact extends beyond the competition floor. She's the driving force behind LaFursion, a company dedicated to making top-tier grooming tools and education accessible to all. LaFursion's membership model provides exclusive discounts, referral bonuses, and the opportunity to learn at your own pace. It's Guzal's way of giving back to the grooming community that nurtured her success. Style matters to Guzal. She believes groomers are artists, deserving of products that make them feel as great as they look. That's why she's created a line of uniquely designed, high-quality tools to elevate the grooming experience. Guzal's background in global affairs and business, combined with her education and grooming degrees, make her a powerful voice in the industry. Her philosophy? "My passion is grooming, my love is teaching, and my head is in business." Get ready for a grooming revolution with Guzal Adekoje at the forefront.

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Tosha Thompson is the owner of Rufflections Pet Grooming and an award-winning professional groomer with over a decade of hands-on industry experience. A certified PetTech instructor and former licensed veterinary technician, she brings a rare blend of technical precision, medical awareness, and real-world salon leadership to every stage she steps on. Known for her engaging and approachable teaching style, Tosha delivers education that is practical, relevant, and immediately applicable. Her seminars focus on smarter systems, elevated safety standards, and refining technique in ways that support both skill development and long-term career sustainability. Attendees leave feeling more confident, capable, and equipped to implement what they’ve learned. As Vice President of the Virginia Professional Pet Groomers Association, Tosha is passionate about raising industry standards while helping groomers build strong businesses and lasting careers — without losing the creativity and heart that drew them to grooming in the first place.

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Deanna Rudnick discovered her passion for grooming at an early age, beginning her journey by bathing dogs in her mother’s grooming salon. Growing up in the industry gave her a deep appreciation for the care, patience, and skill required to work with animals. She later formalized her training by graduating from Canine Clipper School of Pet Grooming in 1989, setting the foundation for a lifelong career in the profession.

Over the years, Deanna has worked in a variety of settings including grooming salons, veterinary clinics, and grooming and boarding facilities. Each experience added to her knowledge and refined her techniques, allowing her to develop a thoughtful, compassionate approach to grooming.

In 2004, Deanna opened her own grooming salon, All Fur Pet Grooming, bringing together years of experience and a vision for providing high-quality grooming with a focus on the comfort and well-being of every animal.

Today, Deanna remains deeply passionate about the grooming industry and is especially dedicated to mentoring and educating the next generation of groomers. She believes that beautiful grooming results come not only from technical skill, but from gentle handling, patience, and respect for the animals in our care. Sharing that philosophy and helping others grow in their craft continues to be one of the most rewarding parts of her career.

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Chaz joined the mobile grooming world as a sales rep for Wag'n Tails in 2022 after a decade of sales in the Motorsports, RV and Finance industries. Driven by the joy of people betting on themselves and the entrepreneurial spirit of mobile groomers, his knack for assisting clients with business growth and development helped him grow within the company while assisting new and established clients in believing in themselves. In his current hybrid role, he leads the Customer Care team and is the voice of the customer traveling around the country, turning feedback into future innovation.  He is fueled by hearing customer success stories which continue to breathe life into his day-to-day work. 

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As owner of Groovy Pups Mobile Grooming Ninoshka possess over 15 years' experience in mobile grooming and pet wellness.  A native of Puerto Rico, she moved to the continental U.S. in 2019 with three suitcases, child on her hip, an unmatched work ethic and desire to succeed (No one gets more out of 24 hours than Ninoshka). After building up her clientele base, Ninoshka went mobile in 2024 and quickly filled her schedule in the Pompano Beach area. She continues to give back by teaching at multiple schools and assisting others in believing in themselves to take the leap and become their own business owner.  Passionate about her roots, Ninoshka has traveled the country with Wag'n Tails as the bilingual mobile grooming expert.  She continues to educate herself and advance in the industry with additional skillsets in non-aesthetic dental and tips and tricks for cost effectiveness within grooming  practices.

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From childhood Shannon has had an undeniable connection with animals, “speaking” to them like Dr Doolittle. “It’s all about the energy” she always says. Her journey began in 1995 as a kennel assistant, followed by work as a veterinary assistant and grooming assistant, building a strong medical and behavioral foundation. By 1999, she was grooming professionally in the vets office, then transitioned to mobile grooming in 2003. In 2011, she launched her own mobile salon, building a thriving business rooted in confidence, clarity, and calm leadership. Through live workshops, online education, and speaking engagements, she empowers groomers to take ownership of the space they walk into, the energy they project, and the standards they set. Known for delivering hard conversations with clarity, compassion, and a little humor, Shannon has earned a reputation as The Mobile Grooming Queen. Not just for her skill behind the table, but for the confidence, mentality and leadership she looks to inspire in others. Beyond the van, Shannon continues to share with the industry as host of The Daily Groomer: After Hours podcast, where she highlights diverse voices and real conversations within the grooming community. She regularly attends trade shows and events, committed to lifelong education, collaboration, and supporting her peers. Her mission is simple but powerful: every groomer has the potential to become the best version of themselves. When they learn to harness their own energy, they don’t just groom better. They lead better, communicate better, and build businesses that thrive. Shannon’s energy is her superpower, and sharing it is her purpose.

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Lisa Chua-Towne is a 20-year professional pet groomer, Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Fear Free certified groomer, and author who is deeply passionate about the intersection of behavior and grooming. Her work centers around reading the dog in front of her and adjusting her handling to support both emotional welfare and safety throughout the grooming process. Over the years, she has combined her experience in grooming and behavior to help pet parents and pet professionals move from simply getting through a groom to truly understanding what the dog is communicating. She is passionate about teaching practical, real-world handling skills that make sessions calmer, safer, and more humane for both the dog and the groomer.

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Sveta Grün is a professional coat care products manufacturer and educator specializing in advanced coat and skin management. With years of hands-on experience maintaining long-coated show dogs, grooming is part of her everyday professional practice. Her work focuses on ingredient functionality, coat biology, and product efficiency, helping groomers understand how and why products perform the way they do. Sveta is known for addressing common industry myths, explaining the real causes of skin sensitivities and allergic reactions, and teaching how to work smarter with correctly formulated products. Through her seminars, she equips professional groomers with practical, science-based knowledge that improves results, reduces trial-and-error, and supports safer, more efficient grooming routines in the salon.

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Bio coming soon!