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Beauty Changes Lives Foundation Expands Industry Reach and Establishes Independent Infrastructure

Three years after its establishment as a 501c3, the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation (BCL) has emerged as a standalone, non-profit organization, independent of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). The new organizational ...

Anne Moratto
Anne MorattoDirector of Brand Content Strategy, MODERN SALON and NAILS
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April 4, 2016
Beauty Changes Lives Foundation Expands Industry Reach and Establishes Independent Infrastructure

Lynelle Lynch, president of the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation

2 min to read


Three years after its establishment as a 501c3, the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation (BCL) has emerged as a standalone, non-profit organization, independent of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). The new organizational structure will expand the Foundation’s reach beyond the beauty and wellness education community, while continuing to fund scholarships, mentoring programs and professional development opportunities at AACS member schools.

Effective Friday, April 1, 2016, the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation relocated its staff and operational hub to San Diego and expanded its board of directors from nine to 13. “The expanded board of directors representing some of the beauty and wellness industry’s most influential brands and thought leaders provides an even deeper level of expertise to guide scholarships, mentoring programs and professional development offerings spanning the beauty and wellness spectrum,” said Lynelle Lynch, president of the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation.

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The Foundation’s new structure comes on the heels of the Beauty Changes Lives Experience held March 12, during America’s Beauty Show. The event brought leading manufacturers and industry icons to Chicago’s Soldier Field, uniting the industry in a show of support for next generation talent. “We’re very grateful to the brands, individuals and organizations who support Beauty Changes Lives' scholarships and mentoring programs,” said Lynch. “As an independent organization, we are at an exciting crossroads—engaging an even broader network of stakeholders as we continue our commitment to nurture and support the talent who will drive our industry’s future.” 

AACS director and BCL board member Christine Gordon said the Association is proud to have supported the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation’s development from a conceptual event held in 2009 to an organization that has raised more than $3M for beauty and wellness education. “We look forward to seeing BCL continue to evolve and AACS is pleased to offer a breadth of Beauty Changes Lives scholarships as a significant member benefit in the future,” Gordon said.

Learn more at www.beautychangeslives.org or find BCL on Facebook

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