Neill University

Alberto Swanson began his 20 years with Aveda at the Aveda Experience Centers, working his way up to a management position. During his 10 years as Education Lead and Senior Colorist at Van Michael Miami, he worked with designer labels including Gucci®, Escada® and Baby Phat, as well as a celebrity clientele. He worked with Ian Michael Black twice as part of the Aveda Hair Color Team for Aveda Congress and once for Behind The Chair Color Shows. He has served as lead colorist for Van Michael Salons for Aveda Master Jam. He co-created Aveda’s global Beyond Balayage curriculum and contributed to Full Spectrum Deep™ Systems + Fusion. Today, he helps others evolve as Executive Director of Hair Color Sales and Education for Neill and as an Aveda Color Purefessional™and Aveda Guest Artist.

Following in his family's footsteps, Austin attended Gary Manuel Aveda Institute in Seattle, WA after he graduated high school. He worked at his father’s salon, Jax Salon + Spa, for the next five years. Uninspired by hair, Austin began a new degree in aeronautical studies in hopes of becoming a flight tower controller one day. After attending Aveda Congress in 2011, he was re-inspired by the Artistic Team and realized his dream was to one day be on stage to inspire and educate other hairdressers. Within a year, he moved to New York and began his career over again as an assistant at Aveda West Broadway. On weekends, he volunteered his time supporting the Advanced Academy classes and directly training under Ricardo Dinis, Ian Michael Black, Lupe Voss and Allen Ruiz. While living in New York, he had the opportunity to assist on multiple photo shoots, including Aveda collections with the Artistic Team. Austin also freelanced for companies such as Refinery 29, creating how-to hair looks for current blog entries. He has also assisted and led his own teams during New York Fashion Week for the last ten seasons, including several corporate shows with Antoinette Beenders and Allen Ruiz. Moving back home from New York, he has had the opportunity to work with his father before he retires, as well as became the Education Director at Jax Salon + Spa where he has created his own successful curriculum for incoming assistants. Education is his passion, and Austin is honored to now be an Aveda Cutting PurefessionalTM.

Andi Eaton is a traveling creative, author, entrepreneur, and cultural influencer. After spending 15 years leading AVEDA sales & education teams, as well as serving as the General Manager for Paris Parker Salons she launched her own creative services company in 2014, Andi Eaton Creatives. Today Andi hosts retreats for creative entrepreneurs, teaches workshops around the world, and produces Oui We (ouiwegirl.com) a modern bohemian's guide to wellness, creativity, mystical thinking and travel. Andi's projects have been featured in SELF, WWD, Elle, Southern Living, Domino, Glitter Guide, A Beautiful Mess, Hello Giggles, Refinery 29 and more. Her latest book "Wanderful: The Modern Bohemian's Guide to Traveling in Style" is available online and in bookshops around the world.