Meet the ASCP Staff

Katie Armitage, president, spearheaded the launch of Associated Skin Care Professionals in January 2007, after serving ABMP since 1993. She coordinates all day-to-day operations and leads professional liability insurance and skin care activities. For both roles, Katie was named 2007 Day Spa Person of the Year by the Day Spa Association. Katie is a fourth-generation native of Colorado and enjoys boating, camping, gardening and reading. She enjoys most sports as a spectator, especially as an avid Broncos fan. She lives in Golden with her husband, Tim. They have two grown children.

Jesse Cormier, executive director, joined ABMP in 1998 as member benefits manager. She was involved in early research for the skin care initiative that became Associated Skin Care Professionals. She worked in the company's education services department, visiting massage and skin care schools across the country, while helping shape ASCP. Jesse holds a bachelor's in business administration from the University of Phoenix. A Montana native, she lives with her three cats in Golden, Colo. Her passion is anything outside – boating, hiking and road trips.

Debbie Higdon, risk management/special services manager, has lived in Colorado since 1970 and joined ABMP in 1994. She has worked with ABMP in membership, claims administration and as a representative of ABMP at many trade shows. A Minnesota native and grandmother to four, she loves the Colorado lifestyle and do-it-yourself home improvement projects.

Susanne Schmaling, director of education, is a licensed esthetician and experienced educator, as well as a popular presenter at conferences and seminars. She founded the Pacific Institute of Esthetics, owned an award-winning spa, and is the author of Milady's Aesthetician Series: The Comprehensive Guide to Equipment (Milady, 2008) and Milady's Aesthetician Series: Aging Skin (Milady, 2011). Her career includes all aspects of esthetics, makeup, and nail technology, as well as spa design and consulting. She joined the ASCP staff in 2012.

Carrie Patrick, editor, joined ASCP in 2011. She edits Skin Deep magazine, and assists with producing ASCP’s other content, from e-newsletters to press releases. Carrie moved to Denver from her native New Zealand in 2003, and has written for sports and travel magazines in both New Zealand and the USA. She has also worked in social media, emergency services, and the maritime industry. Her interests are unashamedly those of a 13-year-old boy: comics, computer games, science fiction, heavy metal music, homemade robots, and movies in which lots of things go boom. She holds a master’s degree from the University of Auckland and a postgraduate certificate from the University of Denver.

Lauren Snow, program coordinator, joined ASCP in 2012. She hosts ASCP webinars and visits skin care schools across the country to share the benefits of membership. Lauren is a licensed esthetician with experience at a medi-spa, plastic surgeon's office, and top destination resort spa. She studied esthetics and makeup at Bellus Academy in San Diego, and also has a bachelor's degree in communication from the University of Northern Colorado with an emphasis on public relations and advertising. A Colorado native, Lauren enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband Nick and her silkie terrier Yogi.

ASCP also shares staff with ABMP for various office functions.