Karen Albright

President

CoolSculpting University Certified

Karen Albright is the founder of BodyLase®, a medical spa with two locations in the Triangle. She is a graduate of Dartmouth College and University of Connecticut School of Law. After practicing law with a large firm in Connecticut for several years, Karen moved to Raleigh in 1994 with her husband and children. Soon after coming to Raleigh, she taught legal writing at the University of North Carolina School of Law and Duke Law School.

In 2002, Karen opened BodyLase Laser Hair Removal with her husband, Dr. Daniel Albright. Karen has grown and expanded the company into a million-dollar business. BodyLase now has two locations and offers a multitude of cosmetic medical and traditional spa services.

In 2009, Karen was awarded the Women in Business Award by the Triangle Business Journal. In June of 2010, Karen was honored as Business Woman of the Year by the National Association of Women Business Owners Greater Raleigh Chapter. In 2011 and 2013, Karen was awarded the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce Steady Growth and Profitability Award for the success of BodyLase. In 2011, Karen was named a Woman Extraordinaire by Business Leader Magazine. In 2012, Karen received the distinguished Top 50 Entrepreneurs. Karen was honored in 2016 with the NAWBO-Greater Raleigh Corporate Partner of the Year Award for her longstanding and proven commitment to the success of women‐owned businesses in our local area. She was also recently awarded the 2019 Enterprising Woman of the Year award. In 2023 Karen was appointed as President of the Entrepreneurs Organization, Raleigh Durham Chapter.

She currently resides in North Raleigh with her husband and rescue dog, Bear.

Cary

Alexandra Asciutto

Aesthetician
CoolSculpting University Certified

Alexandra was born in Hungary, Budapest, and moved to New York in 2014 where she attended Aesthetics school. In New York, she worked for White Orchid MedSpa in Brooklyn and specialized in laser hair removal, HydraFacial®, and Microneedling.

Alex loves to help people feel good and confident about themselves. She cannot wait to start your skincare journey together to achieve your best skin yet! In her free time, she loves working out, traveling, exploring different cultures, and being creative in the kitchen trying new healthy recipes!

Ashley Celeone

Treatment Consultant

Originally from New York, Ashley graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and embarked on a successful career in real estate. Her passion for helping others led her to explore opportunities in the automotive industry, where she honed expertise in various departments, specializing in finance.

Eager to empower others and boost their confidence, Ashley found her calling in the aesthetics industry, where she finds fulfillment in helping clients look and feel their best! 

Ashley loves spending her free time being active, enjoying the beautiful outdoors and trying out different restaurants with her husband.

Kyah Chapman

Spa Assistant

Kyah was born and raised in Salisbury, North Carolina, a town renowned for being the birthplace of the iconic Cheerwine.

She attended East Carolina University, pursuing a career in fashion before moving to Raleigh in early 2023. Kyah has always been interested in aesthetics,, and her love for the beauty industry  has flourished since joining BodyLase. Her passion for ensuring exceptional experiences for our providers and clients is only matched by her love for fashion and the paranormal.

When she’s not at BodyLase, Kyah enjoys exploring the city with friends, getting crafty with some DIY projects, or adding more movies to her watch list.

Macy Crawford

Assistant Spa Manager

Macy grew up in the small town of Saluda, South Carolina. After graduating high school, Macy attended the College of Charleston, where she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Arts Management with a Music Industry Concentration, along with a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish.

Macy has always had an affinity for the beauty industry, especially skincare. She enjoys learning about new products, ingredients, and treatments so that she can aid clients in their aesthetics journey. Outside of work, Macy is a singer-songwriter. She also enjoys trying out new restaurants, listening to live music, and spending time with her loved ones.

Abby Whitescarver

Aesthetician
CoolSculpting University Certified

Abby has North Carolina roots and grew up in Southern Pines, located just outside the Triangle-area. She has a passion for all things skin-related.

Abby loves perfecting her personalized skincare routine with BodyLase’s medical-grade products. Her favorite treatments at BodyLase are the different levels of HydraFacial, Dermaplaning, and Microneedling. When Abby is not at work, she enjoys hiking, hanging out with her family and friends, and trying new foods.

Lauren Huffey

Aesthetician

Lauren was born and raised in Cary, North Carolina. She attended Meredith College and shortly after, she went to Aveda Institute in Chapel Hill to pursue her true passion in the skincare industry. In 2022, she graduated from Aveda Institute with honors and received her Esthetician License.

Lauren joined the BodyLase team in 2024 and loves performing Hydrafacial treatments creating personalized skincare routines with medical-grade products to achieve optimal results for her clients.

Outside of work, Lauren loves shopping with friends, relaxing on the beach, and playing with her dog.

Nicole Triplett

Spa Assistant

Nicole was born in Morrisville, NC where she currently resides as she completes her Associate’s degree. She joined the BodyLase team in 2023 and takes pride in supporting our injectors and aestheticians in helping clients look and feel their best!

Outside the academic realm, Nicole embraces a holistic approach to life. Whether she is engaging in community events, exploring the local culture, or simply enjoying the natural beauty that North Carolina has to offer, Nicole understands the importance of balance in maintaining a fulfilling lifestyle. 
During her time at BodyLase, Nicole has found value in working alongside strong and empowered women who motivate and inspire her to become her best self.

Vanessa Settle

Spa Manager

Vanessa is originally from Maryland but relocated to North Carolina five years ago. She brings 10 years of management experience and is a licensed esthetician, combining her passion for leadership and skincare in her role as Spa Manager.

Vanessa is dedicated to building strong connections with her team and takes pride in helping clients achieve their skincare goals.
She enjoys walking her dogs, playing sports, and discovering new places in the Triangle with her family in her free time.

Melanie Walden, PA-C

Physician Assistant
CoolSculpting University Certified

Melanie was born in a small town in Illinois and relocated to North Carolina in 2019 with her husband. She completed her undergraduate degree In Health Sciences at Aurora University in Illinois and went on to obtain her Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Nova Southeastern University in Florida.

Melanie spent several years working in Emergency Medicine/Urgent Care as a board-certified Physician Assistant but always felt like there was something missing from her career. She has a true passion for medical aesthetics, combining her love of science and beauty. Melanie feels very lucky to work in such a rewarding field and help clients feel confident and beautiful in their own skin. In her free time she enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and puppy, hiking, traveling, boating, and checking out new restaurants/breweries!

Stacie Velez, PA-C

Physician Assistant
CoolSculpting University Certified

Stacie is a board-certified Physician Assistant from New York City, where she practiced Obstetrics & Gynecology for 8 years.

Upon moving to North Carolina in 2009, she transitioned to gynecological cancer surgery. Stacie later entered into Primary Care, where she developed a deep interest in health, nutrition, and alternative medicine. This passion for overall health and wellness led her to the Duke Center for Integrated Medicine where she became a Certified Integrative Health Coach. Inspired by the anti-aging effects of good health and wellness, Stacie wanted to advance her career into beauty and aesthetics and pursued training in Cosmetic Medicine. She fell in love with the industry and finds joy in restoring her client’s confidence by helping them look and feel better with the use of injectables and skincare. In her free time, Stacie practices yoga, enjoys entertaining, traveling, spending time with her husband and twin boys, and most of all living mindfully.

Maya Gray

Spa Concierge

Maya was born and raised in Raleigh and graduated from Carolina University in 2024 with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, all while excelling as a student-athlete on the volleyball team.

Deeply committed to healthcare, Maya views it as a means of helping others and enhancing their well-being, a pursuit that provides her with a strong sense of purpose.

At BodyLase, she values building meaningful relationships with clients and continually seeks new opportunities for professional growth. In her free time, Maya enjoys spending time at the beach, exploring new restaurants, being with family and friends, and taking her English Bulldog, Coco, for walks.

Jarissamar Callejas

Spa Assistant

Born in Dunn and raised in Johnston County, Jarissamar Callejas, better known as Jari, pursued her Associates in Science at Johnston Community College before earning her Phlebotomy certification.

Fluent in both Spanish and English, Jari’s love for learning and her curiosity about the beauty industry led her to BodyLase.

When she’s not at work, Jari enjoys spending quality time with her loved ones, exploring the outdoors, and traveling to Mexico to visit her extended family.

Sarah Castillo

Spa Concierge

Originally from sunny Southern California, Sarah Castillo’s life journey has taken her through California, Nebraska, and Mexico, giving her a rich blend of experiences. Fluent in Spanish, Sarah connects effortlessly with a diverse range of clients. She’s passionate about traveling, often heading to Mexico to visit family and enjoying road trips and beach getaways.

After spending years in tech and initially aiming for an associates degree in Computer Science, she found her true calling in aesthetics. Sarah is currently working on her prerequisite classes for Nursing school, and aspires to get a Master’s degree and become an injector.

Her enthusiasm for continuous learning, along with her passions for fun facts, skincare, languages, and movies, showcases her commitment to both her professional journey and personal growth.

Raleigh

Brittany Bulzan

Spa Director

Brittany has been dedicated to her career at BodyLase since 2008. As the Raleigh Spa Manager, Brittany loves to make sure every client has a wonderful experience while addressing all of their needs and concerns.

She feels blessed to be a part of a team that strives for excellence and builds a positive family spirit. When she is not working, Brittany loves beach weekends on the boat with her husband, traveling near and far, and hanging out with her miniature Dachshund, Pickle!

Andrea Cabrera

Marketing Specialist

Originally from Guayaquil, Ecuador, Andrea earned her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism in her home country where she worked as a journalist for several years before joining the communications department of her city’s Destination Marketing Organization.

She moved to the US in 2018 to further her education at the William Paterson University of New Jersey and obtained an M.A in Professional Communications. Since then, she has honed her skills in customer service and marketing roles within the medical field, nurturing her passion for healthcare communications.

In 2021, she relocated to Raleigh to be closer to family. Her fascination for skincare and professional treatments drove her to join the BodyLase team in 2023, bringing in diverse Communications knowledge and fluency in Spanish and English. At BodyLase she has found a community of empowering, kind and outstanding women who motivate her to become the best version of herself.

Outside work, Andrea enjoys travel, family time, and leisurely walks with her husband and mini Schnauzer, Arya.

Vanesa Castaneda-Reyes

Spa Concierge

Vanesa is a North Carolina native who has been into all things beauty and skincare since she can remember. She joined the BodyLase team in 2023 and is dedicated to ensuring every client has a fulfilling and positive experience.

Vanesa takes pride in being part of our clients journey and helping them reclaim their confidence. Outside of work, Vanesa enjoys spending time with loved ones and cozy movie nights with her beloved dog, Milo.

Desiree Frizzell

Treatment Consultant
CoolSculpting University Certified

Desiree was born and raised in Sarasota, Florida. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida in speech pathology. While she has always enjoyed helping others, the speech field wasn’t where she felt completely fulfilled.

In 2017, she moved to North Carolina where she now loves getting to know each of our new clients, introducing them to BodyLase, and helping them decide what treatments will best meet their needs. In her spare time, she loves being with her family. Her husband and two little girls are the light of her life.

Rhonda Gately, NP

Nurse Practitioner
CoolSculpting University Certified

Rhonda has been working as a Nurse Practitioner in Massachusetts since 2000 and has recently relocated to North Carolina. She completed her undergraduate education at the University of Rochester in New York and went on to obtain her Master’s of Science in Nursing from the MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston.

She is a certified Adult and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner and has completed the CoolSculpting® Certification. Rhonda has always loved the beauty industry and has a passion for aesthetics, and is so happy to be providing these services as a part of the BodyLase team! When not at work, Rhonda enjoys hiking, exercise classes, taking walks with her husband and Golden Retriever, Gracie, and going to the beach.

Elizabeth Gunter

Executive Assistant
Facilities Manager

Elizabeth is a native North Carolinian and has lived in Raleigh since 1997. She joined BodyLase in 2019 as an executive assistant and has since moved to the role of Facilities Manager; utilizing her skills in organization systems and strategies to keep the spas neat and orderly. In her free time, she enjoys gardening with her daughter Mae.

Rita Hiester

Aesthetician

CoolSculpting University Certified

Rita, who joined the BodyLase team in 2014, was born in Lima, Peru, and has lived in Raleigh, NC most of her life. She is fluent in both English and Spanish and is happy that she can work with Spanish-speaking clients.

Rita’s natural attention to detail began with her prior experience as a freelance make-up artist. As a licensed aesthetician from Miller-Motte College, Rita is passionate about skin health and treating skin conditions. She believes that everyone deserves to be the best version of themselves, and it all begins with self-confidence. In her free time, Rita enjoys yoga and fitness, traveling with her husband, and spending time with family, friends, and her kitty cat Pheebee.

Rachael Lucas, PA-C

Physician Assistant

Originally from Nevada, Rachael moved to North Carolina to further her career and fell in love with the beautiful climate and state. She graduated from Duke University with a Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies and worked for nearly a decade in thoracic surgery in Raleigh. 

Although this was a rewarding career, she was drawn to the aesthetics field as it combines her love of medicine, procedures, and art. Rachael enjoys getting to know clients as individuals and designs tailored plans to reach personalized outcomes as each person has a unique beauty that needs to be celebrated. She feels aesthetics helps people enhance and embrace their natural beauty to feel more confident and empowered. She loves spending time with her family including her husband and two young children as well as time outside, exercising, and traveling.

Leah McCullen

Assistant Spa Manager

Leah is originally from Durham, NC, and most recently lived in Sarasota, Florida where she interned for USDA followed by working in real estate. Leah attended Appalachian State University for Public Health and has always been passionate about health care and customer service. She loves working in the beauty industry and is excited to expand her knowledge in healthcare management and operations at BodyLase. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, and being outside.

Gloria Mejia-Privado

Concierge Supervisor

Gloria is a North Carolina native, fluent in both English and Spanish. Her early passion for the medical industry and a newfound interest in skincare led her to Bodylase, where she works to expand her knowledge and help others feel confident in their own skin.

Having overcome her own skin struggles during her teenage years, Gloria loves sharing her skincare recommendations with clients. Gloria is committed to ensuring every client’s experience at BodyLase is nothing short of extraordinary, and she loves seeing their fantastic results post-treatment. Beyond work, Gloria adores spending time with her furry companions, Toby and Hachi, indulging in shopping adventures, and cherishing precious moments with loved ones. 

Victoria Morales

Spa Concierge

Victoria was born and raised in Southwest New Mexico, and she relocated to North Carolina in 2021.

She joined the BodyLase team in 2023. Her favorite part of the job is making clients feel welcomed and provide them with a truly luxurious experience.

Outside of work, Victoria loves diving into a good book and spending time with her two cats, Clyde and Dante.

Andrea Palomino

Operations Manager

Andrea joined the BodyLase team in 2015, bringing with her years of Customer Service experience and fluency in both Spanish and English. She graduated from East Carolina University earning a degree in Communications.

In her spare time, Andrea enjoys working out, kayaking, and playing with her two dogs, Lola and Leo. Andrea enjoys assisting clients by recommending treatments and products to fit their needs. She not only loves to provide great customer service, but she also loves seeing clients happy with the results BodyLase helps them achieve.

Laura Petro

Spa Manager

Laura joined the BodyLase team in early 2023, bringing in a wealth of experience in operations and business management within the beauty industry. Originally from Detroit, Laura relocated to the Raleigh-Durham area over a decade ago, and fell in love with its thriving business community.

As our Raleigh Spa manager, Laura is dedicated to ensuring that every client receives a seamless, pleasant, and luxurious experience. Her infectious enthusiasm and upbeat disposition make her a fantastic asset to the BodyLase team.
Outside the realm of aesthetics, Laura’s heart lies in the art of hairstyling. As a professional stylist, she finds joy in boosting people’s confidence. When she’s not at the spa, you can find her at a local farm, tending to and caring for the horses, or spending quality time with her family.

Julia Pjetraj

Julia Pjetraj, NP

Nurse Practitioner

Julia is a North Carolina native who lives in Raleigh with her husband and three children. She attended UNC at Chapel Hill, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

She practiced as an RN at Rex Healthcare and then returned to UNC, where she earned her Master of Science in Nursing and completed the Family Nurse Practitioner program. She worked in the field of Dermatology at Duke and in private practice for several years before discovering her true passion for Aesthetics. Julia is a certified Advanced Injector and has been providing aesthetic services such as BOTOX®, Dermal Fillers, and Kybella® at BodyLase for more than 13 years! She loves working with her clients to help them look and feel better and attain the beautiful, natural results they desire. When Julia is not working at BodyLase, she is traveling, camping, hiking in the mountains, and spending time at the beach with her family.

Rhiannon Rupkey

Aesthetician
CoolSculpting University Certified

Rhiannon, born in Wilmington is a North Carolina native. She graduated from the Aveda Institute achieving her dream of becoming an Aesthetician.

Rhiannon’s own skincare journey allowed her to understand the unique challenges within skincare, and it became her goal to enhance the natural beauty in others. What she finds most rewarding about her career is bettering the experience, results, and confidence in her clientele.
In her free time, Rhiannon likes to take trips to the beach, create memories with family and friends, and enjoy the little things in life that are easily taken for granted.

Kelly Smith

Aesthetician

Kelly is a native of Raleigh, North Carolina. She graduated with honors from East Carolina University with a double major in political science and history. Immediately following college, Kelly worked as the transitional housing case manager for the Salvation Army Women and Children’s homeless shelter in Charlotte.

Although this was meaningful work, Kelly realized that her passion was skincare. She returned to Raleigh and attained her certificate in Esthetics Technology from Miller-Motte College.
Because Kelly struggled with acne as a teenager, she understands that how a person looks affects how they feel. She is committed to working with each client to help them utilize the services and products that will help them look their best in order to feel their best. As Lead Aesthetician at BodyLase, Kelly specializes in Skincare, Chemical Peels, Laser Hair Removal, Laser Skin Resurfacing, and Morpheus8.

Malarie Thompson

Aesthetician
CoolSculpting University Certified

Originally from upstate New York, Malarie moved to North Carolina in 2013. Starting out in cosmetology, she always loved the industry but found her true passion in aesthetics. She graduated in 2015 from Aveda and has since been continuously advancing her education.

She loves making clients feel confident and beautiful! In her free time, Malarie loves spending time with family, friends, and her goldendoodle, Rory.

Sahar Reman

Injector Assistant, CPT
CoolSculpting University Certified

Sahar is a Triangle area native with several years of experience in the healthcare and beauty industry. She is a Biology graduate from NC State University with a minor in Psychology. Her passion for aesthetics stems from her interest in the intersection of science and beauty, and she aspires to become an injector in the future.

Sahar’s passion for aesthetics and beauty has been longstanding. With nine years of experience as a freelance and published makeup artist, her portfolio showcases magazine appearances and advertisement projects.

When she’s not working, she enjoys reading, spending time with her family, traveling to new destinations, and sampling diverse cuisines.

Eva Porter

Spa Assistant

Eva was born into a military family stationed in Germany and has been accustomed to a life of movement and change from an early age. In 2021, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health from East Carolina University.

As a passionate advocate for wellness and skincare, Eva finds her role at BodyLase particularly fulfilling, as it allows her to merge her personal interests with her professional expertise.

In her free time, she enjoys relaxing by the lake or beach with her French bulldog, Milo, or indulging in crime documentaries and movies.

Evelyn Nolasco

Injector Assistant

Evelyn is a North Carolina native with a background in legal studies, fluent in both English and Spanish. Although she enjoyed helping others with legal matters, her true passion lies in the beauty and healthcare industry.

Evelyn thrives in the healthcare environment at BodyLase, where she can blend her love for beauty with a dedication to enhancing the well-being of others. In her spare time, Evelyn enjoys practicing Pilates, traveling, exploring new cuisines, and creating beautiful memories with her loved ones and her beloved fur baby, Olive.

Alex Chenney

Spa Assistant

Originally from Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Alex found her second home at Meredith College. She pursued her love for both tennis and communication, playing on the tennis team and graduating with a degree in Mass Communication in 2021.

Alex has always had an interest in beauty and aesthetics, which led to her career at BodyLase. She thrives combining her passions of building relationships and the aesthetic industry. Alex enjoys building meaningful relationships with clients and colleagues alike.

In her free time, she loves spending time with friends and family, visiting the beach, and diving into her next great read.

Alex Ferree

Spa Concierge

Alex is a North Carolina native who entered the aesthetics industry early on and quickly developed a passion for skincare, skin treatments, and the transformative power of helping others feel beautiful.

With a dedication to guiding clients on their skincare journeys, Alex is committed to making each experience at BodyLase comfortable and exciting.

Outside of work, Alex enjoys trying new foods, exploring new places, and deep diving into reality TV.

Ivree Dent

Spa Concierge

Ivree Dent, originally from Richmond, VA, moved to Durham, NC in 2020 to pursue her studies at North Carolina Central University.

She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences in May 2024. After graduation, Ivree decided to remain in the Raleigh-Durham area to gain experience in the beauty industry, leading her to BodyLase.

She is dedicated to expanding her knowledge and aspires to become a Physician Assistant.