Meet the Team

President

Karen Albright

CoolSculpting University Certified

Karen Albright is the founder of BodyLase®, a medical spa with four 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 four locations and offers a multitude of cosmetic medical and traditional spa services. BodyLase is at the Top 1% of Allergan Practices in the nation and has been voted Best Med Spa by The News and Observer in 2022, 2023 and 2024. In 2023, BodyLase was recognized as the Inc. 5000’s Fastest Growing companies in America.

Dr. Juan Ortiz, M.D. F.A.C.S

Dr. Juan Ortiz is a double board-certified plastic surgeon with nearly 20 years of experience helping patients look and feel their best. As Medical Director at BodyLase, he brings an exceptional level of expertise, leadership, and a deep commitment to safety and patient care.

A native of Puerto Rico, Dr. Ortiz was inspired to pursue medicine by his mother, a registered nurse. He served as Chief of Surgery and Chief of Plastic Surgery at Womack Army Medical Center before establishing his highly regarded plastic surgery practice in Raleigh, North Carolina.

At BodyLase, he provides local medical oversight and guidance, ensuring that every treatment meets the highest standards of excellence and care.

Meet the Team by Location

Raleigh Cary Chapel Hill Clayton

Central Office Team

BodyLase® Med Spa - Brittany Bulzan Chapel Hill manager

Brittany Bulzan

Spa Director

Brittany has been dedicated to her career at BodyLase since 2008. As Spa Director, 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, Sweet-n’-Low.

Anne-Marie Barr

Marketing Specialist

Anne-Marie brings a thoughtful, creative lens to the BodyLase brand as our Marketing Specialist. With a foundation in design and strategy, she helps shape how our story is told across digital campaigns and in-spa experiences. Her focus is always on elevating the client experience.

Before joining BodyLase, Anne-Marie worked in creative roles within the commercial AV industry, where she developed her eye for clean, thoughtful design. She enjoys finding simple, clear ways to communicate information, especially in an industry where great results and great storytelling go hand in hand.

A proud alum of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Anne-Marie earned her degree in Media & Journalism with a concentration in advertising and public relations.

Outside of work, she’s usually in the kitchen trying a new recipe, spending time with her black lab, or diving into a design project just for fun. Anne-Marie believes aesthetics shouldn’t feel intimidating — they should feel approachable, empowering, and aligned with who you are.

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.

Courtney Knox

Business Growth Strategist

Courtney joined the BodyLase team as the Business Growth Strategist, bringing experience in retail strategy consulting and corporate strategy within the technology sector. She earned her degree in Applied Economics and Management from Cornell University.

Drawn to BodyLase by her passion for health, wellness, and beauty, Courtney combines her background in growth strategy and analytics to identify and execute opportunities that drive the company’s continued success.

She loves being part of a team that truly cares about its clients, helping them feel confident and making a meaningful impact on their lives.

Outside of work, Courtney enjoys fitness classes, cooking and baking, playing pickleball, and spending time with family, friends, and her dog.

BodyLase® Med Spa - Bodylase Meet the team headshots Elizabeth

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.

Charity Murray

Business Development Representative

Charity, a North Carolina native, studied Kinesiology and Nutrition at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

As one of the first friendly faces you’ll meet on your BodyLase journey, she is passionate about helping others feel confident and beautiful by guiding them toward their aesthetic goals.

When she’s not at work, you can find Charity breaking a sweat at the gym or enjoying a quiet moment with a good book.

Gloria Mejia-Privado

Operations Support Specialist

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.

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.

Raleigh Spa Team

BodyLase® Med Spa - Rhonda Gately Raleigh injector

Rhonda Gately

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.

BodyLase® Med Spa - Julia Petraj Raleigh injector

Julia Pjetraj

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.

Rachael Lucas

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.

BodyLase® Med Spa - Kelly Smith Raleigh aesthetician

Kelly Smith

Aesthetician, CoolSculpting University Certified

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.

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.

BodyLase® Med Spa - Malarie Thompson Raleigh aesthetician

Malarie Thompson

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.

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.

BodyLase® Med Spa - Desiree Frizzell Raleigh treatment consultant

Desiree Frizzel

Treatment Consultant

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.

BodyLase® Med Spa - Laura Petro Raleigh spa manager

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.

Alex Cheney

Assistant Spa Manager

Cary Spa Team

BodyLase® Med Spa - Tiffany Aites Cary treatment consultant

Tiffany Aites

Treatment Consultant

Tiffany loves helping clients feel informed, comfortable, and excited about their treatment plans. With a background in fine wine sales and hospitality, she has a natural way of making everyone feel welcomed and cared for from the moment they walk through the door. In 2025, she moved to North Carolina with her fiancé and their two energetic mini cockapoo puppies and has enjoyed getting to know the area. In her free time, Tiffany loves reading, cooking for friends, exploring new coffee shops and restaurants, and taking long walks on the local greenways. Her warm personality and passion for helping people feel confident and beautiful make her a wonderful part of the BodyLase team.

BodyLase® Med Spa - Stacie Velez Cary injector

Stacie Velez

Physician Assistant

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.

BodyLase® Med Spa - Abby Whitescarver Cary aesthetician

Abby Whitescarver

Aesthetician

BodyLase® Med Spa - Hanna Edmiston Cary injector

Hanna Edmiston

Nurse Practitioner

Hanna is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner who recently relocated within North Carolina from Charlotte. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing with a focus in Family Practice and brings over six years of nursing experience, including more than two and a half years in the aesthetic industry. Her background in both medical and cosmetic dermatology has fueled her passion for helping clients feel confident and beautiful in their own skin. Hanna enjoys creating personalized treatment plans that enhance natural beauty while building meaningful connections with her clients. Outside of work, Hanna is an avid traveler who has visited 19 countries and 27 states. She also loves trying new restaurants, working out, exploring local gems, and spending time with her fiancé.

BodyLase® Med Spa - Lauren Huffey Cary aesthetician

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.

BodyLase® Med Spa - Stasia Gray Cary injector 1

Stasia Gray

Physician Assistant

Stasia is a board-certified Physician Assistant specializing in dermatology and aesthetic medicine. Originally from Utah, she relocated to North Carolina to further her career in aesthetic medicine. She earned her Master’s degree from Campbell University and completed the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants (SDPA) Diplomate Fellowship, building a strong foundation in both medical dermatology and aesthetics. With over three years of experience in the aesthetic industry, Stasia combines advanced medical training with a detail-oriented approach to create personalized, results-driven treatment plans. She is passionate about enhancing natural beauty and building meaningful relationships with her patients to help them look and feel their best.

BodyLase® Med Spa - Leah McCullen Cary spa manager

Leah McCullen

Manager

Originally from Durham, NC, Leah now proudly calls Raleigh home. A graduate of Appalachian State University with a degree in Public Health, Leah joined BodyLase in 2022. She served as the Manager of BodyLase Chapel Hill location during its launch, spearheading its opening and guiding the spa through its successful first year. Today, Leah is the Cary Spa Manager, where she continues to lead with excellence and support both clients and her team. Leah loves working at BodyLase because she gets to see and celebrate clients achieving their desired results. She also takes pride in leading her team and providing unwavering support to ensure everyone thrives. When she’s not at work, Leah enjoys reading and exploring the Triangle with her lovable and energetic golden retriever, Dezi.

BodyLase® Med Spa - Sarah Castillo Cary spa assistant manager

Sarah Castillo

Assistant Manager

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.

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

Leah Vasquez

Spa Concierge

Leah is a North Carolina native with a strong passion for skincare and the beauty industry. She has long been interested in skin wellness and understands how the right care can significantly impact how people feel about themselves. In her role as a Spa Concierge, Leah values being part of the supportive BodyLase team and contributing to the positive, welcoming environment that helps clients look and feel their best. She is eager to continue growing her expertise and building a long-term career in aesthetics. Outside of work, Leah enjoys reading and spending quality time with friends.

Chapel Hill Spa Team

BodyLase® Med Spa - Netu Kaur Chapel Hill injector

Netu Kaur

Nurse Practitioner

Netu Kaur is a Nurse Practitioner and proud Duke graduate who was born and raised in Durham, North Carolina. With over a decade of healthcare experience in specialties like cardiology and neurology, she brings a wealth of expertise and compassion to every client she meets. Netu’s top priority at BodyLase is helping individuals feel confident and radiant by enhancing their unique beauty. Fluent in English, Punjabi, and Hindi, Netu loves connecting with clients from diverse backgrounds. When she’s not at work, she enjoys exploring Durham with her friends and family. At home, her heart belongs to her two Australian shepherds, Brady and Lucy. When she’s not at work, she enjoys exploring Durham with her friends and family. At home, her heart belongs to her two Australian shepherds, Brady and Lucy.

BodyLase® Med Spa - Sydney Baldy Chapel Hill aesthetician

Syndey Baldy

Aesthetician

Sydney’s journey to aesthetics started with a lifelong love of skincare. Originally from South Carolina and raised in Washington State, she followed her passion by becoming a licensed esthetician after attending the University of Idaho for Agricultural Communications. She is dedicated to making her clients feel beautiful inside and out while educating them on the best skincare practices. Sydney values the lasting relationships she builds with her clients. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality moments with family and friends, traveling, reading, and snuggling her chihuahua, Pixie.

Brittany Bulzan

Spa Manager

Brittany has been dedicated to her career at BodyLase since 2008. As Spa Director, 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, Sweet-n’-Low.

Clayton Spa Team

BodyLase® Med Spa - Katie Romanelli Clayton injector

Katie Romanelli

Physician Assistant

A proud North Carolinian, Katie earned her bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology from UNC Pembroke in 2011 before obtaining her master’s degree from Wingate University in 2015. With a lifelong passion for medicine, Katie has always been dedicated to patient care. Her extensive experience spans hospital medicine, general surgery, and aesthetics, making her a well-rounded and knowledgeable provider. She is deeply committed to building strong relationships with her patients and takes pride in delivering natural, undetectable results that enhance their confidence. Katie continually advances her skills and techniques at BodyLase, ensuring that she provides the highest level of care. She looks forward to helping you feel your most beautiful, radiant self.

Maya Gray

Spa Manager

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.

BodyLase® Med Spa - Rachel Hotelling Clayton aesthetician

Rachel Hotelling

Aesthetician

Rachel has been immersed in the aesthetic industry since 2017, combining her passion for skincare with a deep curiosity about the science behind skin health and advanced treatments. A Raleigh native, she first fell in love with skincare through products, but that interest quickly grew into a commitment to helping others achieve healthy, glowing skin through the latest innovations in aesthetics. Rachel’s approach to aesthetics goes beyond just delivering amazing results—her true passion lies in making clients feel safe, confident, and empowered in their own skin. She tailors each treatment to her clients’ unique needs, ensuring they feel both seen and supported throughout their skincare journey. Outside of BodyLase, Rachel leads a women’s healing group and is a strong advocate for self-care, believing in the importance of nurturing both body and mind. When she’s not helping clients look and feel their best, she’s exploring new places, embracing adventure, and finding balance in her own life.

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Visit Us in the Triangle

Raleigh 6531 Creedmoor Rd Ste 102, Raleigh, NC 27613 (919) 954-2288

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Cary 302 Colonades Way Ste 205, Cary, NC 27518 (919) 851-8989

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Chapel Hill / Durham 101 Cosgrove Ave Ste 110, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 (919) 480-8003

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Clayton 205 Boling St, Clayton, NC 27520 (919) 359-1741

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