Intercoiffure Hair Color Council Looks to the Future

October 14, 2012

Jo Blackwell-Preston to assume role of Interim Creative Director as the Council honors Gina Khan

NEW YORK: Intercoiffure America / Canada (ICA) is looking to the future with adjustments to the Hair Color Council. Enhancements are being made to benefit all ICA members salons, and Gina Khan is stepping down after six years as an exemplary Creative Director. Jo Blackwell-Preston, after serving with Gina since the Council’s inception, will be assuming the role of Interim Creative Director.

“In the coming months, we’ll see a bit of a format change for the Hair Color Council,” states ICA President, Lois Christie. “We’re going to include more hands-on educational opportunities, as well as more hair color business information that can assist all salon owners.”

Upcoming opportunities in the following year will include education on training staff, efficient inventory management, and other topics designed for both those that color hair as well as those that run the daily operations of the salon.

As her second term comes to an end, Gina Khan will be stepping down as the Creative Director of the Hair Color Council that she has helped to grow over the past six years.

I was honored and privileged to serve on the first ever color council, it is a wonderful platform for the next generation of amazing colorists! I wish Jo and all future Creative Directors continued success.

– Gina Khan

“We owe Gina a great deal of gratitude for her part in the initial success of the Council,” adds Lois. “Her dedication and vision allowed us to grow dramatically since our inception, and move into the following year with a great deal of momentum.”

With Gina stepping down, Jo Blackwell-Preston will be staying on as Interim Creative Director for the next year, to aid in the transition and search for a new Creative Director. Says Jo, “Each year brings new talent to the council, which brings new opportunities and continually reshapes the Council. I look forward to seeing where the next year takes us. I’m honored to serve as the Interim Creative Director to assure the momentum of the past years continues on.”

Those interested in applying as a candidate for the Creative Director position are encouraged to submit videos, resumes, and examples of stage work for review. For more information on applying to be a candidate, contact Lois Christie at Lois@intercoiffure.com.

Jo Blackwell-Preston is a world-renowned colorist and educator. She won an Emmy Award in 2003 for her work on a public service announcement featuring Elmo and New York City Firefighters, as part of a safety campaign for children called the “Get Low & Go” campaign. Jo was also on the premier episode of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. She travels extensively as a Senior Portfolio Color Artist for L’Oréal Professionnel. Jo is the recipient of the “Educator of the Year” Award from the International Hair Color Exchange. In 2009, Jo traveled to Paris and received the prestigious “Chevalier Award” and in 2011 has been nominated and won the “Personality of the Year” award from Intercoiffure America/Canada.

President and CEO
Southern Security Federal Credit Union

Dawn Graeter, President and CEO of Southern Security Federal Credit Union is an extremely accomplished, trailblazing finance executive who has led Southern Security to triple-digit growth since she took the helm in 2011. As one of the few female bank CEOs in the Greater Memphis area, Dawn has over 35 years in the finance and banking industry and has held almost every position there is as she worked her way from teller to CEO.

Dawn’s focus on the foundational pillars of people, community, and technology have ignited record-breaking results year after year and includes specific efforts for teamwork-building, employee relations, a genuine grassroots community outreach effort, and adopting technology solutions to provide greater functionality and service to customers. These efforts have increased the Southern Security full-time workforce by 37 percent and increased the annual net income of Southern Security by 127 percent poising Southern Security for even greater growth in the future. Dawn’s successes have not gone unnoticed as she was voted one of Power Poll Memphis’ Most Power People in 2023 and named a Superwoman in Business by the Memphis Business Journal in 2012. Also, named University of Memphis Outstanding Alumna in 2019. Dawn and her team are proud that Southern Security has been named Best Credit Union by the readers of the Commercial Appeal for six years running.

Dawn works tirelessly to support professional and community organizations close to the industry and community she loves. She currently serves as Chairman of the Board for Confluent Strategies, which specializes in consumer credit, commercial and mortgage credit reporting, background checks, employment screenings and association management. She also serves on the board for the Tennessee Credit Union League whose mission is to promote and support the success and advancement of credit unions in the State of Tennessee. Dawn correspondingly serves on the board for Share One which serves credit unions across the country with a comprehensive core processing system named New Solutions. As a credit union service organization (CUSO), Share One designed New Solutions directly alongside credit union clients.

Recently, Dawn was asked to serve on the Le Bonheur National Leadership Council, on the Youth Program’s Inc. Captain’s Club, charitable foundation and host organization of the FedEx St. Jude Championship, and the Board of Carnival Memphis, all benefiting local children and children’s charities.

Dawn previously served as chairman of the board for HopeWorks, an organization that offers jobs and support to the under-resourced and recently incarcerated working in conjunction with the Shelby County Department of Corrections Hope 2 Hire program. Her work with HopeWorks is what she is most proud of, helping train adults for vocational careers and life outside of the Department of Corrections system. Dawn has a real drive to help adults help themselves, to be able to provide for their families, and find a skill or career they are proud of every day.

Dawn has served on various nonprofit boards over the years including Leadership Millington, Millington Area Chamber of Commerce and the Mid-South American Heart Association’s Executive Leadership Team. Dawn also served at the Greenshoe Gala, benefitting Shelby Farms.

Dawn gives back to her alma matter, the University of Memphis as she is serving as an Executive in Residence for the Fogelman College of Business and Economics, on the 901 Women’s Athletic Advisory Board, has served as a member of the University of Memphis Alumni Association from 2000-2003, serving as treasurer from 2002-2003. She continued her service as the University of Memphis Alumni Association President from 2004-2005 while also being a member of the Board of Visitors for the U of M. Dawn was a participant in the U of M Women’s Leadership Council and was chairman for Homecoming Golf Classic for the Alumni Association.

Southern Security Federal Credit Union and its employees support Mid-South Employee Resource Network, Big Brothers Big Sister of the Mid-South, Youth Villages, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, YWCA, American Heart Association, Keesha Warrior Princess, Collierville Education Foundation and many other local charities through monetary donations and volunteer efforts.