Saint-Tropez Event Brings Intercoiffure Members Together from Across the Globe

August 31, 2023

Inspired Together

When Intercoiffure members gather, they inspire and motivate each other to learn and reach new levels of creativity, and Saint-Tropez was no exception.

“Being in Saint-Tropez is always great, but one thing stood out for me this year was the young Intercoiffure presentation,” says Reg Laws. “What a great opportunity for rising stars to travel, share their skills with the team, and deliver a presentation to world leaders.”

He adds, “If we’re going to inspire the youth of today to become hairdressers, then there should be an aspirational journey that doesn’t end with their initial education.”

Cantu adds, “The entire weekend was an experience I’ll never forget,” says Cantu. “From watching my mentors Reg Laws and Candy Shaw get knighted to seeing the world’s best hair designers on stage, to the famous Intercoiffure White Party, it was all memorable.”

At the annual Chevalerie Ceremony, three ICA (Intercoiffure America Canada) members were knighted: Reg Laws, owner of 15 PR at Partners locations; Candy Shaw, owner of Jamison Shaw Hairdressers; and Gene Juarez, found of Gene Juarez Salons and Spas.

ICA’s artistic director, Anna Pacitto, was also honored at the ceremony when she was named Personality of the Year.

Time to Party

On Sunday, attendees were invited to pay tribute to former Intercoiffure Mondial president, Alexandre de Paris, in the morning and had the afternoon free to prepare for the annual White Party, known in France as the Soirée Blanche.

This much-anticipated fete features hair shows, networking and music until dawn with only one rule: Attendees must wear white.

At the White Party, the stage lit up with shows from Fondation Guillaume, ICD Japan and ICD France.

“The highlight of the event for me was meeting Intercoiffure members and leaders from all parts of the world and learning about their cultures,” says Angela Pantaleone, owner of Coterie. “Sharing this experience with some of our members was extraordinary—just when I thought ICA membership couldn’t get any better, it gave me Saint-Tropez!”

Interested in becoming an ICA member? Learn how here.

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.