Women in Leadership: Sheila Zaricor-Wilson

March 1, 2019

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Michele Musgrove | February 27, 2019 | 10:41 AM | Salon Today / Modern Salon

It may just be the first time in beauty industry history that three women have been at the helm of the most powerful beauty associations–Cosmetologists Chicago, Intercoiffure America/Canada and the Professional Beauty Association. As part of our Women in Leadership series, Michele Musgrove interviews Sheila Zaricor-Wilson, the new president of Intercoiffure America/Canada, inviting her to share her history, her thoughts and her goals during her leadership.

Tell our audience about a little bit about your history in the professional beauty business, and your current leadership roles.
Zaricor-Wilson: I have been the co-owner of multiple salons, including five in Memphis and one in Los Angeles. In the 1980s, I worked to help develop a franchise of full service salons for men and women, I was the CEO of DiVari, a skin care research company with a patented water technology and I am the co-founder of the International Haircolor Exchange and the American Board of Certified Haircolorists. Presently, I am the owner of Master Design Salon & Wellness Studio in Memphis and the President Elect of Intercoiffure America/Canada.

When did you first become or feel you were a leader? In the professional beauty industry?
Zaricor-Wilson: When I volunteered for a few charity events, they kept asking me for advice and finally if I would mind taking over because people wanted to work with me. I realized that when you make it fun and not overwork the team, they want to be a part of it. After opening the second salon and a training center, I realized I enjoyed watching people grow and helping them to achieve their goals. This helped us expand to the five salons.

How has your leadership style evolved?
Zaricor-Wilson: I have softened….It took a while for me to realize that most people are not 24/7 when working on projects or their goals and sometimes they are not as excited as I am about them going to the next level. When someone called me the “little general,” I realized that I had to lead more than push.

What personal leadership trait or habit are you most proud of, particularly good at, and/or find to be most effective?
Zaricor-Wilson: I learned to listen not only with my ears but my eyes and gut. The body language and tone speaks louder than words sometimes. Someone I admired greatly as a leader once told me that God gave us two eyes, two ears and only one mouth for a reason.

This year (2018-19) may be the first time that three of the primary associations representing salon professionals are all being led by a woman at the helm at the same time. What significance (if any) do you find in this situation?
Zaricor-Wilson: Women have become more confident working together in the last few years. Up to then, women were fighting to be heard and worked independently or as a part of a couple. Now, we reach out and help other women become strong.

Tell us about one important objective that you hope to address during your tenure as president of your association, including why it is particularly relevant to salon owners and salon professionals today.
Zaricor-Wilson: I want to create an atmosphere for better conversations on mentoring at all levels, including salons and schools, salons and manufacturers, salons and media and market leader, commission-based salons to the industry as a whole.

What does the phrase “balance of power” mean to you, and how do you think it will or should apply to the professional salon community in the coming year?
Zaricor-Wilson: The balance of power, represents all aspects of the industry, working together to overcome challenges, enhance opportunities and/or make changes for the good of the industry.

What advice would you give other women in the professional beauty business who aspire to stronger or more visible leadership roles?
Zaricor-Wilson: Get involved, be open-minded, do not be afraid to step up and be willing to work.

What do you love most about your career in professional beauty and your role as president of Intercoiffure?
Zaricor-Wilson: I love knowing that I touch lives in a way that no other professional can and that I am touched by people who I would not have the opportunity to meet if I wasn’t in this industry. Serving as president of Intercoiffure is going to allow me to open doors for a lot of people by connecting them to others who can help them grow. It is all about supporting each other and making this a better place to live, work and leave to the next generation.

Intercoiffure’s Spring Atelier will be held at the Caesar’s Palace Las Vegas April 6-9.

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.