Bellus Academy, the internationally recognized beauty and wellness academy, has appointed Erin Vargas as President, effective March 1, 2023.
Vargas will assume day-to-day leadership of Bellus Academy, while owner and Chief Executive Officer Lynelle Lynch focuses on strategic responsibilities, and philanthropic service in the professional beauty and post-secondary education sectors.
Since 2018, Vargas has served as the academy’s Chief Operations Officer. Over a career spanning more than two decades, she has cultivated experience in the regulatory, compliance and financial aid sectors of secondary education. “Erin’s extensive experience navigating a complex and ever-evolving regulatory landscape coupled with her innate ability to nurture trust and cooperation across the enterprise positions her to effectively take on presidential responsibilities across all Bellus Academies,” said Lynch.
Remarking on her new role, Vargas stated, “It’s a very humbling privilege for Lynelle to hand over the reins and I am grateful for the leadership lessons I’ve gleaned from her and the rest of the Bellus team during my four years at Bellus Academy.” The transition in roles will allow Vargas to focus on operational responsibilities for campuses in California and Kansas, freeing Lynch to devote more time toward supporting philanthropy and industry initiatives, including serving as Chair of Career Education College Universities (CECU) and founder of the non-profit Beauty Changes Lives.