Our Team
We believe our employees are our most valuable asset and are the faces who set us apart. Our integral belief and commitment is to invest in our employees in a multi-faceted approach through providing opportunities, growth, training, and stability.
As licensed specialists with years of experience, we are committed to our clients and love what we do.
Shannon
Director, Medical Esthetician, and Laser Technician
Shannon became a professionally licensed esthetician in 2002 and went on to pursue and maintain her medical esthetician and laser technician certifications. Shannon left esthetics for an opportunity in Human Resources, which lead to great success in her 15-year tenure - her most recent position being a Director of a multibillion dollar North American company. She built her human resources leadership structure with a strong focus on customer service and training excellence. Over the years as a business professional, Shannon never lost sight of her passion for esthetics and decided to return to the industry to follow her dream - to open a spa of her own based around the high-quality standards and training instilled in her by her mentors.
Shannon is an advocate for women like herself and spends much of her time finding ways to support women and give back to the community. In addition to supporting many existing charities, Shannon developed one of her own. "Life in a Glass" is a charity built for women to relax and recharge from the demands of life in direct support of SAIF (Stop Abuse in Families).
Dr. Deanne Watrich
Medical Director
Cosmetic Injectables is Dr. Watrich's 4th area specialty within her Physician career. For those of us looking for a refreshed look, her injection style enhances natural beauty and contours while bringing symmetry to the face. She prefers a "less is more" approach with her patients.
While she handles all of our injectable treatments at Divine & Free, Dr. Watrich is an Emergency Physician working out of the Misericordia Hospital, having originally completed her Medical Officer Training through the Canadian Armed Forces. She has shared her knowledge across Canada, deployed from coast to coast on training, humanitarian, and emergency aid missions. She was also deployed with the first Disaster Assistance Response Team mission to Rwanda in 1996 during the first Congo war in the aftermath of the 1994 genocide. Before retiring from The Canadian Armed Forces, Dr. Watrich toured with the Advance Surgical Unit in Bosnia-Herzegovena.
Back to civilian life, Dr. Watrich is a busy bee as an emergency physician, working with emergency ultrasound as well as underwater & hyperbaric medicine, and is a clinical lecturer for the Emergency Department of Medicine at the University of Alberta. she's also a mom of two boys!
However, don't let this background fool you - she's about as friendly and outgoing as they come. There's always laughs to be had with Dr. Watrich around.
When she isn't hard at work, Dr. Watrich is found woodworking, enjoying a health-centric lifestyle, and spends quality time with her wife and children.
McKenna
Marketing and Guest Relations Manager
McKenna is an experienced customer service representative and has specialized in the spa industry for over 6 years. She is adept in her knowledge of our wide range of treatments and has trained extensively with our product lines, most notably Jane Iredale and Sothys Paris, being recognized as a brand ambassador. Although it might be hard to tell, McKenna has dealt with a difficult skin condition since her youth and aims to assists others with hyper-reactive or problematic skin in making informed and educated decisions.
McKenna also holds a diploma in Audio Engineering from the Ontario Institute of Audio Recording Technology and uses her skills to produce music, whether it be as a singer/songwriter, as part of a collective, or as a session vocalist or audio editor. She actually has a second job as a musician and has received nominations and awards for her vocal performances.
Catherine
Senior Esthetician
Catherine, goes by Catt for short, joined the Divine & Free team after serving the St. Albert community as a full-time esthetician since graduating from Marvell College in 2007. She offers a wide range of services from waxing, makeup artistry, manicures and pedicures, to medical spa treatments - her favourite being facials. Her bubbly spirit and careful touch are both comforting and relaxing and she loves to make people feel great. Even with extensive experience in the health and wellness industry, Catt is always looking for an opportunity to learn new things and strengthen existing skills.
Catt is a Reiki Master certified from the Universal College of Reflexology and has participated in various personal development seminars and workshops since 2011. Catt's love of art and painting reflects in her nail art and creative ideas.
Fran
Training Manager, Skin Specialist, and Laser Technician
Fran was one of the first female entrepreneurs to open one of the first day spas in Edmonton in the 1980s. Fran, in a joint-partnership with Dianne, achieved success as one of the most reputable business owners operating one of the most recognized and trusted day spas in Edmonton and area for over 32 years. Fran oversaw the operational and training management of the business within her partnership, and is an industry expert known for her ability to train and groom some of the best technicians with the highest standards in the beauty and wellness industry. Shannon considered Fran to be her mentor when she began her career in esthetics and even with Shannon's career change, they remained great friends throughout the last 18 years.
Fran is an avid traveler with an appreciation for walks in nature, pilates, and a nice glass of wine. She is a devoted mother and grandmother whose free spirit is bound to make anyone smile.
Lacey
Senior Esthetician and Laser Technician
Lacey got her start in the esthetics industry at the age of 17 as a receptionist in a prominent day spa in St. Albert and worked closely with Shannon. Lacey went on to pursue her esthetics career and became licensed in 2005 at Alberta Academy of Esthetics and went on to receive her laser technician certification. Lacey's thorough attention to detail is demonstrated in her work, most notably with gel nail enhancements and is recognized as a master nail technician with her 15 years experience. She is also a self-proclaimed "product junkie."
Lacey's thirst for knowledge is never-ending. You will often find her studying protocols, ingredients, products, you name it! She refuses to give anything less than 110% to her clients when it comes to her services and product recommendations.
Elise
Esthetician
Elise is a graduate of the Advanced Clinical Program at European Institute of Esthetics and has a passion for the industry. Through further extensive training with Shannon and Fran and he own impressive studiousness, she confidently grasps the ins and outs of the industry. Elise offers services from pedicures all the way to laser and med spa treatments. She has proven herself to be a natural who is always curious to learn and make all feel welcome and heard.
Elise is a dynamic person who often surprises many with her age as she is truly an old soul with a good sense of humour. With a lifelong love of sports (ringette and yoga being her favourites), reading, playing the piano, and attending music concerts whenever possible, she keeps busy but always makes time for her family, friends, and of course her skincare routine!