our 2026 speakers

MC / SPEAKER

A Certified Master Groomer and award-winning professional, has been a leader in the pet grooming industry since 2009. With a strong foundation built under the mentorship of two renowned groomers, she transitioned from salon work to competitive grooming in 2010, earning multiple awards in Poodle and all other pure bred classes. Marcia’s expertise has also led her to groom dogs featured in international magazines and media productions. Known for her social media presence, her viral TikTok channel, “I Like Dog More Than You,” has earned her five Barkleigh Honor Awards and brand sponsorships. An active competitor, Marcia regularly showcases her skills with her Kerry Blue, Ayla, and Mini Poodle, Possum. Recently she opened her third salon, The Bark Side in Ontario. A small team oriented shop, focusing on one-on-one experiences that prioritize comfort and safety for both dogs and groomers.

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As a second-generation groomer, Macie has been immersed in the dog world her whole life. She has been grooming professionally since 2012. Macie started competing in 2014 and quickly rose to the top, becoming one of the youngest competitors in open division. Since then, Macie has catapulted her career in competitive grooming, with multiple Best in Show placements at the top grooming shows in the USA and Canada. She earned her Master Groomer certification from NDGAA in 2016. Macie earned a coveted spot on Groom Team USA in 2019, where she was ranked #5 since then she has held a spot in the top five until 2024 wen she became the #1 groomer in the USA Macie has been nominated for Barkleigh Honors Up and Coming Groomer of the Year in 2017, and the Brian Stoppa Congeniality and Spirit Award in 2020 for her positive attitude in the industry. In 2021 Macie won ABS’s Pooch Perfect USA. Macie is passionate about continuing education and teaches techniques and skills at grooming shows across the globe. She is a Brand Ambassador for three top brands that focus on quality and customer service. Macie Specializes in bichons and poodles however she has proved herself proficient in many breeds, and techniques. Winning a BIS in every Groom Team Sanctioned Category.

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During her 37 years in the grooming industry, Anjie spent a significant amount of time learning about every aspect of grooming and business. She knew she had to share the knowledge she had gained and began teaching grooming and business so others could learn the secrets of her success. This has also led her to teach Pet First Aid & CPR classes for pet professionals and owners and become a HELP Master Chief Instructor. Her passion for continuing education is evident in her achievements, including CMRG, ICMCG, CCE, PGC, CMPTI, and PGCE. In 2023, her book, the first rabbit grooming book in the industry, “The Quintessential Rabbit Book,“ was published and won the Barkleigh Honors Book of the Year. She has been a web designer for over three decades and owns Coates Design, a web design company specializing in the pet industry's needs.

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Lisa Leady is a third generation groomer with 40 years of grooming experience. She is a nationally certified master groomer and a certified for NDGAA (National Dog Groomers Association of America). She began her competition career in 1995 shortly after opening her first salon, Chez Paws. She has multiple best in shows and best all around groomer awards to her credit. Lisa ranked in the top ten from 2000-2007 to become a GroomTeam USA member during those seven years. In 2006 she was ranked #2 in the US. She was honored to compete in the World competition on multiple occasions with the US traveling team. Years later after selling her business, she became Head Instructor at two grooming academies, the Academy of Dog Grooming Arts, and Windy City Grooming Academy. After years of sharing her passion she missed daily grooming and decided to open a mobile salon. This allowed more time to dedicate to hands on workshops and judging assignments. These continue to this day and she has become a popular domestic, and international judge and speaker. Lisa has been a member of Wahl clipper corporation’s Extreme Team for 15 years. She has a multitude of Barkleigh Honors and Cardinal Crystal Awards to her credit for her substantial contributions to the grooming industry. She appeared on Animal Planets “Groomer Has It 2” series where she placed as runner up. Lisa is proud to be a regular contributor to the online instructional video platform, “Learn to Groom.com” where her videos are some of the most watched. Lisa currently owns Primp My Pooch Salon with her husband Eric, and shows and breeds AKC Champion Smooth Fox Terriers in her leisure time.

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Angela Kumpe has made a career out of creative styling. Some of her accomplishments include over 70 creative placements,multiple covers of Groomer to Groomer magazine, 3 Barkleigh Honors Awards for Creative Stylist of the year and Book of The Year with her book The Ultimate Guide to Creative Styling. Angela’s work has been seen on Animal Planet, TLC, Good Morning America, The Queen Latifah Show, Fox and Friends, HBO, and in The New York Times as well as numerous local publications.

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Meet Guzal Adekoje: The Award-Winning Groomer Transforming the Industry. Guzal Adekoje isn't just a groomer – she's a force of nature in the pet styling world. This internationally recognized, multiple award-winning groomer and speaker has spent years honing her craft, earning top certifications from the AKC and National Dog Groomers Association. Guzal's journey to success wasn't easy. Hailing from Uzbekistan, she arrived in the United States in 2003 with just a suitcase and $200. Through sheer determination, she built a thriving mobile pet grooming business and upscale salon in Northern Virginia. Today, she's a renowned competitor in global grooming contests. Guzal's expertise spans from Poodles to sporting breeds, hand-stripping to freestyle. As an open-level competitor, she's passionate about sharing her wealth of knowledge with others. Her educational approach emphasizes individualized attention, offering small group classes, private lessons, seminars, and webinars to accommodate all skill levels and learning styles. But Guzal's impact extends beyond the competition floor. She's the driving force behind LaFursion, a company dedicated to making top-tier grooming tools and education accessible to all. LaFursion's membership model provides exclusive discounts, referral bonuses, and the opportunity to learn at your own pace. It's Guzal's way of giving back to the grooming community that nurtured her success. Style matters to Guzal. She believes groomers are artists, deserving of products that make them feel as great as they look. That's why she's created a line of uniquely designed, high-quality tools to elevate the grooming experience. Guzal's background in global affairs and business, combined with her education and grooming degrees, make her a powerful voice in the industry. Her philosophy? "My passion is grooming, my love is teaching, and my head is in business." Get ready for a grooming revolution with Guzal Adekoje at the forefront.

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