Meet Our CEO + President
The leaders and incredible team behind our brand make us one of the most recognized and respected names in the industry.
SOME THINGS
NEVER CHANGE
Michaeline DeJoria, daughter of John Paul Mitchell Systems co-founder John Paul DeJoria, has fond memories of growing up in Los Angeles and visiting her dad's office as a young girl. Now she's the CEO of John Paul Mitchell Systems, where she directs the company's future development for all brands. Michaeline started out working in various departments before arriving at her current position; it was important to her that she immersed herself in all aspects of the business before taking on a leadership role. This experience informs her managerial style to this day—making processes and departments streamlined and organized, with an emphasis on finding new opportunities for improvement.
Michaeline studied Product Development at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, as well as Organizational Communications and Industrial Psychology at Pepperdine University. She is an avid traveler, enjoying an appreciation and understanding of many cultures throughout the world. Philanthropy also plays a big part in her life—she makes substantial contributions to children's causes, Los Angeles schools, and numerous health and research causes.
Jason Yates began his career more than 30 years ago as a hairdresser in the UK, working his way up from salon apprentice to manager and eventually managing director for a group of 22 salons. During that time, he also worked as a platform artist and educator for a hair care manufacturer, exposing him to a different part of the industry that opened a career path beyond the salon.
In 2012, Jason joined JPMS as Vice President of Marketing, where he led the marketing strategy for all brands, later expanding his leadership role to make him the first-ever Vice President of Sales and Marketing in the company's history. With hands-on experience in every facet of the professional beauty industry—from hairstyling to business management, marketing and sales—Jason was appointed President of JPMS, and oversees the company's global daily operations.
While his journey from hairdresser to executive may be unusual, Jason observes: "We work in an amazing industry that allows us to go in many different directions, especially if you are a young professional stylist. My career may not be a typical path for a hairdresser, but it's certainly one that can happen."
Michaeline DeJoria
CEO
Michaeline DeJoria, daughter of John Paul Mitchell Systems co-founder John Paul DeJoria, has fond memories of growing up in Los Angeles and visiting her dad's office as a young girl. Now she's the CEO of John Paul Mitchell Systems, where she directs the company's future development for all brands. Michaeline started out working in various departments before arriving at her current position; it was important to her that she immersed herself in all aspects of the business before taking on a leadership role. This experience informs her managerial style to this day—making processes and departments streamlined and organized, with an emphasis on finding new opportunities for improvement.
Michaeline studied Product Development at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, as well as Organizational Communications and Industrial Psychology at Pepperdine University. She is an avid traveler, enjoying an appreciation and understanding of many cultures throughout the world. Philanthropy also plays a big part in her life—she makes substantial contributions to children's causes, Los Angeles schools, and numerous health and research causes.
Jason Yates
President
Jason Yates began his career more than 30 years ago as a hairdresser in the UK, working his way up from salon apprentice to manager and eventually managing director for a group of 22 salons. During that time, he also worked as a platform artist and educator for a hair care manufacturer, exposing him to a different part of the industry that opened a career path beyond the salon.
In 2012, Jason joined JPMS as Vice President of Marketing, where he led the marketing strategy for all brands, later expanding his leadership role to make him the first-ever Vice President of Sales and Marketing in the company's history. With hands-on experience in every facet of the professional beauty industry—from hairstyling to business management, marketing and sales—Jason was appointed President of JPMS, and oversees the company's global daily operations.
While his journey from hairdresser to executive may be unusual, Jason observes: "We work in an amazing industry that allows us to go in many different directions, especially if you are a young professional stylist. My career may not be a typical path for a hairdresser, but it's certainly one that can happen."
Meet Our Owners
John Paul Mitchell Systems Co-founder and Chairman of the Board John Paul DeJoria still steers our company according to its original vision. Despite offers from public corporations to sell, he refused because of his initial vow to stand by the professional beauty industry.
John Paul DeJoria
CO-FOUNDER + CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
John Paul DeJoria was born on April 13,1944 in east Los Angeles. After graduating high school and serving in the U.S. Navy, John Paul founded John Paul Mitchell Systems along with his business partner, Paul Mitchell. Since then, John Paul has launched multiple global enterprises, including Patrón Tequila, and invested in many successful businesses across industries, such as Discovery Land Company, ROKiT and Round 2 Spirits, LLC.
John Paul is most passionate about philanthropy and has supported hundreds of charitable organizations throughout his career. In 2009, he created Grow Appalachia, a non-profit that works to address food insecurity in Central Appalachia. In 2011, John Paul signed The Giving Pledge and established JP's Peace, Love & Happiness Foundation with the goal to invest in people, animal conservation and environmental protection.
As a supporter of ocean conservation, John Paul has worked closely with Captain Paul Watson in his efforts to eradicate illegal whaling and recently commissioned the M/Y John Paul DeJoria II. The 232-foot vessel was christened in 2023 and embarked on its first campaign to prevent the illegal killing of fin whales. John Paul also co-founded The Ocean Shot, which aims to regrow coral reef habitats.
John Paul's life was the subject of the 2017 documentary Good Fortune, which won the Audience Award for Best Documentary at Sedona Film Festival. He has been profiled globally across many media outlets including Forbes, Entrepreneur, Inc. Magazine, BBC, Fox, Fox Business, Bloomberg, CNBC, MSNBC, NBC, The Ellen Show, and more.
Remembering Angus Mitchell (1970-2024)
Angus Mitchell was born on October 16, 1970 in New York. As a fourth-generation hair stylist, his passion for the industry was unwavering. Educated at Vidal Sassoon, Angus was a hairdresser, educator and opened his own salon in Beverly Hills in 2009.
Angus took over as co-owner of John Paul Mitchell Systems following the death of his father, Paul Mitchell, in 1989.
The loss of his father inspired Angus' philanthropic work with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), an organization dedicated to fighting the world's toughest cancer through research, clinical initiatives, patient services and advocacy.
Angus was also an advocate for human rights, ecological preservation and environmental research. He had generously donated historic coastal properties in Hawaii to the Nature Conservancy and the Edith K. Kanaka'ole Foundation. His joyful and generous spirit will forever be a part of the JPMS family legacy.
Remembering Paul Mitchell (1936-1989)
Our co-founder, Paul Mitchell, was born in 1936 in Carnwath, Scotland. His mother was the first hairdresser in the village, and at the age of sixteen, Paul followed suit by enrolling in London's Morris School of Hairdressing. With his world-class talent and sharp, innovative eye, Paul soon created a revolution within the hairdressing industry.
Studying under the guidance of the famed Vidal Sasson, Paul built an illustrious career and became known as one of the most sought-after hair stylists and educators on the salon scene. His rise to the top was fueled in large part by the dozens of traveling clinics he conducted.
Paul pioneered the concept of “wash and wear” hair, using his hands and Sculpting Lotion as his only tools to demonstrate easy, versatile styles. He transformed haircutting presentations into artistic performances with unconventional props like surgical tape and balloons. Paul entertained and attracted clientele, casting him in the spotlight as an incredible showman.
Paul was also passionate about sustainability and pushing the limits of innovation. We strive to carry on Paul's legacy through philanthropic and planet-focused initiatives.
