Meet Our Team

Terri Vinson

Founder, Managing Director & Cosmetic Chemist

Terri founded Synergie Skin in 2005 after noticing a significant gap in the aesthetics market for highly active cosmeceutical products, free from potentially toxic ingredients.

Terri holds a Bachelor of Science, a Diploma of Education in Biology & Senior Science, and a post-graduate Diploma of Formulating Chemistry. She enjoys researching new ingredients and formulating in her Melbourne lab. She fills her weekends by nerding-out on scientific journals, binge-watching Netflix, oil painting and creating healthy recipes.

Click here to learn more about Terri

Favourite product: I’m obsessed with Dermiotic, our cosmeceutical skin balancer! This pre-serum elixir restores the balance of good and bad bacteria on the skin, relieving and preventing the nasty signs of skin inflammation. Highly recommended.

Pooneh Azady

General Manager

Pooneh is the General Manager of Synergie Skin and previously headed up our finance department. As our finest number cruncher, she has over a decade of experience and holds a master’s degree in Accounting and Financial Management. Pooneh is a real movie enthusiast, loves exploring new restaurants and can’t get enough of her puppy.

Favourite product: MediScrub – Having open pores on my face, I love how MediScrub removes the dead skin and blackheads but does not leave my skin dry.

Alexandra Young

Customer Service & Skin Expert

Alexandra is a passionate skin therapist with over 15 years of experience in the aesthetics industry. Originally hailing from the UK, she believes that knowledge is power and enjoys consulting, educating, and building simple and effective care plans to help people achieve the best possible results for their skin. Outside of work, Alexandra enjoys art, yoga, aerials, the great outdoors, and spending time with her family.

Favourite product: Having a combination skin which is prone to pigmentation, silky, lightweight Vitamin B helps my complexion look bright, balanced, dewy and hydrated.

Anna Vassilopoulos

Business Development Manager VIC

As a qualified Dermal Therapist with over 20 years of experience in the beauty industry, Anna has honed her skills in a variety of roles including day spa manager, Beauty Therapy educator, and a clinic owner. Anna’s strength lies in her ability to prescribe skincare that is tailored to a customer’s needs and finds nothing more rewarding than receiving feedback about their dramatic improvements to their skin and confidence.

Favourite product: BB Flawless cosmeceutical foundation. I love the beautiful natural coverage and flawless finish it gives whilst feeding my skin with anti-ageing goodies.

Catherine Wren

Business Development Manager QLD

Catherine is a highly motivated and energetic training and business development professional with more than 15 years experience driving growth and education across Australia and New Zealand. Catherine has diverse experience across both skincare and makeup and is passionate about client experience. Catherine’s a big foodie who spends her time enjoying good food and wine with her husband on the weekends.

Favourite product: De-Stress – This is a must-have, skincare game changer! The perfect evening treatment prior to applying your favourite Synergie Skin moisturiser.

Nikki Vezza

Business Development Manager NSW, TAS, SA, WA

Nikki resides in Sydney and takes care of our clients in the New South Wales region. With over 20 years of industry experience, Nikki has a passion for the skincare industry and a love of learning. She is a fully qualified beauty therapist with many years working closely with skin and cosmetic clinics. At home in Sydney, she enjoys spending time with her family, holidays and long walks with her husband and rescue dog.

Favourite product: HydroGel is an amazing matte finishing serum that decreases pore size and maintains my oil flow. I absolutely love this product!

Claire Crouch

Global Education Manager

With over 20 years industry experience, Claire is honoured to have delivered training all around the world. As a fully qualified beauty therapist she is passionate about education and believes “the more we know, the more we grow!” When at home, Claire enjoys all things art and craft, especially fun, creative time with her two sons.

Favourite product: Having a sensitive skin, I’ve always struggled to find a cleanser that effectively cleans my skin and removes makeup without leaving it tight and dry. The superior cleansing, silky, milky texture and rose aroma make BioCleanse my favourite.

Hollie Deckert

Global Sales Manager

Hollie comes to us with over fifteen years’ industry experience as a qualified skin therapist. With a huge passion for skincare, Hollie’s strength lies in developing effective sales and marketing strategies. In her spare time, Hollie enjoys spending time with her family, loves to cook and is a fashion enthusiast.

Favourite product: SuperSerum+ is my miracle product! It dramatically relaxes the frown line I was starting to form between my brows. I seriously swear by this serum.

Chantelle Nguyen

Marketing Manager

As the head of our Marketing department and a part of the Synergie Skin family for over 6 years, Chantelle is a known skincare and makeup obsessive. Tilly has been instrumental in developing our successful multi-platform marketing strategy, which includes digital advertising, PR and media relations, eCommerce, and social media.

Favourite product: I ditched the traditional toner years ago and now after cleansing, I apply a few drops of Dermiotic before my serums. This product has been a total game-changer in balancing my oily skin and reducing breakouts. I also love the lightweight cooling sensation, and it since has become a beloved staple in my beauty cabinet.

Zoe Kontogiannis

Operations Manager

Zoe oversees the production facility, procurement, logistics and operations at head office. With over twenty years’ experience in industries including fashion, graphics and construction, Zoe brings an array of managerial skills to the business. Having started with Synergie Skin from the beginning, Zoe has seen us grow from strength to strength. She is also a mother, film enthusiast, and appreciates design in all forms.

Favourite product: Love the non-creasing, light, yet very moisturising feel of ReClaim. Perfect for every day as a base to your makeup and even better as a night application.

Sanaz Zahiri

Lab Manager & R&D Chemist

Sanaz is a real whizz in the lab and makes all of Terri’s formulas literally come to life! She oversees R&D, QC and manufacturing activities at our Melbourne facility. She holds a Masters of Science (Inorganic Chemistry), has over 15 years of industry experience, and is a dedicated member of ASCC. Highly amused by the invisible world of molecules, she always knew that chemistry was her destiny.

Favourite product: It has to be ImprovEyes Night for me. This light eye cream works perfectly on my fine lines, puffiness and dark circles. Loving the results!

Wade Kambouzia

Quality & Business Improvement Manager

Wade takes care of the quality department at Synergie Skin, ensuring compliance with our new ISO 22716:2007 certification. This is an internationally recognised standard for Good Manufacturing Practices in the cosmeceutical industry. Wade holds an MBA degree, with a decade’s worth of experience in business admin. He also enjoys politics, listening to blues music, and a good drop of whiskey.

Favourite product: I highly recommend Cleansing Dust, a great daily exfoliating cleanser that activates with water. Being a powder and liquid-free, it’s also great for travel.