Our Team

Founder & Owner

Estrellita “Estie” Gonzalez, BBA

Estrellita is the CEO, Founder & Owner of Derma Bright Clinic. She started the clinic in 2012 after a journey of wellness that included the discovery of high amounts of lead in her body. After much research, she discovered that beauty & cosmetic products were likely contributors. After doing marketing work for a FL company that produces the technology she uses in her clinic, she realized the aesthetics industry was going to be changing with the advent of technology. Derma Bright Clinic is the result of this journey.

Prior to starting the clinic, Estrellita spent 20+ years in the corporate world working in senior HR & Marketing roles in Canada & Asia. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in HR Management, along with Diplomas in Sales/Marketing Management & Hotel Management. She is the author of several books & conducts workshops & retreats on wellness & wellbeing. She is mom to a son who is at home and attends university. In June 2022 she was elected to to the Beauty Council of BC - Board of Directors and sat as the Secretary Treasurer. In June 2024 she was re-elected to the Board for a 2nd term and sits as the Board Chair. She also served her community as a twice-elected School Trustee & Vice-Chair with the Vancouver School Board (2017-2022). In her spare time Estie loves to travel, read, be in nature and enjoy good times with friends & family.

Desiree Panico

Senior Skin Care & LPG Technician

Desiree is a professionally trained and certified Aesthetician. Prior to immigrating to Canada, she managed her own business in South Africa for many years. Desiree’s knowledge includes facials, skin peelings, and body treatments. She is a senior facialist specializing in anti-aging and acne facials, Oxygeneo & peels, and works with the LPG Endermolift and Lipomassage modalities. Desiree understands that achieving the best results for a healthy mind and body, one needs to follow a clean diet, exercise regularly, and that laughing every day is the key to staying young!

Kadi Chams

Senior Skin Care, Potenza & LPG Technician

Kadi is a Senior Aesthetician with many years of experience dedicated to skin, body & hair improvement. She graduated from a Body and Facial Aesthetics College (SENAC) & a hairstylist institute (Nonaka) in Brasil. Kadi worked for clinics & beauty salons as well as managed her own salon in Brazil for over ten years before immigrating to Canada. Her knowledge & techniques include medical aesthetics, biological & enzyme peeling, deep cleansing, lymphatic drainage, micro-current, lifting & electro-lifting for face treatments as well as Isometric Exercise, Mesotherapy, Gommage, Thermotherapy, Cryotherapy, & Lymphatic Drainage body treatments. She is a senior facialist providing anti-aging & acne facials, peels, Potenza and LPG services.

Irene Hui

Senior Skin Care, LPG & Laser Technician

Irene has been involved directly and indirectly in the beauty, laser and skincare profession for the last two decades. She has amassed an enormous amount of up-to-date experience and understands what it is to be the client as well as a certified practitioner in laser and skincare. Irene has a philosophy that beauty and health are not only external but also internal. She is a certified chef and compliments this with the formal wine training she has received. Irene blends elegance, style, and form with beauty. Understanding her client needs is a special talent and skill Irene possesses and clients benefit greatly. Interestingly, Irene means peace in Greek and we all know that peace and beauty go hand in hand.

Yasuyo Kawamoto

Skin Care & LPG technician, and Body Services Supervisor

Yasuyo is a graduate of Vancouver Community College with an Esthetics Diploma. Prior to joining us she was a massage practitioner & Aromatherapy teacher for over 15 years in her native Japan. Her massage specialties include body, facial, prenatal & she is an Esalen® certified practitioner having trained in both Japan & California. Esalen®, a style of Swedish massage that brings deep relaxation of both body & mind, is where she discovered the depth of massage and the importance of the “quality of touch”. Yasuyo's service offerings include facials, peels, & she supervises & practices in the Body program including LPG, body massage, wraps, scrubs and slimming & detox programs.

Farnoush Kavaji

Skin Care & Laser Technician

Farnoush is a licensed esthetician from the USA with over a decade of experience in beauty and skin care. She passionately believes in the transformative power of healthy skin, emphasizing skin care as essential and makeup as optional. Farnoush's expertise spans a wide range of treatments, all aimed at nurturing confidence and inner glow in her clients. Through her knowledge and dedication, she's committed to helping individuals feel better about themselves through the art of skincare. Farnoush provides services for facials, peels, facial massage (a new service we launched in April 2024) and full Laser treatments including Laser Hair Removal, IPL / Photo Therapy and Stretch Mark / Acne Scar treatments.

Connie Pretula
Holistic Nutritionist

Connie’s passion is clear: to help women feel better while transitioning through the stages of menopause and using nutrition as the foundation. With her business acumen honed through years of client-centric roles, she aspires to simplify the healing process for her clients. Also known as the Menopause Navigator, Connie works one-on-one with women over 50. Her journey inspires others to live true to themselves and create the life they dream of.

Dr Chang-Jen Chen
TCM Practitioner

Chang-Jen Paul Chen is a RTCMP registered TCM. He has studied holistic medicine since 1995. He graduated in 2008 with a Doctor of TCM from the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture of BC. He also has a Master of Auricular Medicine from the Auricular International Research & Training Centre in USA earned in 2006. He established and operates Soul Natural Holistic Medicine clinic since 2003. He has also given many speeches in Vancouver on Holistic medicine and other Chinese medicine related topics. In his spare time he organizes and helps many charity events such as 8th TCM annual Wellness Day. Besides practicing medicine, he has been a director of QATCM, and currently is the president of NTCM and a Board member of CTCMA, since 2013.

Ira Le - Dhairya Devāni Rahi
Spiritual Adviser

Born in Kazakhstan, this ethnic Korean, Russian-speaking, Canadian citizen, is a living embodiment of the Oneness of all races, nations, cultures and religions. Unsatisfied from a young age with the answers given to her many questions on the meaning of life, she embarked from the young age of 19, on a journey which eventually took her to the Himalayas; here she pursued a spiritual practice and divine transformation. She spent the next 15 years on an ashram under the tutelage of her Guru, Guruji. She spent her time living in a cave engrossed in deep spiritual study and practice of Kriya Yoga, Sanskrit Mantras, Vedic ceremonies, and connection to the Divine - Her own Soul, Rishis and Prophets of different religions, as well as the God/Goddess Absolute. Her Guru has now released her into world in order to spread the word of peace and healing. She stands as a true example of a spiritual disciple and modern day Rishi, a pillar of Light for the world and a loving Mother for all humanity, who tirelessly continues to bless all with her Divine Knowledge, Bliss and Compassion. Dhairya will be working with Derma Bright Clinic offering spiritual advising, counseling, workshops and retreats, including one on one and group settings.