Carolyn Brundage, Founder

Propelled by an intense love of all things beautiful and an extensive technology background, Carolyn Brundage built an online beauty mecca. Its purpose? Serve as a destination for savvy spa and salon goers as well as a regional directory of indulgence. All while offering up beauty bargains on everything from massages to manicures, from cosmetics to collagen.

In 2002 Carolyn set out to conquer her hometown of Chicago, with the launch of ChicagoBeauty.com. She quickly established the site as city's top beauty resource and now writes a weekly beauty column for the tbt* Tampa Bay Times as well as the Chicago Suburban News. NewYorkBeauty.com and TampaBayBeauty.com have successfully followed suit.

In 2006, Carolyn and her team of beauty mavens launched the Pretty City concept nationwide, beautifying 30 of the nation's chicest cities from Atlanta to LA, from Miami to Denver and beyond.

Johanna Engel, National Director of Marketing and Advertising

Johanna graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in Journalism and English. This Barrington, IL native spent the beginning of her career in marketing, before deciding that corporate America was not fulfilling her love of beauty, fashion and..parties! She joined Pretty City, Inc. in 2003 as a special events coordinator before coming onboard full time as the Director of Marketing and Advertising in 2004. Armed with an extensive marketing and advertising background and an uncanny understanding of what's hip, Johanna now crafts win-win partnerships with national advertisers as well as local spas and salons. From executing premium events to carrying out grand scale branding campaigns, Johanna's knack for marketing is unmatched.

Ann Brown, Midwest Account Executive

Chicago Account Executive, Ann Brown, graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in English.  Ann grew up in the Northwest Suburbs and left college to spend a few years in Palm Springs, CA sharpening her sales skills at prestigious Resorts and soaking up the sun.  However the opportunity to partner with the Pretty City Team was just too fabulous to resist and she moved back to the Windy City and came on board the summer of 2006!
Ann handles advertising sales throughout Chicagoland uncovering the best and most unique Salons, Spas and all things Beauty in order to get the word out to our readers. She currently is a suburbanite with a much needed yard for her two dogs, Macy & Nordstrom, but gets to visit the city regularly to meet with up and coming clients and satisfy her thirst for Urban living!

Tiffany Augsburg, Midwest Account Executive

Yet another alumni hailing from the University of Iowa, Tiffany graduated with a degree in both Marketing and in Management Information Systems. She is unbelievably excited to blend her passion for marketing with her professional background in technology.
Tiffany loves spending her days interfacing with Spa and Salon owners who are excited about what they do, and she truly enjoys playing an integral role in growing their businesses. Who could ask for a better "office" than the top Northern Chicago Suburb beauty destinations?
Finally, as a beauty product addict (hey, everyone has a vice), she loves trying all lines of hair care, skin care, cosmetics. you name it!

Tracy Deffendall, Tampa Bay Account Executive

With her eyes and ears on all things pretty, Tracy Deffendall is devoted to presenting Tampa Bay beauties with the finest destinations for posh pampering and the best in beauty. A native Floridian from Vero Beach, Tracy brings us her beauty business management experience and a bright entrepreneurial spirit. She has managed two resort boutiques in Vero Beach and owned and operated a premier tanning salon in South Tampa as well as an online boutique for accessory junkies. Tracy loves to travel and has been known to bring back a beauty secret or two from her journeys to the Caribbean, Denmark, Germany, France and Italy.

Tracy's appreciation for stylish living and pretty indulgences keeps her on top of the latest events and hottest newcomers of the Tampa Bay area. She is also passionate about helping grow the business of beauty in the region, and actively stays current on the newest trends in cosmetics and skin care advancements industry-wide to fuel that growth.

Tess Kurzeja, Editor

A graduate of Saint Xavier University in Chicago with a major in English and Communications, Tess joined the Pretty City team in August 2007. Both a creative writer and spa enthusiast since her youth, Tess is a self-defined spa girl and beauty product guru who is excited to lend her passion for writing, editing and the beauty industry to Pretty City, Inc. Also the columnist behind Pretty City’s Green-Eyed Girl, Tess loves learning about, and testing, organic, natural and environmentally friendly products. Sending spa mavens like herself to review the best salons and spas in the nation, she also facilitates spa girl reviews working closely with other PrettyCity writers to get the skinny on the latest and greatest in beauty.

Sarah Schilling, Executive Manager

Originally from Pensacola, FL, Sarah graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in International Business. She explored many facets of the fashion & retail world prior to finding her way to the Pretty City team. Sarah's journey began with a semester studying in Milan where her interest in the fashion industry was solidified and her deep love of travel and adventure was imbedded within her. Her journey next took her to New York City where she managed a designer's showroom & studio and later led to several freelance retail consulting positions where she realized her secret passion for events before finding her home among the Pretty City Team.

Sarah joined Pretty City in May of 2007 and enjoys her role as Executive Manager as it allows her to satisfy her passion for beauty, fashion, events & travel.