Pivot Point and Beauty Changes Lives Announce Endowment Fund

Pivot Point International, Inc. and the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation, recently announced the formation of the Leo Passage Endowment Fund to benefit competition, scholarships and lifelong learning among students and professionals. The announcement was made during a press conference held during “Beauty Week,” at Cosmoprof North America in Las Vegas, NV.

The Leo Passage Endowment Fund, established by the Passage family, honors the founder of Pivot Point, industry leader for more than 50 years, who passed away in 2011. The Fund will be endowed with a $1,000,000 donation from the Passage family, and implemented through the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation.

“My father believed wholeheartedly in providing hair, beauty and wellness professionals a thorough and complete education in their craft, as well as how to be successful. Lifelong learning, and the value of competition among hairdressers were also pillars of his philosophy in developing Pivot Point,” said Robert Passage, Pivot Point Chairman and CEO. “It gives my mother, Lenie, and me, along with our entire family, immense pleasure that we are able to continue to support his beliefs through the establishment of the Leo Passage Endowment Fund.”

“Leo Passage truly lived his life to the fullest,” added Pivot Point President Melanie Kopeikin. “He motivated everyone who knew him to do the same. He encouraged everyone he met around the world to follow their hearts and their dreams. His personal life mission became his company’s mission: through Pivot Point education Leo Passage inspired more than a million people around the world. His humility was well known and respected — always sharing with others without self-interest and possessing a timeless, creative spirit.”

It is in this spirit of creativity that the Leo Passage Endowment Fund will be established to support the following three facets of a student’s or professional’s career: competition to help launch successful careers for those who follow their passion; scholarships to serve as an entry port for creative people to be part of this exciting profession; and lifelong learning to take careers to the next level. To quote Leo Passage, “No experience is ever fully mastered.”

In addition to the establishment of the Leo Passage Endowment Fund, Robert Passage and Lynelle Lynch, president of the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation, announced that the 2015 Legacy Award event would be held in honor of Leo Passage, on Saturday, March 21, 2015 in Chicago, IL, during America’s Beauty Show. Leo Passage is the third recipient of the Legacy of Style award.

“Leo Passage was more than an esteemed icon – he was a true visionary,” said Ms. Lynch, following the announcements. “His generosity and passion for professional excellence, competitions and lifelong learning will live on, and provide opportunities for a new generation of hair, beauty and wellness visionaries. The Beauty Changes Lives Foundation is humbled, and honored to receive this Endowment Fund. We all look forward to honoring his memory even further at our Legacy Award event in Chicago next March.”

[Image courtesy of Vi Nelson and Associates]