Pivot Point International notes the passing of Grace Doran Francis, former partner of Leo Passage, Pivot Point founder and chairman emeritus. Together they built Pivot Point into the world leader that it is today.

Grace and her husband, Buddy Francis, joined Leo Passage in the late 1960s. Before that, Grace and Buddy owned the Doran-Francis Palm Springs Beauty College in Palm Springs, CA. At another time, Grace was in partnership with Comer Syprett and formed the Comer-Doran Beauty School and Method, one of the industry?s first educational systems for cosmetology schools. After successfully helping Comer to grow their school network to more than 100, Grace and Buddy moved to Chicago to become partners in education with Leo Passage. This would prove to be one of the most dynamic and successful partnerships in the history of the cosmetology school industry.

For the next 15-years plus, Grace was an officer and Director of Education for Pivot Point and worked hand-in-hand with Leo Passage to develop the widely acclaimed Scientific Approach, which has become the gold standard by which cosmetology training is measured throughout the world. Many of the techniques that she brought to the Scientific Approach program continue to be used. She successfully earned the reputation as a school industry icon, who was also inducted into NCA?s Hairstyling Hall of Renown.

She was a world traveler, a guest educator and honoree at many international hairdressing events and competitions. Throughout, her first love was teaching, educating and mentoring students and molding outstanding educators and platform artists.

Grace and Buddy retired and returned to Vista, CA in 1988. She is survived by her husband, Buddy, of 55 years, and children Joanne Phillips, Bill Doran, Mark Francis and Candi Francis.