About Defy
Meet The Team
Susan “Susie” Shenkosky, DNP, CRNA
Founder & Advanced Aesthetic Provider
Susan Marie Shenkosky, known to patients as Susie, is the founder and advanced aesthetic provider at Defy Aesthetic Boutique in Novi, Michigan. She brings 21 years of nursing experience, including six years in medical aesthetics, to a practice centered on thoughtful assessment, individualized planning and natural-looking results.
Credentials and licensing
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).
- Michigan registered nurse license 4704249670, with nurse-anesthetist specialty certification.
- Board-certified through the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA).
Education and ongoing training
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing — Madonna University, 2005.
- Master of Science — University of Southern California, 2013.
- Doctor of Nursing Practice — California State University, Long Beach, 2018.
Her aesthetic education includes comprehensive training in 2021 and advanced training in 2022, followed by ongoing education in injectables, microneedling with PRP, and laser and energy-based treatments. She was a Jonas Nurse Scholar during her doctoral program and is a member of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA).
Susie founded Defy on the belief that confidence changes how people move through the world. Her approach emphasizes clear explanations, measured recommendations and treatment plans shaped around each patient’s anatomy, goals and long-term skin health.
Rachel Mills
Licensed Esthetician
Rachel brings a science-driven, detail-focused approach to corrective skincare. She is passionate about ingredient intelligence, barrier health, and optimizing long-term skin performance.
Through customized skin consultations and targeted in-office treatments, she pairs professional procedures with intentional home care to address congestion, dehydration, pigmentation, and overall skin resilience.
Known for her gentle, attentive care, Rachel believes skincare is foundational — and that consistent, strategic treatment is what creates lasting confidence in your skin.
Kristina O’Dowd, RN
Aesthetic Nurse
Kristina brings over 13 years of clinical nursing experience to Defy, with a foundation rooted in precision, vigilance, and compassionate care.
For the past two years, she has focused on aesthetic medicine, advancing her expertise in injectables, regenerative treatments, and advanced skin therapies through continued education.
Her approach is grounded in anatomical accuracy and thoughtful treatment planning, with an emphasis on enhancing natural structure and supporting long-term skin integrity. She prioritizes subtle, balanced results that align with each patient’s goals and overall facial harmony.
Kristina’s focus is simple: deliver refined results that build confidence over time.
The Defy Difference: A Sanctuary of Trust
Medical-Grade Standards
Our team utilizes only curated, clinically tested products from leading lines like Marini SkinSolutions and Colorescience to ensure predictable, natural results.