board of directors & advisors

Sydni D. Brown is a multidisciplinary dancer and arts entrepreneur trained across modern, contemporary, jazz, ballet, and African dance traditions. A graduate of Howard University, she is the Founder & Artistic Director of EXHALE Dance Company, dedicated to expanding opportunities for early-career dancers and fostering bold artistic expression.

Victor Alexander is an internationally recognized choreographer, dancer, and educator, and Director of the Ruth Page School of Dance in Chicago. Trained at Havana’s National Dance School and formerly a principal dancer with the National Contemporary Dance Company of Cuba, he has performed with leading companies including Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Honored by Dance Magazine as one of “25 to Watch” and nominated for an Emmy, he brings exceptional artistic distinction and mentorship to EXHALE’s board.

Sebastian Bak is a Managing Director & Partner at Boston Consulting Group, where he leads work at the intersection of business strategy, marketing, and artificial intelligence. He co-leads AI and Advanced Analytics globally, has earned patents and awards in the field, and has published numerous articles and papers. His blend of innovation, strategic leadership, and commitment to supporting young talent brings valuable perspective to EXHALE’s board.

Tracey D. Brown is a nationally recognized executive and transformational leader with deep experience in retail, healthcare, and nonprofit leadership. She previously served as EVP, President of Walgreens and CEO of the American Diabetes Association. Her strategic vision, operational expertise, and purpose-driven leadership bring powerful insight to EXHALE’s inaugural board.

Janice Corley is one of Chicago’s most successful real estate entrepreneurs, serving as a top-producing broker and owner of multiple brokerage offices. She is known for her business acumen, negotiation expertise, and long-standing support of the arts. Her entrepreneurial leadership enriches EXHALE’s growth strategy.

Ixchel Frierson is a dancer, creative leader, and operations professional whose work sits at the intersection of movement, culture, and community care. Her experience spans dance production, community programming, and organizational operations, including leadership work with the Bandan Koro African Drum and Dance Ensemble and collaborations with Dallas Black Dance Theatre and Purelements: An Evolution in Dance. Her artist-centered, people-first approach brings both cultural insight and operational strength to EXHALE’s board.

Maray Gutierrez is an internationally acclaimed dancer, choreographer, and educator, trained at Havana’s National School of Dance and formerly a principal dancer with Danza Contemporánea de Cuba. She has performed globally with leading companies including Hedwig Dances, Luna Negra Dance Theater, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and serves as Artistic Associate at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts. Her global performance experience and commitment to mentoring young dancers bring strong artistic leadership and development insight to EXHALE’s board.

Sabrena Pringle is a seasoned marketing strategist and creative brand leader known for her expertise in consumer engagement, communications, and multi-channel strategy. Her innovative thinking and creative clarity strengthen EXHALE’s identity and community presence.

Laura Schmid is a accomplished strategist and operations leader with extensive experience supporting executive initiatives across complex organizations. She specializes in organizational planning, project management, and operational excellence, bringing structure and clarity to EXHALE’s foundation.

Royce Zachary is a highly respected dancer, choreographer, educator, and scholar with more than 20 years of professional and academic experience. He holds a Master of Arts in Dance Education from NYU Steinhardt in partnership with American Ballet Theatre, is certified in ABT’s National Teaching Curriculum, and serves as Assistant Professor and Head Coordinator of Dance Arts at Howard University. His broad experience across performance, choreography, and pedagogy brings deep artistic and educational leadership to EXHALE’s board.