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 serves as Director of the Ruth Page School of Dance in Chicago. A native of Pinar del Río, Cuba, he trained at Havana’s National Dance School and was a principal dancer with the National Contemporary Dance Company of Cuba before building a global career performing with leading companies including Hedwig Dances, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Luna Negra Dance Theater, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Honored by Dance Magazine as one of “25 to Watch” and nominated for an Emmy for his work with the Ruth Page Foundation, Victor is deeply respected for his artistic excellence and his mentorship of the next generation of dancers.

Sebastian Bak is a Managing Director & Partner at Boston Consulting Group, where he focuses on Business, Strategy and Artificial Intelligence, mostly in Tech and Consumer industries. He leads Marketing, Sales and Pricing for North America, and he co-leads globally AI and Advanced Analytics. Sebastian also holds several patents and awards in the AI and Advanced Analytics space and has published numerous articles and papers. Prior to joining BCG, Sebastian worked for Procter & Gamble, launched a successful entrepreneurial venture, and founded a Micro Finance Institution in Africa for social impact. Sebastian is passionate about dance & music and is committed to encouraging and supporting young talent.

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 lives at the intersection of movement, culture and community care. Her background spans dance production, community programming and organizational operations, with a deep commitment to building sustainable, artist-centered ecosystems. She has worked closely with the Bandan Koro African Drum and Dance Ensemble as Marketing, Events, and Operations Manager and has collaborated with organizations including Dallas Black Dance Theatre and Purelements: An Evolution in Dance in New York City. Across every space she enters, Ixchel brings a people-first lens, blending structure with soul to support artists not just in their craft but in their full humanity.

Maray Gutierrez is an internationally acclaimed dancer, choreographer, and educator, trained at Havana’s National School of Dance and a former principal dancer with Danza Contemporánea de Cuba. She has performed throughout Europe, the United States, and the Caribbean with leading companies including Hedwig Dances, Luna Negra Dance Theater, Concert Dance Inc., and the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and was nominated for an Emmy for her performance in Billy Sunday. Maray is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of artists and currently serves as Artistic Associate of the Civic Ballet Training Company at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts.

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 distinguished professional dancer, educator, choreographer, and scholar with over 20 years of experience, whose professional and academic contributions have shaped dancers worldwide. His depth of knowledge, artistry, and commitment to mentorship bring invaluable artistic guidance to EXHALE’s mission.