See Chicago Dance is supported by the tireless efforts of our Board of Directors.
Comprised of representatives from across the Chicago dance community—as well as the corporate, hospitality, and education sectors—the SCD Board provides unique and responsive oversight, helping See Chicago Dance fulfill its vision of fearlessly inspiring an ever-growing, inclusive community to share in and spread the power of dance in Chicago.
Interested in joining the See Chicago Dance Board? Contact Executive Director Julia Mayer.
Amanda Banks (she/her) is a former dancer turned attorney. Amanda works in the legal department at Accenture LLP, a technology and consulting firm. She started dancing at the age of 3 and continued through law school. Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Amanda moved to Chicago after undergrad to pursue dance. She earned her B.F.A. in Dance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and later her J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School. She sometimes jokes that she only picked UW for Law because the law school was directly across from the dance building, which allowed her to run back and forth. Although she hung up her dance shoes to practice law, dance still and will always be Amanda’s first love.
Marisa C. Santiago (she/her) is an arts administrator with over a decade of experience in the industry. As Producing Director of Artistic Programming at the Auditorium, she curates the presented dance season and produces signature works like Too Hot to Handel, a jazz gospel Messiah. She has worked with choreographers such as Alejandro Cerrudo, Robyn Mineko Williams, and Andrea Miller, and toured with companies including Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Jessica Lang Dance, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Beyond the arts, Santiago has produced large-scale events for global brands like Airbnb, La Liga, and Relevent Sports Group. Santiago has also served as a Dance Art Works Grant panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts. A graduate of Indiana University – Bloomington, she is passionate about building the arts community and mentorship for emerging arts professionals. She lives in Elmwood Park, IL, with her husband, Matt, and their two children, Milo and Amelia.
Ladonna Freidheim (she/her) is a wheelchair dancer, the founder of ReinventAbility, creator of DisFest, and serves on the Board of Directors of both MOMENTA Dance Company and See Chicago Dance. Ladonna’s early life revolved around ballet until a degenerative disability changed everything. With the aid of braces and a cane or crutches, she can navigate the world much of the time, but it is Ladonna’s wheelchair that has restored her dancer’s soul. Ladonna is honored to have received a 2023 Leadership in Dance Award, the Rhythm Within Award, nominations for 3Arts awards in dance and in education, and appointments to an NEA dance panel and the ArtsEd Leadership Committee for CPS.
Chelsea Hoy (she/her) joined Trinity Irish Dance Company (TIDC) in 2014 and became Associate Artistic Director in 2018. A dynamic choreographer, performer, and organizational leader, she has helped shape TIDC’s vision and growth over the past decade. She recently premiered The Sash, her third co-choreographed work with Founding Artistic Director Mark Howard, following An Sorcas (2018) and Taking the Mick (2024).
Hoy’s work has captivated audiences around the world—from New York’s Joyce Theater to Tokyo’s Orchard Hall. Known for her artistry and activism, she is committed to advancing this cultural form with integrity and innovation.
In addition to her creative leadership, Hoy has contributed to the organization’s infrastructure through marketing, outreach, budgeting, and development strategy. She has worked closely with TIDC’s Board of Directors for seven years and is honored to step into her first formal board role with See Chicago Dance. She looks forward to deepening her connection to the Chicago dance community through advocacy, service, and collaboration.
Erik Kaiko (he/him) is a Chicago-based arts marketer and producer. Prior to joining the Hubbard Street team as Director of Marketing & Communications, he served as Director of Marketing & Communications at Writers Theatre. He is also a co-founder of Token Theatre, Chicago’s newest Asian American theatre company, and a board member with Filament Theatre, serving the young people of Chicago. Erik is the lead producer of the new musical, THE BRASS TEAPOT, currently in development. NYC: New York Theatre Workshop, Snug Harbor Productions, Invisible Wall Productions. B.S. Northwestern University, MFA Columbia University.
Bradlee Lathon (she/her) is an educator, performer, and lifelong learner. Nina Simone says, “An artist’s duty, as far as I’m concerned, is to reflect the times.” This is the philosophy Bradlee finds her work rooted in. She believes in considering the influence and impact of poverty, community violence, and socioeconomic status on student learning, engagement, and behavior. Bradlee has been a part of the Programming team at Forward Momentum Chicago for nearly a decade, her most recent role as Director of Education and Community Partnerships, and is a member of its founding leadership team. Over the last few years, Bradlee has become a Certified Healing Centered Engagement practitioner, a member of Ingenuity’s ‘23 Constellations Cohort, and a speaker at the 2023 One State Conference in Springfield. She has combined her continued teaching in the classroom with her experience as an Arts Administrator to change not only the classroom experience for Black and Brown students but also for the Artists who teach them. Bradlee holds a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Studies and a Master’s of Applied Computer Science.
Danielle Pender (she/her) is a distinguished dance educator and human resources professional based in Chicago, seamlessly blending her passion for the arts with organizational leadership. At Impact Dance Studio, Danielle imparts her extensive knowledge to students across all age groups, fostering creativity, discipline, and a profound appreciation for dance. Her commitment to nurturing talent ensures that each student receives personalized guidance, cultivating both technical proficiency and artistic expression. In her capacity as the Human Resources Director at Harris Theater for Music and Dance, Danielle leverages her expertise to cultivate a supportive and inclusive workplace culture. Her efforts are pivotal in advancing the theater’s mission to connect audiences with artists, guided by core values of belonging, integrity, respect, collaboration, and resilience. Danielle’s dual roles exemplify her dedication to enriching Chicago’s performing arts community, as she continually strives to make the arts accessible and engaging for all.
Allyson Ratliff-Robinson (she/her) brings over 20 years of experience in arts education and management to her role as Director of Community Engagement and member of the artistic team at the Hyde Park School of Dance. She is dedicated to building connections between artists and audiences, fostering opportunities for both established and emerging talent.
In addition to her work at Hyde Park School of Dance, Allyson is on faculty at Ballet Chicago. She has served as a ballet instructor for AileyCamp Chicago and as a teaching artist for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Her leadership in the arts is grounded in a belief that creativity should be accessible to all communities.
Allyson holds a Master’s in Arts Management from Columbia College Chicago. Her extensive board service includes Dance in the Parks, Chicago Dancemakers Forum, and the Columbia College Alumni Chapter, where she has championed artist development, community engagement, and innovative arts programming.
Kia S. Smith (she/her) is a Chicago native and the founder of South Chicago Dance Theatre. Kia’s first evening-length work, Memoirs of Jazz in the Alley, for South Chicago Dance Theatre, premiered at The Auditorium (Chicago) in 2023, and See Chicago Dance affirmed: “Smith’s first evening-length piece ‘Memoirs’ is a tour de force and a sensory immersion into this artist’s creative wellsprings.” In 2021, she was an Ann & Weston Hicks Choreographic Fellow at the renowned Jacob’s Pillow. In 2022, Kia received the prestigious Chicago Dancemakers Forum Lab Artist Award. Kia was named a Rising Star in 2023 by Chicago Magazine, Player of the Moment in the category of Dance for New City Magazine’s annual 50 Players List in 2023, and one of Dance Magazine’s 25 to Watch for 2024. WBEZ recently recognized Kia as a “breakout artist” for 2024!
