Join our OffStage event
April 22, 2026

A respected educator specializing in the Lester Horton Technique, Melissa has taught nationally and internationally for universities, conservatories, professional companies, and major festivals. She has also led movement-based leadership experiences for corporate and civic organizations. Her service includes advisory and panel roles for the Texas Commission on the Arts, Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, Dance Data Project®, and the City Dallas Office of Arts and Culture.

Today, Melissa serves as Co-Founder and Chief Artistic Officer of Artistic Directors International; as founder of The Presence Whisperer, a leadership brand rooted in presence, clarity, and embodied excellence; and as a leading practitioner collaborating with the Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage for the MA in Black British Dance and Performance at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance. Melissa’s global influence continues to position her as a trusted voice in the field—an artistic leader whose clarity, strength, and generosity elevate every creative community she touches.

Though far too modest to call himself an artist, Sam has long been a dedicated supporter and advocate for the arts. His involvement has spanned board service, committee leadership, and philanthropic patronage for numerous cultural institutions, including Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Arts Fort Worth, the Dallas Museum of Art, the Business Council for the Arts, the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture, and SMU’s Master of Management in International Arts Management (MMIAM) program, among others.

As the former leader of the American Airlines Foundation and its global social impact portfolio, Sam championed countless U.S. and international organizations through corporate grants, employee volunteerism and board placements, product donations, and cause-marketing initiatives. He strengthened his leadership profile in the arts by completing the Leadership Arts Institute program and later serving as a faculty member of the Business Council for the Arts for nearly a decade.

In 2019, Sam was appointed by Mayor Eric Johnson to serve as Chair of the City of Dallas Arts and Culture Advisory Commission. Prior to this role, he spent nearly a decade as a judge for arts and cultural projects seeking city funding. In 2018, he contributed to the Dallas Cultural Plan, focusing on key pillars including community engagement, funding structures, economic impact, and equity—advancing these priorities through the work of the Advisory Commission.

Nearly five years ago, Sam moved to Mexico to pursue family and business ventures. There, he has continued to engage with the cultural sector by launching an event planning and production company specializing in concerts, festivals, musical conventions, and talent management. One of his most cherished projects has been sponsoring acclaimed Chef Nico Mejía’s encyclopedic 2022 publication Colima: Una Travesía Gastronómica (Colima: A Gastronomic Journey). In 2023, he also served as Honorary Event Chair for The Big Dance, benefiting the Dallas Black Dance Academy.

Today, Sam devotes his energies to serving as Global Advisor for Global Chamber Mexico, leading the Asociación Internacional de Hoteles Boutique as its President, and proudly co-founding and serving as Chief Executive Officer of Artistic Directors International.

In 2015, he became Co-Artistic Director of Dance at the Center Of Creative Arts - COCA in St Louis, serving in the role for 10 years. In 2018, he earned his MFA in Dance from Hollins University. He has choreographed works for The Ailey School, The Juilliard School, Webster University, and many others.

In 2010, he performed at the White House Tribute to Judith Jamison. Currently, Douthit-Boyd serves as the Artistic Director of Saint Louis Dance Theatre, continuing to shape the future of contemporary dance.

Previously, she served as the National Community Art Manager for A Window Between Worlds in Los Angeles and as the Chair for District 12 Arts Task Force for the Atlanta City Council.

Martine is devoted to diversity, equity, and inclusion in every facet of art and culture, utilizing her extensive experience to make a tremendous impact on the cultural landscape of the City of Dallas.

A dance graduate of Texas Woman's University, she served as faculty, Chair of the Dance Department, and Artistic Director. Her goals to create access and connectivity are reflected in multiple district initiatives.

Lily continues to influence the cultural landscape through her ongoing commitment to mentorship, resilience, and the continuous evolution of artistic boundaries.

She served as Vice President and Partner of Summit Mortgage Corporation before transitioning into the art world as Director of Goss Gallery, founded by Kenny Goss and George Michael. She later led its transformation into The Goss-Michael Foundation and was instrumental in launching MTV RE:DEFINE, raising over $12 million for charitable causes.

Joyce is actively involved in philanthropic leadership, serving on the boards of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF's North Texas Advisory Board, Nasher Sculpture Center Advisory Council, The Family Place Foundation Board, and Thanks-Giving Foundation Beacon Campaign.

Grounded in conservatory training, Zach has performed on The Dallas Opera roster every season since 2012, most recently appearing in Verdi's Don Carlo. His years in the rehearsal room give him direct insight into the opportunities and challenges facing artists today.

A former Dallas Arts and Culture Commissioner, Zach also brings significant experience in fundraising and strategic growth. He has helped generate more than $10 million in support for nonprofit organizations including Lambda Legal and Black Tie Dinner, Inc. In the corporate sector, he serves as Head of Sales at Customer First, building on a track record of driving more than $50 million in new revenue in the BPO sector.

Based between Dallas and the Texas hill country, Zach is committed to advancing bold artistic vision alongside long-term organizational strength.