DanceSafe has been navigating a period of significant change, and we want to share an update with our community about leadership transitions and our plans moving forward.

Interim Leadership

In early January, Mikayla Hellwich stepped down from the Board of Directors to serve as Interim Executive Director through April. She has taken on this role on a volunteer basis to help stabilize the organization during this transition. Her immediate priorities are reducing expenses, increasing fundraising, and establishing stronger systems to ensure long-term financial sustainability.

Incoming Executive Director

The Board has selected an excellent candidate to serve as DanceSafe’s next Executive Director, starting in May. He is currently finishing other projects and has remained engaged and supportive. We look forward to sharing more details as his start date approaches.

Board Updates

We also want to acknowledge recent changes to our Board of Directors. Steven Richmond and Danielle Herrera have stepped down to focus on personal priorities and major life changes. We are deeply grateful for their service and contributions over the past year and a half.

Our current Board leadership is as follows:

• President: Monique Chavez
• Treasurer: Rhana Hashemi
• Secretary: Wendy Maffie
  

Looking Ahead

The year ahead will focus on rebuilding and strengthening DanceSafe’s foundation—expanding fundraising programs, improving financial discipline, developing new educational resources, and creating sustainable systems to support our outreach and advocacy work.

Transitions like this are challenging, but they are also opportunities to grow stronger and more resilient. DanceSafe is not alone in this process—we are receiving guidance from experienced leaders who have helped organizations through similar moments.

We remain deeply grateful to everyone who supports DanceSafe and believes in our mission. Together, we will continue working to make communities safer and healthier.

Thank you for being part of this journey!