By: DanceSafe Staff

We are thrilled to announce significant developments to both our Board of Directors and Advisory Council as DanceSafe continues to grow and meet the shifting needs of the communities it serves. We are excited to share the following updates:

New Advisory Council Member:

We are honored and humbled to announce the transition of Sara Gael, MA, LPC (she/hers) from our Board President to a member of our esteemed Advisory Council. She previously served on the Board of Directors for DanceSafe from 2020 to 2023, including as Board President from 2021-2023.  With a wealth of experience and expertise in the fields of therapy, education, and harm reduction, Sara brings a unique passion, perspective, and invaluable insights to DanceSafe. Sara’s impressive journey is highlighted by her notable leadership roles in other prominent organizations, including MAPS, The Zendo Project, and Integrative Psychiatry Institute. We eagerly anticipate the continuing guidance Sara will provide as DanceSafe continues to influence the shift away from a narrative of stigma, fear, and pathology toward one of harm/risk reduction, benefit maximization, cognitive liberty, and bodily autonomy.

Shift in Current Board Member Roles:

With great pleasure, we announce that Monique Chavez, JD (she/hers; board member since 2019) will be taking on a new role as Board President and Dina Perrone, MA, PhD (she/hers, board member since 2013) will now assume the role of Board Secretary.

A Note from our New Board President: 

I am so excited to announce my role as President of the DanceSafe Board of Directors.  Having been part of DanceSafe since I was 16, attending raves in my youth, I’ve been utterly inspired by DanceSafe’s continuous growth. Nearing 5 years of service on the Board, I’m honored to step into this role and am committed to moving DanceSafe forward in the healthiest way possible. A deep thanks to Sara Gael, our former President, for the work she has done.

It is my goal to continue the mission and support the values of DanceSafe, its chapters, and most importantly, its community members. This is a crucial time for drug education and DanceSafe’s unique approach to harm reduction and benefit maximization makes it a pillar in the drug policy community. I look forward to aiding in building a strong foundation for drug education and harm reduction as a society. Let’s continue reducing the stigma around drug use and providing a safer, more informed community together.

Monique Chavez, J.D.

DanceSafe Board President

New Board Member:

Please join us in welcoming Chalaina Connors, MA, LPC (she/hers), a compassionate licensed professional counselor with over 15 years of experience in the field of mental health. She is a dedicated DanceSafer with a profound history of service and commitment to our organization. Chalaina has been an integral part of DanceSafe’s mission since 1999, starting as a passionate volunteer who believed in the power of harm reduction within the dance community. As a continuation of her leadership, Chalaina served as the chapter head for the Portland chapter from 2008 to 2012. During her tenure, the chapter flourished, leaving a positive impact on the community it served.  Following her outstanding contributions as a chapter head, Chalaina continued to play a vital leadership role within DanceSafe, serving on the board of directors from 2014 to 2021, and as Board President from 2019-2021. Now, after a brief hiatus, we have Chalaina back on our Board of Directors once again as Board Treasurer! Her dedication to healing, community involvement, and creative pursuits brings a renewed energy and expertise that will undoubtedly propel DanceSafe to new heights as we continue to navigate the opportunities that lie ahead.

You can read more about the members of DanceSafe’s Board of Directors, Advisory Board, and the rest of our National team here. Thank you to our amazing team, volunteers, and supporters for your continued support as we embark on this exciting period of DanceSafe’s journey.