2022-23 Board of Directors

Please join us in welcoming our 3 newest board members: 


2022-23 Directors: 

Julieane Cook, President

Julieane Cook
Director of Teacher Development, LUMIN Schools

 

I am an educator and lifelong learner. I currently serve as the Senior Director of Schools for the LUMIN Schools in Milwaukee and Racine. I love my work because I have the opportunity to support amazing students, staff and parents each day. We work hard at caring for each other, growing and learning, and taking steps to improve our communities through our schools. That boils down to a little motto…We Love! We Change! We Empower!

 

I have been a huge fan of Danceworks for many years! I grew up dancing and earned a BFA in dance in college. I am honored to serve on the board to not only stay involved in the dance community but to be able to support the mission of improving our communities through dance. I see this great work firsthand through programming at our LUMIN Schools and how impactful dance can be for our youngest learners as well as our most seasoned learners in the Generations program. I love how Danceworks provides opportunity, creativity, exposure, authenticity, and inclusivity through dance. I can’t wait to see what the team creates next!

Renee Griswold, Vice President

Renee Griswold
Wisconsin Cycling League Director | National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) and
President, ACTIVE Consulting, LLC

 

 

I am honored to serve on the Board of Directors because as a former dancer with the Company and long-time subscriber, I have had a long-standing relationship with Danceworks. I am excited to bring expertise in dance education and arts administration to my Board position to help Danceworks continue to develop into the community gem it has become.

 

As a level-headed leader, I have worked closely with boards, department heads, faculty & coaches, volunteers, students and their parents/guardians. Managing large staffs, I have developed systems and procedures emphasizing organization and communication for all types of constituents. Nationally, I have served as a site evaluator, trainer and frequent presenter and moderator for schools of dance and other art forms.

 

Following my career in the dance world, I continued to volunteer extensively in the youth swimming and baseball worlds, in which my teenage sons are deeply involved and started a consulting company dedicated to improving the administration of youth organizations.

 

Most recently, I began to focus on my passion for being on a bike and spending time outdoors. I am currently the Wisconsin League Director for the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA), which is an organization dedicated to using mountain biking as a tool to develop middle and high school students into individuals with strong minds, bodies, character and communities through cycling.

Jason Wendt, Treasurer

Jason Wendt
Vice President of Accounting, BMO Harris Bank

Laura Mueller, Secretary

Laura Mueller
Assistant VP – Marketing Campaign Manager, Associated Bank

Craig Bennet

Craig Bennet,
Business Performance Advisor, Insperity HR Solutions

 

I help small to mid-sized businesses with Strategic HR service solutions…

  • Technology
  • Payroll solutions
  • Cost contained/Benefit solutions
  • Help minimize their employee risk/Workers comp relief

 

I joined the Danceworks Board of Directors because I’m excited to give my time and talents to help find solutions that can help the Danceworks organization grow.  I’ve long been a fan of the arts and have recently gained an appreciation for how much work goes on behind the scenes.  That work, especially at the developmental level, continues to pay dividends over a whole lifetime.  I’m proud to align myself with an organization that brings individuals from all levels of ability to an environment that instills confidence, supportive behaviors and free spirits to all.

Kristin Bergstrom

Kristin Bergstrom,
Shareholder, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.

Chloe Chiuminatto

Chloe Chiuminatto
CFO Consultant

 

I started my journey with dance at the age of 3 when I begged my mom to enroll me in ballet classes after seeing Milwaukee Ballet’s The Nutcracker. Attending classes at the Milwaukee Ballet School over the following decade sparked my life-long love for the city of Milwaukee and the whole wide world of art. It was a natural next step for me to pursue an art degree at UW-Milwaukee, and that luckily led me to take my first classes at Danceworks as I settled into my new life near campus.

 

Ultimately, after a significant switch in majors, I completed my time at UWM with my undergraduate and graduate degrees in accounting (and a minor in art, of course!). From there I spent seven years in public accounting, where I focused on tax and audit services for non-profit organizations. My experience working with non-profit organizations was rewarding in ways I hadn’t expected and opened my eyes to some of the most incredible places in Milwaukee. But what was most remarkable and inspiring were the people I met along the way.

 

I’m grateful to have the opportunity to work alongside passionate people and artists, and to be a part of the community here at Danceworks!

Mario Costantini

Mario Costantini,
President & CEO, La Lune Collection

Marisa Greco

Marisa Greco
Customer Success Manager, CharismaQ

 

Growing up, dance, particularly ballet, shaped me into who I am today. Beyond learning the beautiful art of ballet and developing self-confidence, I learned many life lessons I still carry with me today – how to be a respectful listener, how to communicate through movement and emotion, and the most pivotal being, there is beauty that comes with hard work.

 

I am a passionate, driven, hardworking marketing professional. I am a constant connector and a problem-solver known for effective collaborations. I listen to understand all perspectives, remain curious in all I do and am personally committed to making a difference.

 

As the Customer Success Manager at CharismaQ, I am helping to create a world of confident communicators. CharismaQ is a tech-enabled coaching company purpose built to evaluate, coach and create charismatic people.

 

I am honored to serve the Danceworks Board of Directors so I can share with our community the positivity and joy dance brings to my life.

Frank Krejci

Frank Krejci,
President & CEO, Strattec Security Corporation

 

Frank Krejci is President and CEO of STRATTEC. It is a publicly traded international automotive parts manufacturer with $500 million in annual sales and about 4000 employees. He also very involved in the Milwaukee area, including:

 

For Profit Boards of Directors: Florence Eiseman (children’s clothing); Jones Dairy Farm (breakfast meats); Banner Welder (automation equipment)

 

Non-Profit Boards: Milwaukee Development Corp. (catalytic real estate projects like Milwaukee Center, Yankee Hill, East Pointe Commons, The Avenue); Milwaukee Youth Arts Center (real estate for First Stage and MYSO); Danceworks

 

Krejci was on the wrestling team through college and played on a rugby team 10 years after college. Currently, Frank enjoys running and water skiing during his free time.

 

Frank has enjoyed working with former Danceworks Executive Director, Deb Farris, and was excited about the impact of the Mad Hot Rhythm Program and the opportunity to grow it.

Rick A. Krueger

Rick A. Krueger,
Director, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP

 

Rick is a member of CLA’s National Assurance group and leads the Assurance Innovation and Solutions Team. The team oversees a portfolio of technology and process projects with a focus on elevating both the client experience and CLA family member experience.

Jeff McClellan

Jeff McClellan,
Sr. Vice President Creative, Branigan Communications

 

I’m currently the Senior Vice President, Creative at Branigan. I work with our clients on branding, communications strategy and creative execution. My background is as a copywriter and agency principal. I get my biggest kicks from working with start-up entrepreneurs to develop their positioning and messaging. I’ve also been an adjunct professor in strategic communications at Marquette University since 2006.

 

I believe in giving back and doing good. I’ve been privileged to find success in marketing and advertising, and I feel strongly that I need to use my knowledge and expertise to help make Milwaukee a better place. And Danceworks is an organization dedicated to improving our  community in many different ways.  I’m proud to serve with and support an organization that has a vision for bringing joy and creativity to the city.  

Tim Moss

Tim Moss
Owner & CEO, Bronze Optical

 

Tim Moss is an optician and is the owner of Bronze Optical Gallery in Milwaukee. He started as an optician at D.O.C. in Bayshore Mall in the late 1990’s, and went on to be a buyer and store manager for luxury optical boutiques in Houston and Minneapolis before purchasing Bronze Optical in January 2020.

 

Prior to working in the optical field, Tim received his MFA in Stage Management from UWM in 1992. Part of his graduate work entailed working as the Stage Manager for the UWM Department of Dance, a role he continued after graduation until 2001 when he moved out of state. It was during this time that he met Sarah Wilbur, Dani Kuepper and Amy Brinkmann as undergraduate students, and began a life-long love of Modern Dance as an art-form. This relationship with the Milwaukee dance community resulted in him becoming the Stage Manager for Danceworks Performance Company, Wild Space Dance Company and the UWM Department of Dance until 2001.

 

When Tim returned to Milwaukee he knew that he wanted to support the arts organizations that supported him early in his career, and joining the Danceworks Board of Directors was one way that he hoped he could make a contribution. He is dedicated to helping Danceworks move forward in the 21st century, while staying true to the artistic vision of its founders and its legacy in the community.

Lindsay Olson

Lindsay Olson,
Human Resources, Rockwell Automation

Francisca Rodriguez

Francisca Rodriguez
VP Business Banker, PNC

 

Francisca Rodriguez was born and raised in Milwaukee’s Riverwest and currently resides in Milwaukee. She graduated from Mount Mary University with a degree in Fashion and Business. She has been in the financial industry for 14 years and is currently a Business Banker for PNC Bank. She works closely with non-profit and for profit businesses in all industries in the Downtown Milwaukee, Bayview, Walker’s Point and Eastown areas.

 

She has taken classes at Danceworks for many years, and is a strong supporter of the arts. She loves to dance Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, and Hip Hop whenever able. Francisca enjoys traveling and spending time with her two children.

 

“I look forward to being able to help support as great of an organization, that helps to build community through movement and creative arts. I am looking forward to bringing additional perspectives and ideas, and to contribute to the success of the already established and flourishing Danceworks.” –F. Rodriguez

Kanchana Srinivasan

Kanchana Srinivasan
Project Manager/Consultant, GE Healthcare

 

Kanchana Srinivasan was a dancer from the day she was born. As a student, engineer, single mother, and dancer, she has navigated many roles and seen how her journey as a dancer has evolved over the years. Dancing has brought color, joy, and community into her world, and she is committed to fostering and sharing this with members of the community. She has experienced dance at all levels, from novice to teacher, and she is humbled by how much more dance has to offer her after decades of immersion. Kanchana is especially passionate about stepping into different spaces and learning about different world views through dance; she has engaged in various forms of classical Indian, Latin, and Afro-Caribbean dance forms. Each has been a profound and unique gift, and she is excited about utilizing her role on the Danceworks’ board of directors to nurture the connection and humanity that dance can provide. Whether it is a single dance class or a decade of performing, Kanchana believes in the transformative power of dance; she is eager to give back to this art and community that continues to teach her something new every day.


We Need You!

2017-18 Board of Directors, Pictured at Rockwell Automation

 

Danceworks is actively seeking engaged, dynamic and resourceful individuals to join our Board of Directors and help take Danceworks to the next level! We are looking for passionate community members from all sectors to provide focus on community connections and opportunities that support our goals and resource development.

 

Not ready for the commitment of a Board position, but want to do more? Consider joining our Programs Committee to help develop and initiate creative ideas for fundraising/friend-raising events that will raise awareness and support for Danceworks programs.

 

Contact Julia Gray, Danceworks Executive Director, by email or at 414.277.8480.