Governance
Leah Willis Dance Arts (LWDA) is managed by a Board of Directors with all of the powers of directing and supervising all organization and businesses relations. The LWDA governance values are recorded within series of documents adopted by the Board of Directors, upheld, reviewed, and revised continually to maintain the needs of the organization, and mirror the latest industry best practices.
Board Of Directors
Leah D. Willis, MBA
Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Artistic Director
Dance Curriculum Teacher
Leah Danyelle Willis was born in Van Nuys, California but grew up in Portland, Oregon. She began dancing at the age of five, and completed 10 years of dance training at Hollywood Dance and Fitness. She earned her High School Diploma from Woodrow Wilson High School, as well as distinguished recognition from the Oregon Alliance of Black School Educators for academic achievement and citizenship, in working to improve the climate of her school and community. During her Sophomore year, she was selected for the musical Brigadoon, ushering in her experience in Musical Theater. She attended Jefferson High School half time during her Junior and Senior years as a member of their professional dance company called The Jefferson Dancers; led by Artistic Director Steve Gonzalez, formerly a member of Moses Pendleton’s New York Company, MOMIX. The Jefferson Dancers performed at such venues as: The Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., The Hult Performing Arts Center in Eugene Oregon, The Newport Performing Arts Center in Newport Oregon, and the beautiful P.C.P.A. (Portland Center for the Performing Arts) in Downtown Portland, Oregon. The company gave lecture demonstrations to Portland Public Schools within the city when they weren’t on tour. Ms. Willis attained her Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts/Dance Concentration with Honors in 2004 from Santa Monica College. As a student at SMC from 2002-2004, Leah studied Modern, Ballet, West African, and Salsa and performed in SMC’s contemporary dance ensemble Synapse Dance Theater. She also presided over a student-run organization called The International Dance Club. In Addition, she was personally selected by world renowned West African Dance Master, Nzingha Camara, to join her company: Ballet Kouman Kele, of which she is still intermittently a member. Ms. Willis earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Dance from California State University, Long Beach, in 2007. As a student, her original choreography and musical compositions were selected for the 2006 and 2007 Undergraduate Contemporary Dance Concerts. She earned her Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix in 2010. In the summer of 2010, Leah performed for R Dance Company, led by renowned choreographer and associate faculty member in the Dance Department of Santa Monica College, Roberta Wolin-Tupas. She was noted as giving “compelling performances in my modern dance works Rising Above and Just Do It.” While studying business, Ms. Willis founded a nonprofit organization in 2009 called Leah Willis Dance Arts. Presently The organization places Dance curriculum, nutrition education and career programs into under served schools and facilities. LWDA has worked with: the Long Beach Unified School District, in Long Beach, CA, Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada and St. Louis, Missouri, St. Louis Public Schools and We Rock The Spectrum Kids Gym Corp. Dancers experience guest artist workshops, service learning projects to improve their communities, perform throughout the city, take educational field trips and learn dance technique and discipline in 7 different disciplines of Dance. Ms. Willis has an eclectic mix of professional and performance experience and is very eager to share this passionate journey for many years to come.
Dean A. DeVoe Jr., Chief Financial Officer
Dean A. DeVoe Jr. is originally a Long Beach, CA native, very accustomed to seeing the changes that take place on the street/community level, in real time. Growing from a humble and challenging childhood, he acquired a passion forfinding ways to "reverse the curse" as he calls it, in poverty-stricken neighborhoods, and change the course of the youth from negative to positive ends. Steps he has taken to satisfy this passion are wonderful, and continue to this day. In 2008, Mr. DeVoe Jr. spoke before legislative branches in Sacramento, CA advocating for the elimination of budget cuts to nonprofits that benefit the youth. From 2009-2012 he was a supervisor at the Conservation Corp. with served at-risk youth. He helped them acomplish projects and tasks that assisted their community in some way, while they finished earning their school credits. He has also received an esteemed certificate from U.S. Congressman Alan Lowenthal for "Excellent Work In His Community." Mr. DeVoe Jr. is currently writing children's books centerd on education, confidence and being a positive catalyst. He is going to use his experience and expertise to continue his goal of positively revitalizing any community he serves.
Alane Quien, Secretary Treasurer
Ms. Alane Quien, also known by her Hebrew name, Eliana Batyah, is an entrepreneur, business owner, Hebrew Spiritual Advisor and teacher. Residing in the Central Valley of California, she utilizes her unique expertise to uplift the communities she serves, boost the humanities and rich historic culture, and keep alive the vibrancy of education in many forms. She has experience from a wide range of businesses that assist people in various fields, such as Century 21 M&M and Associates, to her own ministry entitled Beth Shalom Meshiac. Her impeccable business acumen and exquisite interpersonal relations make her an invaluable jewel to any organization.
Ms. Batyah has been instrumental in establishing a successful cottage school for children in grades K-12 as well as a number of after school programs in Oakland, California under the Strong Heritage Academy. Using Art, music, language and dance along with Academics and general physical fitness coupled with meal planning. Ms. Batyah has also served as both a youth counselor and tutor/ mentor to youth in public and private after school programs around the city of Oakland, CA where she has lived for more than 30 years. Now serving as a vital board member to LWDA, Ms. Batyah is in constant communications with LWDA in review of all contracts, reports and proposals and helps to guide LWDA to a successful future.
Transparency
LWDA strives to remain as transparent as possible. Below are our most current governing documents and records of fiscal responsibility.
Annual Renewals and Filings
