OUR BOARD

---

President 

Dr. Salme Harju Steinberg is an historian, writer, and leader in higher education. A specialist in U.S. economic and social history, she served as president of Northeastern Illinois University between 1995 and 2007. She is the author of Reformer in the Marketplace: Edward W. Bok and the Ladies’ Home Journal, and a contributor to many scholarly journals and publications. In 2009, in collaboration with the American Council on Education and the Ocean University of China Press, her autobiography was included in Footprints to Success in the Academy: Personal Stories by American Higher Education Leaders.

After earning her doctorate in history from the Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Steinberg taught at Goucher College and Northwestern University. She was elected to the Hunter College Hall of Fame by the alumni association of Hunter College, where she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history.

While president of Northeastern Illinois University, a state university serving over 12,000 students and both a Hispanic Serving Institution and a Minority Serving Institution, Dr. Steinberg was committed to student access and excellence and to creating opportunities for first-generation college students to study/work abroad. Under her direction, Northeastern also became well-known as an institution that celebrates the fine arts and performing arts on campus. During and after her presidency, she has continued her advocacy for student access, excellence, global learning, and the arts.

As president she was an active member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and served as Board Chair of HACU. In 2013, HACU honored her with the President’s Award of Excellence. In 2021, she was inducted into the HACU Hall of Champions.

Other awards she has received include recognition for her leadership in international education and the arts. In 2006, she was awarded the Amicus Poloniae bestowed by the Polish Ambassador to the United States. She holds the YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago Outstanding Achievement Award for Education, the Grand Asian Award from the Asian American Coalition of Chicago, and she received the Illinois Committee on Black Concerns in Higher Education (ICBCHE) "Do the Right Thing Award” for her outstanding commitment to diversity in higher education in the State of Illinois. She also was among those honored for the "Outstanding and Inspiring Leadership Award” by the Consul General of India in Chicago. On behalf of Northeastern Illinois University, she accepted the Andrew Heiskell Award for Innovation in International Education from the Institute of International Education. She received the 2007 Ruth Page Award for championing the arts as president of NEIU. In April 2008, the university celebrated the naming of the Salme Harju Steinberg Fine Arts Center in her honor.

Dr. Steinberg currently serves on the Ryan Opera Center Board of the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Ruth Page Foundation Board, and the NEIU Foundation Board of Directors. In June 2023, she was named Chair of the Board of Directors of the Ensemble Español: Spanish Dance Theatre. She continues her participation on the Mercy Home Leader Council and is a member of The Chicago Network and the Illinois Women’s Forum.

She is married to Dr. Michael S. Steinberg; they have two adult children.

Vice President 

James Ramos is currently the Deputy City Treasurer for the Office of the Treasurer of Chicago. Prior to that, he was the Chief-of-Staff for the 21 st  Ward. He was previously the Associate Director of Community and Government Relations for the City Colleges of Chicago. He served as a Spokesperson for Cook County – the second largest county in the U.S. He also served as a Training Officer for Chicago Police Department where he developed and directed interactive community and police training programs, implemented neighborhood training projects and helped create nationally recognized crime reduction training programs that focused on diversity and community policing. 

He is also founder of the American Training Institute of Diversity. He is on the Board of Directors for BUILD, Inc., an at-risk youth agency and is on the Board of Trustees for IDeaL Education Foundation. He is a member of the Black Perspectives Committee of the Chicago International Film Festival and serves as a board of directors for the Frankie Knuckles Foundation.

In addition, James is on the Board of Directors for the Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center and is currently the President of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Iota Delta Lambda Chapter. 

James has a true love for the Arts playing the violin as a child and later percussion for a variety of genres such as Salsa, Latin Jazz, R&B, Neo-Soul, House, Rock, and other African and Afro-Latino music. 

James grew up in the northwest side community of Humboldt Park. He lived in Puerto Rico where he finished high school. He returned to Chicago and became the first member of his family to graduate from college. He went on to Northwestern University and received a Master’s in Communications and as a full scholarship recipient; he received a MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management.

Treasurer

Jose has advised multiple organizations as an expert in Finance, Economics and Risk Management, both, nationally and internationally. He has significantly contributed to the growth and business expansion of several leading professional services firms as managing partner and senior executive. 

Jose has also counseled several boards about strategic change management and innovation, transformative business models, and information-digital technology programs. 

He also often participates in specialized risk management industry events and academia forums as a lecturer, author, and panelist.

 Jose joined the Ensemble Español Board as an independent member, bringing his professional expertise and vast experience along with his passion for the Flamenco roots and the Spanish culture.

Secretary

Gail Kalver’s client roster has included the Auditorium Theatre, Ballet Chicago, Chicago Dance History Project, Chicago Human Rhythm Project, Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater, Grant Park Music Festival, and the Chicago Dancing Festival. 

Kalver was Executive Director of River North Dance Chicago (2009 - 2014) and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (1984 - 2007); Associate Manager of the Ravinia Festival (1976 - 1983); and previously was a freelance clarinetist, performing with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera Orchestra, Grant Park Symphony, and her own Windy City Wind Ensemble. Amongst others, she served on the boards of Dance for Life, SeeChicagoDance, the Arts & Business Council, Dance/USA and numerous funding panels. 

Gail received the 1988 and 2007 Ruth Page Awards, and the Arts & Business Council’s 2003 ABBY Award;  a Masters in clarinet from Roosevelt University (1974) and a B.S. in vocal/choral music from the University of Illinois (1970).

Director

Carlos Azcoitia is the Founding Principal of a new “Comprehensive Community School” concept on Chicago’s Little Village Neighborhood. He left central office to become Principal again at John Spry Community School and Community Links High School. The school was the first in Chicago to include a pre-kindergarten through high school program in one building with the goal of 100% high school completion rate and 100% post-secondary graduation. Students complete high school in three years including summers and Saturdays with a longer school day. All high school students who qualify are required to participate in internships and college bridge programs for dual credit. As a community school, it offers extended learning opportunities and multicultural arts as well as leadership development for students, teachers, parents and community members.

Dr. Azcoitia served as the Deputy Chief of Education in the Chicago Public Schools. In this role, he was administratively responsible for a large number of wide-ranging departments, programs and services. He has been a teacher, administrator, and has served as principal in the Chicago Public Schools. He has a long history of being in the forefront of educational reform. He is a well known, respected and knowledgeable educator. Dr. Azcoitia received his Doctorate in Education from the School of Leadership and Educational Policy with a major in Educational Administration from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois. He has also served as an adjunct professor in several universities. Currently, Dr. Azcoitia serves as Professor Emeritus in Educational Leadership at National Louis University. He was the former Distinguished Professor of Practice.

He also provided leadership to thirty-five schools and 33,000 students as Interim Chief of Midway Network in Chicago during the 2011- 2012 school year. Dr. Azcoitia also served as Interim Chief in Pilsen and Little Village Network. He continues to be a mentor, coach and assessor for new and aspiring Principals. Dr. Azcoitia has assisted other districts with their school and community action plans. He has also been keynote speaker and presenter in several countries including United States, Thailand, Poland, Ecuador, Mexico, China, South Korea, Canada, Puerto Rico, Portugal, India, Spain and Hungary.

Dr. Azcoitia is an involved, committed and participating member of the community. He actively contributes his time and expertise to several boards, assisting them in a meaningful, hands-on capacity. He was appointed by the Mayor to serve for 2.5 years on the Chicago Board of Education and served as a member and former Chair of the Board of Trustees at Northeastern Illinois University. Dr. Azcoitia is a Steering Committee Member of the Coalition of Community Schools in Washington DC. He also served on a Budget Task Force to address equity issues in school budgets and continues to serve as Evaluation Advisory Board Member to School and Community Initiatives in the Chicago Public Schools. Dr. Azcoitia is also a former Trustee of the Chicago Teachers Pension Fund. He is also a Board Member of the Ignatian Spirituality Center in Miami, a Family Retreat Center founded by his uncle who was a Jesuit priest. Dr. Azcoitia continues to serve as a member of the Board at the Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts), a contract school within the Chicago Public Schools. Dr. Azcoitia is the author of many published articles about school reform. Topics include community schools, innovation, dropout prevention, peer tutoring, service learning, immigration/social justice, social and emotional development, and post-secondary education. His latest book is titled “Creating Engagement between Schools and their Communities: Lessons from Educational Leaders”. Dr. Azcoitia has also been the recipient of numerous awards for outstanding leadership. His latest recognition is a street named in his honor in the school community which he served as Principal in the City of Chicago.

NEIU Representative

R. Shayne Cofer, PhD, is the Associate Provost for Innovation and Academic Assessment and Professor of Music at Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU). 

As former chair of the Department of Music and Dance, Shayne worked with Dame Libby Komaiko and Ensemble Espanol for many years to deliver academic courses in Spanish Dance to NEIU students. 

He is delighted to be serving on the Board of Directors to help ensure the continued success of Dame Libby’s beloved Ensemble Espanol well into the future.

Chair - Youth Company Committee

Sonya is a former member of the Ensemble Español Youth Dance Company and has been dancing flamenco for 14 years. She is so excited to be able to give back to the company that gave her these dancing roots through the Youth Board! 

Sonya is currently a first-year at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where she is receiving her M.B.A. in Finance, International Business, and Strategic Management. Next summer, she will be interning at the investment bank William Blair. 

Before returning to school, Sonya worked as a senior performance management analyst at the Chicago Transit Authority, where she coordinated and implemented strategic initiatives for facilities, vehicles, and warehouses, and drove key environmental and sustainability efficiencies. 

Sonya is also a board member with the Steep Theatre in Edgewater, where she served as treasurer last year. You can find more information about her work and academic experiences HERE 

Director

Randy Kravitz has a wealth of experience from successful careers in Fortune 500 companies, as well as small business where he is both an owner and consultant. Randy joined Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses (10KSB) in 2014, where as Executive Director he oversees the Chicago program’s outreach and recruiting; partnerships; curriculum delivery; business support services; and Alumni activities.

Randy has been an avid supporter of Ensemble Espanol for many years and is excited by the dynamic growth and future potential of the company. 

Randy is involved in multiple for-profit and non-profit boards including sponsorKIDS Charities, the 501c(3) created by his wife Jeannette which is involved in children’s cultural education and travel activities.

Director

Jorge Pérez, Ensemble Español Executive & Associate Artistic Director, was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He began his formal study of Spanish dance with Dame Libby Komaiko in 1985, through a scholarship opportunity. He continued his artistic training in the United States and in Spain, studying with such dance legends as Edo, Paco Alonso, Victorio Korjhan, Juanjo Linares, Roberto Lorca, Timo Lozano, Manolete, Carmela Greco, Paco Romero, Candela Soto, and Juan Mata and Ana González, founding members of the National Ballet of Spain.

Jorge studied ballet with Anna Czajun. He is a graduate of Northeastern Illinois University, receiving a B.A. in Speech Communication/Performing Arts, and a minor in dance. He has been honored with the Artistic Ambassador Award from the Ruth Page Foundation and NEIU in recognition of his artistic achievements and contributions to dance internationally. In 2002, he received an Appreciation Award from Richard M. Daley, Mayor of Chicago, for his exceptional contribution to the arts in Chicago. In 2004, Jorge was honored with the Twentieth Anniversary Award from the St. Louis Cultural Flamenco Society. In 2014, he graduated from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program, and has led the company through its recent success and growth. Jorge also serves on the executive board of Audience Architects.

His accomplishments are listed in Who’s Who among Hispanic Americans, Who’s Who among Business Leaders of America, Who’s Who in Dance and, Who’s Who among Hispanic Entrepreneurs in Chicago, as published by Negocios Now.

Dancers Representative

José Torres was born and raised in Chicago, and started his formal Spanish dance training with Dame Libby Komaiko in 1995, as part of the Ensemble Español’s Youth Company. He has performed nationally and internationally in principal roles with the company, and has traveled to Spain for intensive study.

He was trained at the Amor de Dios Flamenco Dance Company (Madrid), and with such teachers as Carmela Greco, Juan Mata, Ana Gonzales, José Barrios, Paloma Gómez, and Raquel Gómez. He was a guest artist and choreographer of Danza Viva Spanish Dance Company in Perth, Australia, under the direction of Deanna Blacher OAM in 2007, 2011, and 2013.

He choreographed Flamenco Pas de Deux with fellow first dancer, Claudia Pizarro, as well as numerous solos. He was featured in Dereque Whitur’s Cicatrices, with fellow Ensemble Español dancer, Juan Carlos Castellón. José also danced a principal role in Mil Clavos by choreographer, Ron de Jesus.

Board Liaison 

Danielle LaFrancis is a virtual services professional, providing virtual support to many small businesses and nonprofit organizations for the past seven years, and she currently serves as the virtual Administrative Assistant for Ensemble Español.

Prior to working as a virtual services professional, Danielle worked for BP in many capacities for 20+ years.  Danielle supported the Chief Technology Officer and his team of directors for 10 years, before moving into the IT&S Enterprise Systems Team at BP, where she supported their team of senior-level leaders.

Danielle was the lead coordinator for BP’s large-scale events and meetings; worked with budgets, financials, and invoicing systems; worked as a project manager; and she was a team lead for the BP and Junior Achievement Technology Day events.