Who we are
Collage of Artists participants on Festival SIE II 2025.
Coopdanza, Inc. is an interdisciplinary arts, media, and educational organization based in the United States and since 2019 in Colombia. We create dance and multimedia experiences inspired by the wisdom, creativity, and resilience of Indigenous American cultures.
Through local and international collaborations, coopdanza develops performances, community programs, and educational initiatives that combine art and activism /what we call ARTivism/ to raise environmental awareness. Our work bridges North and South, Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, and contemporary artistic practices.
Board of directors USA
Cristina Cortés
Board Title: Executive Director, Artistic Director, (Chair)
Year appointed: 2011
Profession: Artivist, Director of Digital Storytelling, Projects and Choreographer.​​
Maria E Martin
Board title: Community Liaison
Year appointed: 2023
Profession: Psychologist, Educator, Environmental Activist.
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William Ruiz (Taino)
Board title: Director of Educational Programs.
Year appointed: 2024
Profession: Musician & Arts Educator.
Howard Seligman
Board Title: Treasurer
Year appointed: 2023
Profession: B.A in Performing Arts. M.B.A in Finance.​
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Luis Fernando Acalo Higon
- Kunay (Nasa - Yanacona)
Board title: Indigenous Advisor, Program Coordinator
Year appointed: 2019
Profession: Indigenous communicator and Arts Educator, Dancer Choreographer.​
Daniela Santana
Board Title: Communications Director. Web site manager.
Year appointed: 2019
Profession: Social communicator.
Carolina Forero
Board Title: Secretary. Strategic Planning, Development Team
Year appointed: 2022
Profession: MBA (International Business); M.A. in Public & International Affairs and M.A and B.A in Economics
Yvonne Wakim Dennis (Syrian - Cherokee)
Board Title: Advisory Board and former Co-Chair
Year appointed: 2015
Profession: Author, Educator and Community Liaison, Activist.
Board of directors Colombia
Cristina Cortés
Board Title: Executive Director, Artistic Director, (Chair)
Year appointed: 2011
Profession: Artivist, Director of Digital Storytelling, Projects and Choreographer.​​
Sarita Ruiz Arango
Board Title: Development Team Cordinator, Linguistic Adviser
Year appointed: 2025
Profession: Psycologist, Linguist, Educator
Luis Fernando Acalo Higon
- Kunay (Nasa - Yanacona)
Board title: Indigenous Advisor, Program Coordinator
Year appointed: 2019
Profession: Indigenous communicator and Arts Educator, Dancer Choreographer.​
Daniela Santana
Board Title: Communications Director. Web site manager.
Year appointed: 2019
Profession: Social communicator.
Carolina Forero
Board Title: Secretary. Strategic Planning, Development Team
Year appointed: 2022
Profession: MBA (International Business); M.A. in Public & International Affairs and M.A and B.A in Economics
Marta Ortiz Fonseca
Board Title: Development Team.
Year appointed: 2024
Profession: Speech therapist, Education Specialist and Master's degree in Spanish linguistics.
Staff
Daniela Santana
Website Manager, Promotional Marketing.
Carolina Cortés Porras
Graphic Design, Head of Audiovisual Projects: editor, animator.​