Artistic Directors International | Learn. Lead. Inspire.

Co-Founders

Meet the visionaries behind ADI.

Melissa M. Young

Co-Founder & Chief Artistic Officer

Melissa M. Young is a distinguished artistic leader and educator whose three-decade career blends visionary creativity, strategic leadership, and a deep commitment to advancing the performing arts. A Honduran American from Santa Ana, California, she trained at The Ailey School and earned graduate-level certificates in Leadership, Management, and Analytical Skills from Michigan State University's Eli Broad College of Business. She spent 30 transformative years with Dallas Black Dance Theatre, rising from company dancer to Artistic Director. She pioneered virtual programming connecting audiences across 40+ states and 35+ countries. Her artistic influence has appeared at The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, City Center, and The Joyce Theater. Today she also leads The Presence Whisperer and collaborates with the Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage.

Sam Santiago, CDE®

Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Sam Santiago is a seasoned corporate executive and international entrepreneur with 35 years of experience across travel, tourism, hospitality, logistics, entertainment, and global trade associations. A native of Puerto Rico, Sam holds education from the Universidad de Puerto Rico and is a Certified Diversity Executive®. He served as leader of the American Airlines Foundation, was appointed Chair of the City of Dallas Arts and Culture Advisory Commission by Mayor Eric Johnson in 2019, and contributed to the 2018 Dallas Cultural Plan. He now serves as Global Advisor for Global Chamber Mexico, President of the Asociación Internacional de Hoteles Boutique, and co-founder and CEO of ADI.

Advisory Board

Kirven Douthit-Boyd

Artistic Director, Saint Louis Dance Theatre

Kirven Douthit-Boyd (He/Him/His, Boston, MA) began his dance training at the Boston Arts Academy in 1999. He continued his dance education at Boston Youth Moves, and on scholarship at both The Boston Conservatory and The Ailey School. He has performed with Battleworks Dance Company, Ailey II, and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater from 2004-2015. In 2015, he became Co-Artistic Director of Dance at the Center Of Creative Arts - COCA in St Louis, serving in the role for 10 years. In 2018, he earned his MFA in Dance from Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia. He has choreographed works for The Ailey School, The Juilliard School, Webster University, Washington University in St. Louis, The Repertory Theatre of St Louis, The Black Repertory Theatre of St Louis, Saint Louis Dance Theatre, and Ailey II. In 2010, he performed at the White House Tribute to Judith Jamison hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama. Douthit-Boyd is the Artistic Director of Saint Louis Dance Theatre.

Martine Elyse Philippe

Director, Office of Arts & Culture Dallas

Former Dallas City Manager T.C. Broadnax appointed Martine Elyse Philippe as the Director of the Office of Arts & Culture effective December 5, 2022. With over 15 years of experience in arts administration, Martine previously served as the National Community Art Manager for A Window Between Worlds based in Los Angeles, CA and as the Chair for District 12 Arts Task Force for the Atlanta City Council. In her role with AWBW, she served as national creative strategist for the development of art-based leadership and resources to transform trauma and create community-based methods of change and social justice through art. Martine is devoted to diversity, equity, and inclusion in every facet of art and culture. She utilizes the breadth of her experiences to make a tremendous impact in the City of Dallas.

Lily Cabatu Weiss

Former Executive Director, Dallas Arts District

Lily Cabatu Weiss recently retired as Executive Director of The Dallas Arts District where she served for nearly ten years. Her goals to create access and connectivity are seen in the Connect Urban Master Plan, the Special Provisions Sign Ordinance, the Signature Block Party Series--family-friendly free events featuring international and regional artists attracting over 50,000 visitors. This vibrant, dynamic neighborhood was ranked 1st in USA Today's 2024 and 2025 10Best Arts Districts in the nation. A dance graduate of Texas Woman's University, she served as faculty, Chair of the Dance Department and Artistic Director, 2nd to Paul Baker, founder of Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing & Visual Arts. As a dance graduate from Texas Woman's University, her growth as an artist-educator for four decades, mostly at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing & Visual Arts resulted in becoming Chair of the Dance Department and Artistic Director of the school, 2nd to Paul Baker, founder. Her commitment to the arts and leadership is reflected by board servantship with several organizations reflecting the cultural landscape in Dallas. One of the most rewarding aspects of being an artist is that it requires dedication, resilience, a willingness to continuously learn and evolve while pushing boundaries and opening a world of possibilities.

Joyce Seay Goss

Texas Regional Director, Phillips Auctioneers

Joyce Seay Goss serves as Texas Regional Director for Phillips Auctioneers and is Director of The Goss-Michael Foundation, a Dallas-based contemporary art foundation. She was instrumental in launching MTV RE:DEFINE, the annual art auction and gala that has raised over $12 million for charitable causes. She serves on the Nasher Sculpture Center Advisory Council and The Family Place Foundation board, bringing her passion for the arts and philanthropy to every endeavor.

Zach Hess

Operatic Tenor & Head of Sales, Customer First

Zach Hess is a working operatic tenor who has been on The Dallas Opera roster since 2012. He served as a Dallas Arts and Culture Commissioner and has helped generate over $10 million in nonprofit support and more than $50 million in new corporate revenue throughout his career. His unique combination of artistic passion and business acumen makes him a valuable bridge between the arts community and the corporate world.

OffStage Events

Our Purpose

Mission

Vision

Values

Meet the visionaries behind ADI.

Melissa M. Young

Sam Santiago, CDE®

Advisory Board

Kirven Douthit-Boyd

Martine Elyse Philippe

Lily Cabatu Weiss

Joyce Seay Goss

Zach Hess

The ADI Membership Program

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