Larry Dougherty
Chairman of the Board
Larry Dougherty is a highly experienced project manager and technical trainer. The majority of his career has been applying his experience in forming teams, improving team dynamics and incorporating processes into how teams work effectively and efficiently.
In addition to his professional experience, Larry has been involved in various community volunteer efforts over many years, including acting as chairperson for two Boy Scout organizations. He plays different acoustic instruments and plays and sings in a Croatian dance company. He desires to bring all these experiences to Oyo Dance Company to help ensure the organization can continue to grow and fully realize its mission.
Leslie Cohen
Secretary
Leslie is semi-retired from a 35-year career as a Technical Writer and Business Analyst at various computer software industries. She is a past president of Columbus Folk Dancers and Capitol Showcase Sweet Adelines Chorus.
Leslie has a lengthy history with the arts, including acting as student director of her High School senior musical review. Her dance background includes ballet, international folk, and ballroom dancing. In addition to leading many dance workshops, she taught a master class at an OhioDance conference.
Leslie is a former dancer and vocal soloist with Zivili Kolo Ensemble. She currently performs with Perennials Movement Group, Selo Croatian Ensemble, and the Harmony Project.
Elizabeth Weiss
Company Detailing
Elizabeth Weiss designs, constructs and, coordinates costumes for principal dancers and guest artists. She has been sewing for thirty years and has a unique ability to make costumes that enhance the relationship between the dancers’ bodies and the choreography of the piece.
When not working with Oyo, Dr. Weiss teaches psychology for The Ohio State University Newark, where she has been since 2002. Her passion as an educator carries over easily to her work promoting the Company, where she sees countless opportunities to enrich the lives of others through the arts.
Ángel (Angelo) – Rodriguez
Grants and Planning
Angelo Arroyo-Rodríguez became a long-time resident of Columbus after he moved from Puerto Rico to attend graduate school at The Ohio State University and learned to love Columbus’ midwestern charm. As city and regional planner, environmental scientist and biologist, Dr. Arroyo-Rodríguez strongly believes that dance art forms can positively impact personal wellness and are essential for the enjoyment of the urban (and rural) experience. He believes that dance can be a powerful agent of change to make arts more accessible and inclusive, hence, he couldn’t miss the opportunity to support Oyo in their mission to be an inclusive, equitable and accessible dance company. His role as a board member includes strategic planning, grant writing, coordinating the front of the house at events, Spanish translator, and assisting the Artistic Director.
Allison Willford
Allison Willford holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Bowling Green State University and is a lifelong entrepreneur. An artist, REALTOR®, productivity coach, and foster mom, she is also the founder of community-focused initiatives including Village Kind and Hearts in the Wild. In real estate, Allison combines her creative vision with years of experience in video production, marketing, and storytelling to guide clients through one of life’s biggest transitions with clarity and heart.
Her artistic work, including her ongoing series A Series of Incredible Events, explores the messy, powerful process of living with and healing through PTSD while choosing to keep creating anyway. Each piece begins with something real, a letter, a moment, a goodbye and is transformed through fire, words, and intention into something that makes space for truth, grief, humor, and faith.
Whether through art, business, or community building, Allison’s work is rooted in healing, self-expression, and the creation of spaces, both physical and virtual, where everyone feels they belong. She looks forward to applying her community-centered approach in partnership with OYO dancers, directors, and their projects.
Michael Darr
Advisory Board, Webmaster and Technical Support
Matt Keasal
Advisory Board, Music and Vocal Consultant
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