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ChromaDiverse

BOARD MEMBERS

Judy Tyrus, a former principal dancer, archivist, curator, author, and educator, is the founder and CEO of ChromaDiverse, Inc. Throughout her decades-long career, she has cultivated a deep connection to dance and its ability to empower both artists and audiences alike. Tyrus’ experience as a Black and Japanese artist working with a primarily Black classical ballet company, Dance Theatre of Harlem, reinforced her belief that ballet should transcend racial barriers—a conviction she leads with today. Founded in 2019, ChromaDiverse is the culmination of Tyrus’ experience and knowledge of the dance ecosystem. She knows it is essential to provide organizations with a flexible, low-cost, secure, cloud-based digital asset management system that gives them agency over their histories. Her career continues to be defined by her passion for the arts and her mission to advance visibility for dancers of color and uplift their contributions worldwide.  

Tyrus received the Society of American Archivists Diversity Award in 2021 and the Dance/USA ‘Ernie’ Award in 2023.  

LINKEDIN

Judy Tyrus

Bio

With a BA in Environmental Design from UC Berkeley, Eric brings over 30 years of experience spanning business development to executive roles across a wide range of industries, including GeoSpatial Analytics, Advanced Visualizations, Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence, and Business Intelligence. His career has included work with both major corporations and entry-level startups, providing him with a unique perspective and versatile skill set. Eric leverages this diverse background to help guide ChromaDiverse’s growth and strategic direction.

LINKEDIN
https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-waldman-sf

Eric Waldman

Bio

Rod Perkins is an accomplished executive, technologist, and entrepreneur with over 45 years of experience pioneering industry-defining products. He excels at bridging deep engineering with high-level C-suite strategy, a foundational capability built during his early career designing user interfaces for the Apple Lisa & Macintosh, launching streaming media products at Canal+, and scaling the video advertising platform at Yahoo!.

An expert in UX strategy, machine learning, and data analytics, Rod’s recent leadership focused on AI and real-time data validation for sustainability risk management, as well as pioneering smart city solutions and Augmented Reality urban navigation systems. Holding multiple patents and a Computer Science degree from U.C. Berkeley, he also drives tech-forward civic initiatives, recently building the interactive, AI-driven platform for the Santa Cruz based Tree Mosaic Project.

LINKEDIN
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodperkins/

Roderick Perkins

Bio

Born and raised in San Francisco, Hilary attended Convent of the Sacred Heart and Saint Mary’s College (class of 1985). At 24, she was hired as a flight attendant with Delta Air Lines where she flew around the world for over 35 years. On her days off she made the most of her passion for the culinary arts by catering, entertaining and delivering meals to clients. After giving up meat in 2014 and going vegan, she soon began her own home vegan baking business, Deliciously Vegan SF, specializing in signature cupcakes & decadent cakes. Hilary quickly became a leader in the Bay Area vegan community, collaborating and supporting vegan chefs and activists, as well as serving as vice president on the San Francisco Vegan Society’s board for three years. She joined the board at ChromaDiverse in April 2025 because of her lifelong love of the arts and her commitment to lend her talents to preserving the legacies. 

Hilary Parker

Bio

Dr. Jessica (Jesse) Aldrich Strassman, a social work scholar, oral historian, clinician, and educator, is an Assistant Professor of Social Work at Samuel Merritt University in Oakland, California, where she helped build the university’s inaugural MSW program. She also operates a clinical practice in the San Francisco Bay Area, working with adolescents and young adults. Her research focuses on oral history with communities that have not had a voice in public memory. She believes communities should have authority over how their stories are recorded, preserved, and shared. She has presented her research both domestically and internationally. Strassman holds a DSW from the University of Pennsylvania and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. 

Her connection to the performing arts is also personal. Her son is a professional classical ballet dancer currently dancing with Rochester City Ballet.

LINKEDIN
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessestrassman/

Dr. Jessica Aldrich Strassman

Bio

Liz Warburton is an independent consultant working at the intersection of finance and operations. Over several years, she has supported small business development across industries including education tech, brick-and-mortar entertainment venues, independent music, community centers, climate tech, and ranching. Today, her work is grounded in a commitment to movement arts, food systems, and social purpose real estate: sectors where strong financial and operational foundations help cultural practice, community nourishment, and shared space endure for the people they serve. 

Liz completed graduate programs at Cornell University and the London School of Economics in organizational development and international development policy, respectively. Since then, she has worked directly with locally owned businesses and mission-driven organizations committed to restructuring operations for more holistic outcomes for staff, clients, and the world in which they operate. 

Elizabeth Warburton

Bio

Mitch Rostad is a pain, performance, and healthspan specialist who has guided hundreds of individuals, from Olympic and world champion athletes to people navigating complex wellness challenges and major lifestyle changes. A graduate of Emory University School of Medicine, he brings a rigorous scientific foundation to coaching that is both broad in scope and closely tailored to each person. 

Mitch’s work centers on the fundamentals of lifelong health: hydration, nutrition, sleep, mental and emotional resilience, mobility, cardiovascular conditioning, strength, and movement quality. He is guided by three principles: agency over dependency, simplicity over complexity, and clear, evidence-informed guidance over needless complication. He often partners with clients’ healthcare teams to align strategies and support their long-term goals. 

As a member of ChromaDiverse’s board, Mitch helps advance the organization’s mission of helping dance companies honor and preserve their ephemeral art. He is especially focused on strengthening the health and resilience of dancers and underserved communities, so artists can sustain their careers and thrive both on and off the stage. 

https://www.getprimd.com/drrostad  

Mitch Rostad

Bio

Jason J. Lee is a Partner with MNP Digital and a recognized leader in data, analytics, and artificial intelligence strategy. He works with public sector and private sector organizations to modernize data platforms, strengthen governance, and unlock business value through advanced analytics and AI solutions.  

With extensive experience leading large-scale digital transformation initiatives, Jason is known for his strategic perspective, collaborative leadership style, and ability to bridge technology innovation with business outcomes. He brings expertise in governance, risk management, organizational growth, and stakeholder engagement, helping organizations navigate complex decisions while delivering sustainable results.  

As a board member, Jason offers a combination of business acumen, technology leadership, and a strong commitment to responsible growth, innovation, and long-term value creation.

LINKEDIN
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-lee-mnp/ 

Jason Lee

Bio

CORE TEAM

Judy Tyrus, a former principal dancer, archivist, curator, author, and educator, is the founder and CEO of ChromaDiverse, Inc. Throughout her decades-long career, she has cultivated a deep connection to dance and its ability to empower both artists and audiences alike. Tyrus’ experience as a Black and Japanese artist working with a primarily Black classical ballet company, Dance Theatre of Harlem, reinforced her belief that ballet should transcend racial barriers—a conviction she leads with today. Founded in 2019, ChromaDiverse is the culmination of Tyrus’ experience and knowledge of the dance ecosystem. She knows it is essential to provide organizations with a flexible, low-cost, secure, cloud-based digital asset management system that gives them agency over their histories. Her career continues to be defined by her passion for the arts and her mission to advance visibility for dancers of color and uplift their contributions worldwide.  

Tyrus received the Society of American Archivists Diversity Award in 2021 and the Dance/USA ‘Ernie’ Award in 2023.  

LINKEDIN

Judy Tyrus

Chief Executive Officer

Bio

With a BA in Environmental Design from UC Berkeley, Eric brings over 30 years of experience spanning business development to executive roles across a wide range of industries, including GeoSpatial Analytics, Advanced Visualizations, Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence, and Business Intelligence. His career has included work with both major corporations and entry-level startups, providing him with a unique perspective and versatile skill set. Eric leverages this diverse background to help guide ChromaDiverse’s growth and strategic direction.

LINKEDIN
https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-waldman-sf

Eric Waldman

Chief Operating Officer

Bio

Sofya Elperin is a results-driven digital marketing and community engagement leader with over two decades of experience working across nonprofits, education, and technology organizations. She specializes in building integrated marketing and fundraising strategies that combine storytelling, data-driven campaigns, and authentic community connection. Throughout her career, Sofya has led cross-functional initiatives spanning digital campaigns, donor engagement, paid media, SEO, and partnership development, helping organizations expand reach, grow enrollment, and strengthen long-term relationships with their audiences. 

Sofya has worked across community organizations and mission-driven nonprofits, including FUHSD Adult School, Blossom Birth & Family, and CK-12 Foundation, supporting programs that serve diverse learners, families, and educators. Her professional background also includes start-ups, technology companies, and ad agencies, giving her a strong foundation in fast-paced, growth-oriented environments alongside values-driven work. This breadth of experience allows her to bridge strategy and execution, bringing creative, data-informed marketing approaches to organizations focused on impact and community connection. 

LINKEDIN
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sofyaesmirnov

Sofya Elperin

Marketing & Communications Lead

Bio

Jessica Cavender is a media specialist with expertise in broadcast media, historical preservation, and the performing arts. Based in the Midwest, she has dedicated the past decade to capturing and safeguarding Ohio’s vibrant dance heritage. As a founding member of the OhioDance Virtual Dance Collection™—the first statewide initiative of its kind in the U.S.—Cavender has played a pivotal role in documenting and preserving the state’s rich dance legacy. She has produced hundreds of documentary and historical short films, earning two regional Emmy nominations for her work. Cavender holds a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) from the Ohio State University and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Electronic Media Communications and Photography. Ms. Cavendar is the Director of Product and Implementation for ChromaDiverse.  

LINKEDIN
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-cavender-1a555333/

Jessica Cavender

Director of Product & Implementation

Bio

Jose Gallegos (he/him) is an archivist from Los Angeles. He completed his undergraduate program at the University of Southern California, receiving a Bachelor’s in French and Film Production, and completed two graduate programs at UCLA, receiving a Master’s in Cinema and Media Studies, and a Master’s in Library and Information Science with an emphasis on Media Archiving. He previously worked for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, where he managed the International Feature Film Award category.

At ChromaDiverse, Gallegos manages the digital asset management system for the CD DigitalVault, assesses community partner needs, and ensures a smooth onboarding process for clients and community partners. 

Jose Gallegos

Digital Asset Manager

Bio

Alana Solin, a creative writing teacher with a BA in English/Creative Writing and an MFA in poetry from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, is a fact-checker for various magazines and the poetry editor for Nat. Brut, a literary journal. At CD, Alana manages the grants process, including workflows, and document management.

Alana Solin

Grant Writer

Bio

Vik Thairani is the founder and CEO of Tine Health. Tine Health was named #5 in the Top 23 Digital Health companies and start-ups in San Francisco in 2024. Thairani’s previous experience includes coordinating HIPAA certification for key mobile technologies and web and product development. Thairani leads ChromaDiverse’s website development and design functionality, as well as the development of CD AlumniHub™.

LINKEDIN
https://www.linkedin.com/in/thevik

Vik Thairani

Chief Product Officer

Bio

DEVELOPERS

Joaquín Aravena is a fifth-year Systems Engineering student at the National University of the South with experience developing web and desktop applications. Aravena brings a strong interest in new technologies and a thoughtful, collaborative approach to building software. He is committed to quality, clear communication, and practical solutions that help teams and organizations reach their goals.

Joaquin Aravena

Senior Developer

Bio

Martin specializes in building and optimizing the core systems that power our social network and archiving platform at Curtain Connect. His focus is on ensuring a seamless, high-performance experience where users can connect effortlessly and preserve their data securely. Driven by impact, he loves turning complex ideas into intuitive digital solutions that bring people together.

Martin Fernandez

Senior Developer

Bio

Lorena Ramirez-Lopez

Lorena Ramirez-Lopez

Digital Archivist

Bio

Peavey is an experienced digital marketer with a strong background across multiple industries. My expertise includes email marketing, creative design, SEO blog marketing, Customer Relationships Management, AI content generation, web development, and social media marketing.

Peavey Alemania

Web Developer

Bio

INTERNS

Angela Mora

Intern

Ashley Orduna

Intern

Jayda Hector

Intern

Keshi Mayer

Intern

Uma Anandakuttan

Intern

Quincy Allen

Intern
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