Michael Wardlaw
Pensacola Youth Ballet Board President
Michael Wardlaw is the Board President of Pensacola Youth Ballet. With over 30 years of experience in the non-profit dance sector, he has developed a comprehensive understanding of the artistic, operational, and community engagement aspects of arts organizations. As the founding Artistic Director of Pensacola Youth Ballet for the past 11 years, he has been ersponsible for shaping the organization’s vision, overseeing the annual budget, and fostering strategic growth.
His professional background includes performing as a ballet dancer with esteemed companies such as Tulsa Ballet and Cincinnati Ballet. This experience has provided him with firsthand insight into the transformative power of the arts within communities and a deep appreciation for how nonprofit organizations are structured and operate. Additionally, while serving as Co-Director of LaBelle Performing Arts, a local performing arts school, he helped establish LPAC of Pensacola, a 501(c)(3) umbrella organization that he co-directed. This experience further deepened his understanding of non-profit operations and fueled his passion for creating and sustaining vibrant, community-driven arts initiatives.
Dr. Cynthia M. Dobek
Pensacola Youth Ballet Treasurer
Senior Human Resources and Business Executive | Adjunct Professor
Dr. Cynthia M. Dobek is a Pensacola native and senior Human Resources and Business executive with 20+ years of experience leading people strategy, organizational development, and workforce operations across nonprofit, for-profit, and public sector organizations. She is known for building scalable organizational programs that strengthen culture, enhance engagement, increase financial stability, and drive measurable results.
As an adjunct professor, Dr. Dobek specializes in workforce planning, employee relations, compensation strategy, performance management, and core business disciplines, translating these areas into applied learning experiences that connect theory to real-world practice to equip students to align human capital initiatives with organizational mission and growth.
In addition to her professional work, she voluntarily serves as Legislative Chair for Greater Pensacola SHRM, is a member of the Krewe of Pensacola Belles, Treasurer of the Pensacola Youth Ballet and President/Founder of the Dorothy D. Lister Memorial Scholarship Foundation, honoring her mother’s legacy by supporting ballet education and student opportunity.
Elise Marie Preston
Pensacola Youth Ballet Board Member
Distinguished Leader & Community Advocate
Elise Marie Preston is a highly accomplished professional with a diverse background in arts, aviation, and community service.
Her career is built on a foundation of leadership, creativity, and innovation, supported by a degree in Public Relations that laid the groundwork for her success in communications.
In addition to her professional career, Elise has expressed her passion for the arts through teaching dance part-time, fostering creativity and a love of dance in her students. Her experience in the travel industry further strengthened her leadership and interpersonal skills, allowing her to successfully navigate dynamic environments while building meaningful relationships.
Elise brings proven leadership, a passion for innovation, and exceptional communication and relationship-building skills to her role. As a board member, she is committed to utilizing her diverse experience to drive positive change and make a lasting impact within the Pensacola Youth Ballet community.
Michelle Wardlaw
Pensacola Youth Ballet Board Member
Michelle Wardlaw has been a Pensacola resident for 26 years. She is currently the owner of Pier Suite, an event venue space on Pensacola Beach. Michelle holds a Master’s Degree in Special Education from the University of Florida, and is an active member on the Snoezelen Foundation board, continuing to work with children with severe disabilities at Escambia Westgate School. She has worked with LaBelle Performing Arts for many years, dancing, teaching, and placing choreography on students. She has performed and choreographed for “Dance Alive” FL touring company, working under the direction of Kim Tuttle and Judy Skinner. She has choreographed, instructed, and/or performed for Universal Dance Association, House of Blues Orlando, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Disney, professional dance companies, and theater productions. Michelle currently works with Pensacola Youth Ballet as an interim teacher and resident choreographer. She is married to PYB director, Michael Wardlaw, and they have a lovely daughter, Mia.
Erin Stubbs
Marketing Advisor/Pensacola Youth Ballet Board Member
Erin Stubbs brings more than a decade of agency experience to the Pensacola Youth Ballet board, along with early training as a young dancer under PYB’s founder. As Business Growth Director at Osborn Barr Paramore, a women-owned agency, she builds cross-functional teams that tackle complex problems together, developing strategy for clients in government, agriculture, and tourism. She is known for turning complicated stakeholder needs into clear plans people can actually rally around, and for the kind of transparent, team-first leadership that sustains long-term partnerships.
Erin lives in Gulf Breeze, FL with her husband and their two young sons, and spends her off-hours on the water or planning the family’s next mountain adventure.
Nikki Loveday
Nikki LovedayPensacola Youth Ballet Board Member
Nikki Loveday is a dedicated supporter of Pensacola Youth Ballet’s mission to provide exceptional dance education and performance opportunities for young artists in the local community.
She is currently a fitness instructor at Pure Barre Pensacola with a professional background in the travel and hospitality industry as well as nonprofit development work for the American Cancer Society. Nikki brings experience in community engagement, relationship building, event planning, and mission-driven leadership. As the parent of a former PYB student who is now pursuing a professional career in dance, she has witnessed firsthand the confidence, discipline, creativity, and meaningful connections that dance education provides young people.
As a board member, Nikki is committed to supporting accessible, pre-professional arts programming that enriches the lives of students and strengthens the community through dance.
Andy Waltrip
Andy WaltripPensacola Youth Ballet Board Member
As a seasoned professional with a lifelong passion for the performing arts, Andy Waltrip brings a wealth of expertise to the Board of Pensacola Youth Ballet. With a rich performance history spanning the United States, Europe, and Scandinavia, Andy has cultivated a deep understanding of the arts industry and its potential for impact.
Andy’s journey in the performing arts began in his hometown of Pensacola, Florida, where he honed his craft in local theater productions. He later pursued his passion for ballet at the prestigious Joffrey Ballet School in New York City. With a performance career that has taken him to the world’s most renowned stages, Andy has had the opportunity to work with esteemed companies, including Up With People and the European tour of West Side Story.
