Meet the 2026 Board of Managers

By: Conor Banks

Leadership is at the heart of Indiana University Dance Marathon. Each year, a dedicated group of 23 people is selected to serve on the Executive Council –– the organization’s highest level of leadership.  

The Executive Council is made up of 18 Directors, four Vice Presidents and one President. Tasked with overseeing committees, fostering community, and supporting fundraising efforts, these leaders play a crucial role in raising money for Riley Hospital for Children and spreading the word of IUDM.

President 

The 2026 IUDM President is Mena Morcos. Mena participated in dance marathon all four years of high school. When he decided to go to IU, he did not know his major or where he was going to live freshman year. However, Mena did know one thing –– he wanted to participate in IUDM.  

As President of IUDM, Mena supports and oversees the Executive Council, running weekly meetings and working as a bridge between IUDM, the IU administration, and external partners. He facilitates communications to increase organizational awareness, while working to involve IUDM with Riley Children’s Foundation and Riley staff.  

Mena was a member of First Year Dance Experience, before joining Morale as a committee member. In 2025, he served as the director of Morale, and this year decided to take another leadership step.  

“I fell in love with it, found my chosen family and found a purpose in a way to give back to a cause that was much bigger than myself. So when it came to the end of 2025 marathon, I knew that I still had more to give and I wanted to apply to serve on our board of managers and here I am now,” Mena said.  

Now as President, Mena hopes to foster a community rooted in a shared purpose. 

“I would say my overarching goal for our executive council this year is to lead with intention, trust in a shared purpose, to create meaningful experiences for committee members and dancers while expanding our campus reach and long-term sustainability,” Mena said. 

Communications  

Tessa Hoffman is the 2026 Vice President of Communications, who helps a group of four directors plan major events, while ensuring branding and messaging align with IUDM’s mission.  

Before Tessa came to IU, she had a family friend add her to a dancer team, and was drawn into the organization during Marathon weekend, particularly by the Riley Buddy Talent Show.  

“Just getting to see that, how incredible it is that all these people are there watching and cheering on these kids,” Tessa said. 

After serving as a committee member on Merchandise and Apparel, and taking the next step as the director of Alumni Relations in 2025, Tessa realized she was not done growing within the organization.  

“Getting to watch my committee members thrive and fall in love with the organization the same way I did, was honestly really full circle,” Tessa said. “And then, you know, I realized that I really wasn't done, and I wanted to continue to give back.”  

As Vice President of Communications, Tessa oversees the Marketing, Public Relations, Hospital Relations and Special Events committees.  

The directors of these committees include Marketing Director Ben Rykard, Public Relations Director Marty Blader, Hospital Relations Director Nora Doyle and Special Events Director Emma Bender.  

Membership 

Markie Lance is the 2026 Vice President of Membership, who works with five committee directors to ensure all members feel welcomed, spreads the message about applying to be a part of IUDM and answers questions related to membership.  

After participating in FYDE freshman year, Markie became the Recruitment Chair on Marathon Relations. This is where her passion for IUDM began. 

“So when it came time to applying last year for exec, I really enjoyed recruiting people,” Markie said. “I love to share my story. I love to share our cause and get everyone to find their place.”  

Markie was the Director of Recruitment in 2025, where she informed freshmen about different committees, helping them learn and grow within IUDM. But Markie wanted to get more involved and work on a broader spectrum across the organization, inspiring her to apply for the Vice President of Membership role.  

As Vice President of Membership, Markie helps support the Alumni Relations, Dancer Relations, Marathon Relations, Recruitment and Stewardship committees.  

The directors of these focuses include Alumni Relations Director Reagan Wilson, Dancer Relations Director Hannah Layne, Marathon Relations Director Corben Lashley, Recruitment Director Trevor Roseboom and Stewardship Director Mary Bowman.  

Finance 

The 2026 Vice President of Finance is Brian Coles, who leads a group of four directors to plan fundraising pushes, including working with Purdue University Dance Marathon to schedule the upcoming Old Riley Bucket Week, while managing all operating expenses in the budget for IUDM.  

Originally from Illinois, Brian was unfamiliar with IUDM coming to IU. But looking to get more involved on campus, he joined his sophomore year roommate on the Recruitment committee in 2024. Despite being a late-add, it did not take long for Brian to want to take on a bigger role within the organization.  

“Even though I was only in dance marathon for like 2 months, I knew I wanted to be a part of [IUDM] and have a bigger role in it,” Brian said.  

Brian served as the FYDE Chair on Recruitment in 2025, which showed him what a leadership position in IUDM entails, and prepared him for an even bigger leap in 2026. He saw first-hand the bond that last year’s Executive Council built and wanted to be a part of that. 

“It’s been an awesome, life-changing experience so far,” Brian said. 

As Vice President of Finance, Brian works with the Accounting, Corporate Relations, Fundraising and Merchandise and Apparel committees.  

The directors of these focuses include Accounting Director Tamir Halevi, Corporate Relations Director Sophia Becker, Fundraising Director Greta Kollbaum and Merchandise and Apparel Director Carly Miles.  

Internal 

The 2026 Vice President of Internal Operations is Allie McKeown, who oversees five committees, and helps plan major events, such as Tacky Prom and Marathon.  

Allie participated in Westfield High School’s Dance Marathon before coming to IU.  

“I kind of joined because I had a lot of friends who had disabilities, and I was a peer tutor in high school and a lot of them had stories and experiences with Riley Hospital,” Allie said. “And these kids meant so much to me.”  

Her high school experience inspired her to continue giving back to her friends, and to join IUDM in college. Allie began her IUDM journey as a member of Stewardship, before becoming the funds chair for the committee.  

“And just like being in a leadership position like that within my committee was awesome, and I just felt so empowered,” Allie said. Giving back to people who are giving so much to Riley is just such an awesome experience.” 

But Allie still felt she had more to give to this organization. This brought the decision of whether to apply to be a director or take the step of joining the Board of Managers. Allie chose the latter.  

As Vice President of Internal Operations, Allie supports the Entertainment, Hospitality, Logistics, Morale and Riley Development committees.  

The directors of these focuses include Entertainment Director George Caleb Harvey VIII, Hospitality Director Sophia Russell, Logistics Director Hannah Brown, Morale Director Jimmy Dapp and Riley Development Director Sydney Morlock.