Leadership

SKYLAR MALES | Founder & CEO

Skylar was born and raised in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood. Attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, she received her BFA in Dance. Skylar dedicated herself to community engagement, working as a Teaching Artist for The Joffrey Ballet for five years. Later, Skylar joined Red Clay Dance Company, serving as a Teaching Artist while immersed in DEI training. Skylar’s passion for choreography has spanned more than a decade, As CEO of Nexus, Skylar continues choreographing original works while advocating for the inclusion of diverse representation in the performing arts. Skylar champions Nexus’ mission through promoting social change and bridging the gap between strategically undervalued artists and the performing arts industry.

KENNY MALES | Director of Arts Entertainment

Born and raised in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood, Kenny was always passionate about the performing arts and innovative storytelling. After graduating from Emerson College with a BA in Directing, Kenny moved to Los Angeles where he worked at Disney ABC Television Group in the Disney Channel’s Casting & Talent Relations department. Returning to Chicago, he narrowed his focus to arts education working for The University of Chicago before joining the Catherine Cook School. At Cook, he served as the Theatre Director & Drama Teacher where he developed and oversaw the school’s first theatre arts program. At Nexus, Kenny oversees all industry partnerships, sponsorships, productions and live entertainment.