We are excited to offer the DivaDance Mentorship Progam annually as a free professional development opportunity for selected members of our franchisees’ staff! Throughout the 6-week program, mentees work closely with founder and CEO of DivaDance, Jami Stigliano, to learn valuable leadership and interpersonal skills, in addition to setting personal and professional goals and creating a roadmap for their futures. Participants are nominated by their franchise owners and are each given a grant toward the future purchase of a DivaDance franchise, should that be a part of their journey! Cue the confetti as we fangirl over and highlight eight amazing women (in no particular order!) who are proud graduates of our Mentorship Program.
Northwest Arkansas: Dani Mott
Dani’s DivaDance journey began in August 2022 when she was a new mom and longed to feel like herself again. Enter DivaDance Northwest Arkansas, where she immediately fell in love with the community. She shares, “I signed up for a membership that night, and over time, my confidence returned, even surpassing what it had ever been before. I gained so many sweet friends through the DivaDance NWA community, and I felt like me again!” She soon applied to become an instructor and was teaching classes before she knew it. Being accepted into the Mentorship Program was a turning point for Dani: “Each week, I was coached and poured into by Jami and the other mentees. We learned new ways to think about things and how to communicate effectively as leaders and form agreements in all areas of life. I’m grateful for the Mentorship Program for allowing me to reprioritize myself and my goals and for the tools I have been given to work toward my dreams!” Dani is now the manager of DivaDance Northwest Arkansas.
Follow Dani on Instagram at @dancingdaninwa.
North Dallas/Fort Worth: Dria Callahan
Dria attended an open house class at DivaDance North Dallas and immediately knew that she had found “her people.” She soon began working in Client Experience, and months later, confessed a dream to owner Natalia that she wanted to someday work for DivaDance full-time. After Natalia nominated Dria for the Mentorship Program, the rest was herstory. “The Mentorship Program was such a mindset-changing experience. I learned how to treat myself and my life with respect, and to cultivate an environment that would fuel both my personal and professional development. But more than that, we learned how to nurture healthy relationships. That was my biggest takeaway: making communicated agreements in our relationships, not just expectations. I’ve continued to maintain a fruitful mentorship connection with Jami, and I am so grateful that I get to pick her brain all the time.” Dria now works for DivaDance full-time and is in the process of becoming a proud franchise owner. “Excuse the cliche — DivaDance changed my life!”
Follow Dria on Instagram at @happywithdria.
Hill Country: Jalyssia King
Jalyssia has been a proud member of DivaDance Hill Country since 2022 and is currently one of our talented instructors. She shares, “Before DivaDance, I was in a very dark place and searching for joy, which I definitely found in my first class. I knew I needed to become a part of the community where I felt welcome, safe, and supported. Joining this DivaDance was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made; it has completely transformed my life for the better.” Joining the Mentorship Program was an honor for Jalyssia, which came at the perfect time in her journey of healing and growth: “I loved connecting with other amazing women and learning from Jami, whose openness, honesty, and wisdom is so admirable. I could talk to her for hours. This program not only helped me to become a better instructor but helped me to become a better me.”
Follow Jalyssia on Instagram at @bejoyfull.
San Antonio: Laura Rocha
Laura began her journey with DivaDance San Antonio as a Host in 2019. Fast forward to the COVID lockdown, when Laura graduated from law school from her kitchen table. She returned to help with outdoor classes, slowly helping to rebuild and another location was added. When owner Danielle went on maternity leave, she enlisted Laura with more responsibilities, including becoming the Client Experience team lead and later a position as a part-time manager. In 2022, she approached her then-boyfriend (now husband!) about pursuing a future together with DivaDance: “He saw what DivaDance did for many, including myself, and because the impact was so grand, he saw the potential in DivaDance as a career. So, we decided we would look into franchising.” They did, and in May 2024, the couple launched DivaDance Alamo City. As for the Mentorship Program? “It helped me become more self-aware and gave me tools to get out of my own way and tools to be able to have leadership conversations that are intentional and effective. She also helped me get out of my own head! It was after this mentorship program that I knew I could be a DivaDance franchise owner. I wanted it, but I didn’t know if I could do it. This program upgraded my mindset, and I would do it again if I could!”
Follow Laura on Instagram at @laurar7461.
Uptown Dallas: Valerie Sirithai
Valerie discovered DivaDance Uptown Dallas in late 2022 during a journey of seeking some self-care and a sense of community. She immediately fell in love with the brand and values. After joining the staff as a Host, she was given the opportunity to be a part of the Mentorship Program, which paved the way for franchise ownership. She went from DivaDance instructor to member of the HQ Call Team and Travel Team to assist with new franchise launches. Fast forward to today, and Valerie is the new franchise owner of DivaDance Nashville! She says, “This program was my ‘lightbulb’ moment of franchise ownership. I wish I could do it every year! It helped me learn about myself and others and became a better communicator and leader. Overall, the program helped me find this new version of myself that I wanted to be.”
Follow Valerie on Instagram at @yagirlvaldance.
Chicago: Ellie Kinney
Ellie joined DivaDance in early 2022 and quickly fell “head-over-heels in love.” A few months later, she began instructor training and became an instructor team lead at around the same time she participated in the Mentorship Program. She says, “Being a part of this boss babe community has truly changed my life for the better! Jami creates such an inclusive and comfortable environment to help us connect with each other. A key takeaway that I use to this day is the skill of asking great questions to form deeper, more meaningful connections.”
Follow Ellie on Instagram at @dancewithellz.
Plano: Emerald Jordan
After falling in love with DivaDance as a member, Emerald knew she wanted to pursue instructing. Her dad encouraged her to apply for a spot on the team, and she has since taught more than 200 classes! Now a Lead Instructor, Emerald describes the Mentorship Program as “a huge growing experience.” She adds, “It helped me reflect on daily habits, interactions with others, the importance of my goals and dreams, as well as my mindset. I want to share one of the first quotes Jami shared with us upon the start which really impacted me: ‘You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.’ –Martin Luther King Jr.”
Follow Emerald on Instagram at @the.dancing.gem.
St. Pete/Clearwater: Nadea Nicole
After longtime dancer Nadea found herself auditioning for a top dance company, she was instantly humbled… and discouraged. She shares, “During a Facebook doom scroll, DivaDance St. Pete/Clearwater with its brightly colored ad found me! They were looking for an instructor, but after my previous dance encounter, I needed to check the scene first. I took my first class and instantly knew it was going to be my new home. Shortly after, the instructor position was mine, and life for me changed forever!” Nadea recently celebrated her 3-year “divaversary” and has hit a variety of DivaDance milestones including being a Client Experience Host and members of the Call Team and Travel Team, a featured instructor at two Slaycations, a featured guest on the Community Time Podcast, the recipient of numerous DivaDance awards including 2022 Rising Star Instructor, DivaDance Florida Suncoast DivaDate Committee President, creator of Wine Downs (weekly nationwide DivaDate for staff and members to gather together), and more. As for the Mentorship Program? “It definitely challenged me to be a true leader in my market and in life overall. DivaDance’s mission is to change lives — but it saved mine! I reconnected to my love of dance and my passion for serving, I’ve created life-long friendships in this community, and not only did I find my home, I’m finding my true self.”
Follow Nadea on Instagram at @nadea.nicole.
