DFW Young & Social Leadership

Alexi Noble

Founder, Master Dance Instructor, & Director of Programming

A student of human nature, Alexi is fascinated by the unspoken “rules” of social interaction. She loves designing events that work with the way we work, to make connection easy.

Since the creation of her first social club in Los Angeles in 2015, Alexi has hosted over 100 events of all shapes and sizes. Above all, her passion is for fostering genuine connection and inspiring joy in everything life has to offer.

A dedicated social dancer since the age of 14, Alexi began her professional dance career in 2016. She has studied under Natalia Lind, Michael Kuka, Mireille Gineste, and Diane Jarmolow (among others) and taught thousands of students to dance. A professional performer as well as a teacher, she is knowledgeable in over twenty styles of social dance. She has a special soft spot for working with beginners, and witnessing their joy in self-discovery!

Marco Panama

Founder & Director of Strategy and Operations

My world has always revolved around one thing: making real connections. Whether it was building teamwork at Southwest Airlines, mentoring leaders at Ericsson, or now running DFW Young & Social, what drives me is helping people grow, belong, and find joy together.

The philosophy that best describes my outlook is a mix of optimistic nihilism and agnosticism. At first, they sound opposite, but to me they work together. If the universe has no fixed purpose, then we get to create one. If there is something greater beyond us, then we honor it by how we live and love here. Either way, the meaning of life is found in what we choose to do with the time we are given.

That is why my values come from experience. I learned by watching cause and effect: lies break trust, kindness eases pain, selfishness narrows life, and shared joy makes it richer. My compass is simple: reduce harm, create joy, care for the people I can connect with. That has always guided me, whether I am cooking for friends, making films, getting lost in anime, or blasting Taylor Swift.

If you are here, you are welcome. Join for a meal, a dance, or a conversation that makes the day lighter. We only get one life, and I would rather spend it building something meaningful with others than standing still.

Online Community Moderators

  • Michelle Kelman

    Michelle is a dedicated software engineer from the DFW area and a proud graduate of the University of Texas at Dallas. Passionate about the intersection of technology and art, she loves sharing her knowledge with others. In her free time, Michelle enjoys crochet, dance, baking, and spending quality time with friends.

  • Maria Salazar

    Hailing from vibrant South America, Maria is a dedicated instructor of Spanish and Clay Sculpting. A true enthusiast of art and languages, she delights in teaching both individuals and groups, skillfully tailoring the curriculum to each class. Her enthusiasm and creativity make every lesson a unique journey of discovery.