At Dancing Stars for Humanity, founded by passionate philanthropists Jake and Petra Mazhar, we believe that the rhythm of dance can transform lives and foster a more humane world. As successful entrepreneurs, Jake and Petra have devoted their time, energy, and resources to championing human rights, uplifting underprivileged children, and promoting healthy living—principles that guide every initiative we undertake.
Our mission is simple yet profound: to always do the right thing.
We understand that true success lies not just in business achievements, but in the positive impact we can make in the lives of others. Through our programs, we support sports and encourage a vibrant, active lifestyle, with a particular focus on the art of ballroom dancing.
Join us as we dance together toward a brighter future, where every step brings us closer to healing, empowerment, and social justice. Together, we can create a world where every child, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to thrive. Thank you for supporting Dancing Stars for Humanity—where passion meets purpose.
None of our board members will ever receive any financial compensation from the funds we collect, ensuring that every dollar goes directly to the causes we support.
We are unwavering in our commitment to making a profound difference in the world. Our mission is rooted in the principles of humanity, human rights, love, care, integrity, loyalty, and honesty. We believe in doing the right thing, always. As we grow, our mission expands to include not only empowering people but also saving animals, protecting our planet, and fostering a culture of integrity and responsibility
Boryana Todoroff’s passion for ballroom dance began by chance in 2012, when both of her daughters became among the first students at the Volga Dance Academy in Atlanta. As the team quickly grew, Boryana took on managing the administrative side, helping build one of the largest and most successful ballroom dance teams in the United States. She played a pivotal role in developing the Academy’s state-of-the-art training facility, which opened in 2018.
Dedicated to making ballroom dance accessible to all, Boryana served on the board of the Volga Youth Non-Profit, ensuring that every young person has the opportunity to experience the joy of dance. She also contributed as part of the organizing team for the Volga Cup, Presidential Cup, and Atlanta DanceSport Cup, helping bring the excitement of competitive dance to the community.
Boryana’s impact extends beyond the dance floor. As a highly successful licensed commercial and residential Realtor in the Atlanta area, she has consistently been recognized as her company’s top-selling agent. Whether helping families find their dream home or nurturing the next generation of dancers, Boryana is a true leader and a force for positive impact in her community.
Jamilah Sbeih is a Washington, D.C. native who made the vibrant city of Atlanta her home in 2011. Currently residing in Brookhaven with her husband and three children, Jamilah is keen on blending her professional ambitions with her commitment to community service.
With a background working in the financial industry, she transitioned into corporate event planning after taking a brief hiatus to raise her young children. In her recent role, Jamilah has been instrumental in organizing impactful community service events, collaborating with organizations such as AIDS Walk Atlanta, Blessings in a Backpack, the Atlanta Food Bank, Meals on Wheels Atlanta, and the Alif Institute, among others.
A passionate advocate for health and fitness, Jamilah also promotes cultural awareness, drawing on her rich Palestinian heritage as a proud Arab American. Through her work and community engagement, she strives to foster inclusivity and inspire others to make a difference in hopes of making it a kinder world for all. She is excited to do so through Dancing Stars for humanity.
Gaston Mazhar is the driving force behind the technological backbone of Dancing Stars for Humanity. With over 10 years of experience in the IT industry, Gaston combines his deep technical knowledge with a passion for humanitarian work. Originally from Toronto, Canada, he has honed his skills in various high-pressure environments, ensuring that every digital aspect of the charity runs smoothly.
Gaston is not just a tech expert but a visionary who understands the critical role technology plays in advancing the charity’s mission. His work ensures that the organization’s platforms are not only efficient and secure but also accessible to a global audience. Gaston’s dedication to innovation and his unwavering commitment to the charity’s goals make him an invaluable asset to the team.
In his spare time, Gaston is a fervent advocate for digital literacy and often volunteers to help communities enhance their tech skills, furthering his belief that technology should empower and uplift everyone.
Duane Rapson brings over three decades of robust experience in finance and operations to his role as Treasurer of our charity. As a dedicated financial professional, Duane is passionate about utilizing his extensive background to support our mission and help drive positive change in the community. Duane has served in a variety of finance roles over the course of his career, most recently serving as the Finance Partner at Turnpoint Services since February 2020. His professional journey began with auditing at KPMG, where he refined his financial expertise.
A graduate of the Baptist University of America with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, Duane passed the CPA Exam in 1988. He resides in Atlanta, GA, with his wife Stacie. He has two daughters and two grandchildren. Duane is dedicated to leveraging his extensive knowledge to foster growth, promote financial stewardship, and support our charity’s crucial initiatives.
Kelvin Tuitt is the CEO of Catering In Style Inc. and brings over 40 years of experience in the hospitality industry, working with world-class hotels, restaurants, catering companies, and healthcare organizations. A U.S. Army veteran, he was honored as Culinary Specialist of the Year in 1984 and has built a career delivering gold-standard hospitality products and services. Kelvin moved from New York to Atlanta in 1994, drawn by the Centennial Olympic Games, where he served as Catering Director for BMW, an Olympic sponsor.
A lifelong lover of dance, Kelvin’s passion began as a child watching his father waltz and continued in the disco era of New York, where he learned the Hustle. Outside of his professional and dance pursuits, he enjoys driving, playing guitar, and spending time with his family, which includes his wife, four daughters, four grandsons, and one granddaughter. Kelvin brings his energy, creativity, and love for dance to Dancing Stars for Humanity, joining fellow leaders to support charitable causes while celebrating the joy of movement.
BIO coming soon!
Madeleine Mravkarov is a distinguished ballroom dancer, World Championship Show Dance Finalist, and eight-time U.S. National Champion who has proudly represented the United States in six World Championships. In addition to her remarkable competitive career, she is an accomplished choreographer and a highly sought-after music director, curating music for many of the nation’s most prestigious DanceSport competitions and special events.
An international WDSF-licensed DJ, Madeleine has provided music for numerous WDSF International Open events around the world, earning recognition for her artistry and professionalism in the field of DanceSport music. She is also the creator of Ballroom Bar, a popular online platform that has quickly become a favorite among thousands of listeners. Ballroom Bar is dedicated to showcasing the finest DanceSport music and remixes, making the joy of dance accessible to a broad audience.
A passionate advocate for cultural enrichment and youth engagement, Madeleine has served on the Board of the Volga Youth nonprofit, where she worked to empower young people through the art and discipline of DanceSport.
Outside of the dance world, she works in client business development within the tax and professional services sector, where she leverages her strategic and interpersonal skills to build strong client relationships and support business growth.
Terri Lyndall is a partner in the Galloway & Lyndall, LLP. Her practice focuses on regulated utilities and governmental relations. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Lyndall was law clerk to the Honorable Don A. Langham in Fulton Superior Court, a Staff attorney with the Consumers’ Utility Counsel and Executive Secretary of the Georgia Public Service Commission (“PSC”). During her clerkship with Judge Langham, Ms. Lyndall assisted in the preparation of the final order in the Georgia Power Company Plant Vogtle appeal from the Georgia Public Service Commission. In 1990, she began working in the energy field as a staff attorney with the Office of Consumers’ Utility Counsel. She regularly appeared before the PSC on behalf of residential and small commercial consumers in numerous administrative hearings. Her primary responsibilities involved representation of consumer/small business interests in rate cases filed by Atlanta Gas Light Company and Georgia Power Company. She was also involved with other regulatory issues such as integrated resource planning. She has argued before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in Washington, D.C.
In 1993, Ms. Lyndall became the Executive Secretary of the Georgia Public Service Commission. In that position, she assisted the Commissioners with individual projects and provided legal counsel to the Commissioners when necessary.
After entering private practice, Ms. Lyndall’s practice initially focused on the deregulated natural gas market. This work followed Georgia’s deregulation of natural gas pursuant to the Natural Gas Competition and Deregulation Act (“the Georgia Act”). She represented clients in numerous rulemakings implementing the Georgia Act before the PSC, and she assisted in drafting and shepherding revisions to the Georgia Act through the General Assembly.
She was appointed to the Georgia Supreme Court’s Blue Ribbon Commission on the Judiciary and the Georgia Supreme Court’s Commission on Children, Marriage and Family Law. She has also been named a Super Lawyer by Atlanta Magazine in 2009.
Katrina Volgina serves as the President of Dancesport for the American DanceSport Federation “ADF” (CSIT) and is an International Judge WDSF “A” License, as well as a National Judge A+, B+, C+, and D+ for USA Dance. She is the owner of VCDC and the Head Coach and CEO of Volga Dance Academy. Katrina has an impressive 20 years of competitive dancing experience in Russia, where she represented her country at various international events, including the 1998 Olympic Asian Games.
Her teaching career spans across the globe, having instructed both children and adults in countries such as Korea, China, Macau, and Hong Kong. In 2007, she established the Volga Dance Academy in the United States, which has become the leading competitive dance program for children in the United States.
By integrating fitness, gymnastics, and dance into her curriculum, Katrina has nurtured some of the Nation’s top junior, adult, and pro/am dancers.
Jad Jaber is a high school student at Atlanta International School with a strong commitment to community impact and service. As a Youth Volunteer with Dancing Stars for Humanity, he brings a fresh perspective and a passion for collaboration, leadership, and supporting meaningful causes.
Actively involved in both school and community initiatives, Jad has developed skills in leadership, organization, and communication through his participation and leadership roles in clubs such as Model United Nations (MUN) and HOSA, as well as through his involvement in soccer.
Jad resides in Atlanta, Georgia, with his father, Wissam Jaber (Dancing Stars for Humanity participant, 2026), his mother, Jamilah Sbeih (Dancing Stars for Humanity participant and winner, 2025), and his two younger sisters.
Inspired by the organization’s mission, he is proud to contribute to efforts that support underserved communities and promote core values such as inclusion, compassion, and positive change.
Celebrating 50 Years in the Ballroom Dance Industry.
Studio Owner, Competition Organizer – Capital Dancesport Championships and Florida Star Ball.
Recepient of The Icon Award World Masters Award USDC Lifetime Achievement Award.
Available for Staff Training, Studio Business Plans, all phases of Studio Business.
Master of Ceremonies for 32 events throughout North America.
