MEET THE TEAM
JONATHAN ROBERTS
A world champion ballroom dancer and TV star.
Jonathan Roberts, has been teaching ballroom dancing for almost 30 years. A world champion ballroom dancer, Jonathan has appeared on 7 seasons of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars and has also been a featured choreographer on Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance. Jonathan co-owns one of the largest dance competitions in the US and travels the world teaching ballroom dancers of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of experience.
DR. LAUREL ABBRUZZESE
A nationally respected expert in older adults exercise.
Dr. Abbruzzese serves as Neurobody’s medical consultant and is an associate professor and geriatric rehabilitation expert at Columbia University with deep expertise in fall prevention and exercise interventions for older adults. She brings an evidence-based, research-driven approach to program development, ensuring that every Neurobody session is both safe and highly effective for participants of all ages. Her guidance helps translate cutting-edge geriatric exercise science into practical, enjoyable movement experiences.
Debra Hoag
An insurance executive turned ballroom dancing enthusiast.
Founder, Debra Hoag, has been an insurance executive, agent, general agent, and underwriting expert for over 37 years. Debra began ballroom dance 10 years ago, at the age of 50, as a clever alternative to traditional forms of exercise. She fell in love with ballroom dancing so much that she went on to set up Neurobody in 2021, with the mission of bringing the joy and benefits of ballroom dancing to everyone.
Troels Bager
5 x World Champion Professional Dancer & Coach
Troels Bager is a distinguished professional Latin dancer and educator with over 20 years of international competitive experience. A three-time United States National Professional International Latin Champion, he has represented his country at the highest levels of global competition. Following an accomplished competitive career, Troels now focuses on professional coaching, adjudication, choreography, and dance education. He has also developed our innovative Neurobody Fit programme, designed to enhance physical awareness, coordination, and performance through movement. His deep expertise, technical precision, and creative approach have established him as a respected leader in the professional dance community.
William James
Co-Founder
William James is a co-founder with a quantitative background in market making and liquidity provision. He is also the co-founder of Pilatus Capital, a venture capital firm that builds and invests in high-growth consumer and technology ventures. In addition, William is the co-founder of Unified Hope Inc., a New York City–based nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing medical research and improving healthcare access for underprivileged communities.
Daria Massimila
A MPN Certified Dementia Specialist.
Daria Massimila is an MPN-Certified Dementia Specialist and a Research Investigator at Neurobody. She brings extensive expertise in cognitive health and neurodegenerative conditions, with a research-driven focus on designing interventions that support brain function and daily living in older adults. Daria’s evidence-based approach ensures that every Neurobody program is both safe and highly effective, translating the latest dementia research into practical, engaging activities that enhance quality of life for participants.