MEET OUR TEAM
Executive Director & Creative Producer
Michael is the Executive Director and Creative Producer of The Outer Loop, which he founded in 2009. A Chicago-based director, writer, educator, and humanitarian, Michael has spent more than 15 years exploring how storytelling and the arts can build empathy, strengthen communities, and create meaningful social change. He believes that storytelling can change the way we see one another… and that the most meaningful work ultimately belongs to the communities we serve.
Through The Outer Loop’s Theater for Global Action program, Michael has spent more than a decade working alongside communities in Tanzania on arts-based humanitarian and community-development initiatives.
Michael studied Architecture at The Cooper Union, holds undergraduate degrees in Theater and English from The State University of New York at Brockport, and an MFA in Dramatic Writing from Carnegie Mellon University.
RACHAEL YODER
Artistic Director & Head of Corporate Partnerships
Rachael is a Chicago-based actor and teacher. She is passionate about utilizing the power of the arts to enact meaningful societal change, and has been on the leadership team of The Outer Loop since its inception.
Rachael holds an MFA in Acting from Northern Illinois University, a BA in Theater from SUNY Brockport, and is a graduate of the Stella Adler Studio of Acting Conservatory program in New York City. Rachael also partners with large organizations as a Facilitator for Leadership Development programming, in which she utilizes applied theater techniques to drive meaningful organizational culture change. She is a proud member of Actor's Equity Association & represented by Big Mouth Talent.
Secretly Rachael wishes she was a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.
Theater for Global Action, Tanzania Operations
Samwel is the Founder and CEO of Supreme Tanzania Safaris, one of the top tour organizers and safari companies in Tanzania.
In addition to being a guide himself, Samwel also runs the day to day operations of STS, as well as all Tanzania-based Humanity Project operations.
You will not find a kinder and more generous human anywhere.
Director of Education, Tanzania Operations
Jackson Kain Kibona is a Tanzanian actor, screenwriter, and film producer. He holds advanced certificates in acting for film and scriptwriting from The Tanzania Film Training Center. Jackson is also a huge fan of movies, music, and soccer.
His hobbies include reading and listening.
President: michael herman
secretary: rachael yoder
treasurer: karen herman
board member: brian zorn
Board Member: Elizabeth Berl
Board Member: Sandra Mantione
Board Member: Lea-Beth Shapiro
Board Member: Rob Radest
Board Member: Maura Duff
Board Member: Diane Lent
Board Member: Mary Anne Buckley
Board Member: Denise Hubler
Board Member: Ian Durham
Honorary Board Member: Asha Dibuga
Honorary Board Member: Patrick Sanga