Biographical Notes
Esther Gutiérrez-Sloan, a native Colombian, is the President and founder of
SALSArobics, Inc.
Esther began performing South American Folkloric dance in Colombia at the age of four.
At age 12 she moved with her family to the United States. In 1978 she
received a B.S. in Computer Science with high honors from Northeastern Illinois
University. She worked for several years in the field of Information Science,
including marketing, financial, and manufacturing systems. In 1988 her love of
people, music and dance drew her to change careers and create SALSArobics.
In addition to being President of SALSArobics,
Inc., Esther created and managed the FITKIDS children’s fitness program for the Lake Forest Health
and Fitness Institute, and is currently Director of the Youth Fitness Program
for
the Lake Forest Recreation Department. She also teaches land and
water classes and offers personal training at several locations in the Chicago
area. In addition, she previously was fitness counselor at Women's Residential Services, a Lake
County addictions-recovery program for women and their children.
Esther is ACE, AFAA and AEA certified, and is trained in Total Body Training Systems.
She is a popular presenter, having led land and water workshops and SALSArobics
exhibitions nationally and internationally, at fitness industry conventions, resorts,
health clubs, wellness centers, hospitals, dance studios, recreation centers, fund raising
events, conferences and ethnic festivals. She is a sought-after motivational speaker
and presenter in the educational industry, continually presenting at elementary, middle
and high schools, colleges and universities for both students and faculty
alike. Her presentation topics include Hispanic heritage celebration, cultural diversity, physical education,
language arts, communication skills, and building relationships.
Esther has been married for 30 years and has two daughters, ages
18 and 21. Esther's
community involvement has included school board member and board president. She has
taught Spanish to preschool and elementary age students. As a PTO volunteer in the
Lake Bluff public school system, Esther has taught Fine Arts History, served as a speech
tournament coach, co-chaired her school district’s annual Pumpkin Chase Family
Run/Walk for two years, and has been an active room-parent. She also teaches
religious education and leads the Liturgy of the Word for children as part of the Sunday
mass at her community's parish. Esther is an advisory board member of
CenterStage in Lake Forest, the community's theater group. She also volunteers her
time for City of Hope, The American Heart Association, Aids Walk Chicago, Dance for Life,
and Latino Entertainment, by leading warm-ups and exercise segments, and participating in
promotional events.
