Officers

President: Alexandra N. Sényi de Nagy-Unyom, Esq.

Ms. Sényi is President of the Board of Directors for 2023. She is currently an attorney in private practice at the law offices of Elliot & Chatain, specializing in family law and immigration matters. A native of Vienna, Austria and an avid traveler, she has lived in various countries. Among her international experiences, she has clerked for the solicitor’s office of the Department of Trade and Commerce in the Czech Republic and has served as an Austrian diplomatic representative in Japan. Ms. Sényi holds a B.A. in International Law and Political Science from the University of Paris II Panthéon-Assas and she was a Socrates-Erasmus scholarship recipient at the Charles University of Prague.

In addition to her J.D. from the University of Paris II Panthéon-Assas, she completed her MA. at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and her L.L.M at Georgetown Law.

Believing in the spirit of community service and philanthropy, Ms. Sényi has been highly involved with the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, as an Executive member, and Benefit Committee Co-Chair of its annual Gala. In addition, Ms. Sényi is proud to serve on the Executive Board of FAIR Girls, an organization that fights human trafficking in the DMV area. In her free time, Ms. Sényi enjoys water sports, reading biographies, traveling to exotic destinations. She is passionate about classical music, especially opera. As a lover of music, she has been a long-time supporter of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Salzburg Opera Festival.

Vice President: Cary Pollak, Esq.

Mr. Cary Pollak is Vice President of the Board of Directors for 2023.  Cary served in that capacity from 2016-2018 and continued as a member of the Board thereafter.  He retired from the position of Senior Assistant Attorney General for the District of Columbia some years ago and while in that office was nominated by a former president of the DC Bar and by a federal judge to receive the prestigious Rosenberg Award which is granted by the DC Bar once each year to one attorney who demonstrates exemplary service as government counsel.  He currently is a member of the faculty of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy, helping to teach litigation skills courses to lawyers around the country and also has served on the faculties of the National Advocacy Center in Columbia, SC, the U.S. Department of Justice Legal Education Institute and the Practicing Law Institute in New York City.  Cary also is a member of the William Bryant Inn of Court at the federal courthouse in the District of Columbia. 

In addition to his love of the opera, Cary is an accomplished food and travel writer and cooking instructor. He has been featured in print media and on radio talk shows across the country and has given cooking demonstrations at Whole Foods, Williams and Sonoma, Kitchen Bazaar and other establishments. Locally, his byline has appeared in Capitol File and DC Style magazines and in The Wire, which is the on line news publication of the National Press Club. Cary serves on the Press Club’s House Committee and has twice received its Vivian Award for outstanding service to the Club.

Treasurer: John Wall, CPA

John Wall founded John Wall, CPA in 2009.

John also provides accounting and tax services to many businesses and individuals in the entertainment industry. These services include entity formation, managing investments in Broadway, television, and Internet productions, accounting for the recoupment and profit payments to the investors, tax return preparation, and other compliance-related tasks. Because this is a growing part of John’s practice, John now splits his time between Northern Virginia and Los Angeles.

Prior to starting John Wall, CPA, John served as Partner at Martin & Wall, PC in Washington, DC for 12 years. While Partner, John managed tax preparation and other tax-related services for individuals and businesses as well as performed financial audits of businesses, nonprofit organizations, schools, and government agencies.

John received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from Western New England College. He became a Certified Public Accountant in 1991 and is licensed to practice in Virginia and Maryland.

Secretary: Anne L. Lantry

Anne Lantry is committed to supporting and serving veterans and children. As president of the Lantry Family Foundation, established in 2017 in honor of her late husband, Anne supports SevaTruck Foundation, the Helen Ross McNabb foundation and other organizations that dedicated to the welfare of children and veterans. A former banker, Anne has served on the boards of the Black Diamond Girl Scout Council, Child Protect of Mercer County, WV, Board of Governors of Bluefield State College, United Way, and as a Rotary President, among others. Anne is the mother of two children and “Nama” to two grandsons. She and her three dogs divide their time between Washington, DC and Knoxville, TN.

Directors

Peter S. Adam

New addition to the board of directors starting in April 2024. Short bio will be soon placed here.

Farah Al Atassi

Farah Al Atassi is a recognized human and women rights activist, entrepreneur, intellectual, and expert in interfaith issues and US-Middle Eastern affairs. She is the founder and President of the Arab Information & Resource Center in Washington, D.C., which provides all kinds of business development, international consultancy, translations, language services, research, media, public speech, cross cultural activities, interfaith dialogue and women empowerment. 

Farah Al Atassi descends from a famous royal family in the Middle East. The Atassi family ruled Syria before the Assad family. The First elected president to Syria was Hashim AL Atassi who wrote the Syrian Constitution , and the last president to Syria was Dr. Nour Din Atassi who was overthrown by a military coup led by Hafez Assad who pushed the Atassi Family from power and ruled ever since. 

H.E Farah Al Atassi was also a well-known political leader and activist in the Arab Spring and the Syrian Revolution and has appeared on American and Arab channels discussing Syrian domestic issues and supporting the people of Syria in their journey for freedom, change, and democratic transition. She is a leading founding member of the Syrian High Negotiations Committee representing the Independents Block and participated in all Syrian peace talks in Geneva, and all other international conferences on Syria and the Middle East. 

Al Atassi was chosen as an Ambassador of Peace by the United Nations Universal Peace Foundation for her work and efforts in encouraging peace and security, interfaith dialogue, and building cultural bridges between the United States and the Arab World. Al Atassi holds an MA in English Literature, Philosophy, and History, as well as graduate certificates in Public Diplomacy and International Relations from Georgetown and Harvard Universities. She has been awarded many certificates of appreciation from major U.S. and Arab organizations for her work and activism in the field of peace and security, global diplomacy, writing, business development, human & women rights and media. She is a frequent public speaker at major conference in United States and abroad like World Economic Forum, Munich Conference, Halifax Security Forum, Aspen and many more. Al Atassi has also authored many publications in Arabic and English and published a collection of short stories entitled The Mask. She writes and appears frequently on Arab, Middle Eastern, and American media discussing Syrian, Middle Eastern, American issues and the role of women in peace and security. She worked previously with Secretaries of States like Madeline Albright and Hillary Clinton as well as many distinguished congresswomen. She is a prominent public speaker as a Cultural & Interfaith diplomat, and a proud Arab American citizen with two kids born and raised in Washington DC.

Barbara Bennett

Ms. Bennett was a former President and a founding member of the Washington Opera Society. She is a current Member of the Board of Directors. Ms. Bennett is also a frequent and active attendee of DC and New York opera, theater and dance performances.  She earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and an MBA in Finance from Fordham University at Lincoln Center. Ms. Bennett worked in international banking and finance for forty years in senior positions at Chase Manhattan Bank, Bank of America and Citibank, focusing on lending, project finance and country reschedulings and restructurings in Latin America. She is currently CEO of Anari, Inc. a boutique merchant banking and international client relations firm.

Ms. Bennett was on the organizing committees for the first two sanctioned Hispanic  Inaugural Balls in DC featuring opera and dance entertainment from Latin America held at the OAS. Ms. Bennett is fluent in Spanish and studied and lived in Spain in the 1960's. Ms. Bennett studied art history in Europe under the guidance of Juan Antonio Gaya Nuno, a renowned art historian, art critic and author, and later studied art at Christie’s in NYC under Edward Sullivan, contemporary Latin American art scholar and historian. She also studied dance and theater since childhood and performed at City Center in New York City as well as in Summer Stock in New York and New Jersey. Ten years ago Ms. Bennett founded Q Street Fine Art Gallery in Washington DC which features local and international contemporary artists.

Peter M. Crawford

Peter M. Crawford is a lifelong resident of the Washington, D.C. area, with more than four generations of Washington, D.C. roots. He was raised in Bethesda and Annandale. Since graduating from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, he has resided in Fairfax, Arlington, McLean, Alexandria, and for over 20 years in the Kalorama, Dupont, and Georgetown neighborhoods of Washington, D.C.

Peter has a passion for real estate. He grew up in real estate, worked for a major real estate brokerage, and later performed title work before pursuing a successful international energy and public policy consulting career at Lewin and Associates, ICF International, and INTEK Inc. He is diligent, detail oriented, client-focused, and highly skilled in contracts and negotiation. He is held in high regard by his clients for his commitment and success in achieving their real estate objectives.

Active in his community, he has served as Board President of The Oakland Condominium for over 10 years, and is a member of the Kalorama Citizens Association, the Dupont Citizens Association, and the Georgetown University Club of Washington. He previously served on the boards of the Fund for Kalorama Park and the Washington Shakespeare Company. He is a 30 year member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and served in leadership positions for its National Capital Section. He is also a proud supporter of The Phillips Collection, Food and Friends, The Hillwood Estate, and other local organizations and charities. Other interests include photography, travel, and the arts.

Raymond Janvier

As a senior vice president and a senior relationship strategist, Raymond coordinates a team to assist you and your family in pursuing the Peace of Mind that comes from knowing that the important aspects of your financial life are thoughtfully orchestrated. Through a dynamic discovery process, Raymond disabled to help build and maintain a thorough understanding of your needs and priorities. Helping you and your family with the successful achievement of your goals and aspirations is our primary focus. Raymond has the knowledge, experience, and desire to help bring about successful outcomes as your trusted advisor.

Raymond has over 15 years of experience in financial services and most recently served as a principal and senior client strategist at BNY Mellon thought and his previous role for B NY Mellon Wealth Management, he served as a trusted and strategic adviser to ultra-high net worth families, business owners, and nonprofit institutions.

Prior to joining BNY Mellon Wealth Management he served as a private client adviser and senior vice president at Bank of America private bank, or he was responsible for the acquisition of new clients.

Raymond graduated with a Bachelor’s from Mercy College and with a Juris Doctor from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, Raymond holds a certified exit planning advisory designation. Raymond speaks fluent French and Creole. In his free time Raymond enjoys spending time with his family, traveling and is a jazz enthusiast.

Robin K. Phillips

Playwright, producer, musician, actor, auteur filmmaker, Phillips spent nearly 12 years living, studying and performing abroad, in Munich, Sydney, London, Brussels, and Monte Carlo. Narrator for Opera Camerata for 7 years, Phillips has also written, produced and starred in one/two character critically-acclaimed original musical plays, such as, "The Music Halls of Paris, 1900-1960," and "Agatha Sings!"--about mystery book writer Agatha Christie, who actually wanted to become an opera singer! On the film industry bible, IMDb.com, Phillips' documentary, "Shakespeare: The Truth Behind the Name" has earned 105 Wins (23 for Best Documentary Feature) & 24 Nominations -- from 88 Film Festivals around the world. This auteur filmmaker singlehandedly earned these bests: Research, Biographical, Educational, Experimental, Inspirational, Sound Design, Co-Editing, Concept, Production Design, Costume. Available on many streaming platforms

Rafael A. Prieto

Mr. Prieto sang as baritone in religious bands and choirs both in Puerto Rico (where he was born) and in Washington DC, and was also a member of an accompanying chorus of a small opera company in the DC area (Opera Camerata of Washington). Participating in the chorus of Handel’s Messiah is a treasured moment of his. Mr. Prieto studied industrial microbiology and currently works as an Environmental Protection Specialist. Mr. Prieto has been involved in opera organizations for more than 20 years. Mr. Prieto served as the secretary to the board since its inception in 2015 until December 2023, and is the website’s designer for the Washington Opera Society.

Advisory Council

Jan Du Plain

Jan Du Plain grew up near Hollywood---" “La La Land”---- home to the stars!!!!! She began her early life performing in local plays in her hometown & later joined a repertory company in Northern California.  She remained in the arts all her professional life as a publicist representing authors and movie stars with a notable literary agency in LA (Ziegler-Ross); a motion picture company in NYC (CBS Films); an historic theatre in DC (Ford’s))  and a public Television and radio station, the 3rd largest producer of programs, in the USA, in DC (WETA).  For the last 15 years, she has worked tirelessly promoting cultural diplomacy inside the largest and most influential diplomatic community in the world—Washington DC!  Her passion for ALL arts continues but OPERA remains her biggest love (Thank you Washington Opera Society).  Her most enjoyable moments are splashing around in her hot tub in suburban Virginia with her dog, “Prince Oscar” –named after the annual academy awards ceremony (now that’s serious commitment to the arts!) nearby!  In addition to her advisory board role at the Washington Opera Society, she serves on the Board of Directors with Theatre Washington, which represents 90 theatres and the annual Helen Hayes Awards in DC! 

Benedict J. Hastings

Benedict J. Hastings is a manager and principal of Hastings and Associates full-service appraisal firm in the field of fine art, antiques, decorative arts, and estates. Appraisals are carried out for the purpose of insurance, tax deduction, donations and estate evaluations. Mr. Hastings has been appraising since 1976 and has resided in Washington DC since 1980.

From 1986 through 1989 Mr. Hastings was head of the Russian and Silver Departments of the Phillips Auction House. From 1990 to 1993 Mr. Hastings was employed in the decorative arts department of Sloans Auction House. From that time onwards, he has been with Hastings and Associates.

From 1993 – 1996, Mr. Hastings was the guest appraiser of the television show Metropolitan Magazine. Mr. Hastings works for Fox 5 as an appraiser for the television show Trash and Treasure.

In May 2001, Mr. Hastings was commissioned to sell the contents of the famous Jockey Club and Fairfax Bar, including its collection of fine arts, paintings, furnishings, and lighting.

Mr. Hastings has been a guest lecturer at the Smithsonian Institute, the Hillwood Museum, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, as well as with the Victorian Society.

Mr. Hastings has been retained to appraise The White House, The National Portrait Gallery, Morven Park Museum in Virginia, The William Paca House in Annapolis, Maryland.

Anne L. Howard-Tristani

Anne L. Howard-Tristani is President of Howard-Tristani International Consulting, specializing in Government Relations, International Public Affairs, Higher Education, and Diplomatic and Cultural Affairs. During her career she worked at an executive level for two Hispanic Serving Institutions of higher education in Puerto Rico, the state University of Puerto Rico (UPR), as Director of the Office of Federal and External Affairs, Office of the President; and, the Ana G. Mendez University System (AGMUS), a private university, as Vice-Chancellor for International, Federal and Corporate Affairs, at the Universidad del Este (UNE). Mrs. Howard-Tristani is also a former Carter Administration official and worked as Special Assistant to the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce and earlier as Deputy to the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Affairs in the Office of the Secretary of Commerce. Earlier in her career, Mrs. Howard-Tristani worked for a U.S. House Congressional Committee, for the Population Crisis Committee and founded her own government relations firm. She is also currently working on an oral history and book project about her late uncle and mother, entitled: Sibling Citizens: The Lives and Legacies of Hubert H. Humphrey and Frances Humphrey Howard.

Mrs. Howard-Tristani was promoted to the U.S. Senior Executive Service and awarded the SES Certificate of Recognition by President Jimmy Carter. She also received the U.S. Department of Commerce Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Congressional Liaison Work by the Secretary of Commerce.

Mrs. Howard-Tristani serves on the National Advisory Board of the National Museum of African Art of the Smithsonian Institution; the Board of Directors of The Embassy Series; and on the Advisory Councils of the United Nations Association of the National Capitol Area (UNA/NCA) and, the Washington Opera Society (WOS). She received an M.A. in Political Science from Georgetown University and, a B.S. Cum Laude in Public Relations Journalism from Boston University, School of Public Communications. She is married to Dennis Chavez Tristani and they have three adult children.

Doria Kaplan

Doria Kaplan was a founding member of the Washington Opera Society and has been a member of the Board of Directors since its inception. Her love of opera was acquired as a university student, enthralled by the stellar voices of Maria Callas, Pavarotti, Domingo, etc., on the Metropolitan Opera Saturday radio matinee concerts. After receiving her BA in French and Political Science, Ms. Kapan received a Fulbright Grant to study contemporary French literature at the Ecole des Lettres, Université of Montpellier, France. This was followed by a year as a staff member at the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. Ms. Kaplan was nominated to serve as a Hostess-Guide for the U.S. Department of State at the American Pavilion at the Brussels International Exposition. As Executive Assistant to the Administrator of the United Nations Audio-Visual Information Center, Vancouver, B.C., she organized and coordinated an International Conference to approve the films produced for the U.N. Habitat Conference on Human Settlements. Subsequently, she was the Supervisor of the Video Presentation Center for the United Nations Habitat Conference in Vancouver.  

She received her MA in French Language and Literature from U.C., Berkeley, and PhD Candidacy in French from U.C., Santa Barbara. She was a Professor of French and Italian at New England College in Sussex, England, and at the University of B.C., Vancouver, B.C. Canada. Ms. Kaplan served as a Board member of Le Neon French black box theatre, and the Beethoven Society in Washington, DC. She is currently on the Board of The Cosmopolitans, a 501(C)(3) charitable social organization. She subsequently changed course to Information Technology, and has served many Departments of the U.S. Government as a Sr. Technical Writer. She is currently working as a team member in Cyber Security for a special project at the Eunice Kennedy Schriver National Institute for Child Health and Human Development at the National Institutes of Health. Opera has always been close to her heart. She has been seen at the Palais Garnier (Paris Opera), la Scala (Milan), La Fenice (Venice), San Carlo (Naples), and of course, at the Washington National Opera.

Alex M. Lok

Alex Lok, a native of  Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is a former President of the Washington Opera Society and continues to serve on its Advisory Council.  He formerly held the position of International Economist at the World Bank and currently is self-employed.

Mr. Lok studied international economics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in both Bologna, Italy and Washington, D.C.  He also studied at California State University, San Jose.  In addition to his professional career, he is the Music Director at Our Lady, Queen of the Americas Parrish.

Stefan M. Lopatkiewicz Esq.

Stefan M. Lopatkiewicz is a practicing attorney in Washington, D.C., specializing in the commercial and regulatory telecommunications field. He currently serves as General Counsel of Eutelsat America Corp., the U.S. subsidiary of Paris-based Eutelsat SA, which operates a global fleet of communications satellites.

Mr. Lopatkiewicz has long contributed his services as a pro bono advocate for the arts community in the nation’s capital. He has worked in this capacity with both the Washington Opera Society and GALA Hispanic Theatre. He previously served as 1st Vice President and General Counsel of the American Council for Polish Culture, a national organization representing Polish-American cultural societies, as well as President of the Polish-American Arts Association of Washington, D.C. He is the recipient of the Officer’s Service Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland. A graduate of the University of Virginia Woodrow Wilson School of Government and Foreign Affairs and of Harvard Law School, Mr. Lopatkiewicz served as Editor-in-Chief of the Harvard International Law Journal.

LTC James Smith USAF Ret.

James F. Smith is the owner and operator of the Jim Smith Marina on the Chesapeake Bay.  After earning degrees at universities on the east and west coasts of the United States Mr. Smith pursued a career in the United States Air Force and the Defense Energy Center, which is part of the U.S. Department of Defense.  During his career he developed concepts, plans and strategies to manage and operate programs to protect U.S. military resources and facilities from attack.  At one time he intended to pursue a career as a botanist and was a high school science teacher.  He also accepted the challenge of driving a large school bus on the icy roads of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.  In retirement, in addition to managing his marina, Mr. Smith enjoys music, especially opera, museums, art and collecting antique treasures.