Interim Executive Director
Rita Shapiro is a long-time Washingtonian with a significant background in nonprofit management and the arts. Her career has included tenures at several renowned arts institutions, where she held various positions leading to more than 15 years of executive leadership at the National Symphony Orchestra. She has guided staff and board teams through strategic and creative planning processes and has mentored young artists throughout her career. Rita has previously held Interim Executive Director positions with the Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington, as well as The Washington Chorus. Read More
Program Manager
Sofia Phay
Sofia Phay joined ASF in August 2020. In this role, Sofia helps coordinate programming and events, maintain communication with Scholars and mentors, and provide general administrative support for ASF's operations. Sofia comes to ASF after completing an AmeriCorps service year with Higher Achievement in Washington, D.C., where she served as the Program Support Fellow. Read More
Board of Directors
Our Board is comprised of members of the District of Columbia’s legal, business, nonprofit, and other professional communities. We support all aspects of the Foundation’s operations and often serve as mentors to Abramson Scholars.
Aaron Jenkins*, President
North Star Strategies, LLC
Elizabeth Sarah Gere, Vice President
Retired Attorney
David Levie, Secretary
Venable LLP
James McClelland*, Treasurer
Fannie Mae
Carmen M. Banerjee
U.S. Department of Justice
Kristy L. Carroll
United States District Court for the District of Columbia
Bruce Charendoff
BlueWave Merchant Partners
Deborah Blackhurst Doddy
Duke Ellington School of the Arts (volunteer)
Linda Fienberg
Retired Attorney
Susan M. Friedman
Retired Attorney
Marilyn Goldhammer
Retired Educator
Mitchell Lerner
Janney Montgomery Scott LLC
* Former ASF Scholar
Gail A. Lione
Dentons US LLP
Myles V. Lynk
District of Columbia Office of Disciplinary Counsel
Irvin Nathan
Retired Attorney
John F. Olson
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
Hon. Richard W. Roberts (Ret.)
United States District Court for the District of Columbia
Diane E. Robertson
Peterson Wilmarth and Robertson LLP
Roger Sanchez*
Executive Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser
Brian L. Schwalb
Venable LLP
Margaret C. Simms
Retired Economist
Hon. Emmet G. Sullivan
United States District Court for the District of Columbia
Jie Wang
HelloBello.Biz
Volunteer / Student Liaison
Linda McKoy