Samba Pathak (he/him/his) is a proud Nepali-American arts administrator, marketer, producer, and award-winning stage manager in the Washington DC metropolitan area. Pathak holds an MA in Arts Management and a BA in Theatre from George Mason University. In his experience, Pathak’s successes surround various grant projects, having managed a portfolio of over five million dollars. Pathak advocates for the intersection of the arts, community engagement, and effective project management in building community resilience. Additionally, Pathak worked extensively as the Director of Marketing, PR, and Communications for companies specializing in product merchandising. In this role, he led marketing teams, oversaw department budgeting, and executed communication strategies to communicate with internal partners and external consumers. His primary focus was working on brand awareness, marketing campaigns for individualized musical productions, and data analytics management. He continues to work on freelance projects to support theatrical innovation and brand development. www.SambaPahtak.com | IG: @SambaPathak
Team
Meet Our Staff
SHANARA GABRIELLE
Executive Artistic Director
Shanara is an artist working in a wide variety of mediums with a focus on gutsy and inventive theater for all audiences. Driven by tales of imagination and stories of justice, Shanara fosters new work and reimagines classics with artists of courage and depth. Shanara has worked professionally at theaters across the country, including Arena Stage, Signature Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Company, In Series Opera, The Guthrie, Actors Theatre of Louisville, INSeries Opera, Southern Shakespeare Festival, The New Victory, Great Lakes Theatre, Southern Shakespeare, Northern Stage, Idaho Shakespeare, Imagination Stage, Adventure Theatre, Coterie Theater, Chesapeake Shakespeare, the cell nyc, Goethe Institut, St. Louis Rep, Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival, Stages, Theatre for the New City, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, Hollywood Playhouse, The Black Rep, Upstream Theater, and many more. Shanara has worked as an Artistic Producer at The Kennedy Center, ENOUGH!, Arena Stage, Shakespeare Theatre Company, spearheaded Working In DC, is on the Board of theatreWashington, and is so proud to serve as the Producing Artistic Director of Theater Alliance.
ARIA VELZ
Associate Artistic Director
Aria Velz is a director, dramaturg, sound designer, and teaching artist who is just happy to be here. She has directed at Olney Theatre Center, Prologue Theatre, NextStop Theatre Company, and Flying V Productions, among others. She has been an associate director for productions at Signature Theatre, Keegan Theatre, Theater Alliance, Constellation Theatre Company, and The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, among others.
SAMBA PATHAK
Administration and Operations Director
Ellys Abrams
Director of Finance and Advancement
Ellys Abrams is a proud resident of Petworth in Washington, DC and serves as the Director of Customer Service for Democracy Engine LLC, a donation processing platform, supporting nonprofits, professional fundraisers, and candidates at all levels. Her true passion is theater and has over a decade of experience in nonprofit management, most recently, as the General Manager for Theater Alliance and prior to that, Ringleader for Organizational Advancement for dog & pony dc. Ellys holds a Master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University and a B.A. from Smith College.
JONATHAN DAHM ROBERTSON
Technical and Art Director
Jonathan (he/him) is a scenic and projections designer for theater, opera, and events. Selected Opera credits: Nixon in China, Fidelio, Peter Grimes (Princeton Festival); Candide, Un Ballo En Maschera, Cosi Fan Tutte (Opera in the Heights, Houston); The Consul (A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute). Selected Theater credits: Day of Absence, Blood at the Root (Theater Alliance); The Agitators, Oh God, (Mosaic Theater Co.); The Christians (Theater J); Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Murder for Two, One Slight Hitch, Jesus Christ Superstar and more (Totem Pole Playhouse); Broadway Bound, Member of the Wedding (1st Stage); Coolatully, The Frederick Douglass Project (Solas Nua); The Small Room at the Top of Stairs (Spooky Action Theater Company), and many more. Jonathan holds a BFA in Scenic Design from UNCSA, and was a 2015-16 Kenan Fellow at the Kennedy Center. Member USA829.
DANIELLE SOBA
Advancement and Strategic Growth Manager
Danielle Soba is a certified project management professional committed to equitable, community-centered development at the local, regional, and global levels. She specializes in advancing project management, capacity building, strategic organizational development, and social change through inclusive, data-informed approaches. Danielle holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in International Affairs with a regional focus on Sub-Saharan Africa. Her cross-sector experience spans youth development, global health, health equity, workforce development, and education across nonprofit, public, and private organizations. She has led work in project implementation, operations, communications, and fundraising strategy, always prioritizing people over process while fostering cross-functional collaboration. Outside of her professional work, Danielle serves on the boards of two organizations focused on African youth empowerment and advocacy. She also volunteers as a contributing writer for Afrorama, an online encyclopedia celebrating the richness of African history and culture. Originally from Northern California, Danielle now resides in Washington, D.C., and enjoys traveling, exploring new hobbies and restaurants, and spending time with loved ones.
TRAVIS XAVIER BROWN
Civic Engagement Producer
Travis Xavier, is an Actor, Hip Hop Artist, and Founder of P.A.R.T. Productions with a passion for creating fine arts programming for and with underserved communities. Born in Baltimore, MD and raised in Tampa, FL, he holds an MFA in Classical Acting from the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Academy for Classical Acting and Howard University’s BFA Acting program. With additional training from the British American Drama Academy and The Poemedy Institute. Alongside performing and directing regionally, he is a Lecturer of Theatre Arts & Movement at Howard University and adjunct Professor of Theatre at George Washington University. Travis centers his vision around the idea that, “The Purpose of the A.R.T. is to Praise!” – TravisXaver.com | @freegracetrizzy | partproductions.org
Meet Our Board of Directors
Liz Ho
Chair, Board of Directors
Liz Ho is an award-winning real estate agent in the Washington DC area with RLAH @Properties. A proud native Washingtonian, Liz has been recognized as a Washingtonian Best Agent in 2022 and 2023, reflecting a commitment to excellence and in-depth market knowledge. A member of her brokerage Advisory Council chosen by her peers, Liz has a proven track record in establishing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders. Liz brings additional expertise as a former Grants Manager and Donor Operations Manager at a national non-profit, and Development/Events manager at a local DC theater. Liz received her BA in Psychology from SUNY New Paltz. When she’s not working, you’ll find her cooking big meals for friends, on the hunt for the perfect Christmas gifts for family, and active in entrepreneurship & feminist communities.
Trés McMichael
Vice Chair, Board of Directors
Trés McMichael is a joy filled arts leader and performer who is passionate about community empowerment, arts education, and social justice. Originally from Baltimore, Trés is an alumnus of Elon University, where he graduated with degrees in Music Theatre (BFA) and Arts Administration (BA). He also holds an MFA in Arts Leadership and a certificate in Fundraising Leadership from Seattle University. While pursuing his graduate degree, he was named an EDI Research Fellow with the Association of Arts Administration Educators. He has worked with various nonprofit and arts organizations such as Arena Stage, DC Collaborative, and the NAACP. In 2018, Trés was awarded First Place in the Hall Johnson Spirituals Competition by the National Association of Teachers of Singing.
Trés recently served as the Senior Program Manager for Social Impact Civic Alliances at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Over the years, Trés has been featured in the Baltimore Sun, Playbill, and Time Magazine and has performed on the stages of Mill Mountain Theatre, Theatre Raleigh, Lyric Opera Baltimore, Signature Theater, Rep Stage, and Lincoln Center. Through his work, Trés strives to do work that is in and with, not to or for, the communities he serves.
Scott Blackwell
Secretary, Board of Directors
Scott Blackwell was formerly the Chief Impact Officer for the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond, now serving as Senior Consultant to the CEO and Board. In his role he managed government and corporate relations as well as annual grant distribution in excess of $50 million. Scott has been a consultant to several family foundations. Prior to this work he was the Chief Communications Officer for a Fortune 500 medical supplies company. He has been involved with theater companies most of his adult life – not acting but supporting innovative and stirring works from behind the curtain. Scott is a former chair of Leadership Metro Richmond and a graduate of LEAD VA. He has served on many boards that focus on the delivery of social services to community residents. He has recently relocated to Washington, DC, and is enjoying the opportunity to help grow the vibrancy of our region.
Patty Koscinski
Treasurer, Board of Directors
Patty Koscinski is Senior Director for Single-Family Acquisition Risk and Portfolio Management at Fannie Mae. It’s her job to make sure that the loans Fannie Mae buys are sustainable for the borrowers and within the company’s risk appetite, while prioritizing access to credit for borrowers who might not be able to get a mortgage without the company’s support. In a prior role, she developed program usage estimates for the Treasury Department’s Making Home Affordable program, which helped more than 1.8 million homeowners avoid foreclosure during and after the financial crisis. She believes in data driven decision-making, systematizing the pursuit of innovation and growth, and building teams of curious, creative individuals.
Serving on the Theater Alliance board is a means of reconnecting to the arts after abandoning her dreams of a vocal performance career to pursue a much more practical philosophy degree. She holds a BA in Liberal Arts from St John’s College (Annapolis) and an MA in Applied Economics from Johns Hopkins University. When she’s not working, you’ll find her reading, writing, or gardening.
Ìyá Ìfáníkẹ (Lashawnda) Batts
Board Member
Iya Ifanike Batts is a multi-hyphenated creative who anchors her work in uplifting, inspiring, and empowering people. She is the founder of Daughters of the Baobab, a performance development intensive centering African and African-American girls. Iya Ifanike has been able to exercise and continuously hone her talents as an artist and a teacher. She has studied dance forms such as ballet, jazz, hip-hop, modern, Afro-Caribbean, and traditional West African. Iya Ifanike has studied under a variety of masters from various backgrounds, such as Marie Minto, Peter London, Garth Fagan, Jawole Zollar, Joan Myers Brown, Camille A. Brown, E. Gaynell Sherrod, Lineen Farmer, Millicent Johnnie, and Guy Thorne. She served as the resident choreographer for FAMU’s Essential Theatre program for 4 years before moving to the DMV in 2011. She has received various awards for her artistic talents and has choreographed several concerts, written and directed her own musical, and built up a dance program in an elementary school. In 2021, she served as assistant choreographer for the Deal-Davis Commission sponsored by the International Association of Blacks in Dance and DancePlace. Iya Ifanike also co-founded a social enterprise named the Cultural Arts & Development Bridge (CADB). CADB was created to educate, preserve, and promoting the use and application of indigenous technology. Their programs emphasize cross-cultural collaborations between custodians of indigenous technology around the world, using cultural exchange to bring sustainable solutions to developing communities. (http://www.cadbridge.org/). She has also had the unique opportunity to live in Nigeria for two years and extensively study the cultural dances and indigenous practices of the Yoruba people of Southwest Nigeria. While in Nigeria, Iya Ifanike intensely studied various aspects of the indigenous customs, such as dancing, drumming, singing, and more. It is in Nigeria where she studied and trained as a traditionalist in the Yoruba indigenous practice. She served as an arts consultant for the International School of IITA in Ibadan, Nigeria. Iya Ifanike also designed and executed programs that were sponsored by her business. Programs such as a cultural immersion tour where she hosted 9 students from Howard University in Nigeria for 15 days. Lastly, an apprenticeship program where a young blacksmith learned the indigenous forms of blacksmithing in 3 cities in Nigeria, and a teaching arts program where a mutual exchange between teachers in Nigeria and teachers from the US. Iya Ifanike is a very busy lady on a mission to do all she can to make her contribution in the world.
Akela Crawford
Board Member
Akela Crawford is a native of Atlanta, Georgia, who spent her young adult years in Durham North Carolina while attending North Carolina Central University for undergraduate studies and law school. Shortly after finishing law school, she joined DC Public Schools (DCPS) where she spent over 3 years as a compliance case manager ensuring that DCPS carried out its legal obligations under the Individuals with Disability Education Act. After leaving DCPS in 2015, Akela went into private practice and found her passion in community lawyering through her volunteer work with the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless (WLCH). In 2017, she left private practice and joined WLCH as a staff attorney. Since then, she has spent her legal career providing legal services to the DC Community in the areas of shelter rights, public benefits, affordable housing preservation, anti-eviction/tenant defense, and education. Currently, Akela is the Director of Legal Services at Advocates for Justice and Education, Inc. where she manages a legal team that provides free legal representation to families in matters involving special education, school discipline, and school pushout issues with a specific focus on ensuring students equitable access to education.
In addition to her professional background, Akela is the mother of a very active six-year-old named Zion who loves playing tennis and lacrosse. Both Akela and Zion love to travel, love to explore the DMV area, and are avid supporters of the DC creative community. Whether it’s catching thought-provoking plays, attending captivating musical concerts, or frequenting the many vibrant festivals/events throughout the area, Akela (and Zion) is always out and about enjoying life!
Rhonda Henderson
Board Member
Rhonda Henderson is a creative entrepreneur, facilitator, and oral historian. Henderson began her career teaching high school history motivated by a desire to cultivate civically aware young people in her hometown, Washington, DC, before co-founding the Dap Project, a multimedia platform amplifying Black community narratives. She recently launched 627 Strategies, a practice that coaches mission-driven leaders to speak with confidence and clarity. Prior to her pivot to entrepreneurship, she served in a Partnerships Manager role for the national organization, the Achievement Network, managing client relationships across 75 independent schools and small school districts throughout the Central and Northeast United States, and specializing in education outcomes advising, budget optimization, and data analysis services. Her entrepreneurial vision and education management experience have consistently driven measurable outcomes in school operations, strategic planning, and community engagement. Ms. Henderson is a lifelong learner. She holds a BA in Urban Studies from Columbia University, an Ed.M in Teaching and Learning from Harvard University Graduate School of Education, and an MBA from the University of Virginia, Darden School of Business.
Nia Hill
Board Member
Nia Hill is a Senior Strategy Consultant at Deloitte, where she partners with federal agencies to lead strategy, equity, and transformation initiatives. With experience across the government, nonprofit, and community sectors, she brings a collaborative and equity-centered approach to solving complex public challenges. Her work focuses on advancing social impact and improving outcomes for historically underserved populations.
In addition to her consulting work, Nia has supported various justice-focused organizations and advocacy efforts aimed at criminal legal reform. She previously served on the board of a regional theater company based in Arlington, Virginia, where she contributed to strategic planning and community engagement. Nia holds a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Howard University. She is passionate about using strategy, storytelling, and public service to drive systemic change and promote equity in the communities she serves.
Clare Klanderman
Board Member
Clare Klanderman is a fundraising professional with extensive experience in political, human services and arts organizations. She brings to the Theater Alliance Board successful management of capital campaigns, individual giving and corporate giving programs, and special events planning – raising millions for organizations serving the region’s diverse community.
Clare’s approach to success in fundraising is organic and focuses on marrying individuals’ passions and philanthropic goals with artistic content and organizational programs. She has dedicated more than two decades to the DMV area working for the United States House of Representatives, Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC), Shakespeare Theatre Company, and Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts where she currently serves as the Director of Leadership Giving.
Lamont Mitchell
Board Member
Lamont Mitchell is Chair of the Anacostia Coordinating Council and founder of Imani Catering. Born and raised in the nation’s capital, Mitchell has deep roots inthe city and a strong commitment to its development. After completing his primary and secondary education in D.C., Mitchell pursued higher education at Howard University, one of the nation’s historically black colleges and universities, renowned for its academic excellence and strong community engagement. At Howard, he honed his skills and knowledge, graduating with a degree in Accounting.
Under Mitchell’s guidance, the Anacostia Coordinating Council has spearheaded various initiatives aimed at enhancing community development, fostering economic growth, and advocating for equitable opportunities. His latest project is KNOW YOUR NUMBERS DC men’s health initiatives. In addition to his community work, Mitchell is also the founder and owner of Imani Catering, a thriving catering business based in the D.C. metropolitan area. Known for its exceptional service and delectable cuisine, Imani Catering has become a favorite choice for both private and corporate events.
Lamont Mitchell exemplifies the qualities of a dedicated community leader and successful entrepreneur. His unwavering commitment to the betterment of Washington, D.C., particularly in the Anacostia neighborhood, and his business acumen have made him a respected figure in the city and a source of inspiration for aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs. In addition to his other civic activity, Lamont Mitchell serves on the following boards and committees: Martha’s Table, DC Race and Equity Advisory Board, DC Department of Health Cancer Coalition, and Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health Community Advisory Council.
Gautam Rao
Board Member
Gautam Rao is a Senior Product Manager at Visa, and has spent the early part of his career focused on leading initiatives that bridge the intersection of business and technology. Having previously led innovative underwriting projects at GEICO, he now works in Visa’s Digital Consumer Payments division, building seamless and secure customer payment experiences. Across his professional work, he’s been driven by a passion for leveraging data and technology to expand the access of financial services to new customers. He is a proud Virginia Tech alum (Go Hokies!) where he received his Bachelor’s in Finance prior to completing his Master’s in Economics via the University of Maryland.
Prior to his corporate career, Gautam was heavily engaged with the arts through school as a trumpet player and writer – leading a jazz combo, writing and directing short films, playing in pit orchestras and more. He remains a passionate writer who promises that one day he’ll finish a full length play or novel, but in the meanwhile spends his free time writing poetry. He is excited to join Theater Alliance to further his two deepest passions – driving art to help us all better understand the human condition while building stronger, more just communities.
Elizabeth Winston
Board Member
Elizabeth Winston is a non-profit grants and development strategist, writer, and editor, and has served as the grants and development lead for Theatre Washington, the Keegan Theatre (both in DC) and Provincetown Arts Press (MA). Currently, she works as a client manager for a range of non-profit clients through the DC-based non-profit firm Spark Point Fundraising. A DC-area native, Liz earned a BA from Sarah Lawrence College and an MFA in literature and fiction writing from the University of Houston, where she also served as the director of the Boldface Conference for Emerging Writers. Over the course of her career, in addition to grants and development and writing/editing work, Liz has worked as a journalist and an English professor. She has traveled extensively worldwide and has lived in various locations around the country as well as in Vieques, Puerto Rico. Since 2020, Liz has been the executive director of the non-profit Provincetown Arts Press and the editor-in-chief of Provincetown Arts magazine, an annual arts publication based in Provincetown, MA.
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