Board of Directors

Daniel Assefa is a seasoned professional with more than thirty years of experience in customer relations. His industry experience includes the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, independent contractor for aviation fuel, among others.

Trained as a political scientist, with a BA from the American University, Washington, DC. Daniel is active in international relations with a special focus on Ethiopian economic and political affairs. He is one of the founding members of the foundation and has been serving as President since 2019.

Lucy Gebre-Egziabher is an award-winning, independent filmmaker and a Fulbright Scholar who lives in Falls Church, VA. She earned an MFA degree in Film from Howard University and a BS degree in Communications & International Relations from Wilson College.

Lucy produced & directed narrative films as well as organizational videos under Teret Productions, a production company she founded in 1999. She is a Professor of Cinema at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), Alexandria Campus, in the Visual, Performing & Media Arts AFA program. For more information on Lucy visit her faculty blog.

Natalie worked in the nonprofit sector for over a decade before transitioning to independent contractor work. She currently serves as the Operations Director for O.R.Talent. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from North Carolina State University.

Natalie grew up playing piano, playing handbells, singing in school and church choirs, and attending Music Week at Lutheridge for seven summers. She believes music can transform lives and change the world for good, and that every child deserves access to music.

Tom Zutic is a partner at the global law firm DLA Piper where he focuses on all aspects of trademark, copyright, and media work. Tom has in-depth experience in intellectual property licensing and he works with clients to acquire, develop, enforce, and exploit intellectual property assets.  Tom is an active supporter of the arts, and he serves on the Boards of the Olney Theatre (Olney, MD) and the Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts (WALA). He also regularly assists and represents members of the artistic community with respect to various pro bono legal needs. Tom is also active in DLA Piper’s diversity and inclusion and pro bono efforts.