Advisory Board

By helping the University of Washington’s Slavic Department to connect with communities outside the university and to raise support and funds for the department, the Advisory Board ensures that future generations in the Pacific Northwest will be able to learn about Slavic languages, literatures and cultures.

Board members are leading community volunteers. They are decision-makers who have influence among their peers, are capable of providing advice, assistance, support, and funding leadership and are committed to advancing research and education. They are advocates for the department and help disseminate information about our programs, courses, events, etc.

In turn, the department wants to learn about the concerns and wishes of their communities with respect to how it can help meet their educational needs. The primary function of community members on the Advisory Board is to assist Slavic faculty regarding program promotion and advocacy, curriculum innovation, and job placement for graduates.

Polona Brooks

Native Slovene Polona Brooks, president of Slovenska miza, earned her master’s degree in clinical neuropsychology from University of Texas in Tyler. She was a founding force in creating Slovene society Slovenska miza striving to connect people with Slovene heritage and those interested in Slovene language and culture in Seattle area. She is a strategy consultant and a case manager for Brooks Law Firm in Redmond, WA.

Elena Dubinets

Russian-born musicologist and music producer Elena Dubinets, Ph. D., is Vice President of Artistic Planning for the Seattle Symphony, Chair of the City of Seattle Music Commission (appointed by the Seattle City Council) and member of the Advisory Board of the University of Washington’s School of Music.

Martha Golubiec

is a graduate of Loyola University of Chicago. She is a co-founder of the UW PSEC and a member of the Seattle Gdynia Sister City Association and the Polish Home Association.

Nikolay Grachev

Wayne Jehlik

is a graduate of the University of Washington, having earned his degree in Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies. He is a member of the Leadership Council of the American Friends of the Czech Republic, founder of the Czech Studies Endowment at the UW, founder and president of the Center for Czech Education and Culture, and the Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic in Washington.

Eugene Lemcio

a Ukrainian community activitist, is Professor Emeritus of New Testament at Seattle Pacific University and founder of the Ukrainian Studies Endowment Fund at the UW.

Ilvana Muratović

is a graduate of the University of Washington and Seattle University, where she obtained an MEd in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). She currently teaches in the Intensive English Program at North Seattle Community College. She is also a board member and performer for the Bosnian-Herzegovinan Cultural Artistic Association – Sevdah.

R. Lidia Mykytyn-Voronka

is a first generation Ukrainian American. Originally from New York City, Lidia graduated from Columbia University with an MBA in International Finance and Political Economics and works in finance. Throughout her life she has been very active in the Ukrainian community both domestically and internationally: president of TUSM, a national Ukrainian student organization; numerous leadership roles with UAYA, an international Ukrainian youth organization; former board member of a New York-based Credit Union; organized youth gatherings in Ukraine in the 1990s; organized lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C. addressing various Ukrainian issues.

Sonja Orlović

is a native of Kosovo, Serbia and a graduate of the University of Belgrade. She is very passionate about equal opportunity, human rights and social justice. She has served as president of the non-profit organization Circle of Serbian Sisters and is involved in the Serbian community in Seattle.

Beate Pavlik

Mara Pitkethly

is a first generation American with deep Czech roots. She is a Registered Nurse, former teacher, retired Flight Attendant and holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. For many years she has studied and supported Czech language and culture. She travels yearly to the Czech Republic.

Claudia Pravat

A graduate of the University of Bucharest in her native Romania, Claudia’s career in the editing profession took shape in the emergent democracy, working on various local and international projects, including work with the US Agency for International Development. She moved to the U.S. with her husband fifteen years ago and soon involved herself in community work, becoming an instrumental community organizer. As such, she has become a liaison for the Romanian Consulate in the Pacific Northwest, has organized and participated in summer camp programs for children and adults, as well as annual, large-scale social, cultural, and fundraising events. At present, Claudia is serving a two-year term as President of the Women’s Auxiliary Board of Three Holy Hierarchs Romanian Orthodox Church, a non-profit organization which serves the spiritual and community needs of approximately 500 Romanian families in the greater Seattle area.

Elka Rouskov

is an avid supporter of arts, culture and humanities. Her passion is to promote and engage communities in art-related events. Ms. Rouskov is co-founder and president of the Bulgarian Cultural and Heritage Center of Seattle. Its mission is to preserve and share the richness of Bulgarian culture.

Mary Sherhart

is president of Sevdah North America, Inc., on the board of the Bulgarian Cultural and Heritage Center of Seattle, and director of Bulgarian Voices in Seattle Women’s Choir. She teaches, performs and creates musical projects within and outside Balkan communities.

Krystyna Untersteiner

is the UW Polish Studies Endowment Committee Chair, an alumna of the University of Washington and the University of Adam Mickiewicz in Poznan, Poland. She is a French teacher, member of the Polish Home Association and on the Board of the Polish Home Foundation.

Igor Vuletić

is a graduate of University of the Pacific Eberhardt School of Business. He is a founder and principal of Matchpoint Capital Management, LLC. He is active in the Croatian American community and is part of the annual Croatia Fest in Seattle.