Leadership
We are rich in tradition and generous in compassion
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Russell Skibicki CFP®, CEPA® has been active in various positions in Polish Assistance for the past 20 years. He is the current President of the Polish Assistance and a third generation member. His grandmother, Jadwiga Palade was a long term director and President since 2006 until her passing in 2023. His mother, Eva Skibicki is a long term members of the Board of Directors. Russell graduated with a Master of Arts in International Business from Hough Graduate School of Business at the University of Florida and is currently a Financial Advisor at Raymond James in Sarasota, Florida where he provides financial planning, investment services and guidance. He is the President of the Florida Chapter of the Kosciuszko Foundation and an active member of The Polish-American Association of Sarasota, Inc. Russell has played and currently is coaching youth Lacrosse. Russell and his wife, Dr. Ashworth Skibicki are proud parents of Harper Olivia Skibicki and Hannah Marie Skibicki.
Cesare L. Santeramo, Knight Commander of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, received the Amicus Poloniae Award as well as the White Eagle Award for his efforts to promote Polish causes. An active member since 1970, he served 19 times as Chairman and Co-Chair of the Bal Polonaise and has been a most gracious Master of Ceremonies. After giving up his operatic career, Cesare segued into charity work to assist young aspiring artists through The Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation, and Opera Index among others, as well as, he has adjudicated vocal competitions. Due to Cesare’s special efforts, Prince Albert of Monaco was the Honorary Chairman of the 2011 Bal Polonaise and Princess Grace is an Honorary Board member of Polish Assistance.
Eva Skibicki retired as a Managing Director at Raymond James, a financial services company in St. Petersburg, Florida, where she managed fixed income trading. She has been an active fundraiser for several organizations. She is also a President and Board of Directors member of the American Institute of Polish Culture, Tampa Bay as well as a Treasurer of the Polish American Engineers Association of Florida. In addition to her support of the local Polish Community, she is committed to organizations that support those who are at risk or in crisis due to poverty, mental or physical illness. Her commitment to Polish Assistance stems from her strong belief in giving back, as well as, a strong desire to continue the multi-generational participation in the Polish Assistance of many of our members. Eryka Volker is a well-known activist in the Polish community and has been involved in charity work for over 30 years. Her work on behalf of those in need has been profiled in many newspaper articles as well as on TV. Her professional career included work as an economist and researcher. She was an educator and currently works in the real estate business. She joined the Board and the Grant Committee to give her insight into the needs of the Polish community. In 2008, she received the distinction of Honorary Badge of Polish Red Cross and the Bronze Cross of Merit. She is a founder and coordinator for Homeless SOS, and is active in many other organizations. Honorary DirectorsLady Blanka A. Rosenstiel, Honorary Consul to the Republic of Poland, is a pillar of the Polish community through her leadership, sponsorship, and avid interest in the arts, dedication to helping young artists, and desire to promote Poland’s heritage. She established The American Institute of Polish Culture, Inc. in Miami and the Chopin Foundation of the United States. Mrs. Rosenstiel has been awarded many titles and honors including the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, Cavalier’s Cross of Polonia Restituta Order, Jose Marti Medal, and Polish Commander Cross of the Order of Merit. After many years as an active member of Polish Assistance, Mrs. Rosenstiel has graciously agreed to continue as an honorary director . Nina Mlodzinska de Rovira continues her tenure as a Board Member and her countless contributions have made it possible for Polish Assistance to carry on charitable works for so many years. Countess Dembinska invited her to join the Junior Committee in 1961 and since then, Nina has played a pivotal role as a Board member, Chairman of the Board as well as chair many of the previous balls.
Ewa Meyerhoff joined the Board after many years of supporting Polish Assistance. She is a successful real estate entrepreneur and mother of two adult children. Originally from Chicago, where she was active in a number of organizations, Ewa moved to New York City. After a pause due to personal commitments, she has agreed to support our fundraising efforts so that more of the elderly in the Polish community can live out their lives in dignity. She is especially pleased that her daughter, Dr. Ava Sierecki is a second generation member of Polish Assistance and acted as a Co-Chair of the 2014 Bal Polonaise.
Founder: Countess Maria DembinskiPresident Emeritus: Teresa Sulimirski, Jadwiga Palade, Eva Skibicki Honorary Members: Dr. Robert J. Campbell, K.C.S.J.,Past Honorary Members: Artur Rubinstein, H.S.H. Grace of Monaco, Zbigniew Brzezinski, Jerzy Kosinski
Eva Skibicki retired as a Managing Director at Raymond James, a financial services company in St. Petersburg, Florida, where she managed fixed income trading. She has been an active fundraiser for several organizations. She is also a President and Board of Directors member of the American Institute of Polish Culture, Tampa Bay as well as a Treasurer of the Polish American Engineers Association of Florida. In addition to her support of the local Polish Community, she is committed to organizations that support those who are at risk or in crisis due to poverty, mental or physical illness. Her commitment to Polish Assistance stems from her strong belief in giving back, as well as, a strong desire to continue the multi-generational participation in the Polish Assistance of many of our members. Eryka Volker is a well-known activist in the Polish community and has been involved in charity work for over 30 years. Her work on behalf of those in need has been profiled in many newspaper articles as well as on TV. Her professional career included work as an economist and researcher. She was an educator and currently works in the real estate business. She joined the Board and the Grant Committee to give her insight into the needs of the Polish community. In 2008, she received the distinction of Honorary Badge of Polish Red Cross and the Bronze Cross of Merit. She is a founder and coordinator for Homeless SOS, and is active in many other organizations. Honorary DirectorsLady Blanka A. Rosenstiel, Honorary Consul to the Republic of Poland, is a pillar of the Polish community through her leadership, sponsorship, and avid interest in the arts, dedication to helping young artists, and desire to promote Poland’s heritage. She established The American Institute of Polish Culture, Inc. in Miami and the Chopin Foundation of the United States. Mrs. Rosenstiel has been awarded many titles and honors including the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, Cavalier’s Cross of Polonia Restituta Order, Jose Marti Medal, and Polish Commander Cross of the Order of Merit. After many years as an active member of Polish Assistance, Mrs. Rosenstiel has graciously agreed to continue as an honorary director . Nina Mlodzinska de Rovira continues her tenure as a Board Member and her countless contributions have made it possible for Polish Assistance to carry on charitable works for so many years. Countess Dembinska invited her to join the Junior Committee in 1961 and since then, Nina has played a pivotal role as a Board member, Chairman of the Board as well as chair many of the previous balls.
Ewa Meyerhoff joined the Board after many years of supporting Polish Assistance. She is a successful real estate entrepreneur and mother of two adult children. Originally from Chicago, where she was active in a number of organizations, Ewa moved to New York City. After a pause due to personal commitments, she has agreed to support our fundraising efforts so that more of the elderly in the Polish community can live out their lives in dignity. She is especially pleased that her daughter, Dr. Ava Sierecki is a second generation member of Polish Assistance and acted as a Co-Chair of the 2014 Bal Polonaise.
Founder: Countess Maria DembinskiPresident Emeritus: Teresa Sulimirski, Jadwiga Palade, Eva Skibicki Honorary Members: Dr. Robert J. Campbell, K.C.S.J.,Past Honorary Members: Artur Rubinstein, H.S.H. Grace of Monaco, Zbigniew Brzezinski, Jerzy Kosinski