PITTSBURGH OPERA ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS

August 23, 2023
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Pittsburgh Opera announces new Board of Directors President and Members

Pittsburgh Opera announces Gene Welsh as Board of Directors President, and Hilda Fu, Paul Gitnik, and Dominic Rupprecht as Board members.

Long-time Board member Gene Welsh took the helm when Pittsburgh Opera’s new fiscal year began on July 1st, at the end of previous Board President Dr. Donald R. Fischer’s term.

“Don did a fantastic job as Board President,” says Mr. Welsh. “His term included the entirety of the COVID pandemic. I am grateful to be entering a situation where the organization not only has a strong artistic product, but also a strong balance sheet and community support.”

Mr. Welsh had previously served as Board President prior to Dr. Fischer. “Pittsburgh Opera is indeed fortunate to have Gene for a second, nonconsecutive term,” says Pittsburgh Opera General Director Christopher Hahn. “His leadership and dedication will serve us well as we continue to bring world-class opera to the greater Pittsburgh community.”

In addition, the following people have joined Pittsburgh Opera’s Board:

• Hilda Fu – she is the founder and president of Luminari, a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit founded to broaden minds, inspire innovation and promote community engagement by specializing in inspirational teen summer programs. Ms. Fu, who returns to Pittsburgh Opera’s Board after having served previously, has also served on the Boards of nonprofits such as the Allegheny Regional Asset District, WQED-Multimedia, and the Women and Girls Foundation of Southwest Pennsylvania.
• Paul J. Gitnik – he has had a long and varied career as an attorney, business owner, software developer, professor, and civic leader. A returning Pittsburgh Opera Board member, Mr. Gitnik also currently serves on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Board of Finance and Revenue, and has served on the Boards of organizations including the Allegheny Regional Asset District, Animal Friends, and Phipps Conservatory, among others.
• Dominic Rupprecht – as Policyholder Advocate and Litigation Partner at Reed Smith, Mr. Rupprecht litigates insurance coverage disputes on behalf of policyholders nationwide. A frequent speaker and publisher on insurance law issues, he is also the current vice chair of the River City Brass Band’s Board and was valedictorian at Penn State Law.

“These three talented, passionate individuals strengthen our Board considerably,” says Mr. Hahn. “It is gratifying and humbling that they have given us this vote of confidence in our programming and community engagement initiatives.”