Created to address the diversity gap in opera audiences by cultivating a strong sense of belonging, the Ambassador program also welcomes Velina Hasu Houston, Naibe Reynoso, Bozoma Saint John and Jennifer Leigh Warren

(Los Angeles) September 26, 2024 — Now in its third season, LA Opera's Legacy Ambassador program is a bold initiative created for the company to forge deep, authentic and longstanding relationships with broad and diverse communities and the key thought leaders who influence them. The newly selected Ambassadors for the 2024/25 season include some of the greatest stakeholders, business executives and community leaders in Los Angeles, each of them focused on preserving the legacy of the arts and ensuring that opera is accessible to those from all backgrounds.

"Our Legacy Ambassadors have become powerful allies in forging deep and empathetic connections between and among our city's many diverse communities," said Christopher Koelsch, LA Opera's president and CEO. "By using their powerful voices to connect with potential audience members, these highly accomplished leaders are playing an essential role in the company's commitment to making the arts accessible and welcoming to one and all."

Ambassadors for the 2024/25 Season:
Lisane Basquiat, founder of Shaping Freedom, co-administrator of the Jean-Michel Basquiat estate
Ingrid Best, founder of IBest Wines, art collector
Shanique Bonelli-Moore, chief diversity and social impact officer of the Clorox Company
Leticia Rhi Buckley, chief executive officer of LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes
Bel Hernandez Castillo, founder of Latin Heat Media, a multi-media company
Wayne Chaney, Jr., pastor of Antioch Church in Long Beach
Anthony Davenport, founder of Regal Credit Management
Regina Owens Dillard, retired navigation programs director for Raytheon Intelligence & Space
Jaime Dominguez, head of school at Oakwood School
Chad Easterling, CEO of Obsidianworks, former Nike executive
Edgar Garcia, assistant general manager of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument
Velina Hasu Houston, playwright, librettist, USC distinguished professor and resident playwright
Veronica Hu, co-founder of Celui Fragrance
Josh Kun, professor and chair in cross-cultural communication at USC
Jason Delane Lee, filmmaker, co-CEO of Lagralane Group, founding member of Lower Depth Theatre
Yvonne Lee, co-founder of the Lagralane Group, community advocate
Nicole Lyn, actor, DJ, producer, host
Karen Mack, founder of LA Commons, television producer for CBS, author
Paula Miranda, model, actor, DEI advocate
Renae Williams Niles, former VP of programming for the Music Center, consultant/creative producer
Norm Nixon, NBA All-Star, former point guard for Lakers and Clippers, entrepreneur, philanthropist
Spencer Paysinger, former New York Giants linebacker, television/film producer
Abner Ramirez, member of the band Johnnyswim with Amanda Sudano Ramirez
Amanda Sudano Ramirez, member of the band Johnny swim with Abner Ramirez
Ajay Relan, managing partner of Slauson & Co.
Dr. Bill Releford, co-founder/president/CEO of The Wound Pros, innovator in community wellness
Naibe Reynoso, multi-Emmy Award-winning journalist, speaker and author
Ivette Rodriguez, president and founder of American Entertainment Marketing
Patty Rodriguez, producer, author, co-founder of Lil' Libros, a bilingual children's publishing company
Carmen Ruiz-Andreasen, chief administration officer at St. Anne’s Family Services
Bozoma Saint John, former Netflix global chief marketing officer; "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills"
Wilda W. Tillman, social worker, co-founder of W & W Joint Ventures
Naikea Ward Ubaga, entrepreneur, costume designer, COO of Triple S Hauling
Gabrielle Union, actor, producer, author
Craig Vaughan, managing partner of Vaughan Capital Advisors
Jennifer Leigh Warren, actor, singer

About the Legacy Ambassador Program
The Legacy Ambassador program is one of the many ways in which LA Opera is leading the efforts to celebrate, affirm, and advocate for diverse and equitable inclusion of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, faith, family structure, socioeconomic background, age and ability.

Ambassadors serve one-year renewable terms. Bios and photos of the Legacy Ambassadors can be found at LAOpera.org/Ambassadors.

About LA Opera
Los Angeles is a city of enormous diversity and creativity, and LA Opera is dedicated to reflecting that vibrancy by redefining what opera can be. Through imaginative new productions, world premiere commissions, and inventive performances that preserve foundational works while making them feel fresh and compelling, LA Opera has become one of America’s most exciting and ambitious opera companies.

In addition to its mainstage performances at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the company explores unusual repertoire each season through the LA Opera Off Grand initiative, featuring performances in a variety of venues throughout Los Angeles. The LA Opera Connects initiative offers a robust variety of educational programming and community engagement offerings that reaches people throughout every corner of Los Angeles County. Learn more at LAOpera.org.

LA Opera Media Contact
Marlene Meraz
Director of Communications
mmeraz@laopera.org
213.972.7554

LA Opera is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the greater Los Angeles community.