Rotaract DC 2025-2026 Board
Rafael Centeno
President
president@rotaractdc.org
Rafael Centeno is the 2025-2026 President of the Rotaract Club of Washington, DC. He is currently the WITA Academy Fellow at the Washington International Trade Association. He graduated from the Florida International University Honors College with a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business. His interests include international trade and economic development.
Rafael was born and raised in Venezuela, where he was a member of his local Interact Club. In High School, Rafael also participated in the Rotary Youth Exchange Program, through which he lived abroad in Germany for a year. He is fluent in Spanish and German and is passionate about contributing to his community through leadership development and service activities.
President
president@rotaractdc.org
Rafael Centeno is the 2025-2026 President of the Rotaract Club of Washington, DC. He is currently the WITA Academy Fellow at the Washington International Trade Association. He graduated from the Florida International University Honors College with a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business. His interests include international trade and economic development.
Rafael was born and raised in Venezuela, where he was a member of his local Interact Club. In High School, Rafael also participated in the Rotary Youth Exchange Program, through which he lived abroad in Germany for a year. He is fluent in Spanish and German and is passionate about contributing to his community through leadership development and service activities.
Athreya Kannan
Vice President
vicepresident@rotaractdc.org
Athreya grew up in Mumbai and moved to the United States in 2023 to pursue a Master's in Sustainability Management from Columbia University. He now works as a financial and economic consultant in the energy team at Castalia. His work is driven by a commitment to proving the financial viability of green technologies and ensuring that the global transition to sustainability is equitable and accessible.
Athreya enjoys playing tennis, debating, and hiking . His deep-rooted passion for Rotaract was inspired by his parents, who have been dedicated Rotarians for over 25 years. Athreya, a former Rotaract Youth Exchange program participant, spent a year in Sardinia, Italy, and has previously been an active member of the Rotaract Club of Deonar, Mumbai, and the Past President of the Rotaract Club of Burwood, Sydney.
Vice President
vicepresident@rotaractdc.org
Athreya grew up in Mumbai and moved to the United States in 2023 to pursue a Master's in Sustainability Management from Columbia University. He now works as a financial and economic consultant in the energy team at Castalia. His work is driven by a commitment to proving the financial viability of green technologies and ensuring that the global transition to sustainability is equitable and accessible.
Athreya enjoys playing tennis, debating, and hiking . His deep-rooted passion for Rotaract was inspired by his parents, who have been dedicated Rotarians for over 25 years. Athreya, a former Rotaract Youth Exchange program participant, spent a year in Sardinia, Italy, and has previously been an active member of the Rotaract Club of Deonar, Mumbai, and the Past President of the Rotaract Club of Burwood, Sydney.
Erik Svitek
Treasurer
treasurer@rotaractdc.org
Erik was born in Prague and grew up between Brazil, Ukraine, and the United States. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Chapman University, with minors in Political Science and Peace and Conflict Mediation Studies.
His interest in international relations has taken him to Capitol Hill, where he interned for a member of Congress. That experience reinforced his desire to work at the intersection of international business and politics, where decisions about markets, diplomacy, and development often collide. He’s especially interested in how economic policy shapes global relationships and how the private and public sectors interact worldwide.
Drawn to global professional development opportunities, Erik joined Rotaract to connect with like-minded people passionate about international issues. Erik is an avid traveler who has explored over 25 countries and enjoys immersing in new places and perspectives.
Treasurer
treasurer@rotaractdc.org
Erik was born in Prague and grew up between Brazil, Ukraine, and the United States. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Chapman University, with minors in Political Science and Peace and Conflict Mediation Studies.
His interest in international relations has taken him to Capitol Hill, where he interned for a member of Congress. That experience reinforced his desire to work at the intersection of international business and politics, where decisions about markets, diplomacy, and development often collide. He’s especially interested in how economic policy shapes global relationships and how the private and public sectors interact worldwide.
Drawn to global professional development opportunities, Erik joined Rotaract to connect with like-minded people passionate about international issues. Erik is an avid traveler who has explored over 25 countries and enjoys immersing in new places and perspectives.
Alexa Rosier
Membership Chair
membership@rotaractdc.org
Alexa Rosier serves as the Membership Chair for the Rotaract DC. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the University of South Florida and brings a longstanding commitment to community service and fellowship.
Her journey with Rotary began through active involvement in the Interact Club and as a junior counselor in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) Camp—formative experiences that deepened her dedication to service and inspired her to grow as a leader. In 2024, Alexa joined Rotaract DC to continue her commitment to creating positive change. She is energized by the club's blend of impactful service initiatives and dynamic social events, and is passionate about fostering an inclusive and engaged membership.
Outside of Rotaract, Alexa enjoys baking, crafting, and playing music. She believes in the power of community, creativity, and connection to make a lasting difference.
Membership Chair
membership@rotaractdc.org
Alexa Rosier serves as the Membership Chair for the Rotaract DC. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the University of South Florida and brings a longstanding commitment to community service and fellowship.
Her journey with Rotary began through active involvement in the Interact Club and as a junior counselor in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) Camp—formative experiences that deepened her dedication to service and inspired her to grow as a leader. In 2024, Alexa joined Rotaract DC to continue her commitment to creating positive change. She is energized by the club's blend of impactful service initiatives and dynamic social events, and is passionate about fostering an inclusive and engaged membership.
Outside of Rotaract, Alexa enjoys baking, crafting, and playing music. She believes in the power of community, creativity, and connection to make a lasting difference.
Ian Schmitt
Professional Development Chair
professionaldevelopment@rotaractdc.org
Ian Schmitt was born and raised in Fairfax County, Virginia. He graduated from George Mason University with a bachelor’s degree in history. He focuses on Western Civilization and enjoys learning new things. During his free time, he enjoys researching primary sources from the United States, spanning the Colonial period to the late 19th century. He also has a fondness for digging into his family’s history. His affinity for history has also led him to gain an interest in government, public policy, and law.
Ian is a swim instructor who has been working at the Providence Rec Center since the Fall of 2020. He has spent about twenty years of his life learning from his neighborhood swim team, the South Run Seahawks. He enjoys teaching new and young swimmers ways to improve their strokes. His favorite swimming strokes are backstroke and butterfly. He also enjoys having young swimmers work as a relay team competing against him in all four strokes.
Professional Development Chair
professionaldevelopment@rotaractdc.org
Ian Schmitt was born and raised in Fairfax County, Virginia. He graduated from George Mason University with a bachelor’s degree in history. He focuses on Western Civilization and enjoys learning new things. During his free time, he enjoys researching primary sources from the United States, spanning the Colonial period to the late 19th century. He also has a fondness for digging into his family’s history. His affinity for history has also led him to gain an interest in government, public policy, and law.
Ian is a swim instructor who has been working at the Providence Rec Center since the Fall of 2020. He has spent about twenty years of his life learning from his neighborhood swim team, the South Run Seahawks. He enjoys teaching new and young swimmers ways to improve their strokes. His favorite swimming strokes are backstroke and butterfly. He also enjoys having young swimmers work as a relay team competing against him in all four strokes.
Erin Lapko
Public Image Chair
publicimage@roataractdc.org
Erin Lapko grew up in Houston, Texas, and holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science. She works as a software engineer in Maryland and enjoys 3D printing and laser engraving in her spare time. Her connection to Rotary began with the short-term Rotary Youth Exchange program, during which she traveled to Angoulême, France, for a summer. This experience inspired her interest in learning new languages, including programming languages. She is also inspired by the impact that Rotary has on community service, and their dedication to being welcoming and generous.
As Rotaract DC's Public Image and Media Chair, Erin manages the organization's communications and outreach efforts. She applies her technical background to enhance Rotaract's digital presence and helps connect with young professionals interested in service and community engagement.
Public Image Chair
publicimage@roataractdc.org
Erin Lapko grew up in Houston, Texas, and holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science. She works as a software engineer in Maryland and enjoys 3D printing and laser engraving in her spare time. Her connection to Rotary began with the short-term Rotary Youth Exchange program, during which she traveled to Angoulême, France, for a summer. This experience inspired her interest in learning new languages, including programming languages. She is also inspired by the impact that Rotary has on community service, and their dedication to being welcoming and generous.
As Rotaract DC's Public Image and Media Chair, Erin manages the organization's communications and outreach efforts. She applies her technical background to enhance Rotaract's digital presence and helps connect with young professionals interested in service and community engagement.
Alex Cason
Fellowship Chair fellowship@rotaractdc.org
Alex Cason is a young writer from Lexington, Kentucky. He works in healthcare communications and is an avid reader, a world traveler, and an enjoyer of exquisite nonsense. He joined DC Rotaract in January 2025 and now serves as the club’s Fellowship Chair.
Fellowship Chair fellowship@rotaractdc.org
Alex Cason is a young writer from Lexington, Kentucky. He works in healthcare communications and is an avid reader, a world traveler, and an enjoyer of exquisite nonsense. He joined DC Rotaract in January 2025 and now serves as the club’s Fellowship Chair.
Vanessa Lewis
Past President
pastpresident@rotaractdc.org
Vanessa grew up in Sydney, Australia, and moved to the US in mid-2021. She holds a Diploma in Counselling from the Australian College of Applied Psychology and a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy, and Economics from the University of New South Wales.
She originally started her career in banking but pivoted to tech upon moving to the US. She is a lead Salesforce Consultant for a firm in Virginia. Vanessa has travelled widely, visiting cities worldwide and independently backpacking through Latin America, Jamaica, and Mexico. During college, she undertook two student exchanges: in Seoul and Beijing. This love of discovering new cultures and experiences led her to Rotaract, where she enjoys frequently meeting and mentoring other young, passionate professionals worldwide.
Past President
pastpresident@rotaractdc.org
Vanessa grew up in Sydney, Australia, and moved to the US in mid-2021. She holds a Diploma in Counselling from the Australian College of Applied Psychology and a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy, and Economics from the University of New South Wales.
She originally started her career in banking but pivoted to tech upon moving to the US. She is a lead Salesforce Consultant for a firm in Virginia. Vanessa has travelled widely, visiting cities worldwide and independently backpacking through Latin America, Jamaica, and Mexico. During college, she undertook two student exchanges: in Seoul and Beijing. This love of discovering new cultures and experiences led her to Rotaract, where she enjoys frequently meeting and mentoring other young, passionate professionals worldwide.