Leadership
Gene Sokolowski
President
Dr. Gene Sokolowski brings over 45 years of experience as a career Air Force Officer, Systems Analyst with Northrop Grumman, and Telecommunications Specialist with the Federal Government. He immigrated to the U.S. as a four-year-old with his father, who survived four concentration camps, and lives in Virginia with his wife Ginny. They have three adult children and six grandchildren. He is fully committed to advocate vigorously for the political, social, and educational interests of the Polish American community, as well as to defend the good name of Poland and the Polish people. Dr. Sokolowski holds a PhD in Public Policy from George Mason University’s School of Public Policy.
Dr. Margaret Niznikiewicz
Vice President
A linguist and a cognitive neuroscientist, Malgorzata was educated both in Poland and in the United States. She lives in the Boston suburbs with her family. She loves uncovering the mysteries of the human brain in the hopes of creating effective therapies for those who need them most. Malgorzata loves hiking, kayaking and skiing. She is an avid cook and a novice gardener. She loves history and the history of both Poland and United States are her two favorite topics.
Mariusz Bielski
Treasurer
Mariusz grew up in Poland and relocated to the United States in 2000. He holds a Food Science degree from Warsaw University of Life Sciences. Mariusz is a senior laboratory technician at a food processing company. He is a lifelong advocate for Polish American affairs; he is involved in several civic and service organizations. Mariusz actively participated in defending the Katyń Monument in Jersey City. He is married with three children.
Cynthia Ward
Secretary
I was born in Cleveland, Ohio to wonderful parents both of whom were born in Poland. They became American citizens before I was born. While it was important to them to become model citizens of their new homeland and to embrace the culture and freedoms American life offered, they shared with me their pride in our Polish heritage. I am a member of the Polish Community Center (PCC) located in Albany, New York and I currently serve on its board of directors. I am grateful for the opportunity the PCC provides to learn more of my Polish heritage and the rich culture and history of Poland. I am honored to now also become a member of the Polish American Strategic Initiative (PASI) and to support its purposes of promoting the interests of Polish Americans and influencing legislation relevant to PASI programs.
My educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and a Master’s degree in Economics from Ohio University and a Ph.D. in Public Administration and Economics from the Maxwell School, Syracuse University. I spent most of my career teaching economics, research methods, and organization theory and behavior in graduate management programs at Russell Sage College. I also taught a course on doing business in China which included taking MBA students to China where they completed a brief residency at Shanghai University of International Business and Economics. As a part of a Fulbright scholarship, I also taught economics in India
Traveling is a passion and I have enjoyed memorable experiences in Asia, Africa, North and South America, Antarctica and Europe. I have visited Poland briefly, but I hope to have a more extensive visit within the next year. Other interests include volunteering for local organizations, such as Kiwanis, ballet dancing and skiing. I am also a professionally certified ski instructor and I instruct at a local mountain during the winter season.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dr. Malgorzata Stys
New York
Passionate entrepreneur and technologist, fascinated by Human Computer Interfaces and Linguistics. Małgorzata spent her formative years at IBM, starting her career at Watson Research. IBM was the place where she met some of the most brilliant minds and kindest hearts in the world, including many Polish Americans! Małgorzata had a distinct opportunity to live and learn in 6 countries before settling in the U.S. Although the U.S. is her home today, a big piece of her heart belongs to Poland. She also lived and left a piece of her heart in Nigeria, England, Botswana, Swaziland and Sweden. Favorite Book: Little Prince. Favorite saying: “Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought.” John Paul II.
Irena Guillon
California
Emigrated to the US from Poland at the age of 14. After receiving a master’s degree in mathematics, she spent her entire career at IBM as a programmer and manager. She and her family live in California. For years, she has been active in American and Polish American organizations. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and gardening. She is also interested in the history of Poland.
Jacek Bernard Marczynski
Virginia
Born in Poland in 1957, moved to United States in 1988. I.T. specialist educated in Poland and the United States, currently working for several companies as a programmer. Long time member of Polish American Congress in Washington Metropolitan Area Division. Co-Founder of Polish American Strategic Initiative, Inc. (former Interim President of PASI). Lobbying for Polish Affairs in the U.S. Congress for 20 years.
Pawel A. Stefanski
Washington D.C.
Pawel A. Stefanski brings over 40 years of experience in information technology, consulting, and management, working with organizations across financial services, retail, and other sectors. Through SCORE and his own firm, VUCAmavens LLC, he has supported startups, students, private individuals, and venture capital funds. Coaching and mentoring remain an important part of his professional focus.
From 1995 to 2022, Pawel held a variety of senior technical and executive roles at IBM, including responsibility for corporate strategy and business development for the Financial Services Sector in the Middle East and Africa. In that capacity, he collaborated with more than 30 major financial institutions and incubators on innovative, first-of-a-kind projects. His global career has taken him to over 30 countries, advising clients and partners on strategy, technology, and transformation. Beyond work, Pawel is an avid sailor, scuba diver, and private pilot, with a lifelong passion for learning and exploration.
Mark Belcarz
Connecticut
After having the opportunity to live a few years in Italy, I settled in the beautiful State of Connecticut. I live in the USA for over 30 years, happily married, proud father of one son. I graduated in Computer Science, and I am professionally fulfilled in the medical care field for 25 years. I love mountains, hiking, wild nature, biking, reading, politics and cooking, but I also like to travel around the world.
I am trying to do something for the country in which I live as well as my homeland Poland. After all, the homeland is not only the country you live in but the country you need and needs you. Some say that patriotism is becoming an outdated idea. Despite this notion, it is an inspiration and a significant force that shapes the behaviors and attitudes of generations. Polish community and Poles living in America are unheard and neglected in the U.S. Congress. Unfortunately, those absent on Capitol Hill have no vote. The time has come for the Polish American community to play a significant role in creating the new political world. Join PASI today!
Moja druga miłość po rodzinie to wędrówki górskie, dzika przyroda, jazda na rowerze, czytanie, polityka i gotowanie, lubię też podróże w odległy świat, szczególnie fascynują mnie wielkie miasta.
Staram się zrobić coś dla kraju, w którym mieszkam, a także dla mojej pierwszej ojczyzny – Polski. W końcu ojczyzna to nie tylko kraj, w którym mieszkasz, ale kraj, którego potrzebujesz i który potrzebuje ciebie. Niektórzy twierdzą, że patriotyzm staje się przestarzałym pomysłem na życie. Ja uważam wręcz przeciwnie, że jest inspiracją i znaczącą siłą kształtującą zachowania i postawy pokoleń.
Polonia i Polacy mieszkający w Ameryce są niesłyszalni co jest skutkiem lekceważenia w Kongresie USA. Niestety, nieobecni na Kapitolu nie mają głosu. Nadszedł czas, aby społeczność polonijna odegrała znaczącą rolę w tworzeniu nowego świata politycznego. Dołącz do PASI już dziś!
Jerzy Fiedziukiewicz
Connecticut
I was born in Bialystok, Poland, in 1965, and moved to the United States in 1994. Since then, I live in Connecticut with my wife and two children.
I work in the aircraft industry as a CNC machinist with technical education from Poland.
I always thought that history is what it is – but if we do not remember and cherish it, someone will rewrite history for us! That is why I stopped being passive and began to participate and support various patriotic initiatives. The voice of Polish Americans needs be heard. Join us and Join PASI today!
Daniel M. Zamoyski
Great Britain
Born in Chicago, growing up in Illinois, Dan completed his Chemistry degree, and later an MBA, at Northern Illinois University at DeKalb (NIU). His paternal grandparents emigrated in 1911 from central Poland to western New Jersey, then to the vibrant Polish community of northwest Indiana, and finally to Chicago in 1930, due to the 1929 Crash. His USA diversified career spanned organic synthesis, to a brief spell in NIU academia post-MBA, before joining a large oil company in California. Emigrating to England in 1981 (English wife), Dan worked with a range of UK & intl businesses (chemicals, software, non-profits) before starting his management consultancy practice in 1990.
Assisting Dan’s work within PASI are: his USA & UK experience & many trips to Poland since 1994; his varied consultancy work over 30 years; and his passion for Only Truths about Poland & Poles to appear in the media. These give him an informed perspective on the geo-political, economic, cultural & historical aspects of Poland & USA-UK Polonia. Ambitions for PASI: that it grows in number & range of members, for members to grow – together in shared aspirations while jointly growing PASI’s influence on US policies that affect Polish Americans. Dan is also Head of the Polish Media Issues Group with over 2,600 members on Facebook.
Susan Gorga
New York
Receiving graduate degrees in both Political Science and Applied Linguistics from Indiana University, Susan has taught English as a Second Language at the University at Albany (State University of New York) for over 25 years. Prior to that, she was in the
first group of Peace Corps volunteers to serve in Poland and studied for a year at both the Instytut Badań Polonijnych in Krakow and the University of Warsaw. When her children were young, the family went to Chełm for a year where she taught at the Państwowa
Wyższa Szkoła Zawodowa while her children attended Polish schools. She likes traveling and adventure, particularly climbing volcanoes and sleeping in yurts.
Suzanne Mazurczyk
New Jersey
With a Masters degree in Business Administration and professional experience including real estate, financial information services, hospitality and entertainment, Suzanne brings a variety of skills and experience to PASI. Suzanne was inspired by what she heard about PASI Outreach efforts to legislators and also attended the 2019 Poland First to Fight historical conference in Washington, DC. She appreciates the team spirit working on PASI projects like the PASI Glos/Voice Newsletter and planning future initiatives. Suzanne enjoys learning about many topics but especially Polish related issues, politics and investing. Her other interests include yardwork, music, singing, dance (especially ballroom); travel, nature hikes, cooking, sailing, art & design and of course, family and friends.
Marie Glowacki
New York
Born in Poland, Marie came to the United States in 1982 with her
husband and two children. For more than 25 years, she has devoted
herself to Polonia organizations, giving her time, energy, and heart
to strengthen the bonds of the Polish-American community.
For Marie, Polonia is not a number or a slogan — it is a living
community of hearts, a shared language, prayers lifted in hope, and
history carried forward with pride. It is all of us. Guided by this
belief, she has honored her heritage not just with words, but through
steadfast action.
Marie joined PASI in 2018 and, two years later, was elected to the
Board of Directors.
Beyond her work in PASI, Marie serves as an Executive Officer at the
Albany Polish Community Center. She is also a proud member of the
Polish National Alliance Lodge #1684 and the Polish American Congress,
New York Central Division.
Outside of her community service, Marie finds joy in interior
decorating projects, exploring books on geography and history, and —
above all — treasuring time with her granddaughter.
