Katarzyna A. Śmiechowicz, PRESIDENT
Katarzyna A. Śmiechowicz (also known as Kasia A. Leconte) – a Polish actress, screenwriter, and voice-over artist, active for many years in both the Polish and American film and theater industries. Her artistic path began in her teenage years, initially connected with ballet and drama theater, but later film and television became her greatest passion.
She has appeared in over 30 feature films and numerous television series, working with directors such as Steven Spielberg, Krzysztof Krauze, Jacek Bromski, Tomasz Konecki, Krzysztof Jaroszyński, Borys Lankosz, and Olaf Lubaszenko. On stage, she has performed as Katharina in The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare and as Róża in Lilla Weneda by Juliusz Słowacki. Her American theater debut was the lead role of Carrie in Café Hollywood.
Living in Los Angeles since 2000, she studied acting at prestigious schools, including Beverly Hills Playhouse and the Margie Haber Studio. She is the president of “Kasia Films” – a film and television studio dedicated to international projects and the promotion of Polish culture abroad.
Beyond her artistic career, she is actively involved in charitable and community work, supporting those in need and contributing to Polish foundations, cultural clubs, and initiatives that promote national heritage in the United States. She also serves on the Supervisory Board of the Foundation for the Development of Modern Surgery in Łódź, which makes her voice recognized in the medical field.
Dividing her life between Europe and the U.S., she lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Dominik J. Leconte – Senior Vice President at Sony Pictures – and together they raise two talented sons, both active as young actors, models, athletes, and Onward Scholars program recipients.
Dr. Krystyna A. Bartkowska, DDS, VICE PRESIDENT
Doctor of Dental Surgery, engaged for many years in social and charitable activities. She has lived in the U.S. with her family since 1982.
She studied Dental Technology in Łódź, Poland, and later graduated from the Faculty of Dentistry at the Pomeranian Medical Academy in Szczecin.
She is a respected philanthropist, admired for her empathy, integrity, and tireless dedication to helping others. Known for her kindness and respect for every person, working with her is always a pleasure.
She has been connected with the Helena Modjeska Cultural Club for many years, serving in key positions:
• 2010–2012 – Secretary
• 2012–2014 – Board Member and, since April 2013, also Vice President
• 2014–2016 – Vice President
• 2016–2018 – Vice President
Danuta Żuchowska, treasurer
Danuta Zuchowska continuing the legacy of her parents, who actively volunteered in Polish organizations in both England and the United States. She has long been engaged in the cultural and social life of the Polish community, serving in many organizations such as Krakusy, POLAM (Polish-American Federal Credit Union), and the Helena Modjeska Cultural Club.
As Treasurer of the Club for many years, she worked with five consecutive presidents and is regarded as one of the most outstanding treasurers in the Club’s history. She is widely respected for her honesty, dedication, and generosity, and remains a beloved figure within the Polish-American community.
Ewa (Violet) Kołakowska, secretary
Ewa (Violet) Kolakowska is a member of the Helena Modjeska Cultural Club since 2018. Born in Łódź, she has been passionate about dance since her youth, excelling particularly in ballroom dancing, where she gained recognition and success.
After moving to the U.S., she pursued business ventures but never abandoned her artistic side, finding new expression in floral design, which – like dance – became her artistic trademark. Friends and clients often say, “Ewa enchants with dance and flowers.”
Her greatest pride is her 14-year-old daughter, a talented young athlete with a promising future.
Ewa is a multifaceted personality – combining artistic sensibility with business drive. For several years, she has also been performing with the Polish folk dance group Krakusy in Los Angeles, promoting Polish culture across Southern California. Her creativity, energy, and dedication inspire the entire Polish-American community.
Anna Zalewska, Board Member
Anna Zalewska has lived in the U.S. for 10 years, first in New York and now in Los Angeles. Despite her move, she continues to successfully run her real estate business in Poland.
She graduated in Economics from Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, pursued postgraduate studies in Architecture at Warsaw University of Technology, and later studied psychology at Santa Monica College.
Anna is a proud wife and mother of a 10-year-old son, Alex. Known for her generosity and openness, she is actively involved in charitable projects and supports Polish educational and cultural initiatives, including the Polish School in Los Angeles. For the past two years, she has been a proud member of the Helena Modjeska Cultural Club.
Dr. Anna Dąbrowska, BOARD MEMBER
Dr. Anna Dąbrowska – graduate of the Faculty of Dentistry at Jagiellonian University in Kraków. Since 1996, she has been running her dental practice in California, first in Los Angeles and later in Santa Monica and El Segundo.
She is a proud mother of three accomplished daughters, all of whom pursued careers in medicine. In recent years, she has been practicing alongside her daughter Karolina, also a dentist, carrying on a family tradition of care.
Anna is known for her empathy, precision, and exceptional dedication to her patients, always offering the highest quality care with a personal touch. She is an active member of many professional and cultural organizations and participates in initiatives supporting the Polish community in California. She joined the Helena Modjeska Cultural Club in 2018 and contributes as much as she can to its activities.