We redefine the limits of contemporary art

Dr. Christos A. Makridis is the CEO and Founder of CM Culture Management and COO of Living Opera, where he combines his expertise in organizational strategy and creative leadership to drive innovation and artistic excellence. A renowned economics and culture scholar, he holds dual doctorates in economics and management science & engineering from Stanford University and has authored over 90 peer-reviewed articles. In addition to his leadership roles, Christos serves as an Associate Research Professor at Arizona State University and holds affiliations with the Complexity Science Hub in Vienna and Stanford University’s Digital Economy Lab. Christos’s academic research spans labor economics, the digital economy, and well-being, and he frequently contributes to leading media outlets. His broad expertise bridges technology, policy, and culture, making him a vital force in shaping the future of the creative industries.

With over 15 years of experience in strategic communications, digital media, and public relations, Elizabeth Bowman has built a career focused on understanding industry trends and crafting impactful narratives. As past Editor-In-Chief of Opera Canada magazine, she ventured into the editorial sphere, founding and hosting The Opera Glasses podcast, which explored industry news and strategies that were tougher to editorialize in print media. In 2025, she is launching The Scene Room, a podcast dedicated to the business of the performing arts, showcasing industry insights, trends, innovative strategies, and the leaders behind them. Her first step back at Bowman Media at the end of 2024 was to take on media strategy for Living Opera through CM Culture Management. Bowman is excited to embrace new opportunities and continue to create innovative, resonant connections with audiences.

Jennifer Ritvo Hughes is a seasoned arts consultant and strategist, specializing in financial resilience and organizational growth in the performing arts. With nearly two decades of experience across four countries, she has led strategic planning, resource development, and capacity-building initiatives. As CEO of the American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Jennifer expanded the donor base and launched Global Hatikvah, achieving over 1 million impressions in its first month. At Boston Baroque, she transformed the organization’s finances, pioneered a digital revenue stream contributing 30% of earnings, and elevated the brand through an extensive digital portfolio. A Lecturer in Boston University’s Graduate Program in Arts Administration, Jennifer also serves on the boards of the Boston Lyric Opera, Surf Point Foundation, and North Star Baroque. She holds a B.A. in music from Wellesley College and an M.A. in musicology from Brandeis University

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Vanda Alwast is the cofounder of OAcademy Global Music Conservatory and serves as Partnerships Adviser for CM Culture Management. She previously led partnerships at IDAGIO, a Berlin-based classical music streaming platform, and has worked with renowned music impact organizations, including The Orchestra of the Americas. Specializing in sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives, Vanda combines her expertise in music, tech, and venture capital to drive innovative collaborations. An advocate for female leadership in startups and VC, she has completed prestigious programs such as London Business School’s Newton Venture Program, EIT’s Supernovas, and the 101 Fellowship for emerging VCs, and is currently a Fellow at IncludedVC, a ‘unique fast-track MBA for emerging VC.’

Panagiotis Delinikolas is a multi-disciplinary artist specializing in sound design, music production, and film editing. In 2009, he founded Sporkstudio, a sound studio dedicated to high-quality audio services. His work includes contributions to films such as Sunday 11:00 to 12:00 (2018), Space Colonies: Life Beyond Earth (2014), and Invisible (2016). He also lent his expertise to Behind the Curtain, Living Opera’s podcast, enhancing its sound design and production quality. Beyond his creative expertise, Panagiotis has a background in physics and was a PhD candidate at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, where his research focused on medical physics and space radiobiology.

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