Lois H. England Philanthropy Award
Eve A. Lilley
Eve A. Lilley has been a dedicated board member for more than 20 years. She has contributed more to The Washington Ballet than any other individual in our organization’s history — on many occasions funding world premier productions that wouldn’t have been possible without her support.
Beyond philanthropy, Eve has been an active member or school and community engagement committees and has made thoughtful and positive contributions that have allowed The Washington School of Ballet, programming at THEARC, DanceDC, and Dance for All programs to grow and thrive.
The Washington Ballet began a new legacy of appreciation in 2017 with the creation of the Lois England Philanthropy Award.
This award annually recognizes an outstanding individual whose love of ballet, support for TWB, and dedication to other community nonprofit organizations echo those of board member emeritus Lois England.
Lois England was dedicated to ballet and dance education, and her support was instrumental in allowing the programs of The Washington Ballet to grow and flourish.
In 2023, TWB expanded the philanthropy award to additionally recognize institutions who make the arts, and the communities they serve, a philanthropic priority.
Past Recipients:
2018 W. Christopher Smith, Jr.
2019 Marion and Robert Rosenthal
2020 Carrie Marriott
2021 Reginald Van Lee
2022 Blake Neely
2023 Jean-Marie and Raul Fernandez
2025 Lisa Barry and James Gale
Corporate Philanthropy Award
Total Wine & More has contributed over $300 million in monetary and in-kind donations to local, regional, and national charitable organizations since opening in 1991. In 2025, the company donated over $13.5 million to more than 20,000 nonprofits, helping those organizations raise over $92 million.
Through Anna and Robert Trone, Total Wine & More became a dedicated partner of The Washington Ballet providing season sponsorships of special events for more than 10 years.
The Gala beverages, are of course, courtesy of Total Wine & More. Let’s raise a glass to this fantastic organization!
2023 Honoree
2025 Honoree
Inaugural Impact Award
Jean-Marie Fernandez
Few leaders have shaped The Washington Ballet's trajectory as profoundly as Jean-Marie Fernandez. Since becoming board chair in 2018, she has guided the organization through some of its most defining moments — and its greatest ones.
When the pandemic brought the performing arts world to a standstill, Jean-Marie held steady, making difficult decisions with clarity and care. Her leadership ensured that The Washington Ballet not only survived one of the most challenging periods in its history, but emerged from it with purpose and resilience.
She led the artistic director search that brought Edwaard Liang to the company — a decision that has since shaped the organization's creative identity. Under her watch, The Washington Ballet has reached a position of genuine financial stability, a testament to her strategic vision and tireless advocacy.
Perhaps her most lasting contribution is the board she has helped build: thoughtfully developed, deeply engaged, and united by a shared passion for this organization. Jean-Marie has a gift for bringing people into the fold, and the community she has cultivated around The Washington Ballet will continue to sustain it long into the future.