Meet The BoardThis is the OPA you have always been a member of. We will continue to offer membership benefits by making sure you:
- Get first access to OPA Foundation workshops, retreats, conferences & events
- Receive amazing discounts on events and trainings
- Can be an OPA Certified Professional Astrologer when you complete our 5-point program
Board Members
Geni Picazo
President
Moon Zlotnick
Vice President & Director of Certification
Angelina Gronlund
Treasurer
Alara Akkamis
Membership
Maureen Hakala
Secretary
The President is responsible for running and overseeing all aspects of OPA’s membership and the granting of certification to individuals who have met all requirements.
- This includes membership, finances, marketing, by-law review, and organizational development.
- Represents OPA—its core values and programs—with dignity and respect.
- Drafts agendas for Board of Directors meetings
- Facilitates Board of Directors meetings
- Key member of OPA Certification/Education Team
- Coordinates with the Education team of the 501C3 to ensure educational programs are offered in alignment with the needs of members and certification seekers.
The VP supports the President of Membership and focuses on further developing our Certification Program.
- Support the President of Membership
- Remind existing members to complete their certification
- Entice new members to become certified
- Develop new programming for astrologers who have completed their certification
- Develop the webpage to advertise certified astrologers
- Create other benefits to astrologers who are OPA certified
- Maintains a positive balance in the account
- Prepares a monthly fiscal report that is distributed at the Board meetings
- Maintains OPA’s checking account
- Pays bills on time
- Reconciles income from credit cards and all forms of payments
- Maintains contact with Membership Secretary to reconcile members with membership payments received
- Reconciles income from workshops and retreats given expenses
- Coordinates with accountants to file OPA’s annual IRS tax returns
- Makes suggestions in budget preparation
- Prepares intermediate reports to inform the Board of current status of income and expenditures relative to budget.
Membership Director’s Role:
- Serves as the primary point of contact for OPA members and membership-related inquiries
- Oversees membership renewals, registrations, and account management
- Maintains accurate membership records and member communications
- Assists members with access to benefits, events, and online resources
- Coordinates with administrative and technical teams to resolve membership issues
- Welcomes new members and supports their integration into the OPA community
- Promotes member engagement, retention, and satisfaction
- Communicates membership updates, renewal information, and organizational announcements
- Provides membership reports and recommendations to the Board
- Collaborates with Board members and volunteers to support the growth of OPA’s membership community
- Maintains and keeps up to date all data and sorting of the active membership list.
- Welcomes new members and informs them of OPA’s programs and links and sends membership renewal reminders in a timely fashion.
- Works with other members of the Board to strategize about growing OPA’s membership base.
- Updates all Board members of the membership changes monthly, ahead of the board meetings.
Alara Akkamis
Membership
Alara Akkamis, Dip.ASA, ISAR CAP, mAPAI
Alara is a professional astrologer who has been practicing since 2015. Originally from Istanbul, Turkey, and currently based in Rome, Italy. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and a Master’s degree in Marketing and Digital Communication. She began her formal astrological studies with Baris Ozkiris and later completed a three-year program at the AstroArt School of Astrology (ASA) under Oner Doser. Alara holds a CAPISAR certification and is a member of several international astrological organizations, such as OPA, ISAR, and NCGR, while also serving as a Council Member of the Association of Professional Astrologers International (APAI).
Her work integrates Hellenistic and modern astrology, bridging many ancient techniques with contemporary perspectives. She specializes in predictive astrology and traditional forecasting methods, while drawing on complementary fields such as astropsychology and astromapping.
Alongside her active consultation work, Alara teaches astrology in Turkish and pursues ongoing advanced training, including studies at Kepler College. She actively supports ISAR’s research initiatives as a member of the Research Community Managers Group and Team Representative of the Bibliography Group. She is fluent in Turkish, English, French, and Italian.
Maureen Hakala Secretary
Maureen brings a variety of experiences and education to her practice. She has worked in education and business, including teaching, consulting, and mentoring. In addition to extensive studies in astrology, reiki, and past life regression, Maureen has a Ph.D. in Social Science; an MBA in Business; a BA in Psychology; and several teaching credentials. She has worked both in the USA, and internationally, and has a global perspective and clientele.
Maureen is excited and honored to be able to contribute and support to the astrological community by volunteering with OPA.
Website: www.MaureenHakala.com
Moon Zlotnick
Vice President & Director of Certification
Moon began her astrological studies in 1975 after having a profound spiritual experience. In 1978, she completed the training program created by Zipporah Dobyns through CCRS, after which she opened her first office and began her professional astrology practice. She has been practicing full time since then. She began teaching astrology in 1981 and in 1987, began a three-year training program for students in Minneapolis, MN. She has attended numerous conferences and taken many courses but consider herself self-taught after looking at thousands of horoscopes and working with some clients for 40+ years. She is very psychological and spiritually oriented and practice modern astrology.
Website: www.AstrologyByMoonrabbit.com
Angelina Gronlund
Treasurer
Based in Maine
Email: events@opaastrology.org
Geni Picazo
President
Geni has been associated with OPA’s Board for approximately 8 years. First serving as Recording Secretary, and then moving to the role of Membership Secretary. Geni will continue in the Board position of Membership Secretary and an added role of Operations Manager for OPA Foundation.
Geni is an OPA Certified, professional astrologer located in Canada. She is a Peer Group leader and one of the Canadian Satellite coordinators.
As an astrologer, she integrates practical wisdom, insight, and research into every consult. Every day we are met with challenges and decisions that shape our future life. Geni has been using astrology and Tarot to help her clients navigate those avenues to help them find their success, find their joy. All consults are in person or in the virtual space.
Based in Ontario, Canada
Email: membership@opaastrology.org