U-M Club of Seattle: Board Leadership

Michael Roberto graduated from Michigan with a B.S. in Chemistry and Minor in Astrophysics in 2009. He joined the Seattle Club as a Board Member in 2016, and has taken on the role of President in 2019. Michael was involved with the Student Astronomical Society, which gave planetarium shows as well as free star viewings shows throughout the year on the roof of Angell Hall. After obtaining his PhD in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Washington in 2014, he’s worked as a chemometrician and project manager for companies supporting analytical measurement analysis for the chemistry industry. Meanwhile, he’s been hiking, camping, and eating his way through the Seattle area, and has started a family here as well. Go Blue!

Claire Khouri graduated from Michigan with her B.A. in Political Science in 2003 and her Masters in Public Administration from the Ford School of Public Policy in 2016. She recently moved to Seattle in 2018 and joined the Seattle Alumni Association as a Board Member in 2019. Claire was active in the Residence Halls Association and was the VP of the Association during her undergrad years. Her favorite Michigan memories include studying in the Grad Library with her best friend and nights out with friends at Ashley’s, the Brown Jug and Dominick’s (to name just a few). Claire spent almost a decade and a half working in Michigan politics and policy as a legislative aide in the Michigan Senate and most recently as the Deputy Director of Strategy for Governor Snyder. She is currently the Chief of Staff, Operations at Sound Transit. After doing the commute from Ann Arbor to Lansing on a daily basis for over a decade she now enjoys her 7 minute walking commute from Pioneer Square to the IDS.

Meena Beniwal graduated from Michigan with a B.A in Economics in 2009. She was previously involved with the Milwaukee Chapter of the Alumni Association of Michigan and served on its Board for four and a half years, including the President for a year and a half. Meena joined our Seattle Club as a Board Member in 2018 and is the current Treasurer. While at Michigan Meena was involved in various organizations, cheered on the maize and blue, enjoyed studying on the 3rd floor of the UGLi, and took evening snack breaks at Pancheros. Meena moved to Seattle in 2014 and works in analytics at T-Mobile. She spends her time volunteering, playing tennis, reading, and traveling. Go Blue!

Caroline Shao graduated from Michigan with her B.A. in Communication Studies and Minor in Sociology in 2016 and joined the U-M Seattle Club as a Board Member in 2019 when she relocated to Capitol Hill from NYC. Caroline was a Campus Day Leader and Prospective Student Tour Guide while at Michigan and was also involved in Michigan Greek Life and the Residential College. Her favorite Michigan memories include exploring Main Street and ordering the late night special from Pizza House. She is currently the Partner Marketing Manager at Ekata, a MasterCard company. Go Blue!

Judi Trainor, nee Vander Molen, graduated from Michigan with a B.S. in Physical Therapy and a certificate in Physical Therapy in 1978. She lived in Bursley her freshman year, then in South quad for the next three where she was an RA. Highlights of that include being a member of the UM Skydiving team where she made over 200 jumps, set 2 records, and won 1st place for UM in collegiate RW (making patterns in the sky). Biggest bummer: they were never able to jump into the Big House. Judi moved to Seattle in 1981 to try someplace new and joined the board immediately – she has held every board position over the years, including president when Seattle won its first ‘’Best Club award’’. Some highlights include the 1983 UW vs. UM football game and meeting Bo Schembechler, Coach Fisher, and President Duderstadt during the 1989 Final Four games. During this time, Judi has raised her two children and a granddaughter, and has worked as a Physical Therapist and now runs the game watch parties at Buckley’s with trivia, t-shirts, and more! GO BLUE!!

Kathy (Preston) Ehrlich, a 7 th generation family member to attend Michigan, graduated from the School of Business in 1985 with a B. B. A. Rather than returning to Edmonds after graduation she moved to Los Angeles where she promptly got involved with the LA Alumni Club. She worked for Prudential Mortgage for a few years before moving on to place accounting personnel in temp and/or perm positions. She did this until her first son arrived in 1992 and was grateful to be a stay-at-home mom for many years before returning to work part-time as a bookkeeper in 2000. As her 3 boys got older, she took on more clients and has been working for herself for over 20 years. Adam, Jesse, and Noah eventually left the nest and Kathy was happy to return home to Edmonds, WA in 2016. She enjoys trivia nights, football watch parties, walking/hiking, volunteering for Tax Aide as well as Friends of the Edmonds Library, and visiting her boys whenever her schedule allows! Fun fact – Kathy’s middle and youngest sons also attended Michigan, and both conveniently graduated in 2019.

Karla (Rendz) Kross graduated from Michigan with two BS degrees in Architecture and Civil Engineering in 1991, only the second student and first woman to achieve this concurrent dual degree in the history of the university. Professionally, Karla has directed the construction and renovation of numerous resorts throughout North America. Karla relocated to the Seattle area in 2013 and immediately became involved with the UM Club of Seattle. She joined as a Board Member in 2019. While at Michigan, Karla joined Alpha Delta Pi and held social and recruitment positions with the sorority. She additionally served as Public Relations Chair on the Panhellenic Executive Board. Her favorite Michigan memories involve “all-nighters” at the architecture studio on North Campus, football games at The Big House, Wednesday nights at Rick’s, and food…specifically chapatis & shakes from Pizza Bob’s. She is looking forward to making new friendships with local alumni through the club. Go Blue!

Michael Tarlowe graduated from Michigan in 1994 with a B.B.A. from the Ross School of Business. He has been involved with the Alumni Student Recruiting program since its inception and has served on the Roby M. Burley Scholarship Committee since 2009. Michael did an earlier stint on the U-M Club of Seattle Board and re-joined in 2020 when he became Chair of the scholarship committee.

Pam Stoeffler is a longtime member of the University of Michigan Club of Seattle and served as the President for many years until 2006. She graduated from Michigan in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and has since gotten her Masters in Pediatric Nursing. Pam has lived in Seattle since 1980 and now works as a Public Health Nurse with Seattle King County. She is an avid sports fan and enjoyed her time at Michigan watching football, hockey, baseball, gymnastics, and much more. Pam now organizes and attends every Saturday Football Watch Party at JJ Mahoney’s on the East Side and hopes to see you there! Go Blue!

Rachel Firsht graduated from the University of Michigan in 2014 with double majors in Asian Studies and International Studies. While at Michigan, she was involved with Greek Life, the Michigan Community Scholars Program, and LSA Student Honor Council. Rachel joined the Seattle Club in 2017 and is currently the Social Media Manager for the Club. She moved to Seattle in 2017 and loves trying new restaurants in the city. She earned her Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Southern California in 2020. For fun, Rachel loves traveling and sharing her passion for U of M!