PRESIDENT – JANEL SCHERMERHORN
Janel Schermerhorn a native Californian and long-time Seattle resident, moved to Berlin with her family mid-2017 to experience German language and culture. Janel believes strongly in building community. As such, she is an active volunteer in multiple programs at the Berlin International School, as well as with the John F Kennedy Schule sport club. Janel also served as AWC Berlin’s Secretary in 2018. She holds a degree in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and an MBA from San Diego State University. Her public and private sector work experience spans multiple industries; and has given her the opportunity to study, design, and motivate human performance in environments ranging from restaurant kitchens, to call centers, to United States Navy aircraft carriers. Most recently, Janel primarily focused on developing corporate policy, drawing on her expertise in Operations Management, Risk Management, Human Factors Research, and Strategic Human Resources Management. More than writing good policy, Janel loves to tell a good story. In recent years, she has nurtured this through creative writing, as well as live storytelling. She has performed for audiences of up to 800 people; and is a two-time Moth Story Slam winner. Janel is currently collaborating on two book projects, which both focus on the strength of women and community. president@awcberlin.org
FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT (PROGRAMS) – LISSA ROSENBLOOM
Lissa Rosenbloom is a long time resident of Berlin, having moved here From Oakland, California in 1999. She is active in many capacities at the Berlin International school, is a volunteer for refugee services, and an English teacher. In her previous life she worked in the non-profit world in California, consulting with many organization such as the San Francisco AIds Foundation, Human Rights Watch, Environmental Defense Fund, and political campaigns. She is also an visual artist, with a BFA from the University or North Carolina. vp-programs@awcberlin.org
SECOND VICE PRESIDENT (MEMBERSHIP) – ALLISON SIEGERT
Allison “Ali” Siegert moved to Berlin in June 2016 when her husband accepted a job as a computer software engineer with a German company. Ali grew up in suburban Chicago and has lived in Colorado for the last fifteen years. Ali was a high school counselor in a suburb of Denver and is currently staying home to care for her three sons, ages 10, 7, and 4. Her eldest two sons attend the John-F.-Kennedy School and her youngest son attends a bilingual Kita. membership@awcberlin.org
TREASURER – ANGELA ANDERSEN
Angela Andersen grew up in Sweden, studied economics, business administration, engineering and social sciences at universities mainly in Berlin and Darmstadt. In 1996, Angela moved back to Berlin with her husband, Thomas, a start-up consultant. Since then, she has been working as a business coach, helping individuals to overcome obstacles and reach their career goals. In tandem with her consulting work, she has held positions within several non-profit organizations. One of these roles was an EC-member of the National Council of German Women’s Organizations, an umbrella organization of 60 nation-wide women’s associations covering professional, religious, trade union, political, sport and social objectives. The National Council has special adviser status at the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, and is a founding member of the European Women’s Lobby (EWL). Angela loves cultural history, science, skeptical questions and early morning swimming. treasurer@awcberlin.org
SECRETARY – SARA SWITZMAN
Sara Switzman is a Canadian who arrived in Berlin two and a bit years ago by way of Dublin, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Originally from Toronto, Sara completed two undergraduate degrees, in psychology and teaching. She then followed her heart to San Francisco where she lived and taught for 8 years, completed a Master’s Degree in Teaching, and experienced the joy of having a son. Next, she relocated to Los Angeles where she loved the sunshine and fresh food. She began working with a kids cooking company called Raddish and still writes monthly lesson plans to enrich the monthly subscription service. With her family she embraced the motto “Adventure is out there!” and moved to Dublin, Ireland. There she learned some interesting vocabulary and developed a taste for Guinness. After a short two years exploring the Emerald Isle and getting hooked on European travel a work opportunity presented itself in Berlin and they were adventuring once again. Now happily into her third year here she studies German, tutors primary students and is actively involved at Berlin Metropolitan School. As a self-described “collector of experiences” she is thrilled to join the board with other strong women of the American Women’s Club of Berlin. secretary@awcberlin.org
Click here for past Board of Directors.