Introducing the first group of staff readers for our Global Book Club! Get to know them here, through their self-written bios, and stay tuned for the first book discussion later this week.
Rosanne Kohlman Rosen, Senior Vice President of Operations
- Rosanne Kohlman Rosen
I have pretty much grown up with People to People International, having spent the last 31 years working in publications, event planning and most recently as Senior Vice President of Operations. I still remember the day I accepted the job at PTPI and telling my mother that I would only be here one year and it was a stepping stone in my career goals.
Little did I realize when I was a recent college graduate how much I would love and enjoy working with people from all parts of the world and having the opportunity to see so much of the world. Growing up, travel was always an important part of our family so this was a natural stepping stone to expanding my personal and professional horizons.
Kristine, Jill and I realized the importance of identifying who we are and sharing our personal backgrounds with readers because this book is so intensely personal for the members of Nafisi’s book club. As three American women who grew up in the Midwest, our discussions often centered around the idea that we were experiencing it through the lens of our backgrounds.
I am involved in the Jewish community serving on the Board of Trustees of my local synagogue. My father is a Holocaust survivor and always instilled in me the absolute need to be fair and free of prejudice – probably a result of what happened to him while growing up in Germany. My husband, Howard and I love to travel and enjoy cooking, wine, jazz and exercise.
Kristine Knutter, Youth Programs Coordinator
- Kristine Knutter
After graduating from William Jewell College in 2005, earning degrees in International Business and Spanish and Business Administration with a specialty in Leadership/Management, I began working for People to People International (PTPI) as the Youth Programs Coordinator. I administer PTPI’s Student Chapter Program and have the opportunity to engage with more than 85 Student Chapters around the world. I also serve as a delegation leader at PTPI’s annual student conference, the Global Youth Forum. I love working for People to People International and am inspired daily by the awesome students I work with!
I am currently a part time graduate student in the Global and International Studies program at the University of Kansas. My areas of study include the Middle East, Conflict and Peace and specifically the Palestinian/Israeli conflict. I am part of a large family that all live in the Kansas City area and while I was raised Christian and studied Islam, I am agnostic.
For fun, I run in road races, travel with my longtime boyfriend Vasil, spend time with my family, dance, and study languages including Spanish, Arabic and Bulgarian
Jill Helsel, Chapter Coordinator, Americas Region
- Jill Helsel
I graduated from the University of Central Missouri in 2005, where I earned a degree in Tourism with a minor in Anthropology. Fresh out of college and in need of a paycheck, I took a job doing accounting for a small business that specialized in event production and sponsorship evaluation. A few years later, I began volunteering at a local non-profit organization called Sudan Sunrise. My volunteer work inspired me to pursue a career in the non-profit industry, so I began applying for jobs with several Kansas City-area non-profit organizations. To my great luck, I was hired by People to People International! I began working for PTPI in February 2008 as Membership Assistant and later was given the opportunity to move into the position of Chapter Coordinator for the Americas Region. I also administer PTPI’s International Visitors Program. Working with chapter members from all across the Americas, and throughout the world, has been such an eye-opening experience for me. I am continually inspired by the amazing efforts of our chapter members worldwide!
I grew up in a Christian family, but we were never actively involved with a church for much of my childhood. After a few years of being agnostic while in college, I was later baptized for a second time and currently attend a local Baptist church.
My husband Dennis and I live in Kansas City, where we are surrounded by a wonderful support system of family and friends. We are expecting our first baby in February 2010 and just recently found out that it’s a boy!
For fun, I enjoy reading, baking, traveling, watching figure skating and spending time with my family.
We will post weekly discussion questions here and welcome all to contribute to the conversation.
Stay tuned for featured PTPI staff blogs and the January 1 announcement of book two.
Tags: Global Book Club, Staff Readers