I-House Office Managers ‘04-‘05

Leann Cherkasky Makhni, Director – I-House (USA)

Dear Friends,

Another year has passed by and I continue to be stimulated and challenged by life at the International House.

Congratulations to Pilar who had a really beautiful baby girl named Ariana last summer.  Pilar and her husband Robert then decided to move out-of-state to Phoenix, Arizona.  We really miss Pilar after 5 outstanding years with her in the front office greetin each newcomer, making everyone feel at home, and running all of the myriad day-to-day tasks and many aspects of our programs. 

As Pilar left the I-House, we were fortunate to have several competent and friendly people take over her position on an interim basis.  Each unique individual in the Office Manager position draws different people to them and offers a unique set of skills.  Thus, Anna Rudel and Tasnim Fidali who shared the position from May through October, balanced their varied work styles, developed relationships with different individuals in the House, and managed to keep us moving forward so that we were able to meet most of the needs presented to us.

Kathleen Erickson accepted the Office Manager position and with a few weeks of training managed to run the I-House over the winter break while I traveled in India.  After only two months on the job, Kathy found she had health concerns to address and had to leave her new position. 

Astonishingly, on the very day that Kathy let me know she would have to leave, I received a call from Solmaaz Sarrafzadeh who asked if the Office Manager position was filled at this time, and indicated she was very interested in taking the position for the next 6 months.  She has quickly learned the ropes and I’m very fortunate to have her on board as I search for our next long-term (I hope) Office Manager.  We’re excited for Solmaaz now as she recently was offered her first lead mezzo-soprano role in an opera.  If you’re in San Jose in the Fall 2005, come support her as she performs for Opera San Jose in The Crucible.

FALL 2004 STAFF
(Front left to right): Helen, Kerlyn, Kathleen, Tasnim, Kat, Anna, Leann
(Back Left to Right): Sam, Alan