The Board
Meet The 2026/27 Board Of Directors
The WAC Board of Directors all volunteer their time, experience and expertise to oversee all aspects of the English Social Club and Learning Tree School. They are a group of people dedicated to the advancement of the WAC’s ideas and mission, ensuring that its constitution and bylaws are upheld while also being responsible for representing the interests of its members and leading the direction of the WAC.
© Marion Müller
President
Trushna Jhaveri
Provides operational and strategic governance to the WAC.
Trushna was born in Louisville, Kentucky, grew up in Bombay (now Mumbai), India, and has lived in New York, London and Germany before moving to Switzerland in 2010. She discovered the WAC in 2018, when her children joined the Learning Tree School. She was then pleasantly surprised to find several WAC activities she could partake in even as a mother working full-time (like the Potluck, Dinner Club, Board Game night and Summer BBQ), which helped alleviate the sense of isolation she felt as an expat in Switzerland.
In her spare time, Trushna is an avid cook and foodie and loves to socialize – her invitations to come over for a meal are genuine! She is also passionate about supporting working mothers succeed both personally and professionally in the challenging Swiss context. She is grateful for the opportunity to volunteer as President, and she welcomes your honest feedback as she navigates this new territory.
Vice President
Anna Gibney-Rohrer
Presides in the absence of the president and is the liaison for the Learning Tree school
Anna is originally from the UK and has been living in Switzerland for nearly eight years, having relocated to join her Swiss partner. They have two young daughters and a much-loved dog, who is very much part of the family.
She first became involved with the WAC while expecting her first daughter around six and a half years ago. Following her birth, the playgroups quickly became a central part of their lives, providing both community and lasting friendships. Over time, she has greatly valued the opportunity to contribute through volunteering, supporting an environment that fosters connection and mutual support among members.
Anna’s professional background is in children’s social work in the UK, where she worked in child protection before specialising in adoption. This experience has given her a strong foundation in safeguarding, family support, and advocacy for children’s wellbeing. Since moving to Switzerland, she has worked as a children’s English-language educator, while also continuing to develop her German.
She is delighted to be joining the WAC board and is looking forward to contributing thoughtfully to its continued growth, ensuring it remains an engaging and welcoming community that attracts and inspires new members.
© Denisa Sciortino
Treasurer
Emily Stauffer
Budget management and administering financial processes
Emily is originally from Minnesota, USA. She has a background in Sales & Marketing with a minor in Spanish. Her career started in Sales before transitioning into Claims Administration at the Department of Veterans Affairs. After moving to Switzerland in 2011, she navigated the challenge of learning German while building a career in Human Resources— starting as a Team Assistant and working her way up to her current role, which includes both payroll and HR administration. Her connection with the WAC began when she attended playgroups with her daughter, and as her daughter grew, so did their involvement—first in English Explorers and now in Reading & Writing classes. She has always appreciated the wonderful mix of child-focused activities and parent- friendly social opportunities that the WAC provides.
Since 2020, she is also an active Board Member of the Familienverein Pfäffikon, where she manages event communications. She would love the opportunity to contribute to the WAC in a meaningful way and ensure smooth financial operations for the club. She looks forward to supporting this fantastic community!
Board Secretary
Hannah Grunder
Manages all Board documentation, policies and procedures. Records meeting minutes
Hannah is from the Philippines and has lived in Singapore, Mexico, and Shanghai before moving to Switzerland in 2021 with her husband and three children. She runs her own interior design studio, Syrenka Studio, where she continues to explore her creativity by designing both homes and commercial spaces.
During her first year in Zurich, Hannah discovered WAC through the playgroup and quickly found a warm community of like-minded women that helped her and her family settle into life in Switzerland. As a regular at WAC activities, she also volunteered in her first year by helping with event decorations and bringing a creative touch to gatherings. Over the years, she has remained active in WAC, as she enjoys being part of a supportive and engaging community.
In her free time, Hannah enjoys yoga, Pilates, and traveling. She loves meeting new people and spending time with other families through WAC. She is delighted to contribute as Secretary and looks forward to continuing to build meaningful connections within the community.
Events Chair
Melanie Celentano
Event management for the WAC
Mel is an adventurous and passionate Italian with a rich background in hospitality. Growing up in Germany with her family, who ran several restaurants and organized events, she developed a deep love for cooking and an appreciation for the art of bringing people together through food. This early exposure sparked a lifelong passion for exploring new flavors and culinary traditions.
Mel’s travels have taken her far and wide—she has lived in Spain, spent some time in the US, and in Portugal—experiencing diverse cultures and cuisines firsthand. Traveling is another key passion for Mel, who enjoys discovering new cultures and connecting with people around the world. When not traveling, Mel practices yoga and stand-up paddling, finding both energy and balance in these activities. As a proud parent to a wonderful daughter, Mel values the importance of family and well-being. Fluent in four languages, she brings a unique global perspective to everything she does
Marketing Chair
Manuela Veta
Responsible for marketing including publications, website and advertising
Manuela is originally from North Macedonia, where she earned her Master’s degree in Marketing Management. She began her career as a Marketing Assistant and had the wonderful opportunity to spend two years in the United States through an internship program, which also helped her strengthen her English skills.
In 2011, together with her husband she moved to London, England, where she ran her own after-school club, working with children in an international environment. Since 2018, they have been living in Pfäffikon, Switzerland, and she is a proud mother to a daughter, who attends WAC Reading & Writing classes at the WAC. Over the past year, she has enjoyed connecting with other families as part of the PTA, and she particularly love meeting new people and spending Wednesday afternoons and evenings with other mothers at the WAC.
Manuela is passionate about photography and travel, and she loves exploring new places, cultures, and experiences. She considers herself adventurous, curious, and committed to being part of a vibrant community. She would be delighted to contribute in a meaningful and positive way.
Business Chair
VACANT
The main point of contact for current and new business opportunities
Board Support Staff
© Marion Müller
Office Manager
Ieva Ciceri
Manages all in-house office services, reporting directly to the President
Ieva is from Latvia and has lived in Switzerland since 2013. Before moving to Switzerland, she lived in Cambridge, UK. Her husband is from Italy and they have 2 children who both find the WAC their second home and love it dearly.
Ieva has been an active member of the club from the moment she arrived in Switzerland and has held previous Board and Chair positions at the WAC before taking on the role of Club Office Manager in 2019.
The WAC has helped her to settle in Switzerland, find friends and given her the satisfaction of having some other responsibilities, outside of being a mum. She loves hiking in the beautiful mountains of Switzerland, cycling and having a relaxing moment with a cup of tea and a good book.
Bookkeeper
Nargis Ahmed
In house Bookkeeper, reporting directly to the Treasurer
Nargis is half Swiss (from mother side) and half Bangladeshi (from father side). She grew up in then Ost- (now Bangladesh) and West Pakistan (now Pakistan) until she was 13. In 1971 she moved to Switzerland. Learned German and went to school. Did her Handelsdiplom and worked for few years. After almost 10 years went to Bangladesh to be with father and work. Got married and moved around again. Lived in Bangkok where her daughter was born, then lived in Hong Kong where her son was born and then lived in Tokyo with her family. Returned back to Bangladesh after almost 10 years. Worked at Goethe-Institut for 15 years as Head of Finances and Administration. She travelled a lot inland and abroad, enjoyed lot of cultural programs and did volunteer work.
End of 2017 she moved back to Switzerland and it was not so easy to find a job, but never gave up trying. In the past 3 years she has been working as Accounting Administrator in a company in Bassersdorf.
In her free time, she enjoys watching movies, going to concerts, visit new places, keep in touch and visit family and friends, go out for fun dinner or coffee, socialize to meet new people and loves to organize things. She is looking forward to making new friends, join the fun activities and talking and working in English in WAC.
© Denisa Sciortino