New Alumni Board Members
Expertise in management, events planning, energy and natural resources, and green business comes to the Alumni Association Board courtesy of its three newest members.
Kirsten Adams Gable and KinyonKirsten Adams Gable ’01 has worked as a management consultant for the past 10 years, supporting clients in the energy and natural resources sector. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in environmental studies and went on to earn a master’s degree in business administration from Gonzaga. She lives in Spokane, Wash., with her husband, Brent Gable, and their 18-month-old daughter, Kinyon. Gable enjoys hiking, skiing and other outdoor activities, and has participated in local charity runs. She said it’s hard to pin down just one favorite memory from her time at Whitman, but described the whole experience as fulfilling, crediting excellent professors, in particular Chuck Drabek and Bob Carson, for stimulating her intellectual curiosity.
“My time at Whitman helped to shape me into the person I am today, and I will always be grateful for the wonderful experiences I was able to enjoy,” she said. A volunteer for the Portland and Spokane Whitman alumni clubs, she is excited to continue giving back to the college as a member of the Alumni Association Board.
Kieta Mall SkoglundKieta Mall Skoglund ’89 is a 16-year veteran of the events management and hospitality industry and operates her own event consulting, photography and web design business. She has worked on numerous high-profile events, including the Presidential Inauguration. After earning her bachelor’s degree in history, she attended George Washington University for her certificate in event management. Skoglund lives in Alexandria, Va., with her husband, Randy Skoglund. Her hobbies include photography, travel, gardening and volunteering for Dog World Rescue, through which she adopted her dog, Wrigley.
Skoglund also has served as a Whitman alumni admission representative for 19 years and has organized numerous alumni events in Washington, D.C. Her goal as an Alumni Association Board member is “to give back to an institution that was so instrumental in shaping who I am today.”
Ari van SchilfgaardeAri van Schilfgaarde ’07 earned his bachelor’s degree in physics and environmental studies and currently works for a global consulting company designing more sustainable ways for businesses to operate. He lives in Seattle.
A supporter of the Spanish-language King County Bar Association’s free legal services, he also assists Spanish-speaking immigrants preparing to take their U.S. citizenship tests as a citizenship instructor for El Centro de la Raza. Van Schilfgaarde said Semester in the West was his favorite Whitman experience, recalling that he learned valuable lessons about collaborative conservation that he still applies to his work today.
“I’m excited to be able to support the college and support current students to have the type of life-changing experiences that Whitman provided me,” he said.
— Gillian Frew ’11
Nominate alumni to the board
All alumni may participate in nominating new members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. Twelve or more alumni must sign a petition on behalf of someone they wish to nominate. Emails are acceptable.
Members of the board serve three-year terms beginning July 1. The board should be representative of the diversity of the Alumni Association, with members who have demonstrated volunteer service to Whitman, and represent various class years, geographical areas and interests. A board member job description is available from the Office of Alumni or by visiting the Alumni Board website.
The deadline for nominating petitions is Jan. 31, 2012. Send petitions to Polly Schmitz ’83, assistant vice president for alumni relations, Whitman College, 345 Boyer Ave., Walla Walla, WA 99362. Questions? Call (800) 835-9448, ext. 1,