EXECUTIVE OFFICERS 2023-2024
Carol Wolenberg, President
Carol Wolenberg is a retired educator with experience as a high school and community college instructor. She served in the Michigan Department of Education for 40 years and retired from the Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction position in 2014. Carol has been married for over 50 years to John; they have 2 adult sons and 4 grandchildren. Carol loves biking, hiking, gardening, reading and, of course, spending time with the grandkids. She has served as HELO's membership chair for the past 5 years.
Linda Smith, Vice President
Linda has lived in East Lansing for 6 years. She is a retired Occupational Therapist. She’s a cellist in the Mason Symphony and is currently the activity coordinator for HELO Club Fiber Arts Group. She lives across the street from her sister Gretchen Endres who is also on the HELO Club board.
Shereen Tabrizi, Secretary
Shereen Tabrizi, Secretary
Shereen is an educator with experience in PreK-12 and higher education. She served as Director of Assessment, English Learner & Compensatory Education with Dearborn Public Schools. She retired as the educational administrator of the Special Populations Unit at Michigan Department of Education then served on the State Board of Medicine. Shereen is married to John; they have 4 sons and 1 daughter. Shereen loves traveling, gardening, reading, the arts, cooking, and socializing. She has been with HELO for 3 years.
Ann Young, Treasurer
Shereen Tabrizi, Secretary
Ann Young moved to Dewitt, MI from the UP in 2014 after retiring from United States Department of Agriculture. As a Loan Officer, she administered loan funds to rural communities that covered several essential services. She has been a member of HELO for 10 years and currently chairs the Bowling Activity group. Ann loves playing pickleball and Bunco! She has 2 daughters and 3 grandchildren that she loves hanging out with.
Kathy Rohac, General Meeting Director
Kathy Rohac resides in Haslett with her husband Tony. They have three daughters, Jessica, Meghan, and Johanna. Kathy was a National Account Executive for Aetna Health Insurance managing health care benefits for large employer groups in multiple states. She retired in 2017 and spends her time as a macrame fiber artist. Her work is sold at local retailers, on her Etsy shop Kynot, and at various art fairs. Kathy volunteers her time teaching macrame to youth groups. She enjoys lap swimming, family vacations, and the social activity groups in HELO Club.
Club Board Members
Bloom Where You Are Planted
Appointed Board Members
Teresa Bass, PresidentIAl Advisor
Marilyn Stephen, Community Service Chair
Marilyn retired from the State of Michigan where she was the director of the Michigan Child Support program from 2002 to 2012. Prior to that, she was an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in the Jackson County Child Support program. Today, her role is grandmother to three amazing little boys!
Karen Wildrom, Directory Chair
Karen retired in December 2012 from the Office of Child Support for the State of Michigan. She spends the winters in Florida. She’s been a member of HELO Club since September 2014 and has served on the Board as Directory Chair since 2015.
Susan Southwick, Historian
Gretchen Endres, Membership CHAIR
Gretchen’s background is in Medical Laboratory Technology and Chemistry. She retired as partner at Interlake Plastic Supply, LLC. Gretchen moved to East Lansing in 2020 and found a wonderful newcomers’ group- the HELO Club! Also, her sister Linda, lives across the street. Bonus!
Laura DeGuiRE, New Members HOSTESS
Laura joined the HELO Club 8 years ago upon retiring. She was an Environmental Quality Specialist who worked with the MI Air Quality Division for 35 years. She is active in her church and lives in East Lansing with her husband Peter. They have an adult daughter who lives in Duluth MN. Laura enjoys the HELO book, euchre, fiber arts, thea
Laura joined the HELO Club 8 years ago upon retiring. She was an Environmental Quality Specialist who worked with the MI Air Quality Division for 35 years. She is active in her church and lives in East Lansing with her husband Peter. They have an adult daughter who lives in Duluth MN. Laura enjoys the HELO book, euchre, fiber arts, theater, stepping out, & walking groups as well as special events.
Barbara Breneman, Newsletter EDITOR
Barbara was born and raised in Ohio but has spent most of her years in Michigan and has been a HELO Club member since 2007. Before retirement she worked for several non-profit associations, first as a private language tutor and later for the Michigan Association of School Boards and Hope Network Rehabilitation.
Siri Rainone, MailING Distribution CHAIR
Siri is a retired teacher (2011). She joined the HELO Club in 2013 and has served as the Luncheon Meeting Coordinator (when it was a Vice President position), President, Presidential Advisor, Webmaster and electronic distribution/email Chair. She facilitates the Supper Club where members gather on the 3rd Saturday of the month to share food, fun and friendships.
Teri Thornburg Website Manager & Publicity CHAIR
Teri Thornburg is a 42-year resident of Okemos. She was first approached by HELO Club after moving in when the club offered a way to meet young women, as well as offering an unofficial babysitting cooperative. My, how things have changed! Teri's been a member since 2014, and has been the Newsletter Editor and the Treasurer.
Joy Jacobs Special events coordinator
Joy Jacobs Special events coordinator
Joy Jacobs retired in 2015 after nearly 20 years in MSU’s Department of Human Development and Family Studies, where she taught a freshman-level family relationships class to over 10,200 students and was an undergraduate advisor.