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Leadership Teams

PALAC Board   

PALAC’s Board includes Officers (the Executive Committee) and Directors. Officers are elected and serve in their positions for at least one 1-year term, whereas Directors are elected for 3-year terms.

The Board meets via Zoom on the fourth Thursday of every month beginning at 4:00 pm.

Coralie Whitcomb, Co-President

Coralie Whitcomb - CoPresident 2025 

I’ve always loved reading, whether fiction or nonfiction. That’s why when I was introduced to PALAC 11 years ago, I knew it was a perfect fit for me. I also love leading group discussions and Board meetings, and I especially like MCing events — another perfect fit. But the most perfect fit of all are the wonderful people I’ve met and the deep friendships I’ve made over the years. I know they will last a lifetime!

Carolyn Karpin, Co-President

Carolyn Karpin - CoPresident 2025

I LOVE PALAC! It’s like a second family and has been an incredible part of my life for close to 20 years.  I have enjoyed so many positions at PALAC over the years (Co-President, group leader, participant and chair of several committees). After all this time, I continue to enjoy this amazing organization.  


Anthony Koerner, Vice President

I joined PALAC in 2020, several years after retiring from practicing medicine in Pasadena for 35 years. I have found that it has enriched my retirement years by providing new experiences, stimulating discussions and opportunities to make new friends.

It is a remarkable organization that offers the stimulation that I feel is so important for senior citizens.

Susan Phifer, Treasurer

PALAC has provided enrichment to my life, whether it be exploring current topics deeply in a small group of people with diverse life experiences, reading/discussing authors I previously had not appreciated or participating in field trips.

I also appreciate the opportunity to serve on the Board and help this organization continue its history of serving the community.

Sue Hogan, Secretary 

I was receiving PALAC program brochures for several years while I was still working.  They always interested me, but I didn’t have sufficient free time to participate. However, as soon as I retired, I joined and — that was over 20 years ago! I’ve since read many books and enjoyed and learned from the discussions. I’ve read books that I would never have read on my own -- for example, The Theory of Relativity! I’ve enjoyed many field trips and other offerings and, best of all, I’ve made many friends and now have a busy and fun social life. My life is so much richer since joining PALAC!!

PALAC Directors


Terms Ending January 2026
Jane Crane
Bob Diller 
Beth Mael
Patrick Matthews
Joan Stafford
Terms Ending January 2027
Carolyn Karpin
Sue Komarek
James Liu
Christine Rufolo
Coralie Whitcomb
 
Terms Ending January 2028
Lisa Darling
Sue Hogan
Anthony Koerner
Marjorie Levin
Susan Phifer



2025 Committee Chairs


Annual Meeting:   Bob Diller and Coralie Whitcomb

Appreciation Dinner:
Beth Mael

Communications:
Bob Diller

Governance: 
Coralie Whitcomb

Leadership: 
Tony Koerner and Sue Komarek

Membership: 
Patrick Matthews

Nominations: 
Sue Komarek  
Potluck: Susan Phifer and Marilyn Wilander

Program Planning Brunches: 
Bob Diller and Joan Stafford

Programs: 
James Liu

Retreat:
Bob Diller and David Whitcomb 

Social: 
Christine Rufolo and Marge Levin

Social Secretary:
Carolyn Karpin

Website: 
James Liu and Donna Jaffee

Discussion Group and Field Trip Leaders

Our discussion group leaders go through extensive training, either in person or on Zoom, and each receives a copy of our Leaders’ Manual. Rather than lecturing, our leaders learn how to facilitate discussions and keep them lively, penetrating and, most of all, civil. Our leaders become accomplished facilitators who gladly give their time because they value PALAC and its educational objectives.

Field trip leaders are trained in the protocol they must follow when leading a field trip, including administrative tasks.