FIUTS Staff

Era Schrepfer
Executive Director
era [at] fiuts.org

A former Peace Corps Volunteer from the Dominican Republic, Era has worked and volunteered with many of Seattle’s non-profit organizations. Era is a Minnesota native who was raised in Seattle and graduated from the University of Washington. Era lives with her husband and daughter in South Seattle and loves Latin music, Thai food, dark chocolate, and fiction from around the world.

Other Languages Spoken: Spanish
Favorite Place on Earth: Palenque, Mexico
Next place I’d like to go: India
Favorite international dish: Asopao de Pollo con Guandules
Favorite thing about FIUTS:  Peanut butter sandwiches and being able to learn something new every day!

Alison Kilkenny
Homestay and Community Relations Coordinator
alison [at] fiuts.org
With parents who were teachers for the military school system, Alison grew up mostly in Japan. She graduated from the University of Washington in 2005, receiving a liberal arts degree in sociology and political science. She briefly moved to Vietnam to teach English. She returned to the US and became and AmeriCorp Volunteer. Alison sings in the Seattle Peace Choir and likes to explore different international restaurants throughout Seattle.

Favorite Place on Earth:The beaches on Okinawa
Next place I’d like to go: Brazil, South Africa, Israel
Favorite international dish: Nan and Tandoori chicken
Favorite thing about FIUTS:The energy, openess, and amazing people.

Nicole Comforto
Manager of Student Programs
nicole [ at ] fiuts.org

A Seattle native, Nicole grew up in the Pacific Northwest and earned a degree in French and Music.  After graduating she worked and traveled abroad in Australia, France and Peru.  She returned to Seattle to work as a Study Abroad advisor in 2006, and joined FIUTS in September 2008.  She enjoys planning Happy Hours, practicing French and Spanish, and playing music with her band, Million Dollar Nile.

Other Languages Spoken: French, some Spanish
Favorite Place on Earth: Seattle (of course!)
Next place I’d like to go: India, Thailand, South Africa… do I have to pick just one??
Favorite International Dish: Curry
Favorite thing about FIUTS: All the interesting and enthusiastic people!

Najla Elgiadi
Office Assistant
info [at] fiuts.org

Najla is a senior at the University of Washington studying Public Health. She is interested in the study of populations and their environmental/diet habits correlating with health issues. Originally from Spokane, Najla moved to the wonderful city of Seattle for her studies. She considers being involved in FIUTS a rich experience for her to learn from others from all corners of the world.