CARLA ROSEN-VACHER
Commercial and Economic Specialist, U.S. Embassy Luxembourg
Degrees: Baccalaureat, Lycee Francais de New-York ‘78; A.B. Harvard ‘82; M.B.A. Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania ‘88; M.A., Lauder Institute of International Management, UPENN ‘88.
Harvard–related activities: John Harvard Society Chair, Class of 1982; started the Professor Edward Rosen Memorial Book Fund for the benefit of Widener Library (planned gift); named to 25th Reunion Gifts Committee; Schools Committee: Paris (1990-98); Harvard Club of Western Pennsylvania (1998-2002); Member of Harvard Club of New York City; former member, Harvard Club of Paris and Harvard Club of Western Pennsylvania; Coordinator, re-launch of Harvard Club of Luxembourg.
Achievements and Honors: National Security Clearance, Department of State, United States Government; Certificate of Merit, Department of State.
Major Charitable or Other Activities: Member of the Board of Trustees, Pittsburgh Film Office (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.); Coordinator, Wharton Club of Luxembourg; Member of Alumni Association of the Lycee Francais de New-York; former Alumni Board member; Democrats Abroad (former Treasurer, Executive Vice-Chair and National Convention Delegate and Arrangements Chair, Democrats Abroad France). Greatest Personal Rewards and/
Greatest Personal Rewards and/or Reflections on Harvard: Deeply honored to have been nominated for Class Marshal, especially as part of such a distinguished group of classmates, I began reminiscing about fond Harvard memories - from marveling at Dryden’s dancing and Betsey’s skating talent to helping with the film and drama societies at Kirkland House and running with Reade to the Fogg to get front row seats at Neil Levine’s magical History of American Architecture lectures. Life has been full and challenging - living and working in Europe using my French and German (in Germany and France as Marketing Manager for a major consumer products company and now in Luxembourg); combining career interests (business and public service); and pursuing lifelong passions – film production, politics and tennis. Volunteer work in politics has been thrilling, thanks to Democrats Abroad, for which I served as delegate for President Clinton at the National Convention in Chicago (a great talking point when I had the privilege of greeting him while managing the U.S. Embassy residence in Paris for the late Ambassador Pamela Churchill Harriman), and to the Pennsylvania committees in the 2000 presidential and attorney general’s races and 2002 gubernatorial race. After I made a go of homemaking as full-time stepmom, my husband brought me from Paris to Pittsburgh to launch an engineering firm. I built a wonderful life there with a second career in fundraising for non-profit organizations - both social services and cultural institutions - and reconnection with friends who are like family to me. Their support helped me get through my father’s sudden passing while I was living there years earlier. Now, through the John Harvard Society, I am pleased to be keeping my father’s memory alive with the Book Fund I started on the occasion of this reunion for the benefit of Widener Library. It all seems to be coming together in this beautiful, multicultural setting – while finishing the renovation of our 1872 landmark farmhouse, I have renewed my commitment to government service in a rewarding position counseling American companies and managing commercial relations for the U.S. Ambassador.