Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/303138
{ SHIRISH MULHERKAR } Member since 2013 A few months after dinner at Torchy's with Lisa and Sam, Shirish Mulherkar decided to join the WAC himself. "Sam still claims the reason I joined the Club is so I could take him out to dinner," Shirish chuckles. Shirish moved to Seattle in the mid-1980s, when he switched career paths from chemical engineering to financial services. In 2010, Shirish co-founded Seattle JazzED, a nonprofit organization that provides year-round after-school jazz education and performance opportunities for Seattle–area youth regardless of their ability to pay. "I'm passionate about arts education," Shirish says. "I think it's a critical part of childhood and community building." You might also find Shirish on Lake Washington in the summertime running Hemel Board Company. The company makes stand-up paddleboards and surfboards and also offers lessons. Before becoming self-employed, Shirish worked downtown for 20 years and visited the WAC several times a year for various meetings. "I always liked the facility and the energy at the WAC," he says. "Now that I no longer work downtown, it's a great way for me to get a workout and meet people for coffee or a sandwich." Like Sam, Shirish also enjoys visiting the Voogd Library to get work done in a quiet space. "It's a wonderful place to read, think, write, and respond to emails," he adds. As a new member, Shirish says he likes the casual camaraderie between members. Plus, he says, now he can officially treat Sam to dinner. IF YOU HAVE FRIENDS, FAMILY OR COLLEAGUES YOU FEEL WOULD BENEFIT FROM WAC MEMBERSHIP, please contact Member Services at 206.464.3068 or membership@wac.net to arrange a tour. MAY 2014 | Washington Athletic Club Magazine | 17