Alumni Spotlight - Rachel Serazin Karnani '98

Rachel Serazin Karnani, from the Elyria Catholic Class of 1998, comes from a family with a strong Panther tradition. Her parents, Scott ’70 and Becky Charnes Serazin ’70, and her two brothers, Andrew ’99 and Nathan ’04, also graduated from EC. Rachel said, “EC was always a part of our life. Growing up in Elyria and attending St. Mary’s, it was a natural fit for us to go on to EC. The values we learned at EC mirrored those my parents taught us at home.”

During her time at EC, Rachel excelled in academics and extracurricular activities. In addition to being valedictorian, Rachel was actively involved in various clubs and organizations throughout high school. She served as a member of the Senate for four years, showcasing her leadership skills and dedication to positively impacting her school community. Additionally, she was a proud member of the National Honor Society and served as an Ambassador, focusing on promoting the school's values.

On the athletic front, Rachel's competitive spirit shone through as she participated in basketball, track, soccer, and volleyball, showcasing her versatility and dedication to athletics. She also demonstrated her commitment to community service and leadership through her involvement in Key Club. “My deepest friendships grew out of being involved at EC,” commented Rachel, “Even today, these friendships simply pick up where they left off.  I think this is what’s meant by ‘loyalty that never dies’ in the alma mater.” 

After graduating from Elyria Catholic, Rachel pursued electrical engineering at the University of Notre Dame. She further enhanced her expertise by obtaining an MBA in International Business, Finance, and Marketing from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. 

Rachel's engineering and marketing background laid a strong foundation for a successful career that spanned multiple industries over more than 15 years.  She started her career at Motorola designing cell phones, went on to build financial models valuing intellectual property, and retired from the corporate world as a marketing executive. Rachel married Vikram Karnani in 2005 and pressed pause on her career in 2018 when the couple’s daughter, Simran, was in school. “I’ve had a fun and varied career, but nothing compares to being a mom. EC certainly laid the foundation in me that love and sacrifice are among life’s greatest aspirations.”

 Currently residing in Lake Forest, IL, she is now pursuing her family’s legacy in the art of hand weaving.  Her grandfather, Frank Serazin, was an avid weaver who taught the art form at the Senior Center in Oberlin for many years. When her grandfather passed away, Rachel inherited his looms and discovered a new passion for weaving.  Rachel has opened a weaving studio in downtown Lake Forest and aspires to grow it into a wellness initiative that promotes mental health and creativity.

Balancing her professional and personal life, Rachel remains actively involved in her community by volunteering on the Women’s Board of their local hospital and overseeing the construction of her family's new home. She lives with her husband and daughter, and lives by the pillars instilled in her at EC.