Events

MAKENZIE LARSON

Founder & CEO, Director of Movement & Functional Medicine
Makenzie, MS, LAT, ATC, FAAFM, is a certified and licensed athletic trainer in Michigan and Florida. She received her Master of Science in Sports Medicine from the University of Virginia. In addition, she has a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Applied and Ethics-Based, and a Minor in Biomedical Sciences from Western Michigan University. She was also a Division 1 soccer goalkeeper, captain, and Bronco Award winner for selfless leadership.

While at UVA, Makenzie worked with the 7-time national championship Men’s Soccer Program and completed her thesis on wearable technology, specifically how to use internal and external load monitoring for injury prevention, return to activity, and performance. She also studied in the clinic and operating rooms for UVA Orthopedic Surgery.

Web Site: https://www.roremethod.com/

Come join us for a casual get together.

We will not have our regularly scheduled meeting.

Join us for a get together at Brown Iron Brewery in Royal Oak-30955 Woodward Ave Ste 510, Royal Oak, MI 48073.

We have this "Tweener" as a holiday tradition while we do not meet at our regular weekly meeting over the long holiday.

Sharon McRill is the owner and president of The Betty Brigade, a relocation and organization company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Her mission is to help people live more organized and less stressful lives. Laid off from a corporate marketing job in 2003, McRill turned the setback into an opportunity. As a busy professional, she wanted to help other busy people get organized and stay that way. She’s been doing so successfully since Spring of 2003. Visit www.bettybrigade.com for more information. Sharon has published her book "Downsizing the Silver Tsunami: Who to Call and Where Does the Stuff Go," and she will have copies available. She's also appeared as an expert guest on national television. 

Ryan Webb lives in Metro Detroit, where he was born and raised, with his wife and two sons. He earned his bachelor of arts in communication and business administration from Alma College and his master of business administration from the University of Michigan’s Stephen M. Ross School of Business. His day job is as a marketer for the same Fortune 100 company he’s been with for almost 25 years, and he is elated to have also just published his first novel, Saving Will.

Gretchen Abrams joined Detroit Bird Alliance as executive director in 2022, bringing more than 20 years of leadership in environmental education and 15 years of management experience at local, national, and international nonprofits.  Gretchen has a proven record of creating and growing programs that benefit physical and mental well-being and nurture future advocates, conservationists, and stewards of birds and the environment we share. With 85 years of history the Detroit Bird Alliance is dedicated to making Detroit and our region a better place for birds and people.

Karen Kline has long been engaged with the care and support of older adults as a nursing home administrator, passionate volunteer, and caregiver to her mother. Karen’s mother, Judy, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2010 and died of the disease in 2017. In honor of her mother, Karen provides community support and education through the Alzheimer’s Association.

Join us for an informative and topical overview of the Alzheimer's Association's offerings. From Care Consultation to Social Engagement programs, the array of support and program opportunities provides much-needed support and comfort. On a much broader basis, the mission focuses on ending Alzheimer's and all other dementia by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. PDF for list of services here. 

Co-founder Bradley Perkins is a retired educator passionate about leading and seeking ways to improve the communities he serves.  He is a devoted father, foster parent, and grandparent, and sees the face of good in all individuals.  He possesses an education degree and a master's in educational leadership.  He has served on the board of Orchards Children's Services and volunteers at his local church serving meals.  He has worked as a childcare professional, classroom teacher, coach, and building-level school administrator.  The mission of One Love One Family is shared by his wife of 33 years, who desires to love and serve one's neighbors by creating an interdependent community and family.

Learn more at https://oneloveonefamily.org/

Meet JoJo Dries, Founder of On the Wings of Angels. JoJo is an Author, Speaker, and all-around inspiring human being. Her book, The Lotus: How I Beat the Patriarchy, is a gripping and relatable account of how she removed herself from a toxic home environment.

JoJo is a nationally sought-after speaker who brings her empowering message to nationwide audiences. She founded On the Wings of Angels Nonprofit to serve humans across the spectrum who desire to remove themselves from toxic and abusive situations and need direction, resources, community, and support.

JoJo firmly believes she would not currently be living the personal and professional life of her dreams without the many people who rallied around her when she needed it most, and On the Wings of Angels does just that for others.

JoJo married the love of her life, Paul Dries, after being torn apart from him by abusive and toxic environments, and they now live happily and deeply in love. They adore and cherish their two incredible sons and their adorable rescue dog.

Annual Masters Raffle Party

SCORE is focused on helping small business owners start, grow, or successfully exit a business—small business owners who receive three or more hours of mentoring report higher revenues and increased growth. SCORE volunteers come from multiple industries and backgrounds to leverage their experience and expertise for a new generation of entrepreneurs and business people. Mike Marchand is a proud veteran, a former Army Corps Engineer, and a retired Michelin Director.  Besides being a proud Dad and Husband, he is a SCORE business mentor with a background in architecture, engineering, business consulting, and transportation. His areas of expertise include business planning and structure, management operations, marketing and strategy, sales, and overall strategic planning. Visit SCORE here: https://www.score.org/

Carmen Szurpicki, Director of Philanthropy

Carmen Szurpicki joined the Pope Francis Center team in September 2023 and currently serves as the Director of Philanthropy. A metro-Detroit native, Carmen has worked in the nonprofit fundraising field for 20 years, including roles at Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley, Michigan Women Forward, and The Children’s Center of Wayne County. Carmen’s experience developing and implementing a wide range of fundraising strategies, in partnership with her expertise in relationship-based philanthropy, allows her to lead the PFC Philanthropy Team to create innovative, intentional, and strategic approaches to raise support while keeping the donor at the forefront. Carmen is focused on strategic planning to ensure immediate goals are met while creating systems and structures to support a sustainable fundraising program in the future. Carmen’s passion for social justice issues began at an early age and has been the driving force in her life and career, leading her to PFC, where her enthusiasm for ending chronic homelessness in Detroit is being put to work. Carmen is most passionate about helping people and is grateful that in her role at PFC, she can support a wide range of people, including guests experiencing homelessness through services we provide, donors, and supporters by inviting them to join us on this vital work and helping them fulfill their philanthropic goals, and through empowering a team to work hard to make a meaningful difference.

Carmen holds a Master of Business Administration in Nonprofit Management from Eastern Michigan University and a Bachelor of Arts in Interpersonal Communication from Michigan State University. 

Marc is a senior partner with The Nakisher Law Firm, PLLC. He concentrates his practice in estate planning. Marc specializes in helping clients balance their planning goals with their desire to minimize gift and estate taxes. In addition to drafting basic Wills, Revocable Trusts and Powers of Attorney, he also counsels clients on issues of family planning, guardianship/conservatorship and wealth preservation.
 
His practice includes guiding clients through the probate process, business planning, creating family limited partnerships and family limited liability companies, and assisting families with special needs children. Marc also advises clients on elder law issues, including Medicaid asset planning, substituted decision-making, health care, and quality of life issues for the elderly.

https://www.thinkestate.com/

Dawn is an account executive at ATA Title Company. While title insurance is often only considered when buying and selling a home, it plays a vital role in every real estate transaction. This is especially true in today's environment, where criminals continue to find creative ways to exploit weaknesses in systems and leverage a general lack of understanding. Dawn has over 15 years of experience in the title industry, where she facilitates the smooth transfer of ownership and ensures the integrity of each transaction. 

Community Resource Officer Gina Moody

Officer Moody has been employed by the Birmingham Police Department for nearly 22 years.  She worked as a patrol officer for 19 years with specialties including Field Training Officer, Evidence Technician, and cross-training as a dispatcher.  For the last two and a half years, Ofc. Moody has been working as a community resource officer specializing in crime awareness and prevention, security assessment, and Active Assailant training, as a Peer Support coordinator within the police department, and serves as a Crisis Intervention Team instructor.  
 

We are pleased to welcome back Dr. Freiddie Sosa from Midwest Medical Mission of Michigan, who joined us last year and is visiting again for an update. Dr. Sosa is a retired gastroenterologist who has practiced for 47 years and was most recently on staff at St. John Providence Hospitals. He attended medical school at the University of Santo Domingo and was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at Wayne State University. He has also served as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Michigan State University School of Medicine. Their FB link: https://www.facebook.com/lathru/

Our very own Dr. Embekka Roberson will update us on the state of education in our district and from a broader state-level perspective. Please join us for a fun and informative presentation by a fellow Rotarian. Dr. Roberson has served the BPS community for over 16 years, as principal of Harlan Elementary, Groves High School, and Assistant Superintendent for Student Learning and Inclusion before taking on her current role as Superintendent. She is passionate about children and their achievements, both academically and socially. Embekka's strongest desire is to work collaboratively with parents and staff to continue the great work that is the hallmark of a BPS education.

Learn more about BPS here: https://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/