Events

As President Bryan's term comes to a close at the end of June, he will share highlights of our 2023 - 2024 year in which we celebrated our Club's 100th Anniversary. 

There will be no meeting on Monday, July 1 due to the July 4th holiday.  

Megan Zambiasi is the CEO of Vista Maria. 

What began 140 years ago as a home for girls and women in need has evolved to encompass mental health services, foster care and adoption, and secure care for the survivors of human trafficking, along with a focus on education, independent living, and advocacy for the welfare of children.

Vista Maria embraces a trauma-informed approach — understanding that all people have experienced traumatic events, yet it is through an understanding of trauma and restorative relationships that we instill hope and enable healing within each child and family.

Ann is the Director of Animal Health at the Detroit Zoo, where for the past 26 years she has been leading a team to provide excellent health care to animals of all taxonomic groups. 

Elena is the Volunteer Services and Community Outreach Manager for AccentCare Hospice. As a Medicare-certified hospice, AccentCare is proud to offer all four levels of hospice care: Routine, Inpatient, Respite, and Continuous Care. We work with our patients and medical team to determine the level of care appropriate for each patient. 

https://www.accentcare.com/our-services/hospice-palliative-care/greater-detroit/

Eric Larson has over 35 years of experience in real estate investment, development, asset management, and leasing. Since 2014, Larson has served as CEO of The Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP), a private/public partnership of corporate and civic leaders who develop and support programs to enhance downtown Detroit.
The DDP includes the Downtown Detroit Business Improvement Zone (BIZ), a special assessment district formed by downtown property owners to ensure enhanced cleaning, safety, and landscaping services in the downtown area. One of DDP’s best-known initiatives is the creation of the internationally renowned and award-winning Campus Martius Park, which attracts more than 2 million visitors annually.
 

Dr. Gustav Lo brings a wealth of experience and a trailblazing spirit to the field of regenerative medicine. Following his graduation from the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, Dr. Lo dedicated 30+ years to caring for more than a million patients through traditional primary care methods. During this time, he saw the emerging potential of regenerative medicine to address various health concerns.

Dr. Lo’s commitment to innovation led him to pioneer platelet therapy. He has successfully applied this groundbreaking approach to treat a range of conditions, including arthritis, tendinitis, and erectile dysfunction. This reflects Dr. Lo’s dedication to staying at the forefront of medical advancements. 

Regenerative medicine is a broad field that includes tissue engineering. It also incorporates research on self-healing – where the body uses its systems, sometimes with the help of foreign biological material, to recreate cells and rebuild tissues and organs.

Join us when we provide a meal to the guests of the Hope Warming Center

Zoom

Come relax and have a casual get together with fellow Rotarians.

Investment Ideas and points

How the National Realtors Association impacts consumers  

Director of Investments Angela Palacios, CFP®, AIF®, will host a thoughtful conversation with Lauren Adams, CFA®, CFP®, of the Center For Financial Planning, to explore the impact of elections on global markets. From analyzing election outcomes to understanding market volatility, this webinar promises valuable insights for investors.

Meet us in the Plum Market parking lot to help clean up trash along Maple Road.   Kid friendly, bring your whole family to help.

Terry Connolly is an engineer with about 45 years in the auto business. After a 35-year career with GM and subsequent automotive consulting, he has pursued a passion as an integral part of the recently launched Pontiac Transportation Museum. Pontiac's wheeled vehicle legacy is exceedingly deep and can be leveraged for STEM education and economic development in the community.

Taylor Holzhei is SOCRRA's primary community educator and has been giving presentations to surrounding communities for two years now. She is a true environmentalist and is very passionate about sustainability practices and sharing that with the community. She is well-versed in the solid waste industry, performing waste audits, surveying studies, and implementing clientele grant projects and programs. She believes educating the public is vital to ensuring future generations can live healthy lives on Earth. 

Katrina BeShears, LMSW, CAADC, is a licensed clinical and macro social worker. She is currently employed at the Detroit Veterans Health Administration as a Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator in Suicide Prevention. Her pertinent experience includes inpatient and outpatient mental health, substance use, and community organizing. 

Christina Mariani, LMSW, CAADC, is a licensed clinical and macro social worker. She is currently employed at the Detroit Veterans Health Administration as a Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator in Suicide Prevention. Past professional experience includes intimate partner violence programming, substance use, and community organizing.

Deb Scola is the Vice President, Strategic Relationships with the Michigan Humane Society. The Michigan Humane, founded in 1877, is the oldest and largest nonprofit animal welfare organization in the state. Michigan Humane is dedicated to helping the animals of southeastern Michigan, whether in our shelters, our veterinary clinics, or out in the community. Before joining the Michigan Humane Society, Deb was the Community Engagement Director of Michigan.Com, helping connect communities and marketers. Deb was also the Administrative Manager for the Detroit Free Press. 

Updates from our very own member, Charles Wickens. 

Dan Dingman – 1998 MSU Grad – Turfgrass Management. 34 years of experience working on golf courses. Been a Golf Course Superintendent for 18 years – Grosse Ile Golf & Country Club 2007-2011 and BCC since 2011. Served as President of the Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association in 2018. Dan currently serves on the Golf Association of Michigan Green Section Committee. He has been married to his wife Angela for 16 years and has two sons, Tyler, 15, and Will, 12.

Ryan Mertz is an experienced professional in the camping services industry, having worked in various roles at YMCA camps in Michigan. With a background in Sport & Recreation Management and Business Management from Lake Superior State University, Ryan currently holds the position of Director of YMCA Camping Services at the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit, overseeing Camps Ohiyesa & Nissokone. Before this role, Ryan served as Executive Director and Camp Director at YMCA Camp Nissokone and held the position of Program Manager at YMCA of Saginaw- Camp Timbers. Ryan's expertise and dedication have significantly impacted the camping community. Ryan Mertz is the YMCA Camp's Executive Director 

Nicole Lawson is President and CEO of Orchards Children's Service. She is also a fellow Rotarian. 

Nicole has worked to improve behavioral health in Oakland County, where she served as Clinical Analyst and Director and later as the Deputy Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer of the Oakland Community Health Network.

Most recently, Nicole served as the National Director of Behavioral Health for Valor Healthcare overseeing 50 primary care clinics in 16 states, serving over 150,000 veterans. At Valor Healthcare, she also served as Chair of the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Council. Nicole demonstrates strong leadership skills and excels at strategic planning and implementation, operational excellence, team leadership and development, and vision setting.

“Orchards’ mission is very personal to me. My husband and I were foster parents and are adoptive parents to two children. I am humbled to join such a dynamic agency,” Nicole says. “I’m excited to meet with staff and supporters and become part of such a dedicated and caring team.”

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/

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.