Events

Dr Barry A. Franklin, is Director (Emeritus) of the Preventive Cardiology/Cardiac Rehabilitation, Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital, Royal Oak and Professor of Internal Medicine, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine.  He has served as president of the American Association of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention as well as the American College of Sports Medicine. Dr Franklin has over 700 publications, including 105 book chapters and 27 books. Currently, he has formal editorial appointments with 16 scientific/clinical journals. He has served as a visiting professor in Italy and China in recent years, and has given approximately 1,200 state, national, and international presentations.

Michigan Saves is a non-profit financing program targeting homes, businesses, and public institutions. Mr. O’Grady coordinates with businesses, homeowners, utility companies, trade associations, financial partners, and other key stakeholders to implement and promote Michigan Saves statewide. He also handles recruitment and training of over 1100 skilled contractors statewide, offering confidential and impartial guidance through the process. He leads the quality assurance of energy projects to maintain the highest standards of workmanship and customer service that is expected of the contractors. 

Walking Lightly's founder, Tessa Benziger, is a social worker and mother of three who has always been sustainably-minded.  She couldn't find low-waste home and body goods conveniently in her community, so in 2019 she decided to create the solution in Walking Lightly, Metro Detroit's first zero waste refillery.

Business meeting and Endowment Fund review.

Maxwell McColl is an ambitious and energetic individual who embraces life to the fullest. Known for his compassion, charisma, and drive, Maxwell has excelled in his career while cherishing meaningful time with friends and family. Passionate about outdoor adventures and giving back to his community, he continues to be a source of positivity and encouragement to those around him. Maxwell McColl’s life took a devastating turn when a dirt bike accident left him with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The crash caused a brain bleed, lung damage, and multiple broken bones, leading to over 30 extensive surgeries. This life-altering event marked the beginning of a grueling recovery journey that required intense physical therapy, emotional resilience, and unwavering determination to regain his independence. Beyond his healing, Maxwell became increasingly focused on the systemic challenges that TBI survivors face. He recognized that there was a significant gap in the support available for individuals affected by brain injuries, particularly in terms of access to rehabilitation services, therapy, and assistive technology. His journey had made him aware of how overwhelming and isolating recovery could be without the proper resources, and he was determined to change that for others.

Learn more here: https://mcmbraininjuryfoundation.org/about-me/

Come One, Come All!  We're having a new member reception to celebrate all of our new members.  Please come out and show them some love!

Eric B. Larson has more than 35 years of experience in the field of 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. He is founder of Larson Realty Group, a privately owned company engaged in real estate investment, development, asset management and leasing.Eric B. Larson has more than 35 years of experience in the field of 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. He is founder of Larson Realty Group, a privately owned company engaged in real estate investment, development, asset management and leasing.

Jessica is a Firefighter/Paramedic with 11 years of experience in the fire service, including the past 7 years with the city of Birmingham. She currently serves as the Coordinator of Community Risk Reduction, where she leads initiatives focused on outreach, education, and safety awareness. She is passionate about building strong connections with the community, and is dedicated to reducing risk and improving public safety. Outside of duty, she enjoys spending time with her family, discovering great food, and golfing.

Third Thursday!

Come raise a glass, share an apetizer and enjoy some fellowship!

Rossana leads a boutique travel company based in the United States and Chile that specializes in slow, immersive journeys designed to disconnect to connect with nature, culture, and local landscapes. Drawing on her Mapuche heritage, experience traveling to over 30 countries, and expertise in botany and health, she personally guides small-group experiences that highlight Chile’s diverse ecosystems, traditions, and natural beauty, offering mindful adventures that allow participants to explore the world at a deeper, more intentional pace.

Sister Marie of the Cross is a nun of the Fraternite Notre Dame at the service of the poor and needy families in Detroit, MI, other cities in the USA, in France, Haiti, Madagascar and Niger. Fraternite Notre Dame is a religious order founded by the Most Rev. Bishop Jean Marie to help the poorest of the poor. Our religious nuns, priests and brothers want to be instruments of peace and unity, through their vocation and to serve all those who suffer in their heart or in their body. Sister Marie of the Cross is also a member of the Rotary Club of New York #6

Maria Dismondy is the Executive Director of Making Spirits Bright: The Metro Detroit Book Bank.  Maria is a former teacher, children’s author, and publisher who now champions book access through her nonprofit. She lives a full life with her three kids, two dogs, sweet husband—and countless stacks of books. 

Maya Wolock is a research assistant working on Rx Kids, the nation's first community-wide, unconditional prenatal and infant cash prescription program. Rx Kids provides ALL moms in a geographically-defined community $1500 during pregnancy and $500 monthly for 6-12 months after birth. Maya Wolock graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Public Health, and is a graduate of Birmingham Public Schools. 

John Maten is the president of The Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial located in Memorial Park in Royal Oak.  He retired from General Motors after 42 years, his last position was as an Assistant Chief Engineer. John was the 2024 president of the Senior Men’s Club of Birmingham. He also volunteers as a coach and mentor for FIRST robotics at both the middle school and high school levels. He feels it is important to honor our vets not just on Veteran’s Day but every day as well as all of those that have supported them.

The Red Wings are playing the Capitals and Birmingham Rotary is going to be there!

We will gather at the Birmingham Bloomfield Credit Union for bus transportation to the game at 5:15 PM on January 29th 2026.

The cost is $85 per person which includes a ticket to the game bus transportation with pizza and beverages! payment can be made directly to Bryan Frank. His Venmo is @Bryan-Frank-17  Please feel free to call Bryan to arrange payment as well:  His cell is 313.414.1169.

This event is open to Rotarians, friends of Rotarians, family, coworkers, and most importantly, potential new members.  Let's show people that Birmingham Rotary knows how to have a good time!

There are a total of 26 spots available and six have already been claimed so there are only 20 left! Please register as soon as possible to reserve your spot.

Dr Daniel Ryan is a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician and is medical director of the southeastern post-polio clinic.  He has treated thousands of patients who have survived polio and is a board member of Polio Health International.  Dan has been a member of the Birmingham Rotary Club for several years.

Clinton Baller is in his 2nd term -- and beginning his 7th year -- as a Birmingham City Commissioner. He was appointed mayor in November 2025. He came to Michigan in 1980 to work for the Detroit Free Press, where he held several editorial positions until 1990, when he started a credit card processing business. He became involved in Birmingham city politics in 2001 when he started the Birmingham Buzz, a blog before the word "blog" was coined. Its blend of hyperlocal journalism and advocacy influenced city government for nearly a decade. 

Dominic Vendittelli is a Certified Safety Professional with 10+ years working with various heavy industry manufacturing, construction, and warehouse companies. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science from Central Michigan University in Environmental Health and Safety, Dominic immediately got to work as an Environmental, Health and Safety Professional working for a company called HydroCorp, where he performed potable water safety inspections and cross-connection analysis. He now owns Shepherd Safety Consulting Services.

Najwa Sara Merchawi is a retired Software Engineering Manager and co-founder and board member of MUST University.  Sara was born and grew up in Tunisia, attended Penn State University for her bachelor's, master's and PhD degrees in Engineering.  She has held various positions in Software Development in Michigan and co-founded MUST University in Tunisia.  She volunteers as a speaker, mentor, coach, and teacher. 

Kimber Bishop-Yanke is the Founder of Kids Empowered On The Move and serves as the Chair of the Oakland County Task Force on Poverty and Homelessness. For more than 25 years, Kimber has dedicated her life to empowering children and strengthening families. Today, she works full time supporting homeless families and families facing poverty—helping them secure housing, access resources, and build stability during some of the most difficult seasons of their lives. Even while leading large-scale community efforts to prevent and end homelessness, Kimber continues to provide part-time empowerment programs and one-on-one coaching for children through the business she founded 25 years ago. Her work focuses on building confidence, resilience, leadership skills, and emotional strength in young people.  Kimber is deeply committed to ensuring that every child and every family—regardless of circumstance—has the opportunity to thrive.

Now that research has revealed that microplastics have crossed into the human brain, the alarming health risks of microplastics have been added to their increasing danger to the environment in general. It’s time to educate ourselves on this topic, so that we can act on a personal level regarding drinking water, clothing, gardening and food storage. 

Heather Sisto is a member of the Michigan Microplastics Coalition, participating in their Lansing lobbying and educational efforts. Her interest in plastic pollution began when she participated in the Flint River Watershed Coalition’s river clean-ups in the 1990s and expanded when she assigned drinking water research topics to her writing students at Mott Community College in Flint. As Honors Program Director, she was instrumental in establishing service learning at the college. Once retired, Heather became more engaged with the Nepessing Five Rivers Group of the Sierra Club’s Michigan Chapter where she serves as a board member, secretary, and newsletter editor.

Elizabeth Kessel (aka Dr Elizabeth Sykes) is a retired pathologist. She obtained her medical degree from the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, part of the University of London, but her pathology training and working career has all taken place in Michigan.  She is board-certified in anatomic and clinical pathology and has subspecialty certification in chemical pathology – the latter being the focus of most of her career.  Elizabeth will review what happens or might happen when you go for a routine lab test.

Ryan has served Metro Detroit’s homeless and human service sector for more than 15 years and led South Oakland Shelter (SOS) as CEO from 2010. Following the 2019 merger of SOS with Lighthouse, he assumed leadership of the combined organization, expanding services to include emergency shelter, food distribution, financial assistance, affordable housing, supportive services, and innovative crowdfunding solutions. Under his leadership, Lighthouse’s affordable housing portfolio has grown to more than 500 residential units, with over $100 million in multifamily developments underway across Metro Detroit. Ryan also serves in statewide and regional leadership roles, including a 2025 reappointment by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to Michigan’s Interagency Council on Homelessness, reflecting his commitment to connecting compassion with lasting impact.

Kim has over 20 years of experience in the special education field with local school districts, through teaching and job coaching individuals with special needs and developmental disabilities.  She joined the Dutton Farm administration team 5 years ago and has now been part of the Development Department for 3 1/2 years and is in charge of all their fundraising events from the Driving Fore Dutton golf outing to their High Hopes themed galas.  Kim plays an essential role in bringing their mission to life through her dedication, creativity and heart for the participants at Dutton Farm.  She leads the planning and execution of their major fundraising events, builds community awareness and coordinates third-party events that support their programs. Kim is also a proud member of the Rochester Rotary Club and this year’s Leadership Oakland XXXIV class, where she continues to grow as a community leader and is excited to make a lasting difference in the lives of others.