Events

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/

In 1987, I was laid off from work. I had five maxed credit cards, a house note, a car note, and child support payments. It seemed I was at a dead end with no hope in sight. I became depressed because I couldn’t find employment, and my unemployment benefits were running out. There wasn’t enough money coming in to pay for everything. I didn’t know what to do and had plans to move, to run. I wanted to take my little money and leave the state. I tried to escape the pressures and responsibilities, which included my children. At that point, it was self-preservation; that’s all I knew. It seemed instinctive. I was only 25 years old.

Of course, that’s not how the story ended. God had another plan for me and my relationship with my three boys. I gave Him a chance, and immediately, my life had purpose, meaning, and direction.

This is why FARM was created: to help men reunite with and make a difference in their children’s lives. Statistics tell us that the world is a better place when fathers learn to take their rightful place, helping to raise, teach, and support their children. 

Joseph Staley is the  Vice President of On The Move   

On The Move is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded by Pamela Flood and Joseph Staley. On The Move provides resources and services to help community members overcome their daily challenges and reach their full potential. On The Move was born from tragedy—the survival of three siblings after losing their sister to domestic violence. In the face of heartbreak, our founders opened their home, offering stability, love, and a path to healing. This experience revealed a widespread gap in care for young survivors. On the Move is dedicated to empowering foster families with limited resources. Through comprehensive support programs, we provide financial assistance, essential supplies, and access to educational resources. Our goal is to reduce the burden on caregivers, ensuring children in foster care thrive in stable, nurturing environments. Together, we’re building brighter futures by addressing immediate needs and creating long-term solutions for foster families in need. Learn More: https://onthemovenp.org/

Jennifer Jackson has been involved in Hungry Howie's Pizza since she was 10, spending her summer vacations helping at stores and the corporate office. In 1998, she officially joined the company as a Fundraising Coordinator and has since held various roles, currently serving as the Vice President of Public Relations.

After the tragic loss of her sister, Dre, Jennifer founded The DRE Project to honor her memory. Over the past 4 years, the nonprofit has provided home-cooked meals and groceries to more than 1,000 needy families. Today, The DRE Project delivers 60 pounds of essential dry goods, a home-cooked meal, and a birthday box to individuals and families facing hardship across Metro Detroit. In 2025, they served over 600 new families and are on pace for the same in 2026. Jennifer currently leads the organization as the founder and President of the 501(c)(3) charity. Learn more about The DRE project at the website: https://thedreproject.org/

Jon Ganci is the Director of Michigan Advancement for Best Buddies in Michigan. His role is to oversee state operations and expand programs, including 1-1 Friendship Chapters, Job Opportunities, and leadership opportunities across the state. He has spent the last three years with Best Buddies and has worked in the nonprofit space for over a decade, primarily in Chicago and the Detroit Area. Jon is a Michigan State alum and lives in Ferndale.

Lydia Goff is the Lead Program Manager for Best Buddies in Michigan. Her role is to support current Friendship chapters across the state and work with teachers and advisers to establish new chapters, creating more inclusive environments in Michigan schools. While she has been in her role for less than a year, Lydia has been involved with Best Buddies since High School, serving as her school’s chapter president and later as president of the University of Michigan chapter. She is also a former member of the Best Buddies in Michigan advisory board.  She currently lives in Ann Arbor.

Best Buddies is the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical, and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The IDD community includes, but is not limited to, people with Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X, Williams syndrome, and other undiagnosed disabilities. Our programs empower people with IDD to form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure jobs, improve communication and advocacy skills, and live independently, while also offering support for their families. Learn more at BestBuddies.org

Join us for food and libations as we celebrate the accomplishments of our Rotary Year.  $30.00 per person.  Food, beer and wine to be provided.  

Established in 1828, the Historical Society of Michigan (HSM) is our state's oldest cultural organization, helping to connect Michigan’s past to its residents and organizations through programs, events, publications, awards, workshops, networking opportunities, and support for local history organizations.

HSM is a member-supported educational 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We receive no appropriated funds from the state of Michigan. While not a part of the state government, HSM is the official state historical society by law. We are not collection-based and have no exhibits or archives. We do not operate the state museum or archives housed at the Michigan Historical Center in downtown Lansing.

Learn More: https://www.hsmichigan.org/

The mission of the Packard Proving Grounds Historic Site is to preserve the legacy of the Packard Motor Car Company through the restoration and preservation of the Packard Proving Grounds, educating future generations about America’s automotive history. In 2002, the foundation took possession of the 14-acre site, which included the building complex and a section of the former test track.  The aircraft hangar was moved from the track infield onto this site. The preservation, rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse of the former Proving Grounds is now the primary focus of the Foundation.

Roger Luksik has been involved in a labor of love, helping to preserve and expand the historic footprint of the Packard Proving Grounds located in Shelby Township.