Rotary Club Of Grand Rapids

2.2.23 - Club 77
2023-02-02 16:30 - 18:00 UTC | Samaritas Senior Living, 2000 32nd St SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49508, United States
Join us for our monthly Rotary Club 77 sponsored by Samaritas Senior Living and Rotarian Angela Varga!
DATE:
Thursday, February 2, 2023
TIME:
4:30-6:00 PM
LOCATION:
Samaritas Senior Living
2000 32nd St SE Grand Rapids, MI 49508
EVENT DETAILS & RSVP:
Live Entertainment, light appetizers, beverages, tours, and free onsite parking
Club 77 events are a great way to introduce and invite prospective members, partners, and guests for an evening of fun, food, beverages, and networking!
Please RSVP to the Rotary office at rotary@grrotary.org by Friday, January 27th and if bringing a guest, please provide their name in the RSVP email.

2.7.23 - Ronald McDonald House - Volunteer Opportunity
2023-02-07 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Ronald McDonald House, 1323 Cedar St NE, Grand Rapids, 49503, United States
Our Community Engagement Committee is pleased to provide the following volunteer opportunity for our Rotarians and friends!
February 7th – Ronald McDonald House Dinner Prep
Contact:
Larry Milks @ larry@themilks.org
Date:
Tuesday, February 7th — 4 pm – 6 pm
Location:
1323 Cedar St NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Details:

5 volunteers needed
Cooking and preparing meals
A wonderful time of service, teamwork, and conversation

2.9.23 - Scott M. Peters
2023-02-09 12:00 - 13:15 UTC | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Scott M. Peters – Author, Making Waves: Michigan’s Boat Building Industry, 1865-2000
Scott M. Peters is Curator of Collections at the Michigan Historical Museum in Lansing and a lifelong Great Lakes boater. A frequent contributor to Michigan History Magazine, he has been collecting information on the state’s boat-building industry for the past 25 years.
Michigan will always be known as the automobile capital of the world, but the Great Lakes State boasts a similarly rich heritage in the development of boat building in America. By the late nineteenth century, Michigan had emerged as the industry’s hub, drawing together the most talented designers, builders, and engine makers to produce some of the fastest and most innovative boats ever created. Within decades, gifted Michigan entrepreneurs like Christopher Columbus Smith, John L. Hacker, and Gar Wood established some of the nation’s top boat brands and brought the prospect of boat ownership within reach for American consumers from all ranges of income. More than just revolutionizing recreational boating, Michigan boat builders also left their mark on history—from developing the speedy runabouts favored by illicit rum-runners during the Prohibition era to creating the landing craft that carried Allied forces to shores in Europe and the Pacific in WWII.

2.16.23 - SAS'y Community Engagement Luncheon
2023-02-16 12:00 - 13:15 UTC | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
SAS’y Community Engagement Luncheon
Info to be provided

2.23.23 - Matthew Biersack, MD
2023-02-23 12:00 - 13:15 UTC | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Matthew Biersack, MD – President, Trinity Health Saint Mary’s
Dr. Matthew P. Biersack is an internist in Grand Rapids, Michigan, affiliated with Trinity Health Grand Rapids. He received his medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine and has been practicing for almost 20 years.

3.2.23 - Club 77
2023-03-02 16:30 - 18:00 UTC | Deksia, 49 Coldbrook St SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503
Club 77 – Deksia
Join us for our monthly Rotary Club 77 sponsored by Deksia and Rotarian Chelsea Dubey!
DATE:
Thursday, March 2, 2023
TIME:
4:30-6:00 PM
LOCATION:
Deksia
49 Coldbrook St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
EVENT DETAILS & RSVP:
Hors d’Oeovres by Deksia’s resident chef, wine and beer from Martha’s Vineyard, tours, and free onsite parking
Club 77 events are a great way to introduce and invite prospective members, partners, and guests for an evening of fun, food, beverages, and networking!
Please RSVP to the Rotary office at rotary@grrotary.org by Friday, February 24th and if bringing a guest, please provide their name in the RSVP email.

3.9.23 - Eric Hipple
2023-03-09 12:00 - 13:15 UTC | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Eric Hipple – Speaker & Author, ESH Time LLC
Eric Hipple is a former National Football League (NFL) quarterback whose ten-year career was spent with the Detroit Lions. Born in Lubbock, Texas, and raised in Downey California, Eric graduated from Utah State University with a degree in Business administration and was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 1980.
Hipple’s accomplishments include two playoff bids, a divisional championship, and the Detroit Lion’s most valuable player award for the ‘81season. From 1995-2000 Hipple was the color analyst for the FOX NFL pre-game show in Detroit. Since his 15-year-old son Jeff’s suicide, Hipple has devoted his life to building awareness and breaking down the stigma surrounding depressive illnesses. Hipple received an honorary Doctorate for his work in Mental Health from his Alma Mater while giving the commencement speech to the 2019 class at Utah State University. He also received the University of Michigan 2015 Neubacher Award for work with the stigma associated with disabilities, the Detroit Lions 2010 Courage House award and the prestigious 2008 Life Saver Achievement award given by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Eric co-authored a study examining depression among retired football players, the study appeared in the April 2007 issue of Medicine & Science in Sports in Sports & Exercise. He was awarded a presidential citation at the American Psychological Association’s 2006 Annual Convention for his six years of national community-based work combating adolescent depression and suicide prevention.
His message of resilience has provided mental fitness awareness to professional groups, military, law enforcement, schools, communities, and thousands of high school and youth coaches. In conjunction with Navy U.S. Fleet Forces, he has provided workshops on destructive behavior and suicide prevention over an eleven- year span by focusing on Mental Fitness. His book “Real Men Do Cry” received a publisher Presidential Award. After retiring from the University of Michigan he joined the Comprehensive Depression Center, where he spent ten years as outreach coordinator. He helped found the After The Impact Fund supporting mental health
treatment for NFL Legends and military veterans. Most recently, Hipple was the recipient of the One Heart Award from the Detroit Has Heart Foundation and is currently working to provide Mental health awareness serving the public with an emphasis on military veterans, youth, and employees in the workplace. Eric’s commitment to helping others find a quality in life is demonstrated through work with nonprofit foundations and their missions.

3.16.23 - Praveen Thadani
2023-03-16 12:00 - 13:15 UTC | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Praveen Thadani – CEO, Priority Health
Thadani’s 25-year healthcare career includes experience managing consumer, commercial, and government health plan products. Thadani brings a passion for transforming the industry along with a successful background in services and programs that manage medical costs, the development of value-based provider programs, new product development, plan innovation, and unique market programs.

3.18.23 - Village Water Filters - Volunteer Opportunity
2023-03-18 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | Village Water Filters, 4064 Division Ave S., Grand Rapids, 49548, United States
Our Community Engagement Committee is pleased to announce a volunteer opportunity!
Sign up to volunteer here: Volunteer Signup Link
Village Water Filters
Date:
Saturday, March 18th — 10 am – 12 pm
Location:
Connect Building
2146 Division Ave South
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Details:
It will be a fun morning of volunteering to make clean and safe water available to those who need it, while also providing a fantastic opportunity to get to know your fellow Rotarians!
Contact:
For more information contact Ruthann Schulte or Christine Lindeman with questions. Sign up to volunteer here: Volunteer Signup Link

3.23.23 - David Norris
2023-03-23 12:00 - 13:15 UTC | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Speaker: David Norris – VP & CFO, Pridgeon & Clay
David joined Pridgeon & Clay (P&C) in 2017 as the CFO and subsequent Board Member. Prior to P&C, he was the CFO at Hendrickson. His career started at Chrysler before moving to Eaton where he held increasingly higher-level Finance positions. He has been fortunate to have lived and worked in Canada, Mexico, and Belgium. He graduated from Wayne State University with an undergraduate degree in Accounting and an MBA. He currently resides in Ada with his wife Laurie. When not working, he enjoys hiking and spending time with his family.

3.30.23 - Dr. Anna Moore Ph.D.
2023-03-30 12:00 - 13:15 UTC | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Director, Precision Health Program, MSU
Assistant Dean, College of Human Medicine, MSU
Dr. Anna Moore is the Professor of Radiology and Physiology and the Director of Precision Health Program and the Assistant Dean at the College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University.
Prior to joining MSU, she had a successful career at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School where she was a Professor and Director of Molecular Imaging Laboratory. Dr. Moore has a Ph.D. in Bioorganic Chemistry from the Institute of Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences. Her research is in the area of cancer imaging and image-guided therapy. She is a co-founder of TransCode Therapeutics, a company that is aimed at bringing these therapies into clinics.
Dr. Moore is a recipient of multiple grants from the NIH and other agencies and published in the most prestigious journals including Nature, Nature Medicine, Nature Biotechnology, PNAS, and others. She received multiple awards including a Distinguished Investigator Award from the Academy of Radiology Research and an Outstanding Teacher Award from the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. She served as a Member of the Board of Trustees of the World Molecular Imaging Society (WMIS). For her service to the Society, Dr. Moore was elected as a Fellow of the World Molecular Imaging Society.

4.6.23 - No Luncheon
2023-04-06
No Luncheon – Spring Break

4.13.23 - Interact Luncheon
2023-04-13 12:00 - 13:15 UTC | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Interact Luncheon
Info to be provided

4.15.23 - Clean-up at Indian Trails Camp - Volunteer Opportunity
2023-04-15 09:00 - 12:00 UTC
Once again the STRIVE students will be leading a service project at Indian Trails Camp and they are inviting us to participate. There will be work for all skill levels from cleaning to fixing, to painting in order to get the camp ready for another year of service to the community so no need to be shy. After our morning of service, we’ll be provided a lunch by the STRIVE folks. This is an essential organization to our club and a great opportunity to work alongside our STRIVE students and show them what it means to be an active member of Rotary and the community. Please sign up at the following link SIgn-Up Link and indicate if you will stay for lunch.
Who: You
What: Clean-up at Indian Trails Camp
Where: Indian Trails Camp
O-1859 Lake Michigan Drive NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49534
When: Saturday, April 15, 2023, from 9:00 AM – 12PM (lunch to follow)
Why: Because service is what we do and connecting with our STRIVE students and showing them a great example of service above self is important.

4.20.23 - Jeff Donofrio
2023-04-20 12:00 - 13:15 UTC | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Jeff Donofrio – President & CEO, Business Leaders for Michigan
Jeff Donofrio is President and CEO of Business Leaders for Michigan, the state’s business roundtable, which is dedicated to making Michigan a Top 10 state for jobs, education, widely shared prosperity and a healthy economy. The organization is composed exclusively of the executive leaders of Michigan’s largest companies and universities. Members drive 40% of the state’s economy, employ more than 540,000 people in Michigan, generate over $1 trillion in annual revenue and serve more than half of all Michigan public university students.
During Jeff’s tenure, the organization has notched significant accomplishments, including increasing the state’s economic competitiveness, advancing K-12 education reforms, expanding talent pathways and strengthening Michigan’s business climate. Recent successes include the largest proactive site development investment in Michigan’s history, transformational investments that resulted in 12,000 new jobs in critical sectors such as semi-conductor manufacturing, food processing and electric vehicle production; advancing equity funding in K-12 education; and renewed funding for community college programs and a new $250 million scholarship program for four-year colleges. Jeff also guided the development of a new strategic plan for the organization, Compete to Win: Michigan’s Path to Top 10, and provided leadership during the COVID-19 healthcare/economic crisis.
He previously served as Director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), leading the state’s workforce, economic development, housing, and labor activities and overseeing 2,700 employees and a $1.6 billion budget. Prior to LEO, Donofrio served as the Executive Director of Workforce Development for the City of Detroit and as an executive at Ford Motor Company. He also led the Michigan operations for Congressmen John D. Dingell and Sandy Levin and served in the Granholm administration.
Jeff grew up working in his family’s small businesses and earned his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and MBA from Georgetown University.
He co-chairs Launch Michigan (Michigan’s K-12 education coalition). He also serves on the boards of the Michigan Workforce Development Board, Detroit Economic Club, United Way for Southeastern Michigan, the Michigan Educational Excellence Foundation and the [Detroit] Mayor’s Workforce Development Board, as well as the University of Michigan Innovation Partnerships National Advisory Board and the Protect Michigan Commission. Previously, Jeff chaired the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, was a member of Michigan Economic Development Corporation Board, Michigan Strategic Fund, and U.S. Conference of Mayors Workforce Development Council. In 2018, he was appointed to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s transition team as Special Advisor for Jobs and the Economy and was named to Crain’s Detroit Business 40 under 40 class.

4.27.23 - STRIVE Luncheon
2023-04-27 12:00 - 13:15 UTC | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Our annual STRIVE student program luncheon will celebrate and highlight all the wonderful things the students and mentors have been up to!

4.28.23 - Ronald McDonald House - Volunteer Opportunity
2023-04-28 16:00 - 18:00 UTC | Ronald McDonald House, 1323 Cedar St NE, Grand Rapids, 49503, United States
Our Community Engagement Committee is pleased to provide the following volunteer opportunity for our Rotarians and friends!
April 28th – Ronald McDonald House Dinner Prep
Contact:
Larry Milks @ larry@themilks.org
Date:
Friday, April 28th — 4 pm – 6 pm
Location:
1323 Cedar St NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Details:

5 volunteers needed
Cooking and preparing meals
A wonderful time of service, teamwork, and conversation

5.4.23 - Club 77 + Member Recruitment Event
2023-05-04 16:30 - 18:00 UTC | Custer Inc., 217 Cesar E Chavez Ave SW, Suite 200, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
On May 4th Rotarian Shannon Kolarik will be hosting our monthly Club 77 at Custer! This is also our annual Membership Recruitment Event, so you are encouraged to invite a colleague, business client, or friend to join us!
Date: Thursday, May 4th @ 4:30 – 6PM
Location: Custer – 217 Cesar E Chavez Ave SW, Suite 200 Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Parking: Please drive through the gate for parking. Any vehicles in the front lot may be towed.

5.9.23 - Frederik Meijer Service Above Self Award Dinner
2023-05-09 18:00 - 21:00 UTC | The Cultural Center at St. Nicholas, 2250 E. Paris Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49546, United States
Kate Pew Wolters has been chosen to receive the Frederik Meijer Service Above Self Award, given by the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids. The award is presented in recognition of Frederik Meijer’s philanthropic acts of selfless service to our community, which left a lasting impact on the lives of others.
“Kate Pew Wolters deserves this award because she devotes her entire being to giving back to our community,” said Neil Marchand, attorney at Miller Johnson and one of her nominators. “Her pace is “nonstop,” and her impact has been profound.”
Kate Pew Wolters is living proof that an individual’s life circumstances do not define what that individual can do. Throughout her life, Kate Pew Wolters has broken down barriers—both literal and metaphorical—to make our community a more inclusive place. Not afraid to tell the truth and advocate for her beliefs, her life’s work dispels the notion of inability and teaches us all that every person has value and can contribute to improving all of our lives.
Wolters has transformed our community with a primary focus on educational, disability, and arts institutions. Presently she chairs the Steelcase Foundation, co-chairs the First Steps Kent Commission (a community partnership focused on building a coordinated system of early childhood services in Kent County), co-chairs the Johnson Center for Philanthropy Leadership Council, and serves as a trustee for Grand Valley State University.
“We’re so fortunate to live in a community with many potentially worthy recipients,” said Wolters. “I’m honored to have been chosen.”
Previous Frederik Meijer Service Above Self Award winners include Dave & Karen Custer; Marge Wilson; Jacqueline Taylor, PhD; Shelley Irwin; Rick DeVos; Luis Tomatis, MD and John & Nancy Kennedy.
“In Rotary, we work to make our community and the world an inclusive place,” said Doris Drain, President of the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids. “In honoring the great work of Kate Pew-Wolters, we are validating these efforts. In the spirit of Fred Meijer, Kate’s many acts of selfless service have made the Grand Rapids community a better place.”
The Rotary Club of Grand Rapids will honor Kate Pew Wolters at the Frederik Meijer Service Above Self Award Celebration on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at 6:00 pm at The Cultural Center at St. Nicholas, 2250 E Paris Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI. Proceeds of the event will benefit the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids Charities Foundation. The Rotary Club of Grand Rapids Charities Foundation is organized and operated exclusively for charitable, scientific, literary, and educational purposes.
The Foundation makes gifts, grants, and scholarships to organizations, trusts, funds, or foundations that are organized and operated exclusively for charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes. A special focus is concentrated on youth activities, improvement to the environment, and other charitable endeavors promoted by the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids.
The community is invited to attend. Tickets are on sale here SAS Award Dinner Tickets, grrotary.org, or by calling 616.459.5640
If you are interested in sponsoring the event, the fillable sponsorship form is available here: 2022-2023_SAS-Award_SponsorshipForm
2022-2023 Frederik Meijer Service Above Self Award Recipient Kate Pew Wolters

5.11.23 - Dr. Keli Christopher
2023-05-11 12:00 - 13:15 UTC | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Dr. Keli Christopher – Founding CEO, STEM Greenhouse
Founder and Executive Director of STEM Greenhouse, a nonprofit organization that fervently believes if you plant the seed in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and nurture the resulting curiosity, CHILDREN WILL FLOURISH!!
My interest in math and science began with my excellent education in Grand Rapids Public Schools. I received a full scholarship to the HBCU, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and continued to the University of Illinois where I received a master’s and a Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering. I am only the third Black woman to ever receive a Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering in the world. I was often the only woman or person of color in a sea of white male faces in all my classes. This led to feelings of disconnectedness, loneliness, and alienation. Because of these experiences, I promised that one day, I would try to personally make it easier for students of color to succeed in STEM education, pursue STEM careers, and feel supported in a way that had been absent for me.
This is what I know to be true.
– Relationships are as important as curriculum in urban K-12 education.
– One person can change generations by influencing the life of a child.

5.18.23 - The Storehouse - Offsite Luncheon
2023-05-18 12:00 - 13:15 UTC | The Storehouse, 4411 Plainfield Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49525, United States
Jessica Johns – Co-Founder & Executive Director, The Storehouse
On May 18th Rotarian Jessica Johns will host an offsite luncheon at The Storehouse in Grand Rapids!

Vision:
To connect resources for at-risk populations through nonprofits, businesses, and schools; to empower people NOT enable them.

What We Do:
We procure national and local, BRAND NEW product donations, to be redistributed to local nonprofits and low-income schools.

How We Operate:
Our convenient location, large warehouse, and loading dock make it easy to receive and distribute donated products. These products are then offered through two onsite programs- StoreHouse for Nonprofits and StoreHouse for Schools.

5.25.23 - NO LUNCHEON - Memorial Day Observance
2023-05-25 12:00 - 13:15 UTC
No luncheon will be on May 25, 2023, in observance of Memorial Day.

5.31.23 - AYA Youth Collective - Volunteer Opportunity
2023-05-31 15:00 - 17:00 UTC
Our Community Engagement Committee is pleased to provide the following volunteer opportunity for our Rotarians and friends!
What: Outdoor Spring Cleanup Activities at AYA Youth Collective
When: Wednesday, May 31st from 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Where & Why and Sign-up: For details see the attached flier.
Event Contact: Stacey Woods (swoods@wolvgroup.com or 269-903-5423)
Signup Here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4EA8A823A0FD0-ayayouth

6.1.23 - Club 77 @ Millennium Park
2023-06-01 16:30 - 18:00 UTC | Millennium Park, 1415 Maynard Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49534, United States
On June 1st our monthly Club 77 will be held at Millennium Park (Open Picnic Shelter B). Appetizers and adult beverages will be served!
Date: Thursday, June 1st @ 4:30 – 6PM
Location: 1415 Maynard Ave SW, Walker, MI 49534
Off the main park entrance on Maynard Ave, Millennium Park Open Picnic Shelter B
Parking: Free parking in lot B (see map in the flyer below)

6.3.23 - Ramp Build - Volunteer Opportunity
2023-06-03 08:30 - 12:00 UTC
What: Ramp Build
When: Saturday, June 3 from 8:30 to Noon
Where: Grand Rapids Area (TBD)
Why: Helping to build a ramp to provide needed accessibility to someone’s home.
Event Contact: Dave Bulkowski (dave.b@dakc.us) or Ruthann Schulte (ruthann_schulte@yahoo.com)
Signup Here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4EA8A823A0FD0-ramp

6.8.23 - Claire Fisher
2023-06-08 12:00 - 13:15 UTC | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Claire Fisher, Director of Program Services – Alzheimer’s Association of West Michigan
Providing leadership and direction for the development, coordination and implementation of the Association’s strategic and operational program plans in West Michigan as part of the leadership team for West Michigan. Duties include oversight and implementation of care and support services; assistance with public policy objectives; and assisting in meeting development objectives. The Senior Program Director is responsible for the supervision, development and oversight of regional program staff and volunteers as assigned.

6.10.23 - Rock the Block Street Festival - Volunteer Opportunity
2023-06-10 10:00 - 17:00 UTC | Rock the Block, 1167 Madison Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49507, United States
Rock the Block Street Festival – Volunteer Opportunity – June 10th:

We are excited to announce the DEI Committees’ upcoming volunteer opportunity at the annual Rock the Block Street Festival!
The DEI Committee is asking for volunteers to help us have a Rotary presence at LINC UP’s annual Rock the Block Street Festival. Rock the Block is an opportunity for neighbors, friends, and local businesses to gather in Madison Square for a celebration of diversity and community. The event will have unique vendors, multicultural cuisine, a variety of entertainment, local art, informational and resource booths, activities for all ages, and much more. They are expecting 8,000 attendees and over 100 vendors and sponsors!

When: Saturday, June 10thVolunteer Time Blocks:
Setup: 10 AM – 1:30 PM (3 volunteers needed)
Teardown: 1:30 PM – 5 PM (3 volunteers needed)
Location: Madison Ave SE between Hall and Oakdale Street – 1167 Madison Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507

Signup Here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4EA8A823A0FD0-linc
Contact: If you have any questions please contact Katherine Roye

6.15.23 - Gina Kell Spehn
2023-06-15 12:00 - 13:15 UTC | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Gina Kell Spehn – Co-Founder and President, New Day Foundation for Families
In 2007, motivated by their personal experiences, Gina and her husband Michael started New Day at the kitchen table with no nonprofit experience, but with a deep desire to help families cope with the financial and emotional burdens of cancer. The legacies of their first spouses, Matt Kell and Cathy Spehn, are the heart and soul of New Day Foundation for Families. The origins of New Day are told in the Spehn’s New York Times bestselling memoir, “The Color of Rain”, which also became a Hallmark Original movie in 2014.
Together they have a blended family with five fun-loving young adults. They have been featured on The Today Show, Huckabee and ABC World News, and have been national speakers and radio talk show hosts, sharing their message of faith, hope and love. Gina currently serves as President of New Day Foundation and is on the Advisory Board for Camp Kesem MSU. Michael is a Financial Representative with Equitable. The legacies of their late spouses and their faith in Jesus Christ are what guide their lives and commitment to the cancer community.

6.22.23 - Fred P. Keller
2023-06-22 12:00 - 13:15 UTC | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Fred P. Keller – Founder & Chair, Cascade Engineering
Fred believes that business has the unique opportunity to complement its efforts on financial performance with important work in the social and environmental arenas. He has emphasized the key role business can play in building financial, social and ecological capital, often through partnerships with government and community agencies. Business and industry publications regularly feature his innovative management approach and work in advancing sustainability.
Fred recently completed 17 years as a Senior Visiting Lecturer at the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University. He served as an Executive-in-Residence at the University of Michigan – Ross School of Business. He was a member of the U.S. Department of Commerce Manufacturing Council with two years as chair under Presidents Bush and Obama. Keller also served on the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Board for 14 years with two years as chair. Fred is a trustee for the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation.
Fred serves on the boards of Paragon Die & Engineering of Grand Rapids, Michigan and Balcones Resources of Austin, Texas. He has previously served on the boards of the Meijer Corporation and Fifth Third Bank, West Michigan. He is currently an advisor to several startup companies around the country. He has been active with many community organizations and change initiatives. He is co-founder and chair of Talent 2025, a catalyst for the development of an integrated talent system to meet employer needs throughout 13 West Michigan counties. He served as co-chair of K-Connect, a Kent County Collective Impact Systems Change Collaborative.
A Grand Rapids, Michigan native, Fred earned his B.S. in materials science and engineering from Cornell University and an M.S. in business management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

6.29.23 - President's "Passing of the Tiller"
2023-06-29 12:00 - 13:15 UTC | University Club of Grand Rapids, 111 Lyon St NW Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
On June 29th, the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids will hold its annual “Passing of the Tiller” luncheon during which outgoing 2022-2023 Rotary President Doris Drain will pass the presidential tiller to incoming 2023-2024 Rotary Club of Grand Rapids President Shaun Shira.
Doris Drain Shaun Shira
