Speaker: Lisa Cruden, LMSWPresident, Exalta Health BIO: Lisa Cruden is President of Exalta Health, a nonprofit organization serving the Grand Rapids community through compassionate, whole-person healthcare and support for individuals and families facing barriers to care. With a strong commitment to community health and equity, Lisa provides leadership for Exalta Health’s mission to improve the…
Speaker: Doug Mooney Title: English Language Fellow, U.S. State Department Bio: Doug Mooney is an experienced educator and language professional who recently served as an English Language Fellow with the U.S. Department of State. Through this prestigious fellowship, Doug works with universities, educators, and students abroad to strengthen English language education, enhance teaching methodologies, and…
Speaker: Nick Abraham Title: Manager of Regulatory Strategy at ITC Holdings BIO: Nick Abraham is the Manager of Regulatory Strategy at ITC Holdings, where he helps shape regulatory policy and strategy for one of the nation's largest independent electric transmission companies. In his role, he works on complex energy policy issues, collaborates with regulatory agencies…
Speaker: Doug Lepisto - Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Sleeping Giant Capital Bio: Doug is co-founder and managing partner of Sleeping Giant Capital. He stewards the firm’s distinctive mission and principles and drives the continued innovation of Sleeping Giant’s pioneering place-based model. Doug leads Sleeping Giant’s investment thesis development and underwriting, investor relations, and university partnerships.…
Join us as we kick off a new Rotary year and welcome incoming Club President Joel Hondorp. President Joel will share his vision and goals for the year ahead as he leads our club into an exciting new chapter.
Join the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids on June 25th for our annual “Passing of the Tiller” Luncheon, a special tradition marking the transition of club leadership. During this ceremony, outgoing 2025–2026 President Shannon Kolarik will officially pass the presidential tiller to incoming 2026–2027 President Joel Hondorp. We’ll celebrate the accomplishments of President Shannon’s term and hear her reflections on a…
BIO: Mike is a nationally recognized universal design expert helping organizations create inclusive, accessible, and safer environments across the globe. With the goal of bringing positive change to the world, he advocates for eliminating physical and social barriers in the built environment so all individuals can flourish, maintain their independence, and improve their quality of…
BIO: Lisa M. Perhamus was the inaugural Padnos/Sarosik Endowed Professor of Civil Discourse at Grand Valley State University and now serves as the inaugural director of the university's Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civil Discourse. In addition to her directorship, she is a professor in the Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies at Grand Valley. Earning her Ph.D.…
Join us for our Club Committee Update Luncheon! Our club offers a variety of opportunities to serve, one of which is on committees that keep us engaged and allow us to grow and serve more in the community and beyond. On May 28th, we will hear from the Membership, Rotary International Foundation, and Club 77…
Skot Welch is a nationally recognized speaker, author, entrepreneur, and community advocate based in West Michigan. He is the founder and president of Global Bridgebuilders, an organizational development and inclusion consulting firm that works with businesses and communities to strengthen leadership, engagement, and belonging initiatives. Welch is also the co-founder and managing partner of the…