Weekly Breakfast Program Speakers
While enjoying a continental breakfast with members and guests, listen to and network with a diverse selection of fascinating guest speakers. Topics can vary from local interests to internationally newsworthy — all informative, current and engaging.
Upcoming
2024
May 1: President Ellen Williams will conduct a lively and informative business meeting with committee chairs.
May 8: Kate Bowersox, Executive Director, Books in Homes, will speak about her organization’s mission to get books into the hands of children, support schools and educators, and create a community of book lovers committed to fostering a love of reading for the next generation.
May 15: State Representative, Tarik Khan will speak about some of the major issues that the PA State Legislator is currently working on in behalf of the Philadelphia area citizens. Rep. Kahn’s area covers the 194th Legislative District which encompasses the Northwest section of Philadelphia.
Rep. Khan is a Philadelphia native and is a graduate of Central High School. Previously, Khan served as a registered nurse for nearly two decades. His father emigrated to Philadelphia from Pakistan to build a better life for himself. Tarik credits his parents and his diverse background for his urge to not only speak out about injustice but to fight against it.
In his job as a frontline nurse, he worked tirelessly during the COVID-19 pandemic and co-created a vaccine program for persons with disabilities that he presented at a White House/CDC forum. His work was featured in People Magazine and Good Morning America - GMA3 and was profiled in the award-winning documentary, "Angel Dose."
Khan received his Ph.D. from The University of Pennsylvania and his current research focuses on improving access to health care for marginalized communities, especially those with disabilities. He is the former President of the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association and founder and chairperson of Enabling Minds, which supports the education of children with developmental disabilities.
Khan has won several awards for his advocacy, including NACDD's Champions of Equal Opportunity Award for Advocacy, The Philadelphia Inquirer's Influencers of Healthcare Award, and Billy Penn's Who's Next: Community Leader Award. He also has been cited for his work by The Philadelphia City Council and The Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
May 22: Zeina Moukaddam will join remotely to speak about the Aflatoun x Ajialouna Initiative which set out to teach Lebanon’s underprivileged children how to be active citizens who can contribute to their own futures, their communities, and the world. curriculum revolves around 4 main pillars: Tolerance & Diversity, Non-Violence, Gender Equality and Initiative & Optimism.
Lebanon, a country known for its colorful diversity, has been suffering for years from extremism, conflicts, and civil unrest. Children, especially those who come from underprivileged closed communities, are being raised to embrace distorted ideas about self and society without ever being given the chance to explore a world beyond the constraints of their environment.
May 29: Darnell Hinton, Founder, Teach One Feed One, will speak about his organizations mission to provide tools for sustained sobriety to those in recovery and ongoing support to their loved ones. While Hinton (who is in recovery himself) was attending an outpatient therapy session, he was asked by his counselor what he would do that weekend. He replied: “I’m going to Kensington to feed the homeless.” He took a leap of faith and trusted that everything would work out. Teach One Feed One began on June 3, 2018, when Darnell and a team of volunteers headed to Kensington with 8 boxes of pizza. “Teach One Feed One began with $42, an iPhone 5, and an Uber account.”
June 5: President Ellen Williams will conduct a lively and informative business meeting with committee chairs.
June 12: Thomas Keels, Philadelphia author, historian, and lecturer, will speak about his extensive research and writing about Philadelphia’s storied history and architecture. Keels is the author or co-author of seven published books on Philadelphia history: Wicked Philadelphia: Sin in the City of Brotherly Love; Forgotten Philadelphia: Lost Architecture of the Quaker City; Philadelphia Graveyards and Cemeteries; Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square; Chestnut Hill, and Philadelphia's Golden Age of Retail (with Lawrence M. Arrigale).
Keel’s latest book, Sesqui! Greed, Graft, and The Forgotten World's Fair of 1926, was published by Temple University Press in 2017. Sesqui! is the story of the Sesqui-Centennial International Exposition of 1926, Philadelphia's second world's fair, which was as big a failure as the 1876 Centennial was a success. Why? The city's rampant culture of political corruption and "pay-to-play," which turned the fair into a gigantic boondoggle.
June 19: Gail Redpath, Director of Advancement, B Inspired Philadelphia, will speak about the work of her organization. Their mission is to lead the movement to empower youth to be active players in creating a healthier future. They partner with non-profits, schools, after-school programs and youth organizations to provide our wellness program that teaches and promotes healthy choices and active lifestyles using existing enrichment experiences and providing opportunities in wellness, athletics, arts, and community engagement.
June 26: Kate McNamara, Senior Vice President, Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC), Navy Yard, will speak about how her organization plans to build on current momentum and implement the next phase of growth and development at the Navy Yard. PIDC of the Navy Yard plans to be a top regional destination through key initiatives, including enhancing Navy Yard accessibility with infrastructure improvements on Broad Street and an expanded transit program; attracting new and expanding employers in research and development, life sciences, corporate and financial services, and manufacturing and industry, enhanced by a robust program of retail, hospitality and residential development; and building a community where companies and their employees thrive through workforce development partnerships, special events and programming, and public art.
Prior to joining PIDC, McNamara served as Special Assistant to Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, managing the Commonwealth’s $450 million port expansion initiative and strategic planning for the $786 million expansion of the Pennsylvania Convention Center. She also represented the Commonwealth on the boards of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority and the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority. McNamara also held positions at the Delaware River Port Authority as Assistant General Counsel, followed by Director, Port of Philadelphia and Camden to manage the $18 million Philadelphia Cruise Terminal and $10 million Riverlink Ferry System. McNamara holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in Geography from the State University of New York.
July 10: President Jay Pennie will conduct a lively and informative business meeting with committee chairs and thank members for their work over the past year. The new board of directors will also be inducted for the 2024-25 Rotary year.
July 17: TBD
July 24: Paul Isenberg, Co-Founder and CEO, Bringing Hope Home, will speak about the mission of his organization that provides Unexpected Amazingness® to local Families with cancer through financial and emotional support. Through their Light of Hope Family Program, they offer one-time financial assistance to pay essential household bills for Families with cancer. Isenberg will also speak about his personal journey that led to the founding of his organization after his wife, Nicole, was diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkin’s Lymphoma during one of her pregnancies.
Past Speakers
2024
April 24: Erin Smith, Archivist, The Stoogeum, spoke about the collection and mission of the world’s first and largest museum of Three Stooges memorabilia. Containing close to 100,000 pieces of Stoogeabilia, the Stoogeum (rhymes with museum) offers fans a chance to view a vast array of artifacts which celebrate the legacy of this legendary comedy team. The 10,000 square-foot, 3-story building houses anything and everything Stooge.
April 17: Carol Bauer, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Garden of Health spoke about the mission and programs of her organization which provide healthy, safe food for low-income families, including those with dietary restrictions, in Montgomery and Bucks Counties.
April 10: Kimberly Staub, Executive Director, Wyck Historic House, Garden, Farm, spoke about her organization’s storied history and mission. Wyck is a National Historic Landmark house, garden, and farm in the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia that served as the ancestral home to one Philadelphia family for nine generations (1690-1973). Wyck blends traditional Quaker culture with a passion for innovation. The people who lived and worked at Wyck expressed these values through their commitment to education, horticulture, natural history, and preservation. Their mission is to preserve and interpret Wyck, one of America’s most authentic historic sites, to engage learners of all ages, and to strengthen our neighboring community.
April 3: President Ellen Williams conducted a lively and informative business meeting with committee chairs. The meeting was followed by a service project making bonding squares for families experiencing the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit working with Today Is A Good Day.
March 27: Anthony Stover, Ronald McDonald House, spoke about the mission and programs that help support families on their children’s medical journeys with a community of comfort and hope. Ronald McDonald House programs provide temporary lodging, transportation, meals, and social services to families who travel to Philadelphia for pediatric care.
March 20: Paul Steinke, Executive Director, Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia, spoke about the vital role the organization plays in preserving historic properties through advocacy programs and services. The not-for-profit organization also provides education, walking tours, and publications to support their mission and serve the community.
Previously, Steinke served as general manager of the Reading Terminal Market for 13 years, where he oversaw numerous improvements to the facility and merchandise mix. In 2014, the market was recognized by the American Planning Association as one of the Great Places in America.
Earlier in his career, he served as the founding Executive Director of University City District, a neighborhood improvement organization that has been central to the revitalization of West Philadelphia. Before that, he was a founding staff member of the Center City District, Philadelphia’s downtown improvement agency, where he spent seven years as its Finance Director.
A lifelong Philadelphian, Steinke holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and economics from Pennsylvania State University and an MBA from Drexel University. Paul serves as board treasurer of The Fund for the Water Works and serves on the board of directors of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, National Preservation Partners Network, Temple University Libraries, and the City & State PA advisory board. He lives in University City with his husband and partner of 29 years, David Ade, an architect with a practice based in Philadelphia.
March 13: Captain Tanisha Richardson-Williams, Commanding Officer of the 14th District, Philadelphia Police Department spoke about public safety concerns. The District covers parts of Northwest Philadelphia including Chestnut Hill, Mt Airy, and Germantown neighborhoods. Captain Richardson-Williams, who grew up and attended schools in Germantown, received her appointment to the 14th District in February 2023 and has been a police officer since 2006.
March 6: President Ellen Williams conducted a lively and informative business meeting with committee chairs.
February 28: D.F. Pace, Inspector, Philadelphia Police Department, presented, “Crime in the City,” which focused on violent crime and the challenges facing policing in Philadelphia.
Inspector Pace oversees Homicides and Non-fatal Shootings, Special Victims Unit, Major Crimes Unit and an FBI Task Force for the Police Department. He is also a Rotary Peace Fellow and graduate of the Rotary Peace and Conflict Studies Fellowship, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Pace was chosen from among thousands of applicants. As an attorney and Police Inspector in the nation's fourth largest police department, Inspector Pace focuses on balancing constitutional protections and civil rights with public safety. In addition to his patrol experience, Pace has also held positions in the Law Department, as Judge Advocate, Police Academy Instructor, Public Information Officer and Commanding Officer of the Court Evidence Unit. He considered his involvement in the Rotary Peace Fellow Certificate Program to be “on a par with that at the FBI National Academy,” and the training gave him skills and insights that has influenced and been applied throughout his career in law enforcement. Pace is no stranger to the lectern. A veteran adjunct professor, he has taught and continues to teach graduate and undergraduate courses at several colleges and universities.
February 21: Rachel Rutter, Esq., Executive Director, Project Libertad, spoke about her organization’s work that empowers newcomer immigrant youth and their families by providing essential, youth-led, and youth-centered legal and social services.
Rutter, a passionate advocate for immigrant children's rights, founded Project Libertad in 2015. She is a graduate of the Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law and Gettysburg College. Rachel served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Costa Rica and an Equal Justice Works JusticeAmeriCorps Fellow. She has lived and worked in Spain and Puerto Rico. Prior to transitioning full-time to Project Libertad, Rachel spent several years as a Staff Attorney representing immigrant children in removal proceedings at HIAS Pennsylvania.
February 14: Stacey Ballard presented the work of Rotaplast International, Inc., the organization committed to helping children and families worldwide by eliminating the burden of cleft lip and/or palate, burn scarring, and other deformities. Working with local professionals, Rotarians, and other organizations, Rotaplast sends multidisciplinary medical teams to provide free reconstructive surgery, ancillary treatment, and training for the comprehensive care of these children. Rotaplast was founded in 1992 initially as a service project by members of the Rotary Club of San Francisco to facilitate a surgical program in La Serena, Chile. Ballard is a member of the Rotary Club of Upper Main Line.
February 7: Service Project. In lieu of the breakfast program, members and other volunteers prepared food and delivered to Prevention Point Philadelphia, which promotes the health, empowerment and safety for communities affected by drug use and poverty. Volunteers are encouraged to bring food items to be made and assembled for delivery.
January 31: Shannon Rizzo, Founder, Boundless Foundation spoke about her organization’s work which established seven schools in Honduras, one in Guatemala, and additional one in Kenya. Boundless Foundation is a philanthropic organization whose mission is to end generational cycles of scarcity and poverty.
January 24: Larry Schofer, Chestnut Hill Rotary board member, presentedt a year in review of the club events, projects and activities in 2023.
January 17: This speaker will be rescheduled due to weather issues. Joseph Nevin, Community Outreach Coordinator for the Northwest Libraries of the Free Library of Philadelphia will speak about the work and programs of the Chestnut Hill branch.
January 10: Heather Rice, Executive Director, Whosoever Gospel Mission spoke about the vital work of her organization in the community. The Whosoever Gospel Mission is a Christian nonprofit organization whose purpose is to provide shelter, food, clothing, education, counseling, rehabilitation and other assistance to men who are homeless or in need.
Rice has served in various capacities alongside former director and New life Program architect Dr. Bob Emberger for the past 30 years. She is a graduate of Cairn University, Westminster Theological Seminary, and holds a doctorate in urban mission from Biblical Theological Seminary.
January 3: President Ellen Williams conducted a lively and informative business meeting with committee chairs. The new Chestnut Hill Rotary video premiered at the meeting.
2023
December 20: Reverend Linda Ivey, M.S.W., in a return visit, discussed her work with the Germantown Faith Communities Against Gun Violence and the LaSalle Summer STEM Youth Camp funded in part by Chestnut Hill Rotary. Reverend Ivey is a member of the clergy currently serving at Ebenezer Baptist Church. She is also an author, teacher, preacher, college professor, and trained social worker. When not serving in ministry, she is an adjunct professor at Lincoln University, Harcum College, and Lancaster Bible College.
December 13: David Hawkings presented “The 5 Ms That Explain Our Dysfunctional Congress.” After covering Capitol Hill for more than three decades, David Hawkings is convinced Congress is more broken now than in more than a century.
He’s been asked time and again to enumerate the causes for the metastasizing polarization and partisanship – and has reduced what’s a pretty complex diagnosis to five elements. They can be readily remembered using this alliterative mnemonic: Money, maps, media, mingling and masochism.
David Hawkings is a free-lance journalist, communications consultant, and experienced congressional expert specializing in making government more accessible to wider audiences. He has appeared as a guest commentator or analyst on many national news outlets including Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, and NPR. David is also the founding editor-in-chief of The Fulcrum, a digital news site covering American democratic reforms and was editor at Congressional Quarterly and Roll Call.
Earlier in his career, Hawkings covered federal courts and city hall, was a metro section columnist and then an assistant city editor for the San Antonio Light. In 1986 he became press secretary for Texas Republican Lamar Smith during his initial campaign for the House of Representatives and remained for Smith's first term. He returned to journalism for good in 1989 and was a Washington correspondent for Thomson Newspapers for six years.
Later, he was the managing editor of the CQ Daily Monitor before joining the CQ Weekly in 1999, first as congressional leadership editor, then economic affairs editor, then senior editor for legislative affairs. He was editor of the 12th edition of “Politics in America,” the company's signature reference biography for all members of Congress. In 2004 he began six years as managing editor of CQ Weekly, and under his leadership the magazine was twice awarded the Everett McKinley Dirksen Award for Distinguished Reporting of Congress.
After 35 years working and living in Washington D.C., Hawkings moved to the Chestnut Hill area of Philadelphia and is a new member of the Rotary Club of Chestnut Hill.
December 6: This Breakfast Program will be held at Jenks Academy for the Arts & Sciences, 8301 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia.
President Ellen Williams led a dedication ceremony honoring the work of Chestnut Hill Rotarian Ned Mitinger in the library of Jenks Academy for the Arts & Sciences. Mitinger, along with other volunteers, mentored and read to students who were struggling to read. To honor him, a special reading nook in the library was created as a permanent place where students will be mentored.
Chestnut Hill Rotary volunteers also took on larger-scale projects like refurbishing and painting classrooms in cooperation with other community organizations. Funding provided by Chestnut Hill Rotary recently helped reopen the school’s library, one of only a few dozen in The School District of Philadelphia.
November 29: Josephine Gasiewski Winter, Executive Director, West Mt. Airy Neighbors (WMAN), will speak about the origins and rich history of her organization and the current initiatives taking place. WMAN is a member-supported, nonprofit civic organization whose mission is to support and advocate for the needs and concerns of the West Mount Airy community. The origins of WMAN go back to 1953, when religious and lay leaders of the Unitarian Society of Germantown, Germantown Jewish Centre, and Epiphany Episcopal Church formed the Church Community Relations Council of Pelham in response to African Americans moving into the community.
November 22: Brannon Johnson, Owner, BLJ Community Rowing, spoke about the mission and programs of her organization, the only Black owned and operated rowing club in America. Founded in 2013, BLJ Community Rowing utilizes the sport of rowing to give others access to the Schuylkill and a vehicle to a better life.
At the age of 15, Johnson, a Philadelphia native, learned to row at the Fairmount Park Community Rowing Program. She began her racing career and started to distinguish herself from other athletes which lead to training at Boston University’s elite summer program two consecutive years. Later she competed in and was placed in the Stotesbury Regatta as well as Philadelphia City Championships. Brannon received a full athletic scholarship to attend the University of Texas, where she rowed at the Division 1 varsity level all 4 years. In 2003, she competed as a single sculler in the internationally known Henley Royal Regatta, one of the most prestigious regattas held on the Thames River in England.
November 15: Emily S. Gavin, MS, OTR/L,, owner, Philly Care Coaching, LLC, presented, "Dementia Caregiving: From War to Peace." Her presentation will explore the following questions: Are you caring for a loved one with dementia at home? Are you constantly in a battle to do the simplest things? Are you wishing for a more peaceful relationship? In this interactive presentation, she will explain the reasons behind "difficult behaviors" and strategies to avoid triggering them.
Emily Gavin is an occupational therapist and coach based in Northwest Philadelphia who specializes in creating positive relationships between people living with dementia and their caregivers. She works on the principle that "behavior is communication." Understanding what a person with dementia is trying to communicate is not intuitive. Emily helps caregivers develop this skill with presence, compassion, and creative thought.
November 8: Laura Madeleine, Executive Director and Curator, Souls Shot Portrait Project, spoke about her organization's mission that links fine artists with families or friends of victims of gun violence. Their mission is to bring attention to and memorialize the lives lost and tragically altered due to gun violence. Portraits have the unique ability to call out the souls and profoundly affect those who see them. The current exhibition is on display at the Center on the Hill through November 24.
November 1: Service Project. In lieu of the breakfast program, members and other volunteers prepared food to be delivered to Prevention Point Philadelphia, which promotes the health, empowerment and safety for communities affected by drug use and poverty. Volunteers are encouraged to bring food items to be made and assembled for delivery.
October 25: Noah Lamb, MS, presented Exploring the Cosmic Mystery of Dark Matter. A hundred years of mounting evidence leads astronomers to the strange conclusion that most of our universe is totally invisible. In order to learn more about this dark matter and prove it exists in the first place, physicists look for alternatives ways of “seeing” it in the hopes that it is not completely undetectable. The history and science of the dark matter mystery serves as a case study on the rigorous ways scientists search for truth in a complex and confusing world.
Lamb received a BA in Astrophysics at Franklin and Marshall University where he studied gas formations at the edge of distant galaxies, and MS in Physics from Drexel University where he currently doing his PhD dissertation as part of a dark matter experiment. Mr. Lamb specializes in computer simulations and mentoring new scientists.
October 18: John Nanni conducted a personal presentation on the fight to eradicate polio in support of World Polio Day, held annually on October 24, in which thousands of Rotary Clubs around the world hold events and fundraisers to recognize progress made in the global fight to end Polio.
Mr. Nanni is a Polio Survivor and suffers from severe Post-Polio Syndrome (PPS). At the age of 10 months old in 1953, months before the Salk vaccine was distributed, Nanni was paralyzed from his neck down for 6 months. With the help of his family, he took his first steps a year later. Nanni grew up in Binghamton, New York and graduated from the State University of New York at Delhi with a degree in Hotel, Restaurant Management. He worked in the Hospitality Industry for 20 years before starting the Paper And Ribbon Supply Company, which sold products to the restaurant industry.
In 2000, Nanni sold his business because PPS took a toll on his ability to effectively run it. He is limited to fewer than a couple of hundred walking steps per day, and uses a power wheelchair for most of his mobility to avoid overuse of polio-damaged muscles and reduce the ever-present pain throughout his body. In 1992 he joined Polio Network of NJ (PNNJ), an organization dedicated to helping polio survivors and their families deal with PPS, was appointed to their Board of Directors in 2012 and is also now their Liaison for Delaware. Nanni joined Rotary International in 2010 after being a guest lecturer at the Rotary Club of Hamilton Township (Mercer County, NJ). He was appointed to the Rotary District 7510 PolioPlus Committee and was part of the Rotary PolioPlus Delegation to the UN General Assembly’s Special Session on September 27, 2012, with over 100 world leaders and Bill Gates meeting to “Unite Against Polio.”
Mr. Nanni’s “Polio Goals” and “Accessibility Goals” are to:
1. Play a role in helping Rotary International and Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) eradicate Polio worldwide which remains in Pakistan.
2. Help other polio survivors and their families learn how to best deal with PPS.
3. Advocate for greater accessibility for the handicapped.
October 11: Chianna and Shawn Sanderson will present, “Seeing Your Child Differently,” a personal journey raising a child genius with a disability that does not allow him to communicate verbally.
October 4: President Ellen Williams will conduct a lively and informative business meeting with committee chairs.
September 27: Sarah Laurel, Founder and Executive Director, Savage Sisters Recovery, will spoke about her personal journey that inspired her to found her organization. Ms. Laurel, created Savage Sisters and its programming after she overcame her traumatic battle with substance use disorder and homelessness. After years of being shuffled through the system, she found herself in a wheelchair and once again being offered substandard care. What began as a desire to have one safe home for a couple of women, grew organically over the past five years. Today Savage Sisters has nine recovery homes, a drop-in center, weekly street-based outreaches, and statewide overdose reversal and harm reduction trainings.
September 20: William Valerio, PhD., The Patricia Van Burgh Allison Director & CEO, Woodmere Art Museum spoke about artist Violet Oakley. A leading figure in American art throughout her lifetime, Violet Oakley (1874 -1961) was a painter, muralist, illustrator, portraitist, architectural and industrial designer, writer, civic leader, and advocate for world peace. During the American Renaissance, a period of cultural renewal at the turn of the twentieth century, she was easily the most renowned woman in the cultural life of the country, achieving international fame when she was commissioned to create a monumental series of murals in the Pennsylvania State Capitol.
A members’ trip to visit the Pennsylvania State Capitol is planned for Tuesday, October 3, 2023. See the Social Events page for more information.
September 13: Kara Meulstee, Coordinator and Social Media, Fostering Hope-Philadelphia NW. Fostering Hope, spoke about the vital work of her organization. They provide an exchange of resources to those who are willing and able to turn their families into foster families. The organization provides needed supplies for foster children and families in Southeastern Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia NW Chapter serves families in and around Roxborough, Manayunk, Mt. Airy, Germantown, West Oak Lane, East Oak Lane or Olney.
September 6: President Ellen Williams conducted a lively and informative business meeting with committee chairs.
August 30: President Ellen Williams, Fundraising Committee Co-chairs, Tim Sager and Elliot Schwartz presented plans and led a discussion on the upcoming Lobster Fest event scheduled for September 23, 2023.
August 23: Louise DAlessandro, Founding Partner of Elfant Wissahickon Realtors, spoke about her journey to help the Anna I. Lingelback Elementary, a public school located in the Germantown/Mt. Airy neighborhood of Philadelphia. Five years ago, the school lacked even the basic supplies such as soap, copy paper, staff, or a gym. In 2018 she called Lisa Waddel, principal of Anna L Lingelbach Elementary School to see how she could help after reading a disturbing Inquirer article about the state of Philadelphia Elementary Schools, She helped form The Friends Of Lingelbach group to add support to the school leadership, kids and parents where needed. The school enrolls 99% economically disadvantaged students.
August 16: Kristy Morley, Senior Naturalist at Wissahickon Trails, spoke about her organization’s history, mission, and vision. The Wissahickon Trails is an important watershed with 64 square miles of land that drains into the Wissahickon Creek. Founded in 1955, work initially began with the preservation of properties along the Wissahickon Creek to manage storm water runoff. In the late 1960s, public education programs began and in 1971, they began to develop public trails along the creek. Today, the Green Ribbon Trail, now 12.6 miles long, first opened in 1977.
August 9: Claude Epstein, Ph. D. presented “The Rivers of South Jersey.” Dr. Epstein is a hydrologist with professional experience in aquifers, rivers and wetlands and is an expert on the impact of European settlement on the Delaware Valley’s natural resources. He is also an author of several books including “No Wild Rivers in South Jersey: An Environmental Biography.” Dr. Epstein is a Professor Emeritus, Environmental Studies at Stockton University. He received his Ph. D. at Brown University. Paleoecology.
August 2: President Ellen Williams conducted a lively and informative business meeting with committee chairs.
July 25: Pamela Rich-Wheeler, Executive Director, The Business Center, spoke about the activities and initiatives of her organization. The Business Center provides education and business networking programs necessary to strengthen the business formation necessary to contribute to improving Northwest Philadelphia’s minority business ecosystem.
July 19: Justin Hart, Coordinator of Volunteers for Broad Street Ministry will speak about the vital work of the organization. Broad Street Ministry’s mission is to offer “Radical Hospitality” to neighbors in need and create connections and community; restores hope and dignity; and increase security and self-sufficiency.
July 12: Incoming President Ellen Williams discussed plans for the new Rotary year and inducted two new members. Committee chairs also spoke about the upcoming year.
June 28: Dr. Sandy Cayo and David Ehrenkrantz, a doctor of public health, and member of the Rotary Club of Northeast Philly, Cheltenham, Rockledge presented on a visiting medical training team program that they initiated, HEAL Pignon.
In Haiti, more than half of the population lacks access to health services and there is a dire need for skilled health workers, so Ehrenkrantz initiated a program that trains nurses and recent graduates of nursing school in Haiti. Many people graduating from Haitian nursing schools get jobs in the real world and they feel ill-equipped to handle clinical situations on the ground. He now oversees the clinical component of HEAL Pignon, an offshoot of HEAL HAITI, the Health Education Action League for Haiti.
Dr. Sandy Cayo, DNP, FNP-BC, PhD(c), is a board-certified family nurse practitioner and serves as the Director of Education of HEAL Pignon.
June 21: Paul Quintavalla spoke about the work of Rotaplast International, Inc., the organization committed to helping children and families worldwide by eliminating the burden of cleft lip and/or palate, burn scarring, and other deformities. Working with local professionals, Rotarians, and other organizations, Rotaplast sends multidisciplinary medical teams to provide free reconstructive surgery, ancillary treatment, and training for the comprehensive care of these children. Rotaplast was founded in 1992 initially as a service project by members of the Rotary Club of San Francisco to facilitate a surgical program in La Serena, Chile. Quintavalla is the Past District Governor of Rotary District 7450, serves as Chair of the District’s Rotaplast Committee and on the Board of Rotaplast International. He has also served on six Rotaplast medical missions abroad.
June 14: Lee Berg, information technology teacher and co-founder, Computer Help, LLC spoke about avoiding internet scams and ways to recover if you have inadvertently given information or remote access to a scammer. Lee has been working in IT for over 20 years and served as a computer instructor at Shannondell at Valley Forge. Lee specializes in the installation, set-up, and troubleshooting of computer, phones, and other devices.
June 7: President Andy Sears conducted the montly business meeting. Committee chairs also discussed the success of the 2022-23 year of Chestnut Hill Rotary.
May 31: Oscar Armas-Luy presented, “An Ethical Tour of Artificial Intelligence.” Everyone has heard terms like “artificial intelligence” and “machine learning” being thrown around. Mr. Armas-Luy broke down exactly what Artificial Intelligence (AI) is in layman’s terms and talked about what’s possible with today's technology, including ChatGPT. He explained AI through the lens of the serious ethical questions researchers and businesses are grappling with today. Armas-Luy received his undergraduate degree in finance and MBA in Innovation Management from Temple University. He is currently pursuing a Masters in Computer Science at the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to starting at Beeline, a software company dealing with sourcing and managing the extended workforce, Armas-Luy ran a startup focused on Artificial Intelligence and Marketing Automation in the digital advertising industry. He is currently the Senior Director of Revenue Operations at Beeline.
May 24: Michael Curcio, Executive Director, Permaculture Institute for the Study of Communal Economic Systems (PISCES). PISCES is a teaching farm in Northern Togo dedicated to the application and improvement of sustainable agricultural techniques. PISCES currently own ten acres of land and are working on creating an organic oasis in the Togolese savanna. Curcio is a member of Philadelphia Rotary and prior member of Rotary in Togo and recent recipient of a District 7450 grant. He previously served as an environment and food security volunteer with the Peace Corps in Northern Togo from 2015 to 2017 and is determined to better establish sustainable food security in the region,
May 17: Tammy Thomas, Principal, Eleanor C. Emlen School, will speak about the challenges and successes of leading an elementary school in the School District of Philadelphia. The school’s mission is to successfully transition their students to middle school and beyond. Their goal is to prepare today’s students to become tomorrow’s leaders. Chestnut Hill Rotary has partnered with Emlen by donating and distributing books to their students and providing financial support for much-needed science teaching modules.
May 10: SPEAKER RESCHEDULED FOR JULY 19, 2023.
Oscar Armas-Luy will present, “An Ethical Tour of Artificial Intelligence.” Everyone has heard terms like “artificial intelligence” and “machine learning” being thrown around. Mr. Armas-Luy will break down exactly what Artificial Intelligence (AI) is in layman’s terms and talk about what’s possible with today's technology, including ChatGPT. He will explain AI through the lens of the serious ethical questions researchers and businesses are grappling with today. Armas-Luy received his undergraduate degree in finance and MBA in Innovation Management from Temple University. He is currently pursuing a Masters in Computer Science at the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to starting at Beeline, a software company dealing with sourcing and managing the extended workforce, Armas-Luy ran a startup focused on Artificial Intelligence and Marketing Automation in the digital advertising industry. He is currently the Senior Director of Revenue Operations at Beeline.
May 3: President Andy Sears conucted a lively business meeting with club committee chairs disusing ideas and plans for the club.
April 26: Reverend Linda Ivey, M.S.W., discussed her work with the Germantown Faith Communities Against Gun Violence. Reverend Ivey is a member of the clergy currently serving at Ebenezer Baptist Church. She is also an author, teacher, preacher, college professor, and trained social worker. When not serving in ministry, she is an adjunct professor at Lincoln University, Harcum College, and Lancaster Bible College.
April 19: Teresa Araco Rogers will speak about homelessness and housing in the Philadelphia area. Rogers is a community board member of the City of Philadelphia Office of Homeless Services which is tasked with implementing the new strategic plan Roadmap to Homes. Teresa Araco Rodgers founded harp-weaver LLC in 2010 to manage gifting and to align investing with personal, family, corporate and financial goals.
April 12: Michael Gingerich & Tom Kaden, Co-founders, Someone To Tell It To, presented, “Cultivating Relationships Through Listening.” Their firm is a listening service for businesses, teams, families and individuals. Kaden and Gingerich built a model to help people process feelings and reduce loneliness. Their mission is to cultivates meaningful relationships through compassionate listening, training, and educating others to do the same. Our vision is a world in which everyone matters, everyone is heard, and loneliness is diminished.
April 5: Immediate Past President, Maggie Stoeffel conducted a lively business meeting with club committee chairs to discuss ideas and plans for the club.
March 29: Chesley Lightsey, Judicial Candidate for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, discussed her extensive experience serving as a Assistant District Attorney in Philadelphia and how those lessons will shape her judicial role. As an assistant district attorney, Lightsey specialized in cases involving crimes against women and children and cases involving children as witnesses of violent crime. During her time in the office, she served as the Chief of the Juvenile Justice Division and the Chief of the Homicide and Non-Fatal Shooting unit. She was also the lead attorney assigned to the re-sentencing of all juvenile lifers in Philadelphia.
Lightsey was educated in the Mississippi public school system and later returned to teach there and in the Memphis system. After moving to Philadelphia to teach at a Quaker school, she enrolled in Temple Law School where she received her J.D.
She resides in the Mount Airy section of Philadelphia with wife and two children and German Shepard. She also serves on the vestry of Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church and have been a volunteer coach for Mount Airy Baseball and serve on the board of the Philadelphia LGBTQ+ Bar Association.
March 22: Chestnut Hill Rotary member Tom Lloyd spoke about the work of ShelterBox, which provides immediate shelter and support to communities around the world who are impacted by natural disasters or conflicts. ShelterBox, an International Rotary project, has provided shelter, warmth and dignity to over 1.5 million people since its founding in 2001 by a Rotary Club member from a small town in England. At first, a box contained a tent, cooking utensils, blankets and other equipment a family of 10 would need to survive for six months. Boxes are still sent, but now our aid varies depending on the needs brought on by each disaster.
March 15: Chestnut Hill Rotary charter member Phil Tankel spoke about the importance and history of Washington’s Crossing the Delaware River in 1776.
March 8: Frank Perri, Philadelphia Hypnosis, presented on his practice that helps people use the power of their minds to overcome challenges, frustrations and allow them to achieve their goals. Using the latest hypnosis techniques, he helps people to quit smoking, lose weight, overcome fears and lead the life they’ve always wanted.
March 1: President Andy Sears conducted a lively business meeting with club committee chairs to discuss ideas and plans for the club.
February 22: Carol Cunningham, Founder, Women’s Initiative Gambia, presented on “Power Up Gambia,” whose goal is to provide reliable electricity to health care facilities throughout the Gambia. They do so through the installation of solar panel systems and battery storage systems, providing power throughout the day.
Ms. Cunningham is a cross-cultural communications expert and the president of Cunningham Consulting. Her work focuses on supporting global growth through understanding the intricacies and impact of culture and cultural differences. For over 20 years and across five continents, she had provided consulting, training, and coaching services to 100’s of managers and executives in multinational and global companies.
February 15: Jim Zervanos, Author, “That Time I Got Cancer,” a Love Story spoke about experiencing joy even in desperate times. At forty-one, married, with a young son, Jim said goodbye to his family. When a brilliant new surgeon performed a radical operation, Jim was diagnosed with lymphoma, which led to chemotherapy and an uncertain road to recovery. Five years would pass before Jim began to understand what he had endured. Through mortality and back to life, this is the inspiring journey of a man awakened to the full experience of being alive, and being present for it all.
February 8: Michael LiPuma, Legal Director, Face to Face Germantown, spoke about the work of The Legal Center. The Center provides free services and assists their guests with numerous legal issues including social security disability, expungements, pardons, birth certificates and landlord tenant issues. Face to Face is a human services organization dedicated to the health, well-being, and stability of their community. The organization meets basic human needs and reduces suffering. They provide a safe environment and practical tools, which enable the people of their community to confront personal challenges, empower their lives, and fulfill their unique potential.
February 1: President Andy Sears conducted a lively business meeting with club committee chairs to discuss ideas and plans for the club.
January 25: Bode Hennagan, Founder & CEO, Life Management for Seniors, presented, “Assess Your Home.” Their mission is to support older individuals with the administrative and organizational responsibilities required to age in place. As a trusted member of their team, our client managers help families feel safe and supported – alleviating stress for all.
January 18: Lynn Unipan, MSW, CFRE, Chief Development Officer, Gemma Services, spoke about the Martin Luther School which provides a comprehensive program for students who need emotional support. Their mission is to instruct the mind, engage the heart, and empower the will. The school uses a holistic educational approach to address the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs of children in kindergarten, primary, and secondary grades.
Gemma Services was formed in 2019 when Silver Springs – Martin Luther School and theVillage united to operate as one single organization serving children, families, and communities across the Philadelphia region. Their similar histories, strongly rooted in the Lutheran and Presbyterian faith of their founders, date back to the late 19th century when they were founded as orphanages in Philadelphia.
January 11: Reverend John W. Mosley, discussed the history of the New Covenant Church which has a rich history in serving Philadelphia’s Northwest neighborhoods for many decades. His presentation was in preparation for a MLK Day of Service painting project at the church.
January 4: President Andy Sears conducted a lively business meeting with club committee chairs to discuss ideas and plans for the club.
2022
December 21: Martha Sharkey, Co-founder & CEO, Today is a Good Day. Martha spoke about the vital work of her organization, and the personal journey that she and her husband, Paul, experienced with the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The mission of Today is a Good Day is to provided personal and financial support for other families who experience the NICU.
