Events

Leslie Touma is the founder and CEO of Freekeh Harvest, a woman-owned inventor and producer of high-protein pita chips using a unique and ancient grain. Leslie will speak about her entrepreneurial journey and the challenges and opportunities of introducing a unique product into a snack food market often dominated by large national players. 

https://freekehharvest.com/about/

Mark Mals is the Executive Director, Mercy Education Project – Detroit. 

Through studying philosophy and art history at Michigan State University, Mark Mals discovered truth and beauty. Through numerous volunteer opportunities within the city of Detroit, while earning an M.Div. from Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Mark was exposed to the suffering and humanity in the world. Through years of teaching theology and philosophy at Detroit Loyola High School and the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy, Mark encountered the potential in others. Through his family, and all others he encounters, Mark realizes that treating others with kindness, compassion, and love is just a better way to live. Following many years of tutoring young girls at Mercy Education Project (MEP) in southwest Detroit, Mark found his way to becoming MEP’s executive director in 2021. Mark is passionate about helping women and girls live in a world immersed in equality and equity, just as intended.

Linda Kozianowski is the Director of Development for Easterseals MORC. She is dedicated to spreading the word about Easterseals MORC and what the organizaiton does. Linda values every opporutnity to educate the community about the individuals served by Easterseals MORC.  Even if you do not need the services of Easterseals MORC you may know someone who does, and that is what drives her mission.  

The mission of Easterseals MORC is to lead the way to 100% equity, inclusion, and access for people with disabilities, families, and communities. We value individuals for their different talents, backgrounds, identities, cultures, experiences,  and abilities, and are committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that encourages and values diversity where respect, appreciation, equality, and inclusion are core values. 

Easterseals assists more than one million children and adults with disabilities and their families annually through a nationwide network of more than 450 service sites. Each center provides top-quality, family-focused and innovative services tailored to meet the specific needs of the particular community it serves.

Professor Bell has been a resident of Birmingham for a little over 76 years and he and his wife have lived on Pleasant Street in Birmingham for 49 years. 

Academic Career at University of Michigan: A Harvey Bell, IV is one of the College’s first Professor of Engineering Practice and also serves as the Co-director of the Multidisciplinary Design Program. He comes back to college after a 39 year career in the automotive industry with General Motors. During his career with General Motors some of his significant positions were: Chief Engineering, 2.5 Liter Engine, Vehicle Chief Engineer, 4th Generation Camaro and Firebird, Executive Director, Advanced Vehicle Development Center for North America. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and undertook undergraduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania and University of Michigan-Dearborn.

100 Ways, 100 Years

Our Club is excited to celebrate its 100th Anniversary with a Celebration Dinner event that will recognize Rotary's impact on our community. Event tickets are on sale and sponsorships, program book ads, and silent auction donations are all being accpeted. All proceeds from the event will support our Club's three anniversary service projects. Learn more about the event and how you can participate on the 100th Anniversary Event. 

(updated as of 2024-03-25)

Peggy Kerr is the Community Engagement Manager and Development Officer for Judson Center. She has been at the agency for almost 11 years working with volunteers, supporters and donors to support their mission. She is proud to be a part of team that serves our community in foster care, autism, adults with disabilities, and behavioral health, among many other programs the agency offers. Judson Center is turning 100 this year, and she is excited to share some of the rich history, along with present day programs that are impacting and serving our shared communities.

Judson Center

The Birmingham Rotary Club sponsors an Interact Club at Seaholm High School. The program will include:

• Interact Club Member Presentations
• Announcement of Birmingham Rotary Club Community Service Scholarships

Interact clubs bring together young people ages 12-18 to develop leadership skills while discovering the power of Service Above Self. Find out how serious leadership can be seriously fun.

What are the benefits?

• Connect with leaders in your community and around the world to:
• Take action to make a difference in your school and community
• Discover new cultures and promote international understanding
• Become a leader in your school and community
• Have fun and make new friends from around the world

Our Club is pleased to welcome Dr. Freddy Sosa and Shelly Diaczok from Midwest Medical Mission of Michigan. 

Dr. Sosa is a retired Gastroenterologist who practiced for 47 years and was most recently on staff at St. John Providence Hospitals. Dr. Sosa attended medical school at the University of Santo Domingo and was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine Wayne State University. He has also served as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Michigan State University School of Medicine.

Shelly Diaczok is a neonatal RN who works at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital. Ms. Diaczok has been on two mission trips led by Dr. Sosa. 

In March of this year, Dr. Sosa led a mission trip to Pablo Paulino Hospital in Las Terrenas  for seven days where he was part of a medical group of 21 people from Midwest Medical Mission of Michigan. The group saw hundreds of patients and 33 surgeries were performed. The group's next mission trip will be in 2025. 

Bill Roy is coordinating a volunteer session for Club members and friends to serve dinner at the Hope Warming Center.  Volunteers are asked to register in advance. Time commitment is generally 5:00 to 6:30 PM.  

Lindsay Peters, Senior Director of Field Engagement at Michigan Health and Hospital Association, and Dr. Fabian Fregoli, Chief Medical Officer/Vice President of Medical Affairs at Trinity Health Oakland Hospital, will speak on topics currently impacting hospitals. 

Based in greater Lansing, the Michigan Health & Hospital Association is the statewide leader representing all community hospitals in Michigan. Established in 1919, the MHA represents the interests of its member hospitals and health systems in both the legislative and regulatory arenas on key issues and supports their efforts to provide quality, cost-effective and accessible care. The MHA mission is to advance the health of individuals and communities.

Ms. Peters gained a passion for healthcare in her 12 years as the Director of Strategy, Marketing, and Fund Development at Eaton Rapids Medical Center. Lindsay earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Ferris State University and a Master of Science in Healthcare Management from Michigan State University. She serves on several community boards and is member of the Rotary Club of Eaton Rapids. 

Dr. Fregoli was named chief medical officer of Trinity Health in 2018 and in this role oversees administration for medical staff, graduate medical education, patient safety, clinical quality, accreditation, care management and other services. He is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and completed his residency in Family Medicine at William Beaumont Hospital-Grosse Pointe, having served as chief resident during his final year.

Claudia Foerg has a tenure spanning 28 years as a Science Educator. She works to inspire curiosity and foster a deep appreciation for the natural world among her students. In addition to being a certified teacher Claudia is also a certified environmental educator. She has been a member of the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education community for nine years, during which she has served on the membership committee and most recently the board of directors. Claudia works to make meaningful contributions to the field of environmental education, inspiring future generations to become conscientious stewards of the planet.

The Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education was established in 1987 through the merger of the Michigan Environmental Education Association and the Michigan Outdoor Education Association.

A core value of the organization is its commitment to Advocacy for Environmental Stewardship & Education. Through education, personal discovery, and transformational experiences, the Alliance fosters a conservation ethic in current and future generations.  We are committed to advancing a non-political advocacy platform for our work and to connect people with nature to inspire everyone to be good stewards of the environment.

As President Bryan's term comes to a close at the end of June, he will share highlights of our 2023 - 2024 year in which we celebrated our Club's 100th Anniversary. 

There will be no meeting on Monday, July 1 due to the July 4th holiday.  

Megan Zambiasi is the CEO of Vista Maria. 

What began 140 years ago as a home for girls and women in need has evolved to encompass mental health services, foster care and adoption, and secure care for the survivors of human trafficking, along with a focus on education, independent living, and advocacy for the welfare of children.

Vista Maria embraces a trauma-informed approach — understanding that all people have experienced traumatic events, yet it is through an understanding of trauma and restorative relationships that we instill hope and enable healing within each child and family.

Ann is the Director of Animal Health at the Detroit Zoo, where for the past 26 years she has been leading a team to provide excellent health care to animals of all taxonomic groups. 

Elena is the Volunteer Services and Community Outreach Manager for AccentCare Hospice. As a Medicare-certified hospice, AccentCare is proud to offer all four levels of hospice care: Routine, Inpatient, Respite, and Continuous Care. We work with our patients and medical team to determine the level of care appropriate for each patient. 

https://www.accentcare.com/our-services/hospice-palliative-care/greater-detroit/

Eric Larson has over 35 years of experience in real estate investment, development, asset management, and leasing. Since 2014, Larson has served as CEO of The Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP), a private/public partnership of corporate and civic leaders who develop and support programs to enhance downtown Detroit.
The DDP includes the Downtown Detroit Business Improvement Zone (BIZ), a special assessment district formed by downtown property owners to ensure enhanced cleaning, safety, and landscaping services in the downtown area. One of DDP’s best-known initiatives is the creation of the internationally renowned and award-winning Campus Martius Park, which attracts more than 2 million visitors annually.
 

Dr. Gustav Lo brings a wealth of experience and a trailblazing spirit to the field of regenerative medicine. Following his graduation from the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, Dr. Lo dedicated 30+ years to caring for more than a million patients through traditional primary care methods. During this time, he saw the emerging potential of regenerative medicine to address various health concerns.

Dr. Lo’s commitment to innovation led him to pioneer platelet therapy. He has successfully applied this groundbreaking approach to treat a range of conditions, including arthritis, tendinitis, and erectile dysfunction. This reflects Dr. Lo’s dedication to staying at the forefront of medical advancements. 

Regenerative medicine is a broad field that includes tissue engineering. It also incorporates research on self-healing – where the body uses its systems, sometimes with the help of foreign biological material, to recreate cells and rebuild tissues and organs.

Join us when we provide a meal to the guests of the Hope Warming Center

Zoom

Come relax and have a casual get together with fellow Rotarians.

Investment Ideas and points

How the National Realtors Association impacts consumers  

Director of Investments Angela Palacios, CFP®, AIF®, will host a thoughtful conversation with Lauren Adams, CFA®, CFP®, of the Center For Financial Planning, to explore the impact of elections on global markets. From analyzing election outcomes to understanding market volatility, this webinar promises valuable insights for investors.

Meet us in the Plum Market parking lot to help clean up trash along Maple Road.   Kid friendly, bring your whole family to help.

Terry Connolly is an engineer with about 45 years in the auto business. After a 35-year career with GM and subsequent automotive consulting, he has pursued a passion as an integral part of the recently launched Pontiac Transportation Museum. Pontiac's wheeled vehicle legacy is exceedingly deep and can be leveraged for STEM education and economic development in the community.

Taylor Holzhei is SOCRRA's primary community educator and has been giving presentations to surrounding communities for two years now. She is a true environmentalist and is very passionate about sustainability practices and sharing that with the community. She is well-versed in the solid waste industry, performing waste audits, surveying studies, and implementing clientele grant projects and programs. She believes educating the public is vital to ensuring future generations can live healthy lives on Earth. 

Katrina BeShears, LMSW, CAADC, is a licensed clinical and macro social worker. She is currently employed at the Detroit Veterans Health Administration as a Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator in Suicide Prevention. Her pertinent experience includes inpatient and outpatient mental health, substance use, and community organizing. 

Christina Mariani, LMSW, CAADC, is a licensed clinical and macro social worker. She is currently employed at the Detroit Veterans Health Administration as a Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator in Suicide Prevention. Past professional experience includes intimate partner violence programming, substance use, and community organizing.

Deb Scola is the Vice President, Strategic Relationships with the Michigan Humane Society. The Michigan Humane, founded in 1877, is the oldest and largest nonprofit animal welfare organization in the state. Michigan Humane is dedicated to helping the animals of southeastern Michigan, whether in our shelters, our veterinary clinics, or out in the community. Before joining the Michigan Humane Society, Deb was the Community Engagement Director of Michigan.Com, helping connect communities and marketers. Deb was also the Administrative Manager for the Detroit Free Press.