DG John Anderson and Conference Chair Rick Lewall have announced the first keynote speakers for conference 2016. Emmy award-winning journalist Penny LeGate, Ezra Teshome, District 5030 Seattle 2013-14 District Governor, and Julia Phelps, Rotary International Board of Directors for 2014-16 representing Zones 24-32.
Penny LeGate
Penny LeGate Ezra Teshome Julia Phelps
 
 
DG John Anderson and Conference Chair Rick Lewall have announced the first keynote speakers for conference 2016. For more information and to register go to www.celebraterotary.ca
 
Penny LeGate
Penny LeGate
Penny is an Emmy award-winning journalist; a daring storyteller with heart. She is passionate about issues in developing nations such as polio eradication, clean water, education of girls, literacy, maternal health, and environmental conservation. Penny has traveled with Rotary to far-flung places such as Ghana, Ethiopia, Uganda, Vietnam and India. She was a keynote speaker at the 2011 Rotary International Convention in New Orleans. Penny has anchored TV news showsin Seattle, Pittsburgh, Wichita and Omaha. Many in Seattle still know her as the co-host on KING 5’s Evening Magazine from 1986 to 1995. She anchored at KIRO 7 TV from 1997 til 2010. Rotary’s main mission is to conquer polio. She says her job is to inspire Rotarians. “I tell them their story. I tell them what it’s like to be on the front lines in the war on polio. It’s a war that thanks to Rotary, is almost over.”
 
 
Ezra Teshome
Ezra Teshome served as District Governor in 2013-14 of District 5030 Seattle. Ezra is an entrepreneur who has earned accolades worldwide for his philanthropic endeavors and efforts within Africa to impact the lives of children. He is passionate about global health issues, particularly focusing on the eradication of polio and bringing clean water to villages in rural Ethiopia. He has served notably on the board of several organizations, as well as a university. Professionally, Ezra has built a successful insurance and financial services business.
He has made many Rotary trips to Ethiopia to build homes for women and children and establish a micro banking system. He has led many polio vaccination trips with Rotarians from US and Canada which have vaccinated thousands of children. He coordinated with The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and The Rotary Foundation to assist in eradicating polio.
Ezra was Invited to White House in 2012 in honor of his polio work with Rotary. He is World Affairs Council – 2010 World Citizen Award winner andTime Magazine Global Health Hero.
   
Julia Phelps, Rotary International Director 2014-2016
Julia Phelps is a member of the Rotary International Board of Directors for 2014-16 representing Zones 24-32.
Julia joined the Rotary Club of Amesbury, MA in 1997 and served as president of the club in 2001-02.
She was very active in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program and hosted several Ambassadorial Scholars. After serving as president, she was asked to train incoming presidents from across the NE states at Northeast Multi-district Presidents-elect Training Seminar (PETS).   
Julia was District Governor of District 7930 in 2007-2008.  Julia became District 7930’s Foundation Chair in July 2009 and led the district through the Future Vision Pilot. Julia served as the Rotary Foundation Alumni Chair (RFAC) for Zone 32 from 2009 - 2012. Julia accepted the appointments from the Rotary Foundation Trustees to train Governors-elect at the International Assembly in 2012. Julia is the recipient of the Citation for Meritorious Service presented by the Trustees of the Rotary Foundation.  She retired as the Associate Commissioner for Curriculum and Instruction at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
   
 
For more information and to register go to www.celebraterotary.ca