OUR SPEAKERS

Meet Our Speakers

The Rotary Club of Washington, DC is strategically located to gather the most prestigious group of speakers our nation’s Capital can generate. From Ambassadors, Business Executives, and Tribal Chiefs to an endless array of Champions of Change. Our Club Members, and visitors to our weekly meetings, receive an impressive amount of intellectually-stimulating, heart-warming presentations each week. Further, on this page, is a sample of speakers whom have recently spoken at our Club…

Upcoming Speakers

October 19th 2026 at 7:30 pm
Introductory Meeting for Bahamian Service Project, April 2027
Speaker: Donnie Shaw
Service Project in the Bahamas!!
The Embassy International Relations Committee (EIRC) of the Rotary Club of Washington, D.C., in partnership with the Rotary Club of East Nassau and the International Club of Annapolis, invites you to learn more about our upcoming service and fellowship trip to Nassau, The Bahamas, April 22–26, 2027

October 21st 2026 at 12:30 pm
In-Person/Hybrid Washington DC Weekly Club Meeting
Speaker: Nicholas Bassey
The African Diaspora: Engagement Beyond Remittances

Nicholas Bassey brings senior leadership experience from the Millennium Challenge Corporation, USAID, the Peace Corps, where he led programs in private sector engagement, university partnerships, and international policy. His early career was in the nonprofit sector, where he led programs at the UNCF Special Programs Corporation, Council for Opportunity in Education, Children’s Defense Fund, and Morehouse College. He has been part of ADN's network for over a decade.

October 28th 2026 at 12:30 pm
In-Person/Hybrid Washington DC Weekly Club Meeting
Speaker: Craig Barnard-El
Bridging the Opportunity Gap in Workforce Development

Craig Barnard-El is a strategic business development and corporate engagement leader with extensive experience building partnerships that connect employers with high-performing, emerging talent. As Director of Corporate Engagement for Year Up United in the National Capital Region, Craig leads employer acquisition efforts by developing relationships with Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, nonprofits, and growing businesses to create paid internship opportunities that address workforce needs while expanding economic mobility for young adults.

Craig specializes in consultative, skills-first workforce strategies, helping organizations strengthen their early-career talent pipelines in areas including information technology, cybersecurity, software development, business operations, finance, customer success, and project management. He works closely with executive leaders and hiring teams to align talent solutions with organizational priorities, resulting in long-term, high-impact partnerships.

Driven by a passion for creating equitable career opportunities, Craig is committed to helping young adults, ages 18–29, gain the technical and professional skills needed to launch meaningful careers while supporting employers with diverse, internship-ready talent. His work centers on relationship building, strategic collaboration, and creating sustainable workforce solutions that deliver measurable value to both employers and the communities they serve.

Known for his authentic leadership, collaborative approach, and ability to connect people and purpose, Craig is dedicated to building partnerships that strengthen organizations, transform lives, and contribute to a more inclusive and future-ready workforce.

Missed the meeting? Watch the speaker’s presentation.

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Derrick Terry is a two-time author, podcast host, educator, military veteran, information management professional, and community leader dedicated to education, leadership, mental health awareness, and amplifying unheard voices.

Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, Terry is an Army brat who moved to Maryland in 1981 with his military family. He is a graduate of Towson University, earning a B.A. in Mass Communications and an M.A. in Public Relations.

With more than 20 years of experience in education and information management, Terry was a Maryland and Virginia certified educator. Also, served as an adjunct professor at Trinity Washington University and is the owner of Edvocare, LLC, a special education advocacy company.

A 28-year military reservist and war veteran, Terry served in Guatemala, Qatar, and Afghanistan. He currently works for the federal government as a Records Officer and Litigation Hold Coordinator.

Terry is a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and currently serves as Interim Vice-President and Treasurer of Light The Way Foundation where he is helping expand youth enrichment programs, film camps, and scholarships.

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Derrick Terry | Light the Way Foundation, Opening Doors to a Brighter Future | August 19, 2026

Rotary Club Washington DC 31 views September 28, 2026 11:05 am

Thomas Reich is an independent consultant in the defense and aerospace industry, with expertise in international business development and sales; the US and Japanese government systems of export controls for defense articles; and defense trade with Japan.
From November 2020 to November 2023, he was resident in Tokyo as President of BAE Systems Japan GK. Prior to assuming this position, he served as Director, International Government Relations, BAE Systems, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the British defense company BAE Systems PLC. In that position, his responsibilities centered on representing BAE’s international interests with key US and foreign government officials.
Before joining BAE in 2010, he served for 29 years as a Foreign Service officer in the U.S. Department of State, and has extensive experience in international affairs issues, particularly those associated with political-military and reconstruction/stabilization affairs.
He has served overseas in the Philippines, the United Kingdom; Geneva, Switzerland; Japan (three tours of duty, including US Embassy Tokyo and as Consul General in Okinawa); and Afghanistan.
A native of North Carolina, Mr. Reich received a Bachelor of Science degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and a Master of Arts degree in International Relations, also from Georgetown. His awards include numerous Superior Honor and Meritorious Honor awards from the Department of State. He has served on the executive boards of several business organizations in the US and Japan.

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Thomas Reich | Japan's Recent Defense Buildup | August 19, 2026

Rotary Club Washington DC 38 views September 25, 2026 8:03 am

Songs, Stories and Service - The Importance of Family, Identity and History While Serving Our Communities

Eli Lev is an award-winning singer-songwriter, storyteller, educator, and community builder whose work is rooted in the belief that songs and stories have the power to bring people together. Based in the Washington, DC area, Eli has spent more than a decade touring throughout North America and internationally, performing in listening rooms, theatres, house concerts, schools, libraries, faith communities, and festivals.

His latest album, Past Lives, reached #3 on the Folk Alliance International chart and earned three 2026 Wammie Awards, recognizing his contributions to the contemporary folk and Americana community. Before becoming a full-time musician, Eli taught eighth-grade English on the Navajo Nation in northern Arizona, an experience that deeply shaped his understanding of service, community, and the importance of listening. He has also lived in Israel, Australia, and Europe, experiences that continue to influence both his music and his worldview.

In his presentation, Songs, Stories and Service "The Importance of Family, Identity and History While Serving Our Communities," Eli combines original music with personal storytelling to explore how the stories we inherit from our families and communities shape our values, relationships, and desire to serve others. Through songs, reflection, and conversation, he invites audiences to consider how listening deeply to one another can strengthen communities and inspire meaningful service.

Whether performing a concert or speaking to civic organizations like Rotary clubs, Eli believes that meaningful service begins by hearing another person's story. His programs leave audiences encouraged to build deeper connections, celebrate our shared humanity, and recognize the extraordinary impact that compassion and curiosity can have in service and everyday life.

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Eli Lev | Songs, Stories and Service | July 29, 2026

Rotary Club Washington DC 14 views September 23, 2026 8:03 am

DC Community Affairs - Meeting People Where They Are and Helping Them Get to Where They’re Trying to Go.

Director Lamont Carey, a native Washingtonian, with a long-standing career as an internationally known and award-winning spoken word artist, author, motivational speaker, filmmaker, and playwright, using his platform to address social issues. His career in reentry work spans over two decades, and he has worked with legislators, nonprofits, philanthropists and other groups that focus on policy, prevention and reducing recidivism.

In 2019, Carey joined the Bowser Administration as Director of the Mayor's Office of Returning Citizen Affairs (MORCA), where he expanded services and programs. Under Director Carey’s leadership, the MORCA team more than doubled in size and the office increased both program and service offerings. Among the enhancements are 24 innovative, high-impact programs and the creation of opportunities for entrepreneurship, wealth building, homeownership, and civic engagement.

His work has touched multiple underserved communities, and he is constantly creating programming to overcome different cultural barriers. This includes D/DB/HH accessibility for all events, technology training for returning citizens and seniors, wage negotiation for women returning citizens, advocating for DOC Policy changes for LGBT?IA+ inmates, assistance with vital records and more.

Director Carey has received a multitude of awards for his work; those include the ROASA’s New Black History Makers Award, The Metropolitan Police Department Community Engagement Award, the Court Service and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) Community Partnership Award, and the National Black Caucus of State Legislators Visionary Award.

Carey was appointed in October 2025 as the Director of the Mayor's Office of Community Affairs (MOCA) where he looks forward to continuing his expansion expertise with all the cultural and community partnership offices within his purview.

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Lamont Carey, Director, Mayor's Office of Returning Citizen Affairs | July 22, 2026

Rotary Club Washington DC 25 views September 21, 2026 3:48 pm

Catherine Miller is Director of Programs at U.S. Wheat Associates (USW), where she leads the planning, coordination, and execution of international programs, conferences, trainings, and stakeholder engagement initiatives that support the promotion of U.S. wheat around the world. She started her career at USW in 2018, where she served as Programs and Planning Coordinator. In July 2022 she was promoted to Director of Programs.

A graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor's degree in Agricultural Economics, Catherine combines her agricultural background with extensive experience in program management, event planning, and international collaboration. She works closely with USW's domestic and overseas teams to develop impactful educational programs and industry events that strengthen relationships throughout the global wheat value chain.

Outside of work, she volunteers as a Primate Keeper Aide at the Smithsonian's National Zoo, supporting animal care and conservation education.

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Catherine Miller | US Wheat Export Market and the Organization Behind It | July 8, 2026

Rotary Club Washington DC 13 views September 18, 2026 8:03 am

Nina Albert is the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development for the District of Columbia under Mayor Muriel Bowser. In this role, she is responsible for seven District agencies and coordinates with seven independent agencies to grow DC’s tax base, increase economic opportunity and mobility for DC residents, ensure an affordable quality of life for DC residents, and strengthen Washington, DC’s vibrancy and role as the Nation’s capital.

Albert has more than 20 years of experience in public real estate, economic revitalization, and sustainable urban development. A leader with a proven track record, she prioritizes collaboration, fosters a diverse culture of high performers and encourages a growth mindset.

Albert served as the Commissioner of the Public Buildings Service at the U.S. General Services Administration in the Biden Administration, was the Vice President of Real Estate at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, was responsible for Walmart’s store openings in greater Washington region, and has worked as a real estate advisor and consultant. Albert is a U.S. Army veteran. She has an MBA and a Master of City and Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Tufts University.

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Nina Albert | Deputy Mayor, Planning & Economic Dev. for the District of Columbia | June 17, 2026

Rotary Club Washington DC 106 views September 15, 2026 8:03 am

Brian L. Schwalb has committed his legal career to using the law in service of others, advocating for what matters most to the people and organizations he represents. As the District of Columbia's second independent elected attorney general, Brian is committed to fighting for D.C., District residents and District autonomy, to advancing the public interest, and to ensuring that the law works to make the District safer, healthier, and more equitable for all who live, visit and work here.

Brian is a third-generation Washingtonian. After graduating from Duke University and Harvard Law School, and completing a two-year judicial clerkship, Brian served as a trial attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice. After completing his service with the Justice Department, Brian entered private practice representing clients – individuals, businesses, nonprofits and families — in a multitude of high stakes matters including advocating for people injured by excessive, unconstitutional police force, defrauded out of their assets, and fighting for their lives on death row.

Before being elected Attorney General, Brian was an experienced law firm leader, having served as Venable’s firm-wide Vice Chairman and as the Partner-in-Charge of Venable’s D.C. office. Among other professional recognitions, Brian is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

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Brian L. Schwalb | Washington DC Attorney General | June 3, 2026

Rotary Club Washington DC 64 views September 14, 2026 8:03 am

His Excellency Wendall K. Jones, has been a leader in Media in The Bahamas for decades. He is clearly the most successful Journalist and media owner of his generation in the country. For the past four decades, he pioneered the creation of enterprises which have changed the face of Journalism and Communications throughout society. Mr. Jones is the Proprietor and Chairman of Jones Communications International Limited, comprised of Radio Love 97 FM; The Bahama Journal, Jones Publications, the publisher of several Bahamian books and JCN Television. This trailblazing Journalist has published The Bahamas’ best-selling book, “The One Hundred Most Outstanding Bahamians of The 20th Century” as well as its compendium, “Bahamian Legends” Volumes I and II. He also produced books on The Parliament of The Bahamas and three publications on the Independence of The Bahamas in 2003, 2013, and 2023. These books have been distributed around the world. His work has been recognized by the State. In 1998, he was awarded the Silver Jubilee Award in recognition of his Outstanding Contribution to National Development in Broadcasting. In 2023, he was the recipient of the Golden Jubilee Award. Ambassador Jones was appointed Ambassador to the United States of America and non-resident Ambassador to Colombia and Malaysia by the Honorable Philip Davis, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas on 17th February 2022. His leisure pursuits include reading, painting and playing the piano.

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His Excellency Wendall K. Jones | Ambassador from the Bahamas | May 27, 2026

Rotary Club Washington DC 51 views September 11, 2026 8:03 am

Rear Admiral (ret), Paolo Bembo specialized as hydrographer, his career included a variety of naval, administrative and diplomatic
positions, including two in command of a ship and a tour as teacher at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD.

During his career, he had the opportunity to study three of his passions: Naval History, Middle Ages Cartography and Naval Painting. After his retirement, he became a freelance journalist and editor of the Italian Navy League magazine. He currently is president of the Italian Naval Painters Association. He has written extensively (included seven books) and has lectured in Italy, in the United States and other countries on the subjects mentioned above. In the U.S. he has been lecturing before at the U.S. Naval Academy, at the Cosmos Club, at the University Club and
once at the Rotary. A consultant of the Italian Historical Office of the Navy, he has been recently invited by the U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command to give his support in helping with the Navy Art Branch and to give a presentation at the National Museum
of the Navy in Washington, D.C.graduated from the Italian Naval Academy.

In the U.S., he holds a B.S. degree in Liberal Arts, while in Italy he has a Master’s degree in Maritime and Naval Sciences and one in International and Diplomatic Sciences. He attended the Italian Naval War College and the U.S. Naval War college, in Newport, R.I., graduating with high honors.

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Rear Admiral (ret), Paolo Bembo | Amerigo Vespucci on the 250th Anniversary of the US | May 20, 2026

Rotary Club Washington DC 11 views September 10, 2026 8:03 am

Sampling of Our Past Speakers

The Rotary Club of Washington, DC would like to thank our past speakers for the engaging and motivational and informative presentations.

Bob Cusack

Editor in Chief, The Hill/TheHill.com

Reporting on politics and policy in the nation’s capital since 1995, Mr. Cusack joined The Hill as Business and Lobbying Editor in 2003 and is now the newspaper’s Managing Editor. Mr. Cusack regularly appears on ABC, CNN, Fox News Channel and MSNBC as a political analyst.

Ambassador Mathilde Mukantabana

Ambassador of Rwanda to the United States

Prior to her appointment, Ambassador Mathilde Mukantabana was a tenured Professor of History at Cosumnes River College (CRC) in Sacramento, California from 1994 to 2013. She is also Co-Founder and President of Friends of Rwanda Association (F.O.R.A).

Manny Mandel

Holocaust Survivor

Emanuel “Manny” Mandel was born in Riga, Latvia, in 1936, the year in which his parents returned to their native Hungary. Manny’s father had been selected to become one of the Chief Cantors…

Juan Williams

Fox Political Analyst and Author

Juan Williams is one of America’s leading political writers and thinkers. Mr. Williams is a top political analyst for Fox Television, co-host of the daily talk show ‘The Five’ and a regular panelist for Fox News Sunday and Special Report.

James Chen

Institute for Global Engagement

James Chen is the Vice President of Global Operations at the Institute for Global Engagement (IGE). James first joined IGE in 2011, serving as both a Program Officer and the Executive Director…

Anne Midgette

Classical Music Critic, The Washington Post

Anne Midgette is a graduate of Yale University. She lived in Munich, Germany, reviewing opera, music, and art throughout Europe for The Wall Street Journal, Opera News, and other publications. In 2008, she took over as the chief classical music critic for The Washington Post.