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

November 12th 2025 at 12:30 pm
In-Person/Hybrid Washington DC Weekly Club Meeting
Speaker: Tonda Taylor Bean
They Can Walk at Graduation, But Can They Stand on Their Own?

Tonda Taylor Bean

What if our emerging adults could graduate from college and launch straight into a career they love—with clarity, confidence, and a plan?

Too many students leave high school with a diploma but no direction. According to Fortune magazine, over 4 million GenZ-ers are considered NEETs – Not in Education, Employment, or Training. That’s where today’s speaker comes in. Tonda Bean is on a mission to help families stop guessing and start guiding their kids toward real-world success—starting now.

Imagine having a roadmap that connects your teen’s strengths, interests, education, and experiences into one clear path forward. Tonda has created that system—and it's helped over 1,000 families do just that.

With Master’s degrees in Business and Organization Development, Tonda is the founder of Wisdom In Minutes, author of the Life Launch Prep workbook series, and a respected speaker and coach. Her proudest accomplishment? Using her own system, both of her children graduated from NYU and Harvard and stepped right into meaningful careers.
Get ready to take notes, because what Tonda shares today could change how you prepare your students for success.

November 19th 2025 at 12:30 pm
In-Person/Hybrid Washington DC Weekly Club Meeting
Speaker: Jan Du Plain
Bridging Worlds: The Power of Cultural Diplomacy — From Boardrooms to Embassies, Red Carpets, and Beyond

Jan Du Plain: A Theatrical-Diplomatic Luminary

Jan Du Plain is a seasoned public relations executive, cultural strategist, and diplomatic liaison with decades of experience at the intersection of international affairs, media, and cultural
diplomacy. As President and CEO of Du Plain Global Enterprises, Inc., she leads a premier firm specializing in international public relations and special events, representing embassies, cultural
institutions, and global organizations. Her dynamic career spans work with CBS Cinema Center Films in New York, historic Ford’s Theatre, and WETA TV and Radio, where she served as Director of Public Relations for 15 years.

In Washington, D.C., Jan is renowned for her role as an Embassy Liaison, serving as a bridge between the diplomatic corps and the broader community.
She co-founded the Washington Education and Cultural Attaché Association (WECAA) and launched the city’s signature cultural event, Passport DC’s Around the World Embassy Tour,
over 15 years ago. It is now one of the city’s most popular cultural programs, featuring over 60 embassies and welcoming more than 40,000 visitors annually. Jan serves as a key advisor to the
World Trade Center DC, where she helped establish the award-winning Winternational marketplace.

Jan is also a co-founder of Diplomacy and Fashion, an Emmy-winning producer, and a tireless champion of global engagement through the arts. She serves on several boards, including the
American News Women’s Club and Theatre Washington, where she chairs the Helen Hayes Awards Gala. She is also a longtime member of the National Press Club, Protocol & Diplomacy
International – Protocol Officers Association (PDI-POA), and the Capital Speakers Club.

Her many accolades include receiving the 2025 Fashionista Award from Global Couture, the 2024 American University Alum of the Year, the 2023 Mayor’s Arts Award, and the National
Press Club’s highest honors. She is currently writing her memoir.

November 26th 2025 at 12:30 pm
In-Person/Hybrid Washington DC Weekly Club Meeting
Speaker: Ambassador Noël Nelson Messone
Ambassador of Gabon

Ambassador Noël Nelson Messone
In July 2024, the Government of the Gabonese Republic officially nominated Dr. Noël Nelson Messone as its candidate for the next Director-General of UNESCO. A seasoned diplomat and distinguished public servant, Dr. Messone currently serves as Gabon’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States of America, a role he has held since August 2022.
Throughout his career, Ambassador Messone has held senior cabinet positions, including Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Forests and Environment, and Minister of Relations with Constitutional Institutions. His leadership has extended to the multilateral arena as Chair of the United Nations Fourth Committee, the 11th UN Forum on Forests, and the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment.

Dr. Messone’s diplomatic service includes appointments as Gabon’s Ambassador to the BENELUX and the ACP/EU in Brussels, and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, where he chaired the UN Security Council in June 2011 and served as Chief Negotiator in climate change conferences. Earlier in his career, he held senior roles at the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie and the U.S. Peace Corps in Gabon.

Educated in Gabon, France, Japan, and the United States, Ambassador Messone holds a PhD in Political Economy from the University of Kentucky, where he was a Fulbright Scholar. He is fluent in French and English, with working knowledge of Spanish, Japanese, and Korean.

Ambassador Messone’s candidacy reflects his lifelong commitment to education, culture, science, and environmental stewardship values that align deeply with UNESCO’s mission to build peace through international cooperation.

Missed the meeting? Watch the speaker’s presentation.

YouTube

This video is private.

YouTube Video UExJdHZDNlFoRVI5bHJDYUJMemN4bjd2dFZpcEVJRFFKZy40MkQ0RjUwRTlGMUU4N0ZG

Private video

Rotary Club Washington DC views 73 minutes ago

This video is private.

YouTube Video UExJdHZDNlFoRVI5bHJDYUJMemN4bjd2dFZpcEVJRFFKZy4wOTkzRUNGQkU5QzI1QTA3

Private video

Rotary Club Washington DC views November 5, 2025 10:04 pm

Dr. Al-Hassan Conteh currently serves as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Liberia to the United States. He previously served as Liberia’s Ambassador to Nigeria, with concurrent accreditation to Benin and Equatorial Guinea, and as Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, where he chaired both the Permanent Representatives Committee and the Mediation and Security Council at the ambassadorial level.

A distinguished academic and university leader, Dr. Conteh served as President of the University of Liberia from 2004 to 2008 and more recently as Acting President from June 2024 to January 2025. He has held senior academic and administrative roles, including Vice President for Academic Affairs, Director of the Demographic Unit, and Project Director for post-conflict curriculum development in collaboration with the U.S. Institute of Peace and California State University. Dr. Conteh’s academic contributions span conflict studies, population and development, and childhood mortality, with publications in leading journals.

Dr. Conteh holds a Ph.D. in Regional Science and Demography from the University of Pennsylvania, and advanced degrees from the UN Cairo Demographic Center and University of Liberia. His honors include the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of Africa, Doctor of Humane Letters, Fulbright scholar and UNFPA Fellow.

He remains an ardent subscriber to peace, democracy, patriotism, and the promotion of sustainable human development in Liberia, Africa and beyond.

0 0

YouTube Video UExJdHZDNlFoRVI5bHJDYUJMemN4bjd2dFZpcEVJRFFKZy5DQzY2RDZFRUQyRDlDQkMw

Ambassador Al Hassan Conteh, Ph.D | Embassy of Liberia | A Profile of US-Liberia Relations | 9/11/25

Rotary Club Washington DC 1 views November 5, 2025 6:04 pm

Angela Franco is President and CEO of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce (MCCC). Prior to joining MCCC, Franco was President and CEO of the DC Chamber of Commerce from 2020 to 2024. Her commitment to support and advocate for Chamber members demonstrates passion and vision to grow the organization. Franco joined the DC Chamber of Commerce during civic unrest and a global pandemic and continues to move the organization forward. By working with its executive team and board of directors, Franco creates programs and services that position the Chamber as a valuable resource and leading advocate for businesses throughout DC.

Franco is an experienced business leader who has strengthened and revitalized organizations, including the DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority and the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Before relocating to the US, Franco held management positions in Bogotá, Colombia.

Franco has received many prestigious honors. Most recently, she was recognized with the 2023 and 2022 Washington Business Journal’s Power 100 list. In addition, she is a Board Member at Large for the United Way of the National Capital Area, a Board Member of the Cherry Blossom Festival, DC Policy Center and Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, and an appointee to the DC Workforce Investment Council (by the DC Mayor).

Franco is a graduate of Leadership Montgomery and Leadership Greater Washington. She holds a Master of Science degree in Finance and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration.

This video is private.

0 0

YouTube Video UExJdHZDNlFoRVI5bHJDYUJMemN4bjd2dFZpcEVJRFFKZy43Q0UyODJENjc3NDRCODU0

Angela Franco | Role of Chambers of Commerce in the New Era | August 20, 2025

Rotary Club Washington DC 23 views August 25, 2025 7:03 am

Najiba Hlemi joined the rotary club in the fall of 2024. A seasoned nonprofit executive, Najiba brings nearly a decade of leadership experience in unions, associations, and charitable organizations. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the Foster and Adoptive Parent Advocacy Center (FAPAC), where she champions the voices of families and youth involved in the child welfare system.

Originally from the Ivory Coast and a former foster youth herself, Najiba is deeply committed to uplifting the most vulnerable in our communities. Her lived experience fuels her passion for service and drives her lifelong dedication to public impact—professionally, personally, and now through Rotary.

In her free time, Najiba enjoys exploring Washington, DC and its surrounding areas, reading, and Latin dancing.

This video is private.

0 0

YouTube Video UExJdHZDNlFoRVI5bHJDYUJMemN4bjd2dFZpcEVJRFFKZy4yM0YxNkQ4MTExRjg4RUI2

Najiba Hlemi, Exec. Dir. FAPAC | Foster Care in Washington DC | August 13, 2025

Rotary Club Washington DC 4 views August 22, 2025 7:03 am

Lars Benson is the Managing Director at Insitor, an impact investment firm based in Singapore with investments across India, Pakistan, Cambodia, and Myanmar. Insitor backs businesses that drive positive societal impact in infrastructure, the environment, and entrepreneurship. Previously, Benson spent two decades working at the intersection of business, government,
and civil society to advance policy and regulatory reforms across Africa.

His work began in Angola as Country Director, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises serving the oil sector. He later led a private enterprise development program in Azerbaijan and contributed to numerous World Bank, USAID, and U.S. State Department initiatives in Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia.

Throughout his career, Benson has championed international development efforts with a strong focus on supporting women-led businesses. He has advised a broad range of enterprises—from micro-scale farmers in Nigeria to large-scale manufacturing exporters—emphasizing that women are essential to economic growth and transformation in emerging markets.

He holds an MBA from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Arts from Tufts University.

This video is private.

0 0

YouTube Video UExJdHZDNlFoRVI5bHJDYUJMemN4bjd2dFZpcEVJRFFKZy4zQTkyMjEwN0U0QkU3RDg5

Lars Benson, Insitor | How Women in Business are Changing the World in Africa | August 6, 2025

Rotary Club Washington DC 10 views August 21, 2025 7:03 am

“There’s no problem in our community that doesn’t have an entrepreneurial solution.” That’s not just a belief for Carl J. Gray III—it’s the mission.

Carl is a Business Solutions Architect, speaker, 2x Best Selling author and founder of the Raising Founders Foundation, a national youth entrepreneurship movement known as the “AAU of Entrepreneurship.” Born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Prince George’s County, Maryland, he’s a proud graduate of Hampton University, where his passion for culture, creativity, and community was shaped.

With over 20 years of experience in consulting, assurance and entrepreneurial systems, Carl launched Raising Founders to solve a deeper issue: too many young people have vision but no structure. Through camps, incubators, in-school programs, and pitch competitions, the foundation equips students ages 12–20 to launch real businesses with real tools—websites, branding, AI training, funding, and mentorship.

The flagship incubator, hosted at Jacob’s Ladder in Fort Washington, MD, is backed by community leaders, business partners, and a growing national footprint. Whether they’re launching merch brands or tech services, these students leave with ownership, confidence, and a strategy to sustain it.

From school districts to CEOs, Carl teaches with faith, structure, and soul. No fluff. Just implementation.
We’re not raising employees. We’re raising founders. Be blessed by building. Be blessed by selling.
That’s the mission.

This video is private.

2 0

YouTube Video UExJdHZDNlFoRVI5bHJDYUJMemN4bjd2dFZpcEVJRFFKZy5DNzNDRDE1NzhGODQzODI2

Carl Gray III | Youth Entrepreneurship: Not the future, the NOW | July 30, 2025

Rotary Club Washington DC 18 views August 19, 2025 7:03 am

Iryna Lujan is the Executive Director of Universal Aid for Children, Inc. (UAC, Inc.), a charity dedicated to addressing the medical, educational, and emotional needs of orphans, orphanage graduates, displaced children, children with disabilities, and refugee children in the Odesa region of Ukraine. Since its founding in 1977, UAC, Inc. has worked tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of these deserving children.

During Ukraine's defense against the ongoing war of aggression, UAC, Inc. has shifted its focus to urgent humanitarian aid, ensuring survival and support for children in crisis. The organization is recognized as a 2020–2025 Top-Rated Great Non-Profit and received the "Best Foreign Charity Angel of Goodness" Award in 2017 from the National Association of Philanthropists of Ukraine.

Iryna was born and raised in Ukraine, is a proud mother of two children, and is married to Eliseo Lujan.

This video is private.

0 0

YouTube Video UExJdHZDNlFoRVI5bHJDYUJMemN4bjd2dFZpcEVJRFFKZy43MzBFRTZDMUM3OTY2RjQ4

Iryna Lujan, Exec. Dir., Universal Aid for Children | Ukraine Children Need Peace | July 23, 2025

Rotary Club Washington DC 3 views August 18, 2025 7:03 am

Jane Meyers is a professional librarian with over 45 years’ experience in consulting, teaching and working with scores of African libraries, including participation in UNESCO workshops to formulate National Library/Information Policies of Malawi and Zambia. She developed a network of research libraries for Malawi’s Ministry of Agriculture on a World Bank project and pioneered technology applications for Africa in the mid- to late-1980s. She was instrumental in establishing the first positions for professional librarians in Malawi’s civil service and has consulted in Africa for FAO, Unicef and other international agencies. She worked at the U.S. National Agricultural Library and USAID and later developed agricultural information services at the World Bank which led to the establishment of the World Bank Library. She earned a B.A., summa cum laude, from the University of Arizona and a Master’s in Library Science from the University of Maryland.

Meyers established a library and reading program for street children in Lusaka, Zambia in 2001, and subsequently developed the concept,
approach and organization of Lubuto Library Partners, established in 2005. She and the organization she founded have received numerous awards for this work.

This video is private.

0 0

YouTube Video UExJdHZDNlFoRVI5bHJDYUJMemN4bjd2dFZpcEVJRFFKZy4xREVBMTg1ODg1M0JCQUE1

Jane Meyers | Public Libraries Carrying on Innovation and Development in Zambia | July 16, 2025

Rotary Club Washington DC 14 views August 15, 2025 7:03 am

Load More... Subscribe

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.