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

September 30th 2026 at 12:30 pm
In-Person/Hybrid Washington DC Weekly Club Meeting
Speaker: Colin Grabow
The Jones Act

Colin Grabow is an Associate Director at the Cato Institute’s Herbert A. Stiefel Center for Trade Policy Studies where his research focuses on domestic forms of trade protectionism such as the Jones Act and the U.S. sugar program.
His writings have been published in a number of outlets, including USA Today, The Hill, National Review, and the Wall Street Journal.

Prior to joining the Cato Institute, he performed political and economic analysis for a Japan-based trading and investment firm and published research and analysis for an international affairs consulting firm with a focus on U.S.-Asia relations.

Grabow holds a BA in international affairs from James Madison University and an MA in international trade and investment policy from George Washington University.

October 7th 2026 at 12:30 pm
In-Person/Hybrid Washington DC Weekly Club Meeting
Speaker: Mike Johnson
Community Service Grant: Growing Resilient Food Systems for DC's Food Insecure

Mike Johnson is the Founder and Executive Director of OurFarm DC, a Washington, DC-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit building a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient local food system through hydroponic urban farming, food access programming, and community education. Since installing its first container farm at Covenant House Greater Washington in 2023, OurFarm has grown into a network of indoor and outdoor garden installations across schools, community organizations, and institutional partners throughout the DC/Maryland/Virginia region — harvesting thousands of pounds of fresh produce for food-insecure communities while creating hands-on educational and workforce training opportunities along the way.

Mike brings a background in design strategy, user research, and venture development to OurFarm's mission. Before founding OurFarm, he worked with a diversity of companies to design, test, and build new products and services, using human-centered research and design methodologies. His earlier career spanned international development and social enterprise work, including roles with the American India Foundation in Bangalore, India working with sustainability and workforce development ventures. He holds a degree from Brown University.

Mike has built OurFarm from the ground up - gradually accumulating partnerships and resources to develop scalable and impactful programs with organizations like Prince George’s Community College, Bread for the City, DC Central Kitchen, Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy, and schools across PG County and DC.

October 14th 2026 at 12:30 pm
In-Person/Hybrid Washington DC Weekly Club Meeting
Speaker: Marco Davis
President & CEO, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI)

Missed the meeting? Watch the speaker’s presentation.

YouTube

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 2 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 7 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 8 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 44 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 40 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 42 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 9 views September 10, 2026 8:03 am

Mike McGovern has chaired the Rotary International PolioPlus Committee since October 2014. He Chairs the Global Polio Eradication Initiative’s (GPEI’s) Polio Oversight Board and formerly chaired the GPEI’s Finance Accountability Committee.
He made his first financial contribution for polio eradication in 1988.

He joined Rotary in 1986 as a member of the Rotary Club of South Portland-Cape Elizabeth, Maine, USA. He has served in many Rotary positions including as a director and vice president of Rotary International and as a trustee and vice chair of the Rotary Foundation.

Other volunteer service include terms as president of the Maine Municipal Association and of the Maine Town and City Association, chair of ecomaine which is the state’s largest recycler, chair of the Rotary Action Group for Family Health and AIDS Prevention, global chair of the Rotary Leadership Institute and he served as a member of
the Board of Visitors of the Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service from which he had earned a Master’s in Public Policy and Management prior to it being named as the Muskie School.

He served his entire professional career with the Town of Cape Elizabeth, Maine USA beginning as an intern in 1977 and serving as the chief appointed officer (town manager) for 31 years until his retirement in 2016.

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Mike McGovern | Polio Eradication | May 13, 2026

Rotary Club Washington DC 20 views September 9, 2026 8:03 am

Flying cars are ready to take off — a fascinating look at the past, present, and future of personal mobility.
Tim Jackson has served 30 years in the automotive industry and 35 years in association management. Of those, 18 years overlapped as Tim served as president/CEO of the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association (CADA), the trade association for 400 motor vehicle dealers across the state. At CADA, Tim produced the annual Denver Auto Show for 18 years, the third-oldest new car show in the country, which dates to 1902.

Tim has been a private pilot and aviation enthusiast since age 19. He recently wrote and published a book that chronicles advancements in all forms of transportation and mobility. Tim was recognized in 2020 by Automotive News as an Automotive All-Star. In 2023, Tim became the 64th honoree inducted into the Colorado Automotive Hall of Fame.

Tim has a personal goal to visit and speak to as many Rotary Clubs as possible. So far, Tim has delivered over 550 Rotary Club presentations, including to 132 of Colorado’s 146 Rotary Clubs, some as many as four or five times.

Tim and his wife, Beverly, reside in Denver and spend some winters in the Phoenix area.

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Tim Jackson | Flying cars, ready to take off — personal mobility, a fascinating look | May 6, 2026

Rotary Club Washington DC 5 views September 8, 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.