Brian Rusch - Keynote Speaker

Storyteller, Motivational Speaker, Board Director and Advisor, Global Charity Consultant and Strategist, & Human Rights Advocate

Brian is a versatile professional with a background in fashion and entertainment, later transitioning into the nonprofit sector. He has worked with renowned figures like the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, focusing on youth empowerment and peace-building initiatives. He founded the Human Thread Foundation and, in 2022, launched Out For Equality, a nonprofit supporting LGBTQ+ human rights globally. His mission is to inspire and make a positive impact, guided by the principle of "ubuntu" - recognizing our interconnected humanity.

Mary Beth Growney Selene - RI Presidential Representative

Mary Beth Growney Selene will represent Rotary International President Gordon McInally at this year’s District 5360 Conference. In addition to a wealth of experience at District and Zone events and trainings, she was the Rotary Foundation Trustee 2016-2019 and Rotary International Director 2013-2015. As R.I. President Gordon McInally’s representative, Mary Beth will bring Gordon’s message on the important priorities in the Rotary world, in particular this year’s Presidential Theme, Creating Hope in the World.

Mary Beth is a member of the Rotary Club of Madison West Towne-Middleton, WI, USA. She has received Rotary International’s Service Above Self Award and The Rotary Foundation’s Citation for Meritorious Service. Mary Beth and Alan are Major Donors and Bequest Society members to The Rotary Foundation’s Endowment Fund, and they are both Sustaining members to the Annual Fund.

Steacy Pinney

There’s No Place Like Hope!

Come escape into the wonderful and whimsical world of The Wizrd of Oz, a beloved children’s novel written in 1900. Explore through this classic story, and its collection of characters, the place that hope holds in all our lives. Deepen your understanding of hope with your brain and hear about how to make it a habit with hearts and courage.

David Falconer

Creating Hope in regions of conflict

David Falconer will share how Classrooms Without Walls brings hope to those in conflict regions that wonder if the world has forgotten them.

As an educator with International experience, David is the Executive Director and Founder of “Classrooms Without Walls”’ an organization providing free online education to students living in conflict regions of the world.

His work internationally allowed him to see the need to support displaced students and his passion has led to the creation of Classrooms Without Walls that oversees four programs; Teachers for Ukraine, Teachers for Myanmar, Teachers for Afghanistan and the Winds of Change Leadership Youth Program. 

Mark Wafer

Creating Hope in the workforce for people with disabilities

Mark Wafer and his wife Valerie are former Tim Hortons franchise owners with six locations in Toronto. As inclusive employers they hired more than 130 people with disabilities over 21 years. Born deaf, Mark is a leading voice for inclusion. Mark’s business success has led to a new career as a public speaker.

Mark was inducted into the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame in 2014, and in 2016, he received the prestigious David C. Onley Award for Leadership in Accessibility. He is a member of the federal Governments panel on labour market opportunities, co founder of Canada's national strategy Canadian business SenseAbility. He is a member of Ontario's Lieutenant Governors Accessibility team, Ontario's Economic Development Partnership Council and an inaugural member of Ontario's champions league.

Christie Johnson

Creating Hope with Education in a Developing Country

Christie Johnson is a co-founder and a key part of the dynamic team that has been working diligently to complete a 15-year project to improve education for girls in Malawi - the Atsikana Pa Ulendo (APU) or, Girls on the Move school. At this time the school educates over 600 yourng women in residence. APU now operates independent of Canadian support and represents a great success story in one of the poorest countries in the world as it creates hope in so many ways.

Christie continues her education career as a biology teacher at Lester B. Pearson College on Vancouver Island. She is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow and in 2010 was nominated as one of CBC’s Champions of Change.