Skot Welch is a nationally recognized speaker, author, entrepreneur, and community advocate based in West Michigan. He is the founder and president of Global Bridgebuilders, an organizational development and inclusion consulting firm that works with businesses and communities to strengthen leadership, engagement, and belonging initiatives. Welch is also the co-founder and managing partner of the…
Join us for our Club Committee Update Luncheon! Our club offers a variety of opportunities to serve, one of which is on committees that keep us engaged and allow us to grow and serve more in the community and beyond. On May 28th, we will hear from the Membership, Rotary International Foundation, and Club 77…
BIO: Lisa M. Perhamus was the inaugural Padnos/Sarosik Endowed Professor of Civil Discourse at Grand Valley State University and now serves as the inaugural director of the university's Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civil Discourse. In addition to her directorship, she is a professor in the Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies at Grand Valley. Earning her Ph.D.…
BIO: Mike is a nationally recognized universal design expert helping organizations create inclusive, accessible, and safer environments across the globe. With the goal of bringing positive change to the world, he advocates for eliminating physical and social barriers in the built environment so all individuals can flourish, maintain their independence, and improve their quality of…
Join the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids on June 25th for our annual “Passing of the Tiller” Luncheon, a special tradition marking the transition of club leadership. During this ceremony, outgoing 2025–2026 President Shannon Kolarik will officially pass the presidential tiller to incoming 2026–2027 President Joel Hondorp. We’ll celebrate the accomplishments of President Shannon’s term and hear her reflections on a…
There will be no luncheon on July 2nd in observance of the 4th of July holiday.
Join us as we kick off a new Rotary year and welcome incoming Club President Joel Hondorp. President Joel will share his vision and goals for the year ahead as he leads our club into an exciting new chapter.
Speaker: Russ Kavalhuna Title: President, Western Michigan University Bio: President Russ Kavalhuna came to Western to serve as president with a distinguished record of public service, higher education leadership and a results-driven approach to student success. Reflecting deep commitments to advocacy, accountability and collaboration, President Kavalhuna’s career spans aviation, law and education. A former commercial airline…
