PETS Speaker Bios
STEPHANIE A. URCHICK
PRESIDENT ROTARY INTERNATIONAL
2024-2025
Stephanie Urchick is a member of the Rotary Club of McMurray, Pennsylvania, USA. She will serve RI as president in 2024-25. She has been an RI director and Rotary Foundation trustee. She has served RI in numerous capacities, including as training leader, regional Rotary Foundation coordinator, and RI president’s representative. In addition, Stephanie was a representative and member-at-large to three sessions of the Council on Legislation.
Stephanie has also served as chair of the Rotary Strategic Planning Committee and The Rotary Foundation’s Centennial Celebration Committee, as well as a member of various Rotary committees, including the Election Review Committee and Operational Review Committee.
A Rotary member since 1991, Stephanie has participated in a variety of international service projects, including National Immunization Days in India and Nigeria. In Vietnam, she worked with clubs to help build a primary school and traveled to the Dominican Republic to install water filters. A student of several Slavic languages, she has mentored new Rotary members in Ukraine and coordinated a Rotary Foundation grant for a mammography equipment and a biopsy unit for a hospital in Poland. In its commemorative book, the Rotary Club of Krakow, Poland, noted Stephanie as a key figure for helping the re-birth of Rotary in post-Communist Poland.
Currently, Stephanie is helping to partner clubs and districts in the U.S. with Rotary clubs in Albania, Kosovo, and Ukraine for humanitarian and educational services.
Stephanie’s professional background is in the higher education, consulting, and entertainment industries. She received her doctorate degree in Leadership Studies from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and has been recognized and awarded by The Rotary Foundation and numerous community and international organizations.
Drew Kessler RI Director 2022-24 |
Bio
Drew Kessler is Senior Vice President of the Commercial Real Estate division at M&T Bank, where he manages a large loan portfolio of real estate and commercial ventures with major businesses in the New York City area.
Drew has led numerous professional real estate organizations, serving as president of both the Rockland County Board of Realtors and the 10,000-member Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors (HGAR) as well as director for both the New York State Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors. As a sign of his stature in the real estate community, Drew regularly appeared on Fox Business News from 2008-2013 for his expertise on the finance industry and the real estate market.
While At HGAR, he launched the HG Realtor Foundation. A passionate fundraiser, Drew has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for organizations including The Rotary Foundation, Habitat for Humanity March of Dimes and Feeding Westchester.
Drew joined Rotary in 2001, at the age of 20. He went on to serve as President of the Rotary Club of North Rockland at age 25 – at that time the youngest president in the club’s than 80-year history. At age 32, he served as District Governor for Rotary District 7210. “For anyone who says that you have to be retired to serve in these positions, I’d like to show that there is another path,” says Drew.
He has served Rotary International on the Young Past District Governor’s Committee as well as representative to the Council on Legislation and RI president’s representative. Drew also has served in numerous Zone leadership positions, including general chair of the Zone 28/32 Summit & Symposium, assistant Rotary coordinator for Zone 32 and general chair for the Mid-North East president’s elect training seminar. Committed to continuity and collaboration, he is a member of the District 7210 Executive Board, a committee he helped establish that is made up of both past and present district leaders that collaborate to the lead the District.
As a husband and father to five children, Drew prioritizes finding a way to incorporate family into Rotary events, projects, and meetings whenever possible; all of his children have been touched by Rotary either through Earlyact, Interact, RYLA and Rotary Youth Exchange. Drew and his wife, Vicki – also an Active Rotarian – reside in Hopewell Junction, New York.
Herb Klotz PDG, District 7430 |
Bio
Herb joined Rotary in 2011 and is a member of the Allentown West Rotary club near Allentown, PA. He is currently the 2021-24 Zone 32 Rotary Coordinator which covers the Northeast United States and is responsible for promoting membership growth. Herb was the 2019-20 District Governor and the 2016-18 District Membership Chair for District 7430. He played a key role in developing and implementing a strategic action plan to grow their district membership. From 2016-19, District 7430 increased its membership in 3 of the 4 years, added 4 new clubs, 4 satellites and had a net gain of nearly 100 members.
Herb is a retired chemical engineer and a charter member of Engineers without Borders – Lehigh Valley Professionals and has been actively involved in partnering with Rotary on global and district grant projects in Sierra Leone, Africa, and the Dominican Republic. He has traveled to both locations on multiple occasions.
Jason Browne Rotary Club of State College |
Bio
A masterful storyteller, Jason Browne seamlessly blends the realms of radio, marketing, and public speaking to resonate with audiences both near and far. With an MBA to his name and collaborations with global powerhouses like Facebook, Microsoft, and Rotary International, Jason’s voice has been heard on stages across continents, emphasizing the universality of topics like leadership, privilege, and diversity.
Jason’s genuine passion for sharing stories is deeply rooted in his desire to craft a brighter future, especially for his younger family members. This dedication is mirrored in his extensive international experience in marketing communications, workshop facilitation, and public speaking. He’s contributed to over 5,000 hours of ON-AIR content and has connected with more than 100,000 people through live events worldwide.
As the driving force behind Today Epic, Jason offers an array of services, from motivational talks to organizational development consulting. His entrepreneurial flair is evident in his ventures, especially AWRebels, where he’s cultivated a vibrant social media community. Beyond business, Jason’s commitment to community shines through his leadership roles on nonprofit boards, championing causes close to his heart.
When the spotlight dims, Jason is a basketball enthusiast (when his knees feel like working), music aficionado, and kayaker. He also desperately attempts to get his five-year-old niece to like him. Whether he’s navigating the intricacies of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) or musing about the wonders of space, Jason’s approach is a delightful mix of depth and whimsy, making every conversation memorable.
Devankar Mukhi Rotary District 6400 |
Bio
Devankar Mukhi, a Detroit Rotarian in District 6400 and has been the Zone 28 assistant public image coordinator since 2020. This is a team of 9 other public image experts to provide clubs and districts within the zone whatever they may need to better their public image. Devankar focuses on how to bring more attendees to your events, digitizing your club, and reaching a younger demographic. In addition, Devankar is the chair for the environmental committee for the Detroit Rotary, founder of the District 6400 Peace Committee member, and is the creator of the International Arts and Peace Festival.
Professionally, Devankar is results and people-driven with an established record of strategic planning, project management, and non-profit organization development success. Key talents include aligning organization strategy and objectives with established team leadership and operations coordination paradigms to achieve maximum operational impacts with minimum resource expenditures. He is a detail-focused professional with the ability to carry out the organization and coordination of events and conferences, lead and collaborate with individuals and teams, and operate with a strong focus on driving organizational growth and development. He is an exceptionally dedicated professional with keen interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills, as well as a strong passion for social justice, youth empowerment, world peace, the environment, and more.
During MAPETS, Devankar will be sharing how to tell your next event’s story, your club’s story, and your story.
Connie Spark rotarylady7390@comcast.net |
Bio
Connie Spark is a graduate of Duquesne University with a B.S. in Music Education. She currently owns two medical retail optical offices: Designer Family Eyecare in York and Designer Eyeglass, LTD in Selings Grove, PA. Connie has one child, James Spark who also lives in York. And one grandson Adian, now 17. Connie began her career in Rotary in 1996 when she joined the Rotary Club of York–East. Her desire to join Rotary was prompted by a GSE trip in the 1994-1995 Rotary year to Rotary District 1440 in Denmark. She is a 2006 graduate of the Rotary Leadership Institute and has attended the last 16 International Conventions. In 2002 and 2003 she was a presenter and attended the Rotary International RIBI Conferences in England.
Connie has a passion for Humanitarian Medical Missions. She has either lead or participated in 35 Medical Missions. Besides writing the necessary Rotary International Foundation grants and organizing medical teams and volunteers, numbering 40 to 85, she was the project Director for the following: Ghana 2002, Ethiopia 2003, Brazil 2004 and 2010, Peru 2006, 2007 & 2010, Honduras 2007, 2008, 2009 & 2013, Kenya 2008, Ecuador 2009, Thailand 2012, Jamaica 2013, 2014, 2015, Ethiopia 2016, Uganda 2017, Malawi 2018, and Zambia 2023.
Throughout her Rotary career, Connie has received several Rotary distinctions. She was awarded the prestigious Rotary International Service Above Self Award by PRIP Glen Estess in 2004-2005 and the District 7390 Service Award each year from 2002-2016. In November 2013 she was presented with the Citation for Meritorious Service and in 2022, Connie received the District 7390 Lifetime Achievement Award.
Cindy Hornaman hornamca@ptd.net |
Bio
Cindy Hornaman is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University with BA degrees in Public Administration and Economics and a Masters Degree in Business ( MBA) from Gannon University. She has also taught numerous courses in both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Cindy spent over 25 years in senior level positions primarily in manufacturing including: human resources, business start ups, acquisitions, labor relations, recruiting, plant engineering, IT, quality development and strategic planning also at the international level. For the past 20 years, she has owned and operated a wholesale business which she initiated selling hand-made in the USA items to over 450 galleries/stores throughout the USA.
She joined Rotary in the early 2000’s becoming involved in her passion for the Rotary Foundation and international travel and projects. From Chairing the Group Study Exchange for a number of years- GSE Team Leader to the Philippines in 2011, initiating Friendship Exchange in the district, DG in 2018-2019, International Service Chair, Foundation Chair as well as Legislative Chair and District Trainer. She has been involved with numerous foundation grants and travel.
Cindy and her husband Chris have a passion for travel and service having traveled in over 80 countries around the world.
Mohammed Amadi Mphande mohammedmulezi3@gmail.com |
Bio
Mohammed is the HeadMaster at Mfuwe Primary School in the Village of Mfuwe, Zambia which is one of the largest primary schools. He has been in the education field as a teacher or manager since the early 2000s. He completed the Teachers tertiary course at Chipata Training college in 2003 and joined the Ministry of Education in 2005. He obtained a B.S. in Social Science Education in 2017 at DMiSt. Eugene University in Lusaka, Zambia.
Born in Chipata, Zambia, he and his wife Grace moved to Mfuwe almost 36 years ago. They have 5 children and love partnering and giving back to the community.
As one of the founding members in 2012 of the Mfuwe Rotary Club, he is currently Club President and has been very active in promoting Rotary through the community. The Mfuwe Rotary Club has participated in global grants including the first vocational training team in STEM in secondary schools and the most recent large vocational training team medical grants.
Mohammed is very honored to be a part of the Mid-Atlantic PETS , having never traveled on an airplane or to the United States . His dedication to service is well known in the community as he works to make lives better for the people of Mfuwe, Zambia.
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