Meet the featured speakers helping shape this year’s conference experience. From global humanitarian leadership to powerful personal stories of resilience and purpose, these voices reflect the heart of Rotary and the impact of service above self.
A signature opening session featuring a polio survivor, an emerging scholar, and a globally recognized humanitarian voice.
Mayor Deanna Reed
Mayor Deanna Reed brings a heartfelt welcome from Harrisonburg, a city known for its warmth, community spirit, and deep commitment to service. A Harrisonburg native, she is a deeply engaged civic leader whose service reaches across education, workforce development, public libraries, parks and recreation, regional partnerships, and our community life.
Harrisonburg Police Honor Guard
The Harrisonburg Police Honor Guard is the ceremonial unit of the Harrisonburg Police Department, representing HPD at memorials, funerals, civic observances, and special public events. Rooted in a department history that dates back to 1872, the Honor Guard brings a sense of dignity, remembrance, and service to important community moments.
Polio survivor • Rotary District 5370 Governor • Global polio advocate
Ramesh Ferris is a polio survivor and Rotary leader whose life and service embody Rotary’s enduring commitment to polio eradication. Known for transformative advocacy efforts—including a 7,140 km hand-cycling journey across Canada—he has worked alongside global agencies, philanthropic leaders, and public officials to expand vaccine access and help move the world closer to ending polio.
Skelton Scholar
Cori Howard appears in the keynote lineup as a Skelton Scholar and represents the energy, intellect, and promise of emerging leadership. This featured appearance helps connect the conference to the next generation of Rotary-minded service and scholarship.
Former Governor of South Carolina • Former Executive Director, World Food Programme
David M. Beasley is a distinguished public servant and humanitarian leader who most recently served as Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme from 2017 to April 2023. During that time, he led the world’s largest humanitarian organization and accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of WFP in 2020, bringing global attention to hunger, conflict, and the urgent work of humanitarian relief.
A fast-moving session designed to spotlight meaningful stories from across the district, celebrate leadership, and honor those who have shaped Rotary service.
Featured recognition speaker
This TED-style talk highlights the Four Way Test Winner and the power of ethical reflection, clear communication, and principled leadership.
Inbound students
Meet the students who have come to our district from around the world through Rotary Youth Exchange. Their experiences reflect the power of cultural exchange, personal growth, and the lasting connections formed through Rotary’s global network.
Outbound student perspective
Hear from a student representing our district abroad through Rotary Youth Exchange. This story highlights the confidence, independence, and global understanding that emerge when young people step beyond their comfort zones and into the world.
Past District Governor • Membership leader • Rotary trainer
Sean Sawyer is an experienced Rotary leader whose service spans club, district, zone, and international levels. A past district governor, current club Membership Chair, and Assistant Rotary Membership Coordinator, he brings both strategic perspective and contagious enthusiasm for building vibrant Rotary communities.
Dr. Tamara Dias is a dynamic speaker and advocate for well-being, leadership sustainability, and personal resilience. Her work focuses on helping individuals—especially those in service-driven roles—navigate the demands of leadership while maintaining balance, energy, and purpose. Through a blend of research-informed insight and practical application, she equips audiences with strategies to prevent burnout, strengthen self-awareness, and sustain meaningful impact over time. Dr. Dias brings a powerful, human-centered perspective to the conversation around service, reminding leaders that caring for themselves is essential to caring for others.
District 7570 110% Award Recognition
This special keynote segment honors this year's District 7570 110% Award recipient. The award recognizes one Rotarian in each Area who has excelled in carrying out the Rotary mission by giving 110% effort to strengthen their club, increase humanitarian service, and extend Rotary’s public image. Representing communities across the district, these honorees reflect the dedication, generosity, and spirit that keep Rotary strong. We are pleased to celebrate their contributions during this year’s conference.
A moment of remembrance
This portion of the session offers space to honor cherished Rotarians whose lives and service continue to shape the district.