Events

Join us this week as Lexi Kantor brings an inspiring update from the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) front, including the upcoming district retreat at Camp Rotary in Boxford, MA (likely May 2026)

🔹 What is RYLA?
An intensive, weekend-long leadership experience designed by Rotary to develop communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and ethical leadership in high school students 

🔹 Camp Rotary in Boxford
A historic, co-ed overnight camp (est. 1921) nestled in a wooded campus at 372 Ipswich Rd., offering a meaningful and transformative environment for youth leadership growth 

🔹 Why It Matters
Participants gain practical leadership tools, form lasting connections, and embody Rotary’s “Service Above Self” ethos—emerging ready to positively impact their communities

Joan Lovely has become a leading voice in Massachusetts politics, serving as State Senator for the 2nd Essex District encompassing Beverly, Danvers, Peabody, Salem, and Topsfield since January 2013.

Her political journey began locally: after raising a family in Salem, she earned a law degree from Massachusetts School of Law and Salem State University, then served on the Salem City Council from 1998 to 2012. During her tenure, she held roles as Ward 3 Councillor, Councillor-at-Large, Council President, and even Acting Mayor, leveraging her grassroots experience to rebuild a neighborhood playground and advocate for aging and disability causes.

In the Senate, Lovely has taken on influential leadership roles. She is the Assistant Majority Leader, Chair of the Senate Committee on Rules, Vice Chair on several policy committees, and President of the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators. Her legislative leadership spans areas such as housing, climate change, disability rights, postpartum depression, opioid recovery, and public records reform.

Among her major accomplishments, Senator Lovely has successfully secured funding for local priorities—such as grants for Salem Common renovations, affordable housing, autism services, and North Shore infrastructure. She co-sponsored major bills protecting voter access, reproductive rights, environmental justice, and economic resilience for gateway cities.

Beyond her legislative portfolio, Lovely is deeply rooted in her community in Salem with her husband Stephen, their three children, a granddaughter, and a lively household of four Labradors, a cat, chickens, and ducks.

Whether advocating for her constituents on Beacon Hill or volunteering locally, Senator Lovely’s career exemplifies dedicated public service, focused on equity, community empowerment, and New England progress.

Yamilis Cruz is the Assistant Principal at Bentley Academy Innovation School in Salem, MA, bringing over 13 years of experience in teaching and educational leadership. A native of Miami, Florida, and fluent in Spanish, Mrs. Cruz has served as a literacy coach, English and ESL teacher, and administrator across school districts in Florida and Massachusetts. She holds a bachelor's degree in English Education and a master's in Reading Education from Florida International University, as well as a CAGS from Nova Southeastern University.

Since relocating to Salem in 2021, Mrs. Cruz has been deeply involved in the local community and schools, most recently as a literacy coach at Collins Middle School. Passionate about equity in education and the power of representation, she is committed to supporting Bentley’s Dual Language program and celebrating the cultural and linguistic diversity of its students. Mrs. Cruz also serves on several district and city committees, including the Racial Equity Advisory Team and the City of Salem Scholarship and Education Committee. She lives in Salem with her husband, Camilo, and their son.

Audrey Bradley joined FFI in February 2025, bringing with her a strong background in language education and cross-cultural communication. A native of the Seacoast area, Audrey developed a love for languages early on, which led her to earn a Bachelor's degree in Spanish and International Affairs from the University of New Hampshire. She has taught English as a Second Language abroad and Spanish in New Hampshire, experiences that deepened her commitment to language access and global engagement. Audrey is thrilled to support FFI’s mission both locally and internationally through her role in programs and community outreach.

John DeLorey is the Founder and President of College Planning Services (CPS), a trusted leader in college financing for over 30 years. A graduate of Boston College with a B.S. in Accounting, John has dedicated his career to helping families navigate the financial challenges of higher education. Through his personalized and strategic approach, he has helped clients save thousands of dollars annually by maximizing financial aid, reducing college loans, and ensuring the accurate completion of financial aid forms. John and his five-member team are known for building long-term relationships with families, offering professional, unbiased advice to make college more affordable. He lives in Newburyport with his two children.

A dynamic leader with a passion for service, Pooja Singla will serve as the Rotary District 7930 Governor for the 2025–2026 year. Since joining the Burlington Breakfast Rotary Club in 2018, Pooja has embraced the Rotary mission with enthusiasm, leadership, and heart. She served as Club President in 2019–2020, a year in which the club earned a Rotary Citation under her leadership, and has since remained on the Board of Directors.

Pooja's contributions extend far beyond her home club. She served as Assistant Governor for three years and co-chaired both the District Membership and DEI Committees. She is also a founding member of the District’s Polio Plus Society and continues to contribute to the Public Image and Technology committees.

Professionally, Pooja is a management consultant supporting nonprofits in the Boston area. With past roles in medical billing, software development, and education, she brings a wide range of expertise. She holds an MBA, an MA in English, and a degree in Computer Science. She is also a published researcher in telemedicine, having collaborated with MIT and Mass General Hospital.

Deeply committed to her community, Pooja volunteers with the Burlington Board of Health and the local Indian-American community. She credits her Rotary journey to the mentorship and support of inspiring women leaders and hopes to pay that forward by encouraging and empowering the next generation.

Pooja lives in Burlington, MA, with her husband Ajay. She’s a proud mother of two sons and grandmother to Devan. As District Governor, she is excited to continue imagining Rotary—and helping others imagine what’s possible.

Lucy Collins is the Family Recruitment Coordinator for The Home for Little Wanderers. Lucy has dedicated more than 30 years to supporting children and families across Massachusetts, including the past three decades with The Home. In her current role, she focuses on recruiting and supporting foster families to provide safe, loving homes for children in need.

Lucy is a passionate advocate who believes that every child deserves stability, care, and the chance to thrive. She works closely with communities and the Department of Children & Families to connect young people with nurturing families who can guide them through life’s most difficult challenges.

Her talk will highlight the urgent need for foster families in our region, the difference community support can make, and how each of us can play a role in ensuring every child feels a sense of belonging.

We look forward to welcoming Lucy and learning more about how Rotary — and Salem — can continue to support this important work.

Giovanni Alabiso is a producer, actor, writer, and comedian with a passion for blending storytelling and history. Based in Salem, Massachusetts, he has performed in standup, improv, sketch comedy, and film, while also building a career behind the camera as a creative producer. He brings that same dynamic energy to his work on The Last Witch documentary, where his deep knowledge of Salem’s past helps ground the project in authenticity and meaning.

Recognized as an expert on the 1692 Salem Witch Trials, Giovanni frequently lectures and appears in media as a commentator on the subject. He also operates a popular tour company in Salem, leading visitors through the city’s history and ghostly lore. By combining his creative background with historical expertise, Giovanni offers a unique perspective that educates, entertains, and connects people to the enduring legacy of Salem.

Eric Daniels is a dedicated funeral director and trainer with Service Corporation International, the parent company of the Dignity Memorial network, North America’s largest provider of funeral, cremation, and cemetery services. He brings extensive experience to his role, helping prepare and support fellow professionals in providing compassionate care during life’s most difficult moments.

During the peak of the COVID‑19 pandemic, Eric showcased his deep commitment to service by traveling from Florida to New York to assist overwhelmed funeral home teams. He worked long hours under stressful, emotionally intense conditions including helping with removals from hospitals, nursing homes, and residences, demonstrating extraordinary empathy, resilience, and dedication to both colleagues and grieving families.

At The Phoenix School in Salem, the EarlyAct Club is a hallmark of student-driven community engagement. It was established in collaboration with the Salem Rotary Club and is known as one of the first clubs of its kind in New England. Unlike typical service clubs, EarlyAct at Phoenix is entirely student-run: students evaluate, plan, organize, and carry out projects under the guidance of their peers and teachers. Throughout the year, they serve both the school community—by acting as reading partners or offering peer support—and the broader region, such as collecting donations for the Northeast Animal Shelter, the Crombie Street Shelter for the Homeless, and other local causes.

The club is also a key part of Phoenix’s culture of service-learning and philanthropic reflection. Students regularly raise funds through curriculum-integrated activities like read-a-thons or bake sales, directing all proceeds into their “Young Philanthropists’ Fund.” Each year, the whole school researches potential beneficiaries and collectively decides where the funds should go, fostering thoughtful deliberation and shared decision-making. In partnership with the Salem Rotary Club, EarlyAct members also lead a monthly “Change for Changing Lives” initiative, gathering spare change to support the North Shore Moving Market, and present their projects and philanthropic choices to Rotary members.

Salem High School Construction Update

The Salem Chamber of Commerce and Salem Rotary Club Invite You to “School Zone”

Join us for a special conversation with Mayor Dominic Pangallo, Salem School District Superintendent Dr. Stephen Zrike, Rick Jones and Nate Bryant, co-Chairs of the Salem High School Building Committee.  Our speakers will share an update and presentation on the Salem High School project and answer your questions

Salem High School Construction Update

The Salem Chamber of Commerce and Salem Rotary Club Invite You to “School Zone”

Join us for a special conversation with Mayor Dominic Pangallo, Salem School District Superintendent Dr. Stephen Zrike, Rick Jones and Nate Bryant, co-Chairs of the Salem High School Building Committee.  Our speakers will share an update and presentation on the Salem High School project and answer your questions

Nancy Gardella serves as the Executive Director of the North of Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau. With a strong background in tourism and nonprofit leadership, she has steered regional promotion and marketing efforts since joining the bureau in early 2022 following over 15 years leading the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce. Gardella brings a passion for storytelling, a wealth of advocacy experience for tourism funding, and a positive, energetic leadership style that supports growth and collaboration across the region.

The North of Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau is a private, nonprofit, membership-based regional tourism council founded in 1955 and located in Salisbury at the Maria Miles Visitor Center on I-95. It promotes Essex County—including its communities from Salisbury to Rockport—as a premier, year-round travel destination by acting as the official liaison with the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism. The bureau supports more than 200 member businesses across accommodations, dining, attractions, events, and cultural institutions, while offering visitor services, marketing campaigns, grants, networking opportunities, and educational outreach to drive tourism and economic development in the region.

Heidi Whear currently serves as the Director of Aging Services in her hometown of Swampscott. Heidi holds a Master’s degree in Public Health from Boston University. She has spent her life developing and running programs serving seniors in home settings, adult day health, affordable housing, and assisted living. She has served on Swampscott’s Council on Aging and Swampscott for All Ages Committee. Volunteerism has been prominent throughout her life growing up a Peace Corps “brat” in India and Iran and then serving as a volunteer in Peace Corps Morocco. More recently she is a Senior Active Rotarian with the Marblehead Harbor Club having also been a part of the Swampscott Rotary. Heidi is on the Board of the North Shore Hearing Foundation and First Church Congregational Council. When Bruce lets her, she also helps in the kitchen at Lifebridge. Most recently she is the founding President of Seaglass Village, a non-profit developed to help our aging adults remain in their homes with the help of volunteers. She is happily married to a Marbleheader, Bruce Whear with four sons and two grandsons!

Jennifer Hashley is the Trisha Pérez Kennealy and Michael Kennealy Director for New Entry, where she has led the organization since 2006 after serving five years as Project Coordinator. A nationally recognized leader in beginning farmer development and regional food systems, she oversees program strategy, partnerships, staff mentorship, grant development, and sustainable agriculture training initiatives, including incubator farm sites, specialty crop and livestock education, and a year-round food hub serving limited-resource farmers. Jennifer founded the National Incubator Farm Training Initiative and later merged it to create the FIELD Network, strengthening professional development and collaboration across farmer-training programs nationwide. As part of the Tufts Friedman School, she has connected graduate-level agricultural policy studies with hands-on farm education. An experienced farmer herself, Jennifer co-founded Pete and Jen's Backyard Birds, later transitioning to Codman Community Farm, and remains a passionate grower of specialty crops. She has earned national fellowships and multiple leadership awards, served on boards supporting small-farm financing and urban agriculture, and advised numerous regional food and policy initiatives. Previously, Jennifer served as a Peace Corps agriculture extensionist in Honduras, training farmers in sustainable practices, and holds advanced degrees and certificates in agricultural policy, community organization management, ecological horticulture, and environmental science.

Marc Levy served as a combat medic with Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, First Cavalry Division in Vietnam and Cambodia in 1970. His decorations include the Combat Medic Badge, Silver Star, two Bronze Stars for Valor, the ArCom and Air Medal.  Widely published, he is a Pushcart Prize nominee, and the author of several books, including How Stevie Nearly Lost the War and Other Postwar Stories. His website is Medic in the Green Time, which showcases his writing and the writing of other Vietnam veterans.

Joint Thanksgiving Luncheon with Beverly Rotary at Danversport Yacht Club

Rev. Holly S Brauner is an ordained clergy of the United Church of Christ who works with individuals and their families in the greater community who are facing end of life decisions and care.

As an End of Life Doula and Hospice worker, Holly provides non-medical, holistic support for the dying and their families, including emotional, spiritual, and practical assistance. Holly helps to facilitate conversations about death and dying, provides a calm presence at the bedside, and supports the family with tasks and grief. This role aims to complement medical care by focusing on a person's quality of life and ensuring their wishes are honored during the end-of-life journey.