Ambaree Majumder is a second-generation Rotarian. Her father has been a long- term Rotarian and a past president in the state of Sabah in Malaysia. She is a member of the Marina City Rotary club in Singapore. She is also the co-chair of the Plant-Rich Diet taskforce in the Rotary Action Group for Environmental Sustainability (ESRAG), co-leader of the Southeast Asian chapter of ESRAG and the Regional Chair for Environmental Protection in Singapore.

Although she is an IT Business Analyst by qualification, she has spent most of her time in the past 7 years as a Social Entrepreneur, Speaker and Educator in the field of Plant based Lifestyle. Her journey of a plant-based lifestyle began in 2006 when she took an ethical stand to stop eating meat and fish. However, in 2016, when she completely went plant based by removing dairy and eggs from her diet, she experienced immense health benefits. She was able to reverse many chronic health issues like joint aches, a weak immunity, many digestive issues and also hypothyroidism.

Being passionate about health and environment, she soon realized that the diet which was the healthiest was also the most planet friendly. She undertook certification courses like Plant based Nutrition and Food Sustainability from e-Cornell, the online version of Cornell University. She has spoken at various Rotary clubs around the world, corporate platforms, schools and universities about how our plates and the planet are more interconnected than it might seem. She presents scientific data to show that every meal is an opportunity for us to fight a climate catastrophe knocking at humanity’s doorstep.

Janice Pliner has worked for more than 30 years in the areas of adult education and volunteer and program management.   She has a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Arts in Human Resource Development from Marymount University. 

She has worked for large corporations, including Gannett and Host Marriott Services, and for national non-profits, such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation.  Since 2013, Janice has been the Program Manager at Washington Metropolitan Oasis.  In this role, she is responsible for the planning and development of all course offerings at the Oasis center and other community locations.

Mayorga Organics is our Business of the Year!

Mayorga Organics, based in Rockville, Md., embodies the spirit of Rotary.  At Rotary we use the four-way test in our business dealings. We ask:  Is it true?  Is it fair to all concerned?   Does it promote good will?  Will it be beneficial to all concerned?  Mayorga Organics grew into an international company by telling the farmers and the customers the truth, about market forces, the process of production and how they maintain quality.  They are dedicated to being fair to the farmers who produce our coffee and giving them a fair price for their labor. 

Martin Mayorga (pictured at left) started roasting coffee in Rockville in 1997. The company has expanded and now operates a state-of-the-art roasting facility on Gude Drive.

Mayorga Organics has promoted good will not only in their business model of non-exploitation but by many generous corporate acts including donating $145,000 to build homes in Nicaragua that was destroyed by floods and donating food and water to over 700 families in Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua when disaster struck.  They are regular donors to local food banks in Montgomery County, and they donate time to help social enterprise groups in Tennessee that create jobs and provide mentorships in coffee roasting and the retail business.  They have developed a scholarship program that awards 10 scholarships a year, each valued at $5000. Mayorga has also donated prizes for our club’s fundraising events.

North Bethesda Rotary is awarding Mayorga the first North Bethesda Business of the Year Award for their mission and their success.  We wish them continued growth and prosperity. Congratulations Mayorga Organics!