Claes Ryn takes the podium to discuss “Isn’t It Time to Abolish the Class Society?” In his talk, Professor Ryn will explore the growing economic polarization in America and the complex idea of social justice. Drawing on his deep background in political thought and ethics, he will challenge us to reflect on how divisions in wealth and opportunity affect our society – and what can be done to bridge the gap.

Chad Bissonnette is a mission-driven nonprofit leader with 20 years of experience in international development, organizational management, and community empowerment. As the President and Co-founder of Roots of Development, he has dedicated his career to promoting a “Development without Dependency” model, focusing on sustainable, community-led initiatives, particularly in Haiti.

Chad holds a B.A. in International Relations from American University and was honored as the School of International Service’s Alumnus of the Year in 2014. He has traveled extensively and lived in multiple countries—experiences that have enriched his global perspective, deepened his insights into cross-cultural collaboration, and shaped his commitment to inclusive, locally led development.

Our fellow longtime Rotarian, Dr. Steve Vaccarezza, PhD, will share his perspective on how medicine has evolved over the past four decades – from advances in technology to shifts in patient care and practice.

Victoria is an accomplished architect with over 40 years of experience, recognized for her outstanding residential and conceptual design work both in the U.S. and abroad. Among her many projects, she also participated in the Pentagon Memorial competition.

As the founder of VIF Design, based in the DC Metro area, Victoria continues to bring creativity and vision to her practice.

Beyond her professional achievements, Victoria has been a dedicated Rotarian for 24 years. She is also a Past President of our club, where her leadership and commitment to service have made a lasting impact.

A Software Engineer at Scale AI and Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve, received District 7620’s Global Grant Scholarship to pursue a Master of Science in Cognitive Science at the University of Edinburgh. His work currently focuses on building Artificial Intelligence technology to support national security.He holds a Bachelor’s degree from MIT and has specialized expertise in defense technology, AI/ML development, and software engineering. A former Boren Scholar at Tsinghua University in Beijing, Eric served on active duty in the Army after graduating from MIT. He has worked in Maryland and the DC area supporting U.S. Cyber Command’s Cyber National Mission Force and Special Operations Command.As a Global Grant Scholar at the University of Edinburgh, Eric aims to advance the study of ethical AI and leverage it to proactively prevent conflicts, aligning with the Rotary Foundation’s focus on Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention. He was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Washington, DC and values Rotary’s unique position to unite DC’s diverse professional community for service.A resident of Navy Yard, Eric enjoys runs on the National Mall and biking around the city. He speaks Mandarin Chinese and some Russian and has studied and lived in Russia, China, and Kazakhstan. Eric … Read More »

Ukpeme Akpan Okon, the Principal of The Values String, LLC is the Author of  award-winning The Values String: A book on Transitional Life, Compelling Fulfillment, and Profound Peace.A Lawyer, Human Rights Consultant, Arbitrator, Adjudicator, Mediator, Speaker, Trainer, Mentor, and Ambassador for Peace, she believes that the complexities of the world, and challenges encountered by individuals can be surmounted.