Friday, May 2nd

10:30 - 11:15 am

Ending Human Trafficking through Food Security

Bio
Audrey Moore, Chief Executive Officer Lift Up the Vulnerable
Audrey Moore has dedicated her life to shedding light on human trafficking and the injustices taking place in our world — especially in conflict zones. She attended the University of Delaware where she received a Bachelor of Science in Education. After graduation she moved to Belgium with the Young Adult Service Corp to work with international students and refugees throughout Western and Eastern Europe. While living in Europe, she learned of the horrors of human trafficking firsthand when a children’s home she had been volunteering at was exposed as a front for prostitution. At the time she was a charter board member for the organization which helped to close down the home. In an effort to rescue vulnerable children before experiencing the trauma of trafficking, Audrey has worked since 2005 to support the foundation and expansion of the only indigenously directed anti-trafficking network that today spans Sudan and South Sudan. In 2018, Audrey became CEO of Lift Up the Vulnerable and leads the mission of preventing trafficking and empowering changemakers in war-torn communities. Since 2022, Audrey has been an active Rotarian with the virtual Rotary Club to End Human Trafficking. Learn more about her work at: liftupthevulnerable.org

Audrey Moore

Chief Executive Officer
Lift Up the Vulnerable

Discover how addressing food security can play a foundational role in combating human trafficking and exploitation, especially in war-torn regions. In this impactful session, you’ll explore the root causes of exploitation and learn about proven strategies for prevention, rescue, and aftercare. Deepen your understanding of food security’s pivotal role and gain practical insights into creating sustainable programs through development and community engagement. Walk away inspired to take actionable steps in the fight against trafficking.

Hunger in the Heartland: An Inside Look into Food Insecurity, Food Systems, and Emerging Solutions

Take a journey through Minnesota’s food systems and uncover the complexities of hunger relief. From the farmers growing our food to the food shelves ensuring meals reach those in need, this panel will explore how collaboration fosters solutions. Unpack common misconceptions about hunger and learn how hunger-relief initiatives fit into the broader food system. Leave with practical ideas for getting involved in local hunger-relief efforts and a new understanding of innovations happening in Minnesota to fight food insecurity.

Breakout Panel

Bio
Theresa McCormick - Executive Director, The Good Acre
Conceptual and creative, she excels at synthesizing information and data to develop ideas – and bringing those ideas to life as real-world strategies and solutions. Whether growing programs, finding operational efficiencies or fundraising, Theresa’s aim is to make things faster, more effective and more efficient. She has a diverse nonprofit background which helps her collaborate across functions, seeing the interconnection as integral to success.

Theresa McCormick

Executive Director
The Good Acre

Bio
Jennifer Belisle - Programs and Agency Services Director at Channel One Regional Food Bank
Nonprofit professional with experience in program planning, quality improvement, outcomes management, oversight and compliance, staff recruitment, supervision and development, and fiscal and agency management for programs promoting self-sufficiency for individuals and families.

Jennifer Belisle

Programs and Agency Services Director
Channel One Regional Food Bank

Bio
Sarah Moberg - Chief Operations Officer, Second Harvest Heartland
Sarah Moberg believes everyone should be able to come together over a meal with family and friends in celebration and community. That’s why she has dedicated her career to providing people all over the world with the foods they need and love. Sarah is committed to creating, sourcing, and moving food to neighbors as she oversees all end-to-end sourcing and distribution of the millions of meals Second Harvest Heartland shares with the community annually. She enjoys partnering with the community to solve day-to-day problems in service of addressing bigger, systemic challenges. Prior to joining Second Harvest Heartland, she spent 25 years with General Mills, leading teams, operations, and innovation initiatives around the world. Sarah currently serves on the board of Aeon, an affordable housing non-profit, and on the advisory council for the Minnesota Children’s Cabinet. Sarah earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and her Master of Business Administration from the University of California, Davis. Her favorite days involve enjoying a barbecue in the backyard with friends and family.

Sarah Moberg

Chief Operations Officer
Second Harvest Heartland

Bio
Jason Viana - Executive Director, The Open Door Pantry
I am a transplant from Alabama who now lives in Burnsville with my wife Nicola and our two awesome little boys. When I am not working with our Open Door team, I spend most of my time with my family. I love mountain biking, downhill skiing, hiking, and annually rediscovering my humility by running obstacle races. I have a complete man crush on Malcolm Gladwell and am a devoted reader and listener of his work. I am also a huge fan of Freakonomics, The Uncertain Hour, and more podcasts than I should mention.

Jason Viana

Executive Director
The Open Door Pantry

How Economic Development Fosters Peace

Bio
Irene Kelly - Past District Governor 5950, NCC, PCC, CPQC
Irene Kelly is a professional coach trained by Newfield Network through the Villanova University Executive Education program in 2005. She holds a PCC from ICF and a CPQC from Positive Intelligence. Irene works with organizations and individuals to support them in confronting the barriers that inhibit mental fitness, allowing them to thrive. Irene is also a very involved community volunteer in her neighborhood, her community, and Rotary, where she served as District Governor from 2018 to 2019. Much like coaching, she supports her clients in making their best contribution, so in Rotary, she encourages members to live their passion and positively impact the world. Personally, Irene’s greatest accomplishment is her two grown sons who have wonderful families and her proudest title is “G-ma” of 3 grandchildren.

Irene Kelly

Past District Governor 5950

Are you interested in learning a technique to help underserved areas within your community? This session will focus on what a partnership of clubs did and is doing to help a community rebuild and prosper. It will also include ideas for using the idea in your local.

The project began in the Lake Street area after the destruction caused by the social unrest connected to the murder of George Floyd.  The partnership of five Rotary 5950 clubs, businesses, and the Rotary Community Core has been an amazing journey of learning, listening, and moving forward together. it is still going strong 5 years later because as business thrives, so do communities. The model for Rotary Community Core applies to any underserved business in any community. Rotarians have an opportunity to employ their vocational skills, tap their networks, and partner with business leaders to thrive. Takeaways include learning How to implement Vocational Service, How to use partnerships to increase success, and How to use the Rotary Community Core model.

Minnesota's Climate Smart Food System Initiative - a Panel Discussion

Bio
Kate Knuth - Climate Director, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Climate-smart Food Systems Program Manager - Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (position in hiring process) - Minnesota Department of Health staff person working on climate change and ag practices - Staff person leading clean refrigerant and/or vehicle replacement program, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Kate is responsible for coordination of all programs related to climate change, including mitigation and adaptation. The position requires coordination between local jurisdictions and other multijurisdictional entities. She works closely with the Director of Planning on community engagement, project delivery and planning. Kate is responsible for developing and delivering a strategy to lead and coordinate countywide efforts to respond to climate change, across land use, transportation, energy and water use, solid waste, and other activities that generate greenhouse gas emissions or affect community response to local climate impacts.

Kate Knuth

Climate Director
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Dive into Minnesota’s ambitious Climate-Smart Food System (CSFS) Initiative, a holistic program aimed at reducing climate pollution, promoting equity, and strengthening local food systems. Funded by a $200 million EPA grant, this groundbreaking initiative integrates sustainable agriculture, industrial innovation, and community-driven solutions. Join state officials as they discuss transformative strategies like peatland restoration, food waste prevention, and climate-friendly refrigerants. Gain a deeper understanding of the program’s far-reaching impact and leave equipped to advocate for a climate-friendly and equitable food future.

Increasing Soil Health to Build a Better World

Bio
Mark Gutierrez - Executive Director, Minnesota Soil Health Coalition
Mark Gutierrez is the Executive Director for the Minnesota Soil Health Coalition. Mark is an experienced leader with a demonstrated history of working in Agriculture. He grew up working on a hay farm and a bait shop raising poultry. He was an active member in Future Farmers of America (FFA) and the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA). Mark graduated from New Mexico State University with a M.S. degree in Agricultural Economics. He has served as the Co-Chair for the Minnesota Federal Executive Board Diversity and Inclusion Council. Mark previously worked for the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service and as Deputy Director for the RMA crop insurance program. He is excited to bring his experience to the soil health field and work with farmers to improve best practices for soil health in Minnesota

Mark Gutierrez

MN Soil Health Coalition

Ready to dig in? Explore the fascinating world of soil health and discover its vital connection to food quality, human health, and environmental sustainability. This fun, hands-on session will introduce you to practical soil health techniques that benefit farmers and gardeners, improve ecosystems, and foster healthier communities. Gain insights to support healthy soil and learn how to advocate for its critical role in building a better world. Leave inspired to spread the message of sustainable soil stewardship and to use the actionable ideas shared.

Friday, May 2nd

1:45 - 3:00 pm

Putting Positive Peace to Work: A Hands-on Toolkit to Strengthen Community Projects

Bio
Ptricia Shafer - Executive Director, NewGen Peacebuilders and Youth Peace Action

Senior Fellow for Peace Education at the Alliance for Peacebuilding, a nonpartisan network of organizations in more than 180 countries with a collective vision of building sustainable peace. She is also Executive Director of the international nonprofit organization NewGen Peacebuilders (NGP) and associated Youth & Peace in Action (YPA) initiative. NGP and YPA activities to train, educator, and mentor young peacebuilders ages 14 to 35 have been conducted in 18 countries. The mission is to “make learning to be a peacebuilder a rite of passage for everyone, everywhere.”

Patricia also has an extensive record of peacebuilding leadership within the ecosystem of Rotary International. She is one of 1,500 Rotary Peace Fellows as well as 300 Rotary Positive Peace Activators worldwide. In these capacities, she has delivered workshops, training, and presentations to more than 20,000 Rotarians at RI conventions, peace symposiums, zone institutes, and district conferences. She is an active global ambassador for Rotary strategic partner Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP). For her work in conflict zones, Patricia was nominated for a UNESCO prize for girls’ and women’s literacy. In 2022, Patricia was a recipient of the Melanie Greenberg Award for Excellence in US Conflict Resolution & Peacebuilding. Her work is cited in numerous articles on peacebuilding and conflict resolution.

Previously, Patricia held senior positions in change management and communications in two global Fortune 100 companies. She holds a MSc in Consulting and Coaching for Change – a joint-venture of Oxford University, UK, and HEC France; MBA, Northwestern University Kellogg Graduate School of Management; and MA in Journalism from The Ohio State University. She is co-authoring a book called “Peacebuilding Starts at Home” with a planned release in 2025

Patricia Shafer

Executive Director
NewGen Peacebuilders and Youth Peace Action

Learn how to elevate your community initiatives using the transformative power of Positive Peace. Guided by Patricia Shafer, this session introduces a practical toolkit based on the Eight Pillars of Positive Peace. Discover how reimagining projects through a peace-building lens has led to greater impact in areas like education, health, and environmental sustainability.

Attendees will receive exclusive access to tools and case studies to amplify their efforts and create lasting change. Patricia Shafer is one of 44 Rotary Positive Peace Activators in North America, and the Caribbean charged with equipping Rotarians and others to enhance projects through an understanding of the Eight Pillars of Positive Peace framework from Rotary strategic partner Institute for Economics & Peace

Shaping the Future of Food

The food on your plate connects you to a global story, from the Midwest to Rwanda. This session delves into the intricate web of food systems, from farm to table, and explores the exciting future of meal planning on a global scale. Learn how initiatives like Minnesota’s Farm to Early Care program and the Free School Meals initiative address hunger and promote equity. Discover how local innovations can ripple through to create sustainable and nourishing food systems worldwide. Leave inspired by actionable ideas to support food sovereignty and equitable access to nutritious food in your community.

Bio
Claudia Aurand - IATP Associate Director of Development Sophia Murphey, Executive Director, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy Erin McKee, Community Food Systems Program Director, IATP Nora Shields-Cutler, Community Food Systems Program Associate, Leah Gardner, Policy Director, Hunger Solutions

Claudia Aurand joined IATP in January 2022. She is mission driven with a passion for organizations focused on education, healthcare and social services. Claudia is an advocate and program champion with industry and nonprofit experience in project management, business development, grants and funding strategies. Claudia was born and raised in Germany, and even though she has lived in the U.S. for most of her adult life, she maintains close contact and connections with friends and family in Germany. Claudia holds an MBA in Global Management and a certificate in Project Management. Before transitioning to nonprofit in 2016, Claudia worked in the medical device industry in global product and program management. An avid volunteer, she currently serves on the Board of Directors at Missions Inc and volunteers for the Three Rivers Parks District.

Claudia lives in Plymouth, Minnesota with her partner and two dogs; In her free time, she enjoys gardening, feeding all critters large and small, going for walks (with the dogs) and listening to random podcasts.

Claudia Aurand

Associate Director of Development
IATP

Bio
Sophia Murphey - Executive Director, Institute for Agriculture & Trade-Policy

Sophia Murphy joined the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) as executive director in October 2020. Sophia is a food systems and international economy expert with 30 years of professional experience, including as a board chair, program director, policy analyst and published writer. A policy expert and advocate who has focused on resilient food systems, agriculture and international trade, Sophia has worked primarily with civil society organizations, as well as with government, intergovernmental organizations and universities. Sophia originally came to IATP in 1997 as a senior associate to work on trade. She directed IATP’s trade and global governance program from 2000 to 2006, and later served as a senior advisor until 2018. She joined IATP from Geneva, where she had worked for two years with the United Nations Nongovernmental Liaison Service. For over a decade, she operated a successful independent consultancy business. Most recently, she served as research director and advisor on agriculture, trade and investment within the Economic Law and Policy Program at the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). She was part of a three-year project called Ceres2030 that assessed the evidence on effective interventions to end hunger, double the incomes of small-scale producers and reduce food systems’ environmental footprint, and developed an economic cost model to look at the public investment needed for those interventions. She served two consecutive terms as a member of the steering committee of the High-Level Panel of Experts to the United Nations Committee on World Food Security. Sophia is a dual Canadian and British citizen, who has lived and worked in Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, India, Switzerland, Belgium and Australia. She is bilingual in English and French, with a foundation in written and spoken Spanish. Sophia has a BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from Oxford University, an MSc from the London School of Economics in Social Policy and Planning in Developing Countries and a Ph.D. from the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability at the University of British Columbia.

Sophia Murphey

Executive Director
Institute for Agriculture & Trade-Policy

Bio
Erin McKee - Community Food Systems Program Director, IATP

Erin McKee Valooten joined IATP in 2010. She leads the Community Food Systems Program with the long-term goal of building vibrant food systems that give all people access to sufficient, safe, culturally appropriate and nutritious food while also developing local food supply chains that allow small- to mid-scale farmers access to a variety of new markets. She envisions decentralized, local food systems that are accountable to, and largely controlled by, the community members who depend on them, where food is produced and distributed in a manner that builds equity, justice, and resiliency in policy and practice. Her current projects focus on Farm to School and Farm to Early Care, getting fresh healthy produce from our local growers into school and early care meals, as well as testing and promoting curricula and educational models that encourage food literacy as children make the connection between those locally grown foods and the farmers who produce them. She also works with a broad coalition of stakeholders to push forward state-level policy to support food systems that nourish the community throughout Minnesota. Erin especially enjoys working in solidarity with partners to strengthen community food systems both locally and nationally. Erin holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy, English literature and Asian studies from St. Olaf College and is currently enrolled in the Master of Public Affairs Program at the Humphrey Institute for Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.

Erin McKee

Community Food Systems Program Director
IATP

Bio
Nora Shields-Cutler - Community Food Systems Program Associate

Nora Shields-Cutler is the program associate for community food systems at the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy. Nora works to support Farm to Early Care, Farm to School and other community-based efforts to support equitable access to fresh, local, culturally appropriate food. Nora has worked in both nonprofit and government settings to support community food systems, from local program implementation to state level support. Nora holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Grinnell College and masters' degrees in Social Work and Public Health from Washington University in St. Louis,MO.

Nora Shields-Cutler

Program Associate
Community Food Systems

SMSC Environmental Stewardship

NativeGreen is Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s (SMSC) environmental stewardship program, which focuses on protecting the environment through recycling and waste reduction, sustainable infrastructure, efficient water use, and land restoration across the tribal nation and the broader community.  There will be three sections of the presentation, discussing sustainable initiatives, composting, and the organic farm and how each relates to food security. Participants will leave with ideas they could implement in their communities.

Bio
Lauren Reh - Sustainability Specialist - Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

Lauren Reh has worked as the Sustainability Specialist with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’ SMSC for two and a half years. In her role, she identifies opportunities for implementing sustainability initiatives throughout the Community and collaborates with different departments to see projects through.

Lauren Reh

Sustainability Specialist
Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

Bio
Ben Koller - Compliance Technician - SMSC Organics Recycling Facility

Ben Koller is the Compliance Technician at the SMSC Organics Recycling Facility. The Organics Recycling Facility is a large-scale composting center in Shakopee, Minnesota, that composts an average of 70,000 tons of organic materials annually. Ben monitors all aspects of the composting process, from inspecting incoming materials to quality checks on finished compost and compost blends. Ben also completed the 40-hour Compost Operator Training Course through the US Composting Council this past fall.

Ben Koller

Compliance Technician
SMSC Organics Recycling Facility

Sustainably Ending Poverty by Building Communities

How do you create change? Explore the LIFT program’s innovative approach to addressing extreme poverty in Nicaragua. By fostering self-sustainable economic growth in rural communities, the program tackles food insecurity, healthcare, and clean water access. Learn how to integrate economic development into community-building projects and create environments that support positive peace. This session provides actionable insights for developing impactful initiatives that empower communities and promote long-term sustainability.

Bio
Rick Heidick - Rotarian, LIFT President
Rick Heidick, a former engineer and manager at 3M, Rick has a degree in Physics/Electronics and led Quality organizations for the last 14 years of his 35 year career there. His Quality leadership included plant and division Quality Management, and he was a Certified Manager of Quality / Organizational Excellence. Rick has been a Rotarian for 15 years, has worked in Nicaragua for 10 years, and has been the LIFT Team Leader and President for the last five years. He has made over 13 trips to Nicaragua and is passionate about working with rural communities to find the causal factors for their extreme poverty and helping lead improvements that will create effective and sustainable improvements and opportunities for those communities who are suffering the most.

Rick Heidick

Rotarian
LIFT President

Bio
Edrulfo Rodriquez - Country Director - Engineers Without Borders, Nicaragua
A development practitioner with 15 years of experience in program development for underserved communities, financial management and project monitoring & evaluation approaches. Skilled at coordinating the implementation of water, sanitation and food security programs; proven ability to build capacities for community-based organization through knowledge sharing, documentation and facilitation. Strong relationship building skills, able to establish rapport with stakeholders from different cultures and backgrounds. Native Spanish speaker and fully fluent in English.

Edrulfo Rodriquez

Country Director
Engineers Without Borders, Nicaragua

Bio
Bernis Cunningham - Executive Director - Planting Change Foundation, Nicaragua
Bernis has dedicated himself to engaging youth in environmental management in Nicaragua. He has a committed network of community organizations and youth activists with experience in other youth inclusion processes and training. He is an active lawyer in Nicaragua and studied Environmentally Sustainable Management at UC Berkeley. He collaborates with various international NGOs, government delegations, students, teachers, and communities worldwide to develop national and global environmental conservation projects and human sustainable development. Bernis is a member of the Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide, Climate Action Network Latin America, Real Food System Youth Ambassador, and YOUNGO.

Bernis Cunningham

Executive Director
Planting Change Foundation, Nicaragua

Bio
Deyra Avacedo - Community Coordinator - LIFT and PCF Nicaragua
Deyra Acevedo, a dedicated professional from Nicaragua, project manager of the LIFT Program, specializes in territorial development with a strong focus on sustainable strategies for vulnerable communities. With a degree in Applied Economics and certifications in Project Management and Fundraising, she has built a career empowering rural producers and youth to transform local resources into tangible opportunities. Her expertise and leadership have earned her roles in YOUNGO and the Food Systems Youth Leadership Program of the FAO, where she contributes to advancing sustainable food systems.

Deyra Avacedo

Community Coordinator
LIFT and PCF Nicaragua

Food Insecurity, Climate Change & Rotary Action

This dynamic session addresses the critical intersections of water, food security, and climate change. Paul Huttner will share key insights on climate science and its impact on food production in Minnesota. Alan Anderson will provide actionable strategies for Rotary Clubs and community leaders to protect food resources and reduce emissions. Join this panel discussion to uncover practical steps for addressing these interconnected challenges.

Bio
Alan Anderson - Northfield Climate Action Leader
Alan Anderson is no stranger to climate advocacy or the world of nonprofit work, making him a pro when it comes to his work with CCL. Care for the natural world was instilled in Alan at a young age and, at 16 years old, his Boy Scouts troop leader gifted him a membership to the Sierra Club of which he has been a member ever since. He continued to pursue his love for the environment in college and beyond. Alan graduated from Oregon State with a B.S. in Wildlife Science and Management and went on to have a long career with various nonprofit organizations. After his retirement in 2012, Alan and his wife of 47 years were introduced to CCL and in 2014, he helped found the Northfield, Minnesota chapter, of which they are both members.

Alan Anderson

Northfield Climate Action Leader

Bio
Paul Huttner - MPR meteorologist
Paul is a veteran broadcast meteorologist. He’s broadcast on TV and radio stations for nearly 40 years. He has been chief meteorologist for Minnesota Public Radio News since 2007. He launched daily weather chats on its 40+ station network. He also created the popular Updraft blog. Huttner focuses on the “whys” of weather and climate beyond the forecast. In 2013, Huttner launched MPR News’ much-awarded weekly radio show Climate Cast, which focuses on climate change news, science, and solutions. A graduate of Macalester College in St. Paul, Huttner holds a bachelor's degree in geography with an emphasis in meteorology. He is a member of the American Meteorological Society (AMS) and has been awarded the AMS Television Seal of Approval. In March 2008, Huttner earned AMS's Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) designation. In 2019, Paul hosted the MPR Custom Travel excursion to Cuba with his wife, Amber. Paul is hosting another trip to Costa Rica in 2025.

Paul Huttner

MPR meteorologist

Friday, May 2nd

3:30 - 4:45 pm

Water and Food Security: Building Resilient Communities Through Partnership

This session explores the vital intersection of water and food security, emphasizing how access to safe drinking water is foundational to fostering food security, health, and ultimately peace in rural communities. H2O for Life and COVA will share their collaborative approach, leveraging service-learning opportunities and capacity-building strategies to tackle these interconnected challenges. Attendees will gain insight into how sustainable water systems empower communities to improve agricultural output, health outcomes, and local resilience.

Takeaways: 1-Understand how water security is essential to achieving food security, health, and peace. 2-Explore a replicable framework for developing sustainable, community-centered water and food solutions. 3-Learn about real-world case studies from Central America that showcase successful partnerships between nonprofits, local governments, and communities. 4-Identify actionable steps to foster cross-sector partnerships that align with the Pillars of Peace.

Bio
Doug Niemela - Executive Director H2O

Doug Niemela Starting in 2008 with his work to pass the Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment in Minnesota, Doug has over a decade of leadership with environmental nonprofits. For the last 6 years, Doug has served as an executive director taking on issues from climate change to renewable energy to playing a lead role in the fight to protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness from sulfide ore copper mining. Through this work he gained valuable insight in communications, marketing, and narrative-based motivation from partnerships with for-profit enterprises like Patagonia, Columbia, and many others in the Outdoor Industry. He is excited to bring cutting edge exploratory leadership and design thinking skills to H2O for Life.

Fun Fact: After having to scrap his initial honeymoon plans due to COVID-19, Doug and his partner Melissa went on a four day, five night dog sledding expedition in the Boundary Waters to celebrate their union!

Doug Niemela

Executive Director
H2O

Bio
Mitchell LeGrand - Educational Programs Manager H2O

Mitchell joined H2O for Life in 2019 after moving from the Global Programs at the University of Minnesota. His role is to manage new relationships with educators and organizations interested in implementing H2O's programming. Mitchell has worked in a variety of roles related to developing teaching tools across disciplines for nonprofits and he is always willing to find a way to give opportunity to students to better themselves and the world around them. In his spare time, Mitchell enjoys playing and writing music with his friends, training for races, and finding ways to be involved in his community. If you want to reach me you can email: mitchell@h2oforlifeschools.org

Fun Fact: Mitchell has run his own local music festival for young musicians.

Mitchell LeGrand

Educational Programs Manager
H2O

Food Sovereignty vs Food Security

Bio
Beth Dooley - Endowed Chair, University of Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture , Columnist Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune and Lake Superior Magazine, Author

Beth Dooley, James Beard Award winning food writer and cookbook author, is a columnist for the Taste section of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune and Lake Superior Magazine. She contributes to The New York Times and Delta Sky Magazine, and appears regularly on KARE 11 (NBC) television and MPR Appetites. She is an Endowed Chair, University of Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture.

Her most recent book, Appetite for Change: Soulful Recipes from a North Minneapolis Kitchen, tells of the Northside community’s efforts to bring health, wealth and social change through food. Next up, Chile, Clove, and Cardamom: a Gastronomic Journey into the Fragrances and Flavors of Desert Cuisines, co-authored with James Beard Award winning ethno-botanist, Gary Paul Nabhan, explores the culinary traditions of the world’s sun-drenched regions – the Middle East, North Africa, Asia, the US Southwest and Mexico. The Perennial Kitchen: Simple Recipes for a Healthy Future, focuses on sustainable and regenerative foods that benefit people and planet. She is co-author of The Sioux Chef's Indigenous Kitchen with Sean Sherman, winner of the James Beard Award for Best American Cookbook, 2018 and Corn Dance: Inspired First American Cuisine with Chef and Emmy Award winner, Loretta Oden.

Dooley’s collection of essays, In Winter's Kitchen: Growing Roots and Breaking Bread in the Northern Heartland, tracks her cooking adventures from suburban New Jersey to Minnesota. Minnesota's Bounty: The Farmers Market Cookbook, Savory Sweet: Preserves from a Northern Kitchen, Sweet Nature: A Cooks Guide to Using Honey and Maple Syrup, and The Steger Homestead Kitchen: Simple Recipes for an Abundant Life – define the Northern Heartland’s culinary identity and build on Savoring the Seasons of the Northern Heartland, the New York Times best American Cookbook, 1994, co-authored with celebrated chef, Lucia Watson of Lucia’s Restaurant.

Dooley teaches cooking and food-writing classes, and is often a guest presenter to college students, library gatherings, and garden clubs. She guides local food trips through the Apostle Islands and southern Ireland. She serves on the boards of The Good Acre, Minnesota’s largest food hub and Northland College, Ashland, WI. Summers, you’ll find Beth on Madeline Island in the Community Garden or swimming (Point to LaPoint 2.1 mile race) and running (Madeline Island Marathon). She is the mother of three adult sons and one rescue mutt and lives with her husband, Kevin Dooley, in Minneapolis.

Beth Dooley

Endowed Chair
University of Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture

Join celebrated food writer Beth Dooley to explore the crucial differences between food security and food sovereignty. Learn how Indigenous communities are reclaiming ancestral foodways and how regenerative agriculture is repairing damaged ecosystems. Discover the power of community gardens and localized food systems to address health disparities and strengthen communities. This session will inspire you to rethink the way we produce and consume food and to champion efforts that prioritize cultural relevance, sustainability, and empowerment.

Beth Dooley is a James Beard Award-winning food writer who has authored and co-authored over a dozen books including Appetite for Change and The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen. She writes for the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, appears regularly on local TV and radio, and helps people connect more deeply with food.

Food for Thought: Urban Agriculture and Food Justice from Policy to Practice

This interactive breakout session will lead participants from policy to policy implementation. The presenters will introduce current efforts, policies, and networks mobilizing food systems advocacy in the Twin Cities metro region. There are many ways to get involved in food advocacy work at the local level. Participants can become part of urban agriculture efforts, join or form regional networks of food advocacy, and engage municipal staff in food policy.

This session will also introduce participants to county and municipal efforts addressing food advocacy work, consider urban agriculture as an alternative food source, share contacts, policy precedents, and cases for food systems advocacy networks, and connect with urban growers in North Minneapolis.

The attendees will be inspired to plan ways to use urban agriculture in their communities.

Bio
Fernando Bruga - University of Minnesota
H. Fernando Burga is an Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota with a dual appointment at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs and the University of Minnesota Extension. His research, teaching, and service focus on urban planning, particularly incorporating immigrant populations into planning and urban food systems. Fernando‘s work is informed by three principles: a reflexive inquiry into the ethics of expert knowledge and the use of qualitative research; the application of design to build awareness, harness data, and enable urban planning and public policy advocacy; and a commitment to engage community actors who are disenfranchised from the fields of planning and public policy due to their race, class, and citizenship status. Fernando has a background in architecture, urban design, and urban planning.

Fernando Bruga

University of Minnesota

Bio
Queen Frye
Generational Urban Framer Queen took a risk and decided to grow food in a large vacant lot within N Mpls. Starting with only a $300 mini-grant and the contribution of her own capital she began with growing greens and cucumbers. Now, six seasons later she grows to the capacity of 1000lbs showing people how they have power in food. Queen Frye Co-founded R. Roots Garden in north Minneapolis 2019, turning four vacant lots into an explosion of vegetables. Today, R. Roots operates on a single lot providing education, access to fresh locally grown produce and an opportunity to participate in Agriculture on all levels of government and community. Through the years R. Roots Garden and other Ag ventures, have influenced City policies, encouraging the trend. The garden unites people and gives back to a community that faces systemic challenges to accessing healthy foods and having a voice and power in what the food system looks like where they live.

Queen Frye

R. Roots Garden

Braver Angels

Tackling complex challenges like food security or peace requires finding common ground. In this interactive workshop, the Braver Angels Action Team introduces practical skills for navigating disagreements and building trust. Learn how to engage in constructive dialogue and create solutions through collaboration. Whether you’re leading a community project or engaging in policy discussions, this session equips you with the tools to confidently bridge divides and foster understanding.

Bio
Ed Marek
Ed has been a member of four Rotary clubs: Shakopee, Eden Prairie, St. Paul Sunrise and now Northfield. Ed served as 5960 District Governor in 2020-21. He serves in Braver Angels as an Ambassador and as a Braver Network State Partner Representative for Minnesota. He and Dave have presented to over 45 Rotary clubs in six Rotary Districts and three states. A Chicago native, Ed Marek came to Minnesota to earn an MBA from the University of Minnesota. His professional career was in nonprofit fundraising and management, most notably with the American Red Cross and the Minnesota Environmental Fund. During his time with the Red Cross, he served on numerous national disaster assignments traveling throughout Minnesota as well as Louisiana and Missouri.

Ed Marek

Retired - Non-profit

Bio
Bruce Morlan
Bruce Morlan is a native of Minnesota – having been born and raised in the southern farm country near Rochester. He was an Air Force Officer, serving as a launch officer, then moving on to become a military mathematician focusing on being an analyst and a translator. In his second career Bruce conducted clinical trials as a statistician for Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Bruce joined Rotary in 2015. He has been an ambassador for Braver Angels since 2016, and attended the several Braver Angels Convention. He and Ed have presented to over 45 Rotary clubs across 6 Districts and three state

Bruce Morlan

Retired Air Force Officer

Bio
Chris Schoeffer - Retired Energy Executive
Chris joined Braver Angels in 2022 and is a trained moderator and ambassador. He is a member of the Greater Rochester Rotary Club in Rochester, MN Chris retired in April 2022 after a 43-year career in the energy industry and Wisconsin state government. He served in various roles . He served as a registered lobbyist in Wisconsin, Minnesota and at the federal level. From 2010-2014 Chris served as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Administration. In that capacity he served as the Governor’s chief energy advisor as well as the Chief aide to the Secretary of the Department of Admin.

Chris Schoeffer

Trained Moderator
Braver Angels

Columbia: Peace Incubators and Partnership Building

Bio
Camila Urbina - Deputy Director, World Food Program USA

Camila Urbina is the Deputy Director of Institutional Partnerships for WFP USA. She is a former human rights lawyer and negotiator with ten years of global experience in fundraising and program management. Camila previously worked on development non-profits across Latin America, emergency humanitarian operations for WFP in Sudan and Timor-Leste, and government relations in France. She also served as a political advisor for the Colombian Mission to the UN Security Council in New York. In the US she had worked for Bloomberg Philanthropies, CDC Foundation and Morehouse School of Medicine. She fundraised over 100M from governments, corporations and foundations for global health and food security programs. She has a passion for advocating food security and creating effective public-private partnerships. Camila is a former Rotary Peace scholar (GRSP program) and received a double master’s in public administration and international relations from Syracuse University and Sciences Po in France. She is originally from Medellin, Colombia, and lives in Atlanta with husband Maxwell, son Leo and beagle Hunter.

Camila Urbina

Deputy Director
World Food Program USA

Explore the groundbreaking “Positive Incubators for Peace” initiative in Colombia, designed to build partnerships and foster peace through food security. Led by the World Food Program USA, this session will provide real-world examples of how partnerships with humanitarian organizations can multiply Rotary Clubs’ impact. Learn how livelihoods and sustainable development intertwine to create lasting peace. Takeaways include actionable strategies for building cross-sector collaborations and the critical role of food security in peacebuilding.

Saturday, May 3rd

10:00 - 11:15 am

There is No Peace with People Still Being Trafficked

Join us to learn what your club can do to end human trafficking in your community. This complex issue has many facets, so it’s essential to identify the focus area where your club can make the greatest impact.You will hear from a panel of experts in prevention, survivor-led support and healing, and law enforcement. Your District End Human Trafficking Team will share resources and an action plan your club can use to get started or to continue the work you’ve already begun! You’ll leave equipped to work with your club and partner with others on the best actions for your community.

Bio
Joy McElroy - District Team & Moderator
Joy McElroy is the executive director of Cherish All Children of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. Cherish All Children’s mission is to educate, equip and engage churches and community groups to prevent child sexual exploitation and trafficking. Joy has been in this role since 2017, training 100’s of youth and adults on the realities of sexual exploitation and trafficking in our communities. She is passionate about engaging groups in prevention work to support young people into safe and healthy relationships both online and in person. Joy holds a master’s degree in human resources from the University of Minnesota and has over 30 years of leadership experience in business, education and non-profit organizations.

Joy McElroy

Executive Director
Cherish All Children

Bio
Ashley Moore - Executive Director, Citizens Against Sex Trafficking
Ashley Moore (Panelist) is the executive director of C.A.S.T., Citizens Against Sex Trafficking. Ashley has worked in the anti-trafficking movement for over 10 years. She holds a master’s degree in international criminology with an emphasis in Restorative Justice from the University of Sheffield, UK and has a Nonprofit Financial Management Certification from Cornell University. She has worked as a caseworker for survivors of sex trafficking in Austria, England, and the United States, and has partnered with law enforcement on freedom flight and sting operations. Ashley was born and raised in Washington County and is eager to use her education and experience to serve her community. She is dedicated to serving and empowering victims of exploitation as well as equipping the community with the knowledge they need to help end sex trafficking and sexual exploitation before it begins.

Ashley Moore

Executive Director
Citizens Against Sex Trafficking

Bio
Dr. Lori Quist - Executive Director, Breaking Free
Dr. Lori Quist (Panelist) is the Executive Director at Breaking Free, St. Paul, which works to end sexual exploitation in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. She has a Ph.D. in Social and Criminal Justice. Lori completed her Master of Arts degree from Hazelden Graduate School in Addiction Studies and her Undergraduate degree from St. Mary’s University in Police Science. Lori has a diverse background in positions that have supported clients of addiction, incarcerated men and women, victims/survivors of Intimate Partner Violence, Sexual Assault and Sex Trafficking. Lori spends her free time with her family in Northeast Minnesota; she enjoys traveling, her dogs, and Minnesota sports.

Lori Quist

Executive Director
Breaking Free

Building an Ethical Culture

Bio
Richard Kyte - Author of Finding the Third Place: Building Happier Communities

Richard Kyte is the Endowed Professor and Director of the D. B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin where he teaches a variety of courses in ethics and leadership. He received his undergraduate degree from Hamline University and his Ph.D. in philosophy from The Johns Hopkins University in 1994.

He writes a regular column for Lee Newspapers titled “The Ethical Life.” He serves on the board of the La Crosse Community Foundation and LeaderEthics-Wisconsin. He is the author of several books, cohosts a podcast titled “The Ethical Life” (with Scott Rada) and writes a biweekly column that appears in 73 newspapers across the country. He also serves on several nonprofit boards, including the La Crosse Community Foundation, the Coulee Region Chapter of Trout Unlimited, and Leader Ethics. He is a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church and the Rotary Club of La Crosse.

Richard Kyte

Author of Finding the Third Place: Building Happier Communities

This session will focus on how to create a positive, supportive culture within organizations that prevents conflict before it arises by giving people positive tools for listening and communicating with one another.

Organizations tend to put a great deal of stress on rules, codes, and policies, but we know that the chief influence on people’s behavior is the people around them. This interactive presentation looks at effective and proven methods of creating an ethical culture, so that people can bring their best selves forward, feel more engaged, more creative, and more likely to do the right thing when a crisis arises. Leave inspired and ready to use a practical strategy for building trust among groups; apply a method for resolving conflict; improve communication methods.

Activity - The Outreach Program

Bio
Isaac McNary - Vice President of International Development

Isaac McNary began working full-time at the Outreach Program in 2018 and has been helping Outreach since 2012. Issac’s humanitarian work began in high school on a trip to Nicaragua. Since then, he has worked with the world’s most vulnerable in Central and South America, Africa, and the United States. Issac has engaged hundreds of thousands of volunteers to package more than 50 million meals for food insecure people in the U.S. and abroad. He uses his talents as a visual storyteller to incorporate photography and videography into his work with the Outreach Program. These compelling visuals can be found throughout our site. Isaac, his wife, and two children live in South-Central Kansas. He is a graduate of Manhattan Area Technical College.

Isaac McNary

Vice President of International Development
The Outreach Program

Looking for a hands-on activity to engage your community? The Outreach Program specializes in meal-packing events that bring people of all ages together to fight hunger locally and globally. This session will showcase how to implement impactful meal-packing initiatives, making it easy for groups of all sizes and abilities to participate. Learn how these events foster community engagement and create tangible change while addressing food security on a global scale. Extend your reach within the community through the Outreach Program.

The Outreach Program is a non-profit that specializes in meal packaging events. Volunteers work together to package raw ingredients into shelf-stable, protein-rich meals that can be distributed internationally or locally. We provide clubs, churches, companies, and small groups with the opportunity to do a hands-on project to impact hunger locally or globally. Individuals from all walks of life can provide tangible and meaningful service regardless of age or physical ability.

WASH in Schools Impact- Small Actions Create Great Changes

John Travis, Co-Founder of Drop in the Bucket, a WASH NGO in Uganda, over the 18 years in the WASH sector, John learned that community engagement and project sustainability are key for the success of the project. John and his organization are leaders in training communities/schools to maintain projects for many years. He will share how he engages international communities to “own” the project and share ideas of how Rotarians and other groups can support WASH projects around the world.

Patty Hall, a Rotarian and founder of H2O for Life, will focus on engaging youth in schools as partners in funding WASH projects. Join this session to learn about the impact of WASH, how clubs and organizations can get involved, and participate in an interactive activity related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Leave inspired with actionable ideas.

Bio
Patty Hall - H2O, Emeritus Board Member

In 2007, Patty Hall received a cry for help from a small village in Kenya that was desperate to build a water project. Could she help? She introduced the idea to her school, Highview Middle School in New Brighton, MN, to see if they could help raise funds for the project. Staff and students embraced the challenge with open arms. Students organized walks for water, sold wrist bands, note cards and t-shirts. They also held piano concerts, pizza parties, baby-sitting events and asked family and friends for donations. In the end, Highview Middle school donated $13,000 Today, Kathungu Village has water available year-round!!!! This success led Patty and a group of committed parents and teacher volunteers to establish H2O for Life as a non-profit.

Patty Hall

Emeritus Board Member
H2O

Bio
John Travis - Drop in the Bucket – Co-founder/Director

Drop in the Bucket – Co-founder/President After more than two decades of working as a music producer, John decided to start splitting his time between making music and building wells in Africa. John is responsible for communicating with donors, coordinating volunteers, social media and some of the fundraising as well as provides the necessary support Stacey needs while working in the field.

John Travis

Co-founder/Director
Drop in the Bucket