TriCon26 Speakers & Topics

Friday April 17, 2026 
2:00 - 3:00 PM

Plenary Speaker: Dr. Megan Moreno, founder and Principal Investigator of the Social Media and Adolescent Health Research Team at UW Madison

Megan is helping families, educators, and clinicians navigate the challenges and opportunities of today’s digital world. As a nationally recognized pediatrician, researcher, and academic leader, Megan's research focuses on the intersection of technology and adolescent health and strongly aligns with Rotary’s mission of advancing health and creating lasting change.

Dr. Moreno serves as Interim Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. Her research focuses on adolescent health and the impact of digital media and social platforms on youth well-being. Her work supports Rotary’s focus on disease prevention, mental health, and supporting children and youth. Please join me in welcoming Dr. Megan Moreno.

https://www.pediatrics.wisc.edu/research/research-groups/moreno/

Saturday April 18, 2026 
9:45 - 10:45 AM

Plenary Speaker: Vicki Puliz, Trustee of The Rotary Foundation

Vicki is honored to serve as a trustee of The Rotary Foundation 2025-2029, and Vice Chair in 2026-2027. She will chair the Executive Committee, and serves on the TRF Finance Committee, Investment Committee, Rotary Peace Centers and International Polio Plus Committee. She is a past Rotary International Director, serving 2021-2023, along with other Rotary positions International Assembly facilitator, Rotary Public Image Coordinator, Governor of Rotary District 5190 in 2013-2014, and participation in many Governor-elect, Governor-nominee and president-elect education and learning events. She has been a proud member of the Rotary Club of Sparks, Nevada, USA since 1992. Of particular focus for Vicki is developing leaders, empowering youth, eradicating polio, and building bridges to peace in our communities and around the world. She is a Positive Peace Activator, trained through the partnership of Rotary with the Institute for Economics and Peace.

A graduate of the University of Utah with both a Marketing degree and Master of Business Administration, Vicki owned a successful commercial electrical contracting firm in northern Nevada for 19 years before merging it into a public traded entity. Vicki and her husband, Tim, live in Reno, Nevada, at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Their blended family includes seven adult children, twelve grandchildren, and three Rotary Youth Exchange daughters. Their interests include outdoor activities and general aviation. Vicki and Pilot Tim are members of the International Fellowship of Flying Rotarians. They support Our Rotary Foundation as members of the Arch Klumph Society, the Paul Harris Society, Polio Plus Society, and the Bequest Society.

Saturday April 18, 2026 
6:00 - 7:30 PM

Guest Speaker: Ed Futa, Rotary Club of Madison (6250) and Primary RI Rep to the UN in New York City 

Ed Futa, past General Secretary and Chief Operating Officer of Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation, managed operations for one of the world’s largest global humanitarian service organization with 40,000 clubs in 200 countries and geographic regions. With annual revenues of US$ 240 million and expenses of US$210 million, Rotary and its Foundation support 1.2 volunteers in their efforts to serve their local and global communities. 

Rotary members are professional and community leaders who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.  Rotary clubs initiate service projects to address today’s challenges, including illiteracy, disease, hunger, poverty, lack of clean water, and environmental concerns.  

Rotary’s top priority is the global eradication of polio - a crippling and potentially fatal disease that still threatens children in parts of Africa and Asia. Since 1988, when Rotary and its partners at the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, the incidence of paralytic polio infection has plunged worldwide from 350,000 cases to fewer than 2,000 in 2008.  Rotary club members worldwide have contributed more than $800 million and countless volunteer hours to the effort, and Rotary is now working to raise an additional $200 million to fulfill its commitment for a $355 million challenge grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. 

From 1999-2011, as the General Secretary of Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation, Futa led a diverse and educated staff of more than 650 at Rotary’s World Headquarters in Evanston, Illinois, USA and international offices in Sao Paula, Brazil; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Zurich, Switzerland; Tokyo, Japan; Seoul, Korea; New Delhi, India; and Parramatta (Sydney), Australia. More than one-quarter of Rotary’s staff was born outside the United States - from more than 40 countries.  Another quarter has lived in another country for six months or more - in more than 70 countries.  More than half speak a language other than English well enough to carry on a conversation.  Nearly 40 languages are spoken at Rotary’s World Headquarters.  Some 85 percent of staff has bachelor’s degrees and 23 percent have one or more master’s degrees.

Futa comes from Honolulu, Hawaii, where he was president of an international marketing consulting firm.  He has served on the 

When: Friday 4/17/2026 4:15 - 5:00 PM  
Duration:  45 minutes
Presenter:  Megan Moreno 
Room: Portia/Wisteria

Building off her plenary session, Megan will share how to implement these ideas in your communities.

This description is subject to change.

When: Friday 4/17/2026 4:15 - 5:00 PM  
Duration:  45 minutes
Facilitator: Sridhar Balakuntalam, Rotary Club of Appleton (6220) and Past District Governor
Room: Suite F

This roundtable focuses on innovative, non-traditional approaches to recruiting new Rotary members. The goal is to surface fresh ideas, learn from experiments (both successes and failures), and identify recruitment practices that reflect today’s communities, schedules, and interests. 

When: Friday 4/17/2026 4:15 - 5:00 PM  
Duration:  45 minutes
Presenter:  Lee Rasch & Richard Kyte
Room: Banyan

Civil discourse lies at the heart of our democratic republic. Our system was not designed for uniform agreement, but for principled disagreement—expressed with respect, dignity, and a shared commitment to the common good. This nonpartisan session will explore the essential elements of civil discourse, examine its role as a cornerstone of a healthy democracy, and identify practical steps we can take to strengthen and promote civil discourse in today’s complex and polarized political environment.

Lee Rasch has been a Rotarian since 1986 and a longtime advocate for ethical leadership and civil discourse. He served for eight years as Executive Director of LeaderEthics, a nonpartisan nonprofit promoting ethical leadership among elected officials. Previously, he was President of Western Technical College, a position he held beginning in 1989. Lee has authored numerous articles on ethical leadership and believes civil discourse is essential to a healthy democratic republic.

Richard Kyte is Director of the D. B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership and Endowed Professor of Ethics at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He teaches ethics in business, health care, law, politics, and the environment, and lectures widely on justice, forgiveness, virtue, and the meaning of life. He is the author of Finding Your Third Place: Building Happier Communities (and Making Great Friends Along the Way).

Open To All Rotarians

Delegates: Please arrive early and check in

Saturday 4/18/2026, 8:00 - 9:00 AM

    District 6220, DG Chuck Reynolds - Room: Suite F 
    District 6250, DG Michael Kloss - Room: Guava/Tamarind 
    District 6270, DG Liz Nevitt - Room:  Poria/Wisteria

Why Attend the District Annual Meeting?

The District Annual Meeting gives every Rotarian a voice and a broader view of Rotary’s impact. Learn how your club fits into your district’s mission, hear inspiring People of Action stories, discover resources to strengthen your club, and help shape Rotary’s future. You’ll leave informed, connected, and re-energized about why you serve.

Be part of the conversation. Be part of the vision.

When: Saturday 4/18/2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM  
Duration:  60 minutes
Presenters:  Dr. Laurie Marks (WAS), Ben Bauer - Marshfield Rotary Club (6250), and Adam Lofquist (RYLA - 6220).
Room: Buava/Tamarind

Join leaders of the World Affairs Seminar and RYLA as they provide guidance on how to secure support in high schools, raise awareness amongst students, convert student interest into sign ups, and increase the yield in the number of sign ups vs attendees.

Dr. Laurie Marks is the Chief of Staff for the World Affairs Seminar, a week-long residential camp held each summer for teens interested in global leadership, community engagement, and peacebuilding. Over 85% of attendees to WAS are Rotary sponsored, and Laurie spends much time travelling to meet with clubs about WAS.

Ben Bauer is a member of the Marshfield Rotary Club (WI), past 6250 District Governor (2022-2023), and his most fulfilling Rotary experience has come through chairing the District’s RYLA program. Youth Leadership has always been a passion of Ben’s, going all the way back to his time as a conference facilitator for the National FFA organization. Professionally, Ben is in marketing and a graphic designer by trade and leads the marketing team at Simplicity Credit Union. He loves using design to create engagement and tell stories. In 2025, Ben added “Author” to his list of accomplishments, publishing his first children’s book.  Personally, Ben’s wife and favorite person in the world is Katie Bauer. Katie is a special education teacher, an amazing mother, and life partner. They have a son, Charlie and a daughter, Olive, who bring them an immeasurable amount of joy. Together, they love learning, camping, swimming, biking, hiking, kayaking or anything that takes them to the beautiful outdoors of Wisconsin.

Adam Lofquist serves as RYLA Co-Chair for Rotary Youth Leadership Awards in District 6220, where he helps design and lead leadership development experiences for student leaders. In this role, he works closely with facilitators and participants to build practical leadership skills, self-awareness, and the confidence to lead effectively in teams and communities. His approach emphasizes clarity, reflection, and real-world application, aligning closely with RYLA’s focus on service-oriented leadership and personal growth. 

When: Saturday 4/18/2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM  
Duration:  60 minutes
Presenter:  David Urban - Elmbrook Rotary Club (6270) & Will Burrington   
Room: Cypress

Dave will first explain why peacebuilding is more important than ever before. He will then guide you through the steps to form a Peacebuilder Committee at your club, including developing a proposal, forming a team, and executing a plan. You will leave with practical tools and tips for building peace in your community.

Dave will be joined by Will Burrington, a conflict resolution consultant and mediator with Harmony Partners, LLC.

Dave Urban is a Senior Financial Advisor with The Wolf Group at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Milwaukee, helping families and business owners plan for retirement, wealth, and legacy. He brings decades of leadership experience from senior roles in investor relations and banking. A committed Rotarian, Dave serves with the Elmbrook Rotary Club, where he chairs the Vocational and Peacebuilder Committees, and is active in community and youth organizations. He holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

Will Burrington is a former attorney and “peacemaker” whose firm, Harmony Partners, LLC, focuses on mediation, community facilitation, and conflict resolution. With nearly four decades of experience in law, public policy, and corporate leadership, he helps organizations navigate difficult conversations and build consensus. Will’s work aligns closely with Rotary’s commitment to peacebuilding and leadership through service. He holds advanced degrees in dispute resolution and law and is a graduate of Lawrence University.

When: Saturday 4/18/2026, 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM  
Duration:  60 minutes
Presenter:  Jenni Eickelberg and Greg Vanderberg
Room: Portia/Wisteria

Hear from leaders at Thrivent and U.S. Venture as they share how their organizations are creating real community impact through innovative partnerships. You’ll also gain practical tips for inspiring more corporate support for the causes that matter most. Don’t miss this energizing, action‑oriented session!

Jenni Eickelberg has proudly worked at Thrivent for 25 years. As the Corporate Responsibility Manager for the Fox Cities, she builds meaningful partnerships, supports community initiatives, and helps people find purpose through service. She previously served as a Rotarian for three years, an experience that deepened her commitment to community impact. Jenni has volunteered with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Pillars, Make A Wish, United Way, and served on several nonprofit boards. Volunteering is her love language—her way of staying grounded and connected. She holds an MBA from UW–Oshkosh and a BS in Biology/Chemistry from UW–Stevens Point. Jenni and her husband, Jeff, live in Combined Locks with their sons, Joren and Edison, and their two energetic cats, Tuna and KitKat. Outside of work, she is the food editor for Appleton Monthly Magazine, runs the Food for Thought Fox Valley Facebook page, loves board games, and is a firm believer in the power of collaboration to drive change.

Greg Vandenberg is Director of Giving and Community Engagement at U.S. Venture, Inc., where he has led the company’s philanthropic strategy and community investment efforts since 2015. He oversees initiatives focused on reducing poverty, strengthening nonprofit capacity, and advancing regional well-being across Wisconsin and beyond. His work includes guiding major grantmaking through the U.S. Venture/Schmidt Family Foundation and advancing collaborative, place-based efforts to end poverty in Northeast Wisconsin through the U.S. Venture Open. With more than 20 years of experience in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership, Greg is known for his strategic vision, collaborative leadership style, and commitment to addressing the root causes of poverty. He actively partners with regional funding collaboratives to support upstream solutions that advance education, economic stability, social connectedness, and mental and physical health. Previously, Greg held leadership roles at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Life Promotions, and Franciscan Publishers and Printers. He holds a BS in Communication from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point and an AA&S from the University of Wisconsin–Fox Valley.

When: Saturday 4/18/2026, 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM  
Duration:  60 minutes
Presenters:  Ben Bauer - Marshfield Rotary Club (6250) and Past District Governor, and Patrick Harrison - Austin Cosmopolitan Rotary Club (5870)
Room: Suite F

Every member of your club plays a role in shaping how your community sees Rotary, and in this interactive session, we’ll explore how to build a culture where public image isn’t just a task—it’s a team effort. We’ll share simple, creative ways to tell your club’s story, highlight the impact you’re making, and make public image something everyone enjoys. You’ll leave with fresh ideas, practical tools, and inspiration to transform the way your club connects with the world. No lectures here—just a fun, hands-on workshop designed to help you bring your club’s story to life! Public Image is Everything – and it’s way more fun (and easier) than you might think!

Ben Bauer is a member of the Marshfield Rotary Club (WI), past 6250 District Governor (2022-2023), and his most fulfilling Rotary experience has come through chairing the District’s RYLA program. Youth Leadership has always been a passion of Ben’s, going all the way back to his time as a conference facilitator for the National FFA Organization. Professionally, Ben is in marketing and a graphic designer by trade and leads a creative marketing agency called Exclamation. He loves using design to create engagement and tell stories.
 Personally, Ben’s wife and favorite person in the world is Katie Bauer. Katie is a special education teacher, an amazing mother and life partner. The have a son, Charlie and a daughter, Olive, who bring them an immeasurable amount of joy. Together, they love learning, camping, swimming, biking, hiking, kayaking or anything that takes them to the beautiful outdoors of Wisconsin.

Patrick Harrison has over 25 years of experience in entertainment, working in production, marketing, and media with top studios and professionals. A trained actor in Los Angeles and New York, he brings deep industry insight.  A proud Rotarian, Patrick serves as the Rotary International Regional Leader in Public Image for Region 36, Zones 25b-29. His Rotary contributions include hosting the 2022 RI Presidential Peace Conference, co-hosting the 2021 RI Assembly, and serving as the 2022 Zone 25b Promotions Chair. He has moderated and co-hosted multiple Rotary events and co-chaired the award-winning District 5870 Public Image Team.  Patrick is a dedicated member of the Austin Cosmopolitan Rotary Club, a Paul Harris Fellow Plus Eight, and a past President of the Austin Centennial Rotary Club (2016-2018).

When: Saturday 4/18/2026, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM  
Duration:  60 minutes
Presenters:  Harry Farchmin - Rotary Club of Elmbrook Brookfield (6270),  Jerry Stepaniak - Rotary Club of Milwaukee (6270),  and Mark Broses - Rotary Club of Chippawa Falls (6250)
Room: Portia/Wisteria

Clean water changes everything. This Rotary workshop will showcase international water initiatives in Guatemala and Bolivia, sharing real-world successes, obstacles faced in implementation, and the lives impacted along the way. Participants will gain insight into what’s working, what remains challenging, and how Rotary can “Unite for Good” and help shape the next chapter of these vital projects.

Harry Farchmin, PE, LEED AP, is a registered Professional Engineer in Wisconsin. He has held senior leadership and ownership positions in regional and international consulting engineering firms retiring from full-time practice. He is currently an independent consulting engineer and volunteers for several state and community organizations. He is District Governor Nominee of District 6270, a Past-President (2022-23) of the Rotary Club of Elmbrook, Chair of the District 6270 Fellowship Committee, Chair of the City of Brookfield Sister Cities Committee, and is on the Executive Board of the Potawatomi Area Council Boy Scouts of America. Harry and his wife Anne celebrate their 47th Anniversary this year and have a daughter living in Alexandria, VA.

Jerry Stepaniak chairs the Rotary Club of Milwaukee’s World Community Services Committee (WCS). He has coordinated multiple Global Grants with a focus on community water systems in Guatemala. These ventures are consistently successful due to strong collaborations with Vista Hermosa (GT) Rotary Club, the Ingenieros sin Fronteras-GT non-profit organization, and designs by Engineers without Borders students from Marquette University, Milwaukee School of Engineering, and volunteer engineers. WCS also has built multiple schools, kitchens, pedestrian and vehicular bridges in Guatemala. Other international efforts over the past seven years include medical supplies and generators for Ukraine, cleft palate surgery trips, other efforts for water and medical facilities in Africa and India, and recovery from volcanic eruptions and COVID. Jerry is theoretically retired from a wide-ranging career in state and local government and consulting with non-profit agencies. He has degrees from St. Norbert College and the University of Illinois and was an elected official for the City of Wauwatosa.

Mark Broses has 35+ years of experience as a Civil and Environmental Engineer. He joined the Chippewa Falls Rotary Club in 2006 and first visited Bolivia in 2007. The club has worked with the Rotary Club Tunari – Cochabamba Bolivia since 1990. The initial projects focused on Dental Clinics. Since 2006 our projects have primarily involved water and sanitation infrastructure. Mark has led 7 WASH projects in Bolivia including two Global Grants. The first Global Grant provided clean water supply, distribution and taps to 5,000 people and the second project provided a wastewater treatment plant serving 15,000 people. Mark is currently working on a third Global Grant to improve WASH facilities for a school.

When: Saturday 4/18/2026, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM  
Duration:  60 minutes
Roundtable Moderator:  Cindy Petted - Rotary Club of Cedarburg-Grafton (6270)
Room: Suite F

Protecting and funding your Club's Mission can be simple and effective. 

Looking for fundraisers that actually work—and don’t overwhelm your club? This interactive roundtable will focus on simple, effective fundraisers that raise money and keep members engaged. Come ready to exchange ideas, lessons learned, and practical takeaways you can use right away.