Speakers

Our clubs regularly hosts speakers at our Friday breakfast meetings and at our Evening Speaker Series on every third Thursday of the month in the Salzig Room at the Leonia Public Library.

Below you can find a list of upcoming speakers and topics as well as an archive of past speakers. Please join us for interesting presentations on a vast range of topics.

A Musical Celebration with a Purpose

Learn about our Haiti project to provide live-saving equipment to Hopital Sacre Coeur and the benefit concert fundraiser for it.

Rotary Club of The Palisades

April 16, 2026 - 6:00 pm
Salzig Room, Leonia Public Library

I know what I give my life for.

The short life of Walter Klingenbeck, killed by the Nazis at age 19.

Roland P. Weimer

Member

Rotary Club of The Palisades

May 8, 2026

A Bright Spot in a Dark Place: Prison Dog Training Programs

After 25 years of proliferation, prison dog training programs are common in carceral facilities across the globe. We will examine their popularity – the needs they meet and the unique experiences they create for incarcerated people. We will also consider the underlying therapeutic mechanisms and how program participation impacts recidivism.

Gennifer Furst

Professor Sociology & Criminal Justice

William Paterson University

May 15, 2026

Gina created this organization to help educate young people about the risk of heart health based on her son’s experience, empowering communities through CPR education, heart health awareness and hope.

Gina Gilmore & Kyle Hewitt

Kyle’s Strong Heart


May 21, 2026 - 6:00 pm
Salzig Room, Leonia Public Libray

The Star Legacy Foundation is a national organization that supports families and medical professionals regarding all aspects of pregnancy and infant loss.

Victoria Rice

NJ Chapter

Star Legacy Foundation

June 18, 2026 - 6:00 pm
Salzig Room, Leonia Public Library



Past Speakers Archive


2026

  • Keith Danish


    Can baseball be copyrighted?
    March 27, 2026
  • Virginia Brewer
    Freelance Oboist

    What's an oboe and what does a freelance musician do?
    February 20, 2026
  • Gretchen Harders
    Member & Program Chair
    Rotary Club of The Palisades
    Educating Minnesotans: the Extraordinary Life of High School Teacher Claire Van Zant (1922-2018)
    February 13, 2026
  • Jared Saldana
    Participant & Buddy
    District 6 Challengers
    Experiences participating in the District 6 Challenger program.
    January 30, 2026
  • Constantina Koulosousas, Esq.
    Estate Planning Attorney
    New Jersey Bar Foundation
    Celebrity Pitsfalls in Estate Planning
    January 23, 2026
  • Lori Oliff
    Englewood Site Manager & Director of Food Outreach Services
    Center for Food Action
    Weenend Snack Pack Program
    January 16, 2026
  • Julia Luis
    Member & Vice President
    Rotary Club of The Palisades
    My experience in aviation
    January 9, 2026

2025

  • Brendan Delany, Your Pasture Farm
    March 14, 2025
  • Alan Schultz, Pedals for Progress
    March 21, 2025
  • Alyson Raskin, PhD - YOGInquiry
    March 28, 2025
  • S. Abraham Ravid, PhD - Sy Syms Professor of Finance, Yeshiva University
    April 11, 2025
  • Michelle Brier - Blue Path Service Animals
    April 18, 2025
  • Julia Luis - The Rotarian You Never Knew Series
    April 25, 2025
  • Naomi Cruz - PhD Candidate
    May 9, 2025
  • Tracey Moscolo-Blomgren, Interact Sponsor Cliffside Park HS
    May 16, 2025
  • Prakash Joshi - Being Hindi
    May 23, 2025
  • Molly Gonzalez, Selin's Whisper Foundation
    May 30, 2025
  • Jim Zulakis, Filmmaker
    June 20, 2025
  • Carol Karels, Author
    War of the Words
    July 25, 2025
  • Chris Gajilan, journalist, documentarian
    August 15, 2025
  • Cindy Randina, District Governor
    Districts 7490 and 7505 merging to become New Jersey Rotary
    August 22, 2025
  • David Braun, Chair, Leonia Historical Preservation Commission
    Leonia Community Calendar
    September 12, 2025
  • Jafar Ismail, Author, Small Business Owner, Chasing Dreams
    Embracing Everest, Conquering Self: the Extraordinary Adventure of an Ordinary Man
    September 19, 2025
  • Gennifer Furst, Professor Sociology & Criminal Justice
    History of Incarceration in the United States
    October 3, 2025
  • Ellen Healy & Mary Gendron
    Leonia Age Friendly Initiative
    October 17, 2025
  • Gwynne McConkey & Rosemary Byrne
    Women’s Connection of Fort Lee
    October 24, 2025
  • Dr. Anshu Chandra
    Global Eye Project
    October 31, 2025
  • Darrin Chambers
    Maverick’s Legacy
    November 14, 2025
  • Rick Saltarelli
    Rotary International Foundation
    November 21, 2025
  • Cathleen Davey
    Holy Name Foundation
    December 12, 2025
  • Claudia Portnoy
    Rotarian I Never Knew
    December 19, 2025