Speakers

Sandhya Gupta is the founder of Aavishkaar: Center for Science, Art & Technology.  Sandhya, a former member of our club, will join us for an update on her projects in India, including the grant our club last supported for a program to provide job training skills for women, allowing them to gain economic independence.

Sandhya’s project will work with 50 Middle and High School Women STEM mentor educators working with women community teachers in Education Centers/Schools of rural and urban marginalized communities in the state of Chhattisgarh in India. These mentors will:

• be upskilled through a yearlong teacher support program to become excellent STEM educators. 
• work with 250 women educators of Learning Centers/Schools to reach 7500 students of grades 6 through 10 in the first year of the program. 

The program aims to remove the fear of Math and Science, and replace it with understanding and insight, resulting in making these subjects accessible.

 

Fresh off the heels of selling his business, John will take us on a candid journey through his dynamic career in market research—unpacking the industry’s evolving trends, revealing behind-the-scenes challenges of running a research firm, and reflecting on the pivotal moments that shaped his professional life.

 

 

As the proud granddaughter of immigrants, Brenda’s deep-rooted passion for justice has found expression through her My Equal Justice Works Fellowship. This platform has empowered her to channel her expertise in Community Development Funding and her unwavering belief in the power of partnerships to advocate for the legal needs of Minnesota’s Latinx community. Her presentation promises to shed light on the challenges, triumphs, and lasting impact of immigration law at the community level.

From the heart of Savage, Minnesota to the national stage, Adam Hjerpe leads with purpose as the Board Chair of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. A proud father to Special Olympics athlete Steven, a passionate coach, and a Unified partner, Adam doesn’t just champion inclusion—he lives it. Backed by nearly two decades of executive leadership at UnitedHealth Group and now serving as Chief Operating Officer at Medica, Adam brings a powerful blend of professional expertise and personal dedication to ensure the 2026 Games reach new heights of excellence and impact.

• Rotary International: He has been a member of Rotary for over 30 years, holding various leadership positions at the club, district, and zone levels. Notably, he is slated to serve as the District 5950 Governor for the 2025-2026 Rotary year. He was previously the Public Image Chair and Webmaster for District 5950, and also served as Club Administrator and Past President of the Rotary Club of Edina/Morningside. He is currently the Executive Secretary XO of the Rotary Club of Minnesota Veterans.
• Pastor: Mark Shockey has a long and distinguished career in ministry, including serving as Pastor of Administration & Mission at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Palatine, Illinois, and as the Sole Pastor of First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, prior to his current role at St. Peter's Lutheran Church.
• NASCAR Chaplain: Mark Shockey also serves as a chaplain for the NASCAR Cup Series nationally and for Elko Speedway in Minnesota.
• Advocate for families with intellectual and developmental disabilities: He is a passionate advocate for families with children who have intellectual or developmental disabilities.