Speakers
| Speaker | Date | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Anne Dugger | Sep 10, 2026 |
Catherine McAuley Center
![]() Meeting Location: Mercy Plumb Heart Center - 846 9th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 Anne Dugger is the Executive Director of the Catherine McAuley Center (CMC), a nonprofit organization in Cedar Rapids, Iowa that welcomes refugees and immigrants, adult learners, and women to participate in educational and supportive services. Prior to accepting the Executive Director position, Anne held pivotal roles as the Director of Education and Director of Refugee/Immigrant Services, along with leading the Supplemental Services team at CMC. Anne is deeply committed to the mission of the Catherine McAuley Center and during her past eleven years has created lasting community partnerships and lead the center strategically through very difficult changes to funding and personnel. Anne has over twenty years of leadership experience in various fields including healthcare, education, and nonprofit management plus ten years of experience in teaching at the most basic level up to the collegiate level. Anne is frequently asked to speak at conferences, events, community meetings and gatherings and in 2020 became a published author. Anne has received several area awards to including the Jean Oxley Service Award in 2024, being an honoree in the “Tribute to Heroes” ceremony with the Freedom Festival in 2025, and being named a Woman of Influence by the Corridor Business Journal in 2026. Anne has also received numerous accolades for her innovative approach to English as a Second Language instruction and US Citizenship curriculum. Anne’s dedication to her community continues outside of CMC. She previously held positions on the Cedar Rapids Public Schools Diversity Committee and on Mercy Medical Center’s Diversity Committee. Anne currently serves on the Cedar Rapids Affordable Housing Commission and previously on the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission. Anne received her B.A. from Coe College and her Master’s of Education from Mount Mercy University. |
| Victory Social Club - Club Social ๐ป | Sep 17, 2026 |
3:30 - 5pm - 3707 1st Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
Come enjoy a fun Rotary social at the newly opened Victory Social Club on 1st Ave. We will meet from 3:30-5 pm, but feel free to come and go as you need. ๐ป๐ https://victory-social.com/ https://www.facebook.com/p/Victory-Social-Club-61590946788004/ |
| Cedar Rapids Fire Department - Chief Andy Olesen | Sep 24, 2026 |
CRFD General Obligation Bond Measure
Meeting Location: Mercy Plumb Heart Center - 846 9th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 Andy Olesen is an Assistant Fire Chief with the Cedar Rapids Fire Department, where he oversees the department’s budget, facilities, and fleet. With 27 years of fire service experience, Andy brings expertise in fire department deployment, station location and geographic analysis, emergency management, and accreditation. He holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Northern Iowa and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Iowa, and has earned the Chief Fire Officer Designation. A longtime Cedar Rapids resident, Andy is also the father of two sons who graduated from Cedar Rapids Kennedy High School. |
| Cari McCoy | Oct 01, 2026 |
YMCA
Meeting Location: Hiawatha Community Center (connected to City Hall – 101 Emmons Street, Hiawatha, 52233)
Cari McCoy is a people-first leader and community builder who believes strong organizations have the power to strengthen entire communities. As President & CEO of the Cedar Rapids Metro YMCA, she is focused on expanding opportunities for youth development, healthy living, and belonging across Eastern Iowa. Known for connecting vision with action, Cari brings clarity, heart, and momentum to complex challenges—rallying people around shared purpose and meaningful impact. Prior to joining the YMCA, Cari served as Vice President of Strategy & Execution at Van Meter and previously as CEO and President of Clickstop. With a background spanning strategy, operations, marketing, and organizational leadership, she is known for her authentic leadership style, her ability to build trust across teams, and her passion for helping people and organizations thrive. Grounded in her education in psychology, Cari approaches leadership with a deep understanding of what motivates people and creates lasting connection. Beyond her professional work, Cari is deeply engaged in the Cedar Rapids community. She has been recognized by the Corridor Business Journal as both a Forty Under 40 recipient and one of the region’s most influential business leaders. She serves on the boards of Marion Economic Development Corporation and Goodwill of the Heartland and has held leadership roles with the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance Workforce Innovation Council and ImpactCR. She is also an active mentor who cares deeply about investing in the next generation of leaders. A Cedar Rapids native and Coe College graduate, Cari believes Eastern Iowa is one of the best places to live, work, and raise a family. She and her husband are raising two active daughters, and Cari enjoys spending time kayaking, gardening, reading, and serving her community. |
| Michelle Bell | Oct 08, 2026 |
Rotary Foundation
Meeting Location: TBD |
| Mark Stoffer Hunter + Club Social | Oct 15, 2026 |
Location / Time TBD
|
| TBD | Oct 22, 2026 |
Meeting Location: TBD |
| Dawn Hunter | Oct 29, 2026 |
Care Network CR
Meeting Location: Hiawatha Community Center (connected to City Hall – 101 Emmons Street, Hiawatha, 52233) |
| TBD | Nov 05, 2026 11:30 AM |
Meeting Location: TBD |
| Jody Skogen | Nov 12, 2026 |
Outgrow
Meeting Location: TBD Jody Skogen has a deep passion for helping others live abundantly, and that same heart shows up in her work with leadership teams. As a Certified Outgrow Advisor and Professional EOS Implementer®, she helps leaders grow their companies 15 to 30% organically through proactive, relationship-driven sales habits. An Iowa girl through and through, Jody was born and raised in Waverly, met her husband in North Central Iowa, and has called the Cedar Rapids area home for more than 20 years. She's traveled all over the world, but to Jody, there's still no place like Iowa. runoutgrow.com/advisor/jody-skogen/ 319-558-6602 |
| HOLD - Boys and Girls Club Thanksgiving Meal | Nov 19, 2026 |
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| No Meeting - Happy Thanksgiving! ๐ฆ | Nov 26, 2026 |
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| Nikki Wilcox | Dec 03, 2026 |
Tippie College of Business
Meeting Location: Hiawatha Community Center (connected to City Hall – 101 Emmons Street, Hiawatha, 52233) Nicole "Nikki" Wilcox is a marketing and business strategist with more than 15 years of experience leading marketing, communications, strategic development, and community engagement initiatives across the nonprofit, corporate, education, and economic development sectors. A proud two-time graduate of the University of Iowa, she earned both her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and her Master of Business Administration (MBA). Throughout her career, Nikki has partnered with organizations of all sizes to solve complex business challenges, develop strategic marketing campaigns, build meaningful community partnerships, and drive organizational growth. She previously taught Principles of Marketing at Kirkwood Community College and served as a guest lecturer for Corporate Finance at the University of Iowa, experiences that reinforced her passion for developing future business leaders. Nikki's teaching philosophy centers on bridging the gap between the classroom and the boardroom by creating authentic, hands-on learning experiences that build confidence, critical thinking, and career readiness. She believes the most meaningful education happens when students are given the opportunity to solve real business challenges, and she is passionate about mentoring the next generation of marketing professionals while helping organizations discover innovative solutions through student collaboration. |
| JACOB CHRISTENSON, PHD, MBA, LMFT | Dec 10, 2026 |
Radix Recovery
Meeting Location: TBD |
| Christmas Carolers | Dec 17, 2026 |
Meeting Location: Hiawatha Community Center (connected to City Hall – 101 Emmons Street, Hiawatha, 52233) |
| No Meeting - Christmas Eve ๐ | Dec 24, 2026 |
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| No Meeting - NYE ๐ | Dec 31, 2026 |
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| TBD | Jan 07, 2027 |
Meeting Location: Hiawatha Community Center (connected to City Hall – 101 Emmons Street, Hiawatha, 52233) |
| HOLD FOR SOCIAL / SERVICE | Jan 14, 2027 |
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| TBD | Jan 21, 2027 |
Meeting Location: Hiawatha Community Center (connected to City Hall – 101 Emmons Street, Hiawatha, 52233) |
| Lexi Coberly & Stephanie Hartson | Jan 28, 2027 |
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cedar Rapids & East Central IA
Meeting Location: Hiawatha Community Center (connected to City Hall – 101 Emmons Street, Hiawatha, 52233) Stephanie Hartson, President & CEO, and Lexi Coberly, Development Officer, of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cedar Rapids & East Central Iowa will share the story behind BBBS’s Empowering Youth Campaign and why continued community investment is essential to ensuring local youth have access to quality one-to-one mentoring. Stephanie and Lexi will also share meaningful ways Rotarians can be part of this effort through financial support, volunteerism, advocacy, and connecting BBBS with others who want to invest in local youth. Stephanie Hartson is the President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cedar Rapids & East Central Iowa, where she leads efforts to empower youth through mentorship and strengthen community impact. With over a decade at the organization, she is known for her collaborative leadership and commitment to building meaningful relationships.
Outside of work, Stephanie is a wife of 17 years and a proud mom of two (ages 11 and 15). She enjoys road biking, reading, and is always looking for opportunities to learn and grow. Lexi Coberly is the Development Officer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cedar Rapids & East Central Iowa, where she leads the agency’s fundraising and development efforts to ensure more youth have access to the life-changing impact of 1:1 mentoring. Lexi works closely with donors, corporate partners, community leaders, and supporters to build relationships and secure the resources needed to empower youth to reach their full potential. Outside of work, Lexi is a wife of 22 years and mom to 2 adults (ages 21 and 18). She likes to travel, read, volunteer in the community and watch all things Iowa Hawkeyes football and basketball! |

