Speakers

An annual tradition! Bring your (Rotary appropriate) jokes for some good laughs in celebration of April Fool's Day. Can't find a joke? Never fear; Peggy Leppik has pre-approved jokes for sale.

 

Seth Kaempfer, Equity and Inclusion Manager, City of Golden Valley

Within the field of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, Seth Kaempfer (he/him/his) has been a practitioner for ten years in various roles, with most of his time in public higher education. Seth has engaged in both broad DEIA and identity-specific work, which includes supporting BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and international students, staff, and faculty through enhancing services, increasing recruitment and retention efforts, and advancing intersectional inclusive policies and procedures. Seth has also worked to develop and support Employee Resource Groups and Equity Committees, expand DEIA programming, redevelop intercultural competency trainings and learning outcomes, and operationalize equity into divisional processes. Additionally, Seth has collaboratively integrated DEIA best practices and racial equity concepts into university, departmental, administrative, and city strategic plans such as the City of Golden Valley’s Equity Plan.

Carrie is a nonprofit leader and avid runner with over 15 years of experience in program management, community development, education, and nonprofit administration. Prior to joining Mile in My Shoes in July 2024, she was a Country Director with American Councils for International Education in Turkmenistan, where she oversaw 30 program staff over four office locations. Prior to that she worked in an administrative role at Alight’s (formerly American Refugee Committee) headquarters in Minneapolis. Carrie holds a BA in Anthropology and Psychology from Williams College and an MA in International and Intercultural Communications from the University of Denver.

Originally from Bemidji, MN, where she grew up swimming and playing hockey, Carrie began running in college as a way to unwind and stay in shape. After many years of running solo, Carrie joined the Mill City Running Race Team and discovered the vibrant running community in the Twin Cities. In her free time, Carrie serves on the board of Numaan, a Minnesota-based international nonprofit that implements community development projects in Ethiopia, and volunteers for Wiggle Your Toes, a local nonprofit that supports people following limb loss to get back to the life they want.

About Mile in My Shoes
Partnering with substance-use recovery programs, homeless shelters, veterans’ organizations, and reentry centers for people exiting incarceration, Mile in My Shoes sees running as a tool for both personal and collective transformation. By centering people and spaces historically excluded by the running community, our teams use movement as a catalyst for social justice. By bringing together people from diverse backgrounds, our Resident Members and Run Mentors not only find common ground, but learn from and reach out to one another for support. Learn more at https://www.mileinmyshoes.mn/

Jessica Petroske is the Outreach Coordinator and a Scientist Educator with the Minnesota office of Science from Scientists. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education with a minor in Animal Science from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. Jessica has worked as an agriculture teacher at AFSA Middle School and Resource Specialist with Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom. She also held internships with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, USDA, and Conservancy of Southwest Florida. Jessica has a passion for bringing quality agriculture and science lessons to students. Jessica has been with SciSci since early 2025.

Bekki Hansen is the Director of Operations for the Minnesota office of Science from Scientists. She holds a bachelor's degree in Microbiology and a master's degree in science education. Bekki worked as a molecular biologist at Vanderbilt University and at the Mayo Clinic before becoming a licensed science teacher. After a couple of years teaching in traditional classrooms, Bekki found her passion in informal science education, working as a program manager at The Bakken Museum for 16 years. Bekki has been with SciSci since 2023.

Science from Scientists - Stemming the STEM Crisis
In 2025, approximately 2.5 million STEM jobs will go unfilled because of a lack of candidates in the workforce pipeline. The number of STEM workers needed will continue to increase in years to come and it's anticipated that, long-term, the gap between open positions and interested/qualified candidates will widen. Science from Scientists is a 501(c)3 non- profit that aims to close the gap by inspiring the next generation of STEM workers, the elementary and middle school students of today.

Eric Johnsrud, the Chair of North Star Rotary Youth Exchange, joined Rotary in 1985 and has been a member of Rotary Clubs in Winona and Northfield, Minnesota. He has served as a Club Youth Exchange Officer and, more recently, a North Star Country Officer for Spain. He practiced law in Winona, Minnesota for 36 years before retiring in 2021 and currently represents Region 11 on the Board of Directors of the North American Youth Exchange Network (NAYEN) and is its incoming President Nominee. https://northstarrotary.com/