Program: Chris Reykdal, WA State Superintendent of Public Instruction, July 11, 2023

Join the University Sunrise Rotary Club for a program featuring Chris Reykdal, Washington State’s Superintendent of Public Instruction.

The program will be presented in person and on Zoom on Thursday morning with the Zoom line opening at 7:00 a.m.  The formal meeting including the program runs from 7:30-8:30 a.m.  No registration is required, and the program is free.

The in-person meeting will be at the Wedgwood Community Church at 8201 30th Ave NE, Seattle. Doors open at 7:00 a.m. and the program begins at 7:30 a.m.

The meeting will also be available via Zoom. Click here to join the meeting Thursday morning.  The Zoom line will open shortly after 7:00 a.m.


First elected in 2017, Chris Reykdal is currently serving in his second term as Washington’s 16th State Superintendent.

Known for pushing against the status quo to meet the evolving needs of our students and our economy, Chris has spearheaded some of the most transformational changes Washington’s K–12 public education system has seen in decades.

As State Superintendent, Chris has:

  • Expanded pathways to graduation to align with students’ individual interests and goals,
  • Successfully advocated for historic state investments in services for students with disabilities,
  • Made significant progress in eliminating out-of-pocket costs for students engaged in dual credit programs like College in the High School and Advanced Placement,
  • Increased access to free meals at school to an additional 465,000 students,
  • Expanded dual and tribal language learning programs for our youngest learners,
  • Started a first-of-its-kind residency program to support teacher recruitment,
  • Added civics education as a graduation requirement for all students,
  • Increased the number of CTE course equivalencies, which allow students to earn core academic credit requirements through CTE courses, by 20%,
  • Successfully advocated for market-rate salaries for Washington’s teachers,
  • Returned timber revenue to the rural communities where it’s generated,
  • Established a path for students to earn elective credits toward their diploma with paid work experience, and
  • Diversified the OSPI staff and leadership team to more closely reflect the diversity of Washington’s students.

As a former teacher, soccer coach, school board director, state legislator, and executive for our state’s community and technical college system, Chris has a unique perspective of the K–12 system and how our state supports learners from preschool through postsecondary learning.

Under Chris’ leadership, the work of OSPI is centered on equity, transparency, accountability, customer service, and on keeping students at the forefront of all decision-making.

Chris graduated summa cum laude from Washington State University with a bachelor’s degree and a teaching certificate, and he earned a master’s degree in public administration from the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill.

Chris is a lifelong learner who enjoys solving complex problems with data and research. In his free time, you can find Chris hiking, cheering on Washington’s sports teams, listening to 80s music (the greatest decade for pop music!), or seeing a movie with his family.

Chris and his wife, Kim, live in historic Tumwater with their two children, Carter and Kennedy.

Honors & Awards:

  • Leadership Award, National Association for Bilingual Education, 2023
  • State Auditor’s Stewardship Award, Washington State Auditor’s Office, 2022
  • Henry Toll Fellow, Council of State Governments, 2022
  • Golden Gavel Award, Washington Association of School Administrators, 2021
  • Envision Award, Washington DECA, 2019
  • President’s Award, Association of Washington School Principals, 2018
  • MESA Champion Award, MESA USA (Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement), 2018

Apply Now for the RISE Program: Deadline is Monday, April 1, 2024

Rotary District 5030 is launching the next cohort for RISE (Rotarians Inspired to Succeed and Engage)!  We’re encouraging clubs to use this program to attract and engage members by offering advanced leadership training and an experienced member from another club. The program cost is $150 per participant and each club can have up to three members in the program. The deadline for application is Monday, April 1, and the application form is here

Last fall, we had seventeen members in our pilot session and our exit survey rated the program 4.7 (out of 5) stars. Two-thirds of the participants reported that participating in RISE had already helped them to advance in their career and/or their club.

Testimonal: “I think the RISE program is a valuable tool, both for those early in their professional or Rotary careers with limited leadership experience, and for those later in their careers as a litmus test to reflect on whether one’s leadership habits have been as productive as one hoped.”-Mark Ward, President-Elect, West Seattle Club.

Each club can have up to 3 members per training cohort. There is a Spring session and a fall session.

Program: Walter Impert, “Tax and Estate Planning in 2024 and Beyond,” March 7, 2024

Here Walter’s handout “Practical and Taxwise Estate Planning:”

Walter Impert provides individuals and families with practical advice on how to incorporate their values and goals into a thoughtful and carefully considered estate plan.

Walter is a Partner at Dorsey & Whitney in the Tax, Trusts and Estates practice group. His practice focuses on all aspects of wealth management, including estate planning, business organization and succession planning, charitable organizations, estate and trust administration, and estate and trust litigation.

Walter served as a member of the firm’s Policy Committee (Board of Directors) and serves as a Senior Vice President and Director of the Dorsey & Whitney Trust Company.

Walter received his law degree from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), School of Law (J.D., 2002). He was Managing Editor of the UCLA Law Review. His BA was awarded by Occidental College (B.A., Economics, 1996) with College Honors and Department Honors. He is a Phi Beta Kappa member.

His Professional Achievements include:

  • Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), Past Chair of Seattle Chapter
  • Seattle Estate Planning Council, Member
  • College Success Foundation, Board of Directors
  • Seattle University Planned Giving Committee

Walter has been honored as:

  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America©, 2018-2022
  • Recognized by Chambers High Net Worth (HNW) for Private Wealth Law – Washington, 2017-2021
  • Listed as a “Rising Star” by Washington Super Lawyers, 2008-2012

Walter can be reached at impert.walter@dorsey.com, (206) 903-2439

Program: Virginia McKenzie, “Rotary Club of the Pacific Northwest Ending Sex Trafficking,” June 6, 2024

Join the University Sunrise Rotary Club for a program featuring Virginia McKenzie speaking on Sex Trafficking.

The program will be presented in person and on Zoom on Thursday morning with the Zoom line opening at 7:00 a.m.  The formal meeting including the program runs from 7:30-8:30 a.m.  No registration is required, and the program is free.

The in-person meeting will be at the Wedgwood Community Church at 8201 30th Ave NE, Seattle. Doors open at 7:00 a.m. and the program begins at 7:30 a.m.

The meeting will also be available via Zoom. Click here to join the meeting Thursday morning.  The Zoom line will open shortly after 7:00 a.m.


Virginia McKenzie has been a Rotarian for seventeen years and has built a reputation for innovation.  Originally a member of Seattle #4 Rotary, she started the Young Rotary Leaders Committee and helped recruit over 100 new members to the club, all under the age of 35.  Next, she launched Seattle City Rotaract, a community based Rotaract Club with our beloved Devon Ahud as Charter President.  Most recently, Virginia has chartered the Rotary Club of the Pacific Northwest Ending Sex Trafficking.  This is a single cause club where all of their speakers, projects and grants are focused on a single area.  Tune in to learn about the plight of sex trafficking in our local area and what you can do to help.

Program, Bruce Hudson, “Seven Secrets to Exceptional Photography,” June 27, 2024

Join the University Sunrise Rotary Club for a program featuring Master Photographer Bruce Hudson.

The program will be presented on Zoom on Thursday morning with the Zoom line opening at 7 a.m.  The formal meeting including the program runs from 7:30-8:30 a.m.  No registration is required, and the program is free.

The meeting will be available via Zoom.  Click here to join the meeting Thursday morning.  The Zoom line will open shortly after 7 a.m.


Bruce Hudson, Master Craftsman Photographer
Bruce Hudson, Master Craftsman Photographer

Master Photographer and Rotarian Bruce Hudson understands what it takes to deliver (craft, produce) an exceptional photograph. For the last 41 years he has photographed over 1200 weddings and thousands of families, high school seniors, and business portraits. Bruce recently created a program that shares the seven secrets for producing high impact quality images whether you have a fancy expensive camera or iPhone. During his program you will learn how to look for the best lighting opportunities, powerful composition techniques, foolproof tricks for making your subjects look great, and get the most out of your camera. After learning Bruce’s Secrets, you will come away with a newfound confidence to take fabulous pictures themselves, and an appreciation for the Art of Photography.

Seattle area native and Rotarian Bruce Hudson has led a colorful life. As a professional musician and educator, he had the opportunity to play with such greats as Bob Hope and Seattle’s own Kenny G! As a nationally recognized Master Photographer, Bruce has photographed Presidents, Governors, and celebrities such as the Mariner’s Randy Johnson, music legend Marvin Hamlisch, finance guru Dave Ramsey, Monkeys drummer Micky Dolenz, and Mega-Marketing consultant Dan Kennedy.

He and his late wife Sue opened Hudson’s Portrait Design in 1982 and have been a proud part of the Renton community for 40 years.

As a much sought after speaker and educator to the professional photography world, Bruce has spoken on behalf of Fuji Film USA as well as other industry leading vendors in all fifty states, Canada, New Zealand, and Puerto Rico.

In addition to photography, he enjoys golf, scuba diving, skiing, travel, cooking, fine wine, and spending quality time with his family. He has a passion for cooking, traveling and fine wine.  All in all, he has a passion for people and teaching the art of photography.

Program: Heather Fitzpatrick, “Three Reasons Our Region’s Approach to Homelessness Isn’t Working,” February 22, 2024


Our speaker on Thursday is Heather Fitzpatrick, President & CEO of Wellspring Family Services. Wellspring is a complex health and human service agency committed to ending family homelessness for good. Founded in 1892, the organization prevents and ends homelessness for both families and employees through five intertwined programs.

Heather joined Wellspring in 2017 as the interim CFO, and stepped into the CEO role in January of 2018.

Prior to joining Wellspring, Heather was a management consultant with MarketFitz, Inc., where she worked primarily with healthcare, professional service, and non-profit clients. She is a CPA and a Chartered Global Management Accountant, and the author of the book Marketing Management for Non-Marketing Managers: Improving Returns on Marketing Investments.

Heather is a member of Seattle Rotary #4 and has served as the Vice-President of Membership and Sergeant-at-Arms for the club. She has served on over a dozen boards of directors, including Leadership Tomorrow, the Washington Society of CPAs, the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Girl Scouts of Western Washington, and Northwest Center. She currently serves on the board of Archbright.

Outside of work and community volunteerism, Fitzpatrick enjoys hiking, backpacking, cooking, reading and travel. She lives in Edmonds, Washington, with her husband, her children, and her dog, Riko.

Program: Ken Lee, Seattle Public Utilities, “The Ship Canal Water Quality Project,” February 15, 2024

Join the University Sunrise Rotary Club for a program featuring Ken Lee of the Seattle Public Utilities speaking on the topic of “The Ship Canal Water Quality Project: Tunnel Effluent Pump Station & Ballard Conveyance.

The program will be presented in person and on Zoom on Thursday morning with the Zoom line opening at 7:00 a.m.  The formal meeting including the program runs from 7:30-8:30 a.m.  No registration is required, and the program is free.

The in-person meeting will be at the Wedgwood Community Church at 8201 30th Ave NE, Seattle. Doors open at 7:00 a.m. and the program begins at 7:30 a.m.

The meeting will be available via Zoom. Click here to join the meeting Thursday morning.  The Zoom line will open shortly after 7:00 a.m.


Ken Lee is a senior project manager with Seattle Public Utilities. 

Born and raised in South Seattle, this lifelong University of Washington Husky has an extensive career in leading infrastructure and transportation improvement projects around the Puget Sound area.  As a Project Management Professional and Professional Engineer, Ken’s passion is improving our communities through the wonders of Civil Engineering. 

On the weekend you can find Ken, his wife, and 11-year old son exploring (and sometimes re-exploring) new areas of Seattle!

Licenciado Joseph Thomas, Our Member in Mexico!

The signing the Acta of receiving the title as “Licenciado/licenced” starts a legal process of a couple of months that results in a federal credencial.

The “titulación” gives the legal authority to practice Mexican law at any instance of the three levels of government.

There are only four American Citizens in Mexico now with that ability, and presently, Joseph is the only one known living the Valley of México that has 100,000 Americans living there full time and approximately 2 million in the country.

Joseph has current cases dealing with recovery of American citizenship and other issues impacting American Citizens.

Program: Nick Bond, University of Washington, “Salmon and the Impacts of Regional Climate Changes,” May 16, 2024

Join the University Sunrise Rotary Club for a program featuring Nick Bond, the Washington State Climatologist.

The program will be presented in person and on Zoom on Thursday morning with the Zoom line opening at 7:00 a.m.  The formal meeting including the program runs from 7:30-8:30 a.m.  No registration is required, and the program is free.

The in-person meeting will be at the Wedgwood Community Church at 8201 30th Ave NE, Seattle. Doors open at 7:00 a.m. and the program begins at 7:30 a.m.

The meeting will be available via Zoom. Click here to join the meeting Thursday morning.  The Zoom line will open shortly after 7:00 a.m.


Speaker: Nick Bond, Washington State Climatologist and UW College of the Environment

Nick Bond has an abiding interest (or obsession) with the weather and climate of the North Pacific and western North America. His research involves examining air-sea interactions with tropical cyclones in the western North Pacific, and the atmospheric response to declining sea ice in Alaskan waters, including the causes and effects of climate variations pertaining to marine ecosystems. He serves as the State Climatologist for Washington, a senior research scientist with The Cooperative Institute for Climate, Ocean, and Ecosystem Studies (CICOES) at the University of Washington, and an affiliate associate professor with the UW Department of Atmospheric Sciences.