Program: Sue Nixon, BloodWorks Northwest, “Rotarians: Bold for Blood,” August 17, 2023

Sue Nixon

It takes 1,000 donors a day to sustain a blood supply for patients in our community. Blood is central to patient care, cancer treatment, traumas and surgeries. The ripple effect of blood shortages is far reaching in public health and in our economy. Faced with an aging donor base, a shrinking donor base, and missing student donors, we must work together on new and innovative ways to educate our community on the importance of giving blood and hosting drives before a generation of donors passes. That’s where Rotary and you come in.

Cathy Gibson, Past District Governor, Rotary District 5030

Sue lives on her houseboat in Lake Union, sings regularly with a variety of local bands and is loving her pandemic project of learning how to sail

Sue Nixon has more than 25 years of leadership and consulting experience in marketing, branding and communications that spans the private, public and non-profit sectorsShe served as chief executive officer of Fitch global design studio in Seattle – part of a worldwide network of retail and brand experts. Sue applied her skills to the non-profit arena as president of Seattle 4 Rotary club in 2016, realized her passion for community service and following her term took on her role at Bloodworks Northwest, where she manages all aspects of community engagement and donor recruitment to ensure a safe and reliable blood supply for patients in our community who need care.

Program: Sophia Lopez, “Disaster Preparedness: The Basics,” August 10, 2023


Here is a link to Sophia’s presentation. The Passcode is qvZ9Pdh=

Here is a link to the King County and Seattle Disaster Preparedness Website.


Sophia Lopez has been surviving disasters her whole life.

Now, she gets to educate others how to do just that. Having personally experienced and survived tornadoes in Texas, hurricanes in Georgia and Louisiana, snowstorms in Eastern WA, and earthquakes in Hawaii, Sophia was a preparedness expert long before discovering she could major in it, let alone dedicate her life to it. She received her Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security Studies from Tulane University. She is a Certified Emergency Manager with over nine years of experience in Emergency Management and over 25 years of experience in Customer Service. She has served on multiple deployments and activations, including supporting the USDA with the Avian Influenza outbreak in 2015 (H5N1) and serving as the Logistics Section Chief for the King County COVID-19 response in 2020.

She is currently the Community Engagement Manager at the City of Seattle’s Office of Emergency Management.


Here are Sophia’s slides:

Program: Kurt Miller, Northwest RiverPartners, “The Lower Snake River Dams: An Increasingly Critical Part of Our Clean Energy Future,” July 27, 2023

Join the University Sunrise Rotary Club for a program featuring Kurt Miller of the Northwest RiverPartners. Kurt will discuss the future of the Snake River dams.

The program will be presented on Zoom on Thursday morning with the 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.


This presentation will be a discussion on the hot button issues around salmon restoration and the role of hydropower in our clean energy future with a key focus on how we can meet the Northwest’s clean energy requirements while ensuring social equity in the context of our energy availability and resources.

Kurt Miller is Executive Director of the Northwest RiverPartners. Kurt is one of the nation’s leading advocates for hydropower and its role in our clean and equitable energy future. His expertise in energy policy has been featured in over 50 contributed pieces across several regional and national news outlets, and he is a frequent commentator on T.V., radio, and policy panels.

As the executive director of Northwest RiverPartners, Kurt represents millions of public power customers across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Utah who rely on the affordability and reliability of hydropower to power their homes, businesses, and transportation.

Kurt keynoted the CEATI international hydropower conference in 2023, Hydrovision International 2022, and the Portland-based Business and the Environment conference in 2021. He was also an expert panelist at Clean Currents, the annual conference of the National Hydropower Association and featured on the January 2023 cover of Hydro Leader Magazine.

Kurt is active on the policy front and has advised the Western Congressional Caucus and the Western Senate Caucus on hydropower policy. He has spent most of his 30-year career in leadership positions for electric utilities, bringing expertise in power supply and smart grid initiatives. 

Under Kurt’s leadership, Northwest RiverPartners has expanded its educational role through industry partnerships, thought leadership efforts, and community outreach projects and strengthened its emphasis on science and scientific-based studies.

Program: Betty Long, “Guardian Nurses Healthcare Advocates: When Your Life Depends on It,” July 20, 2023

Join the University Sunrise Rotary Club for a program featuring Betty Long speaking on Guardian Nurses Healthcare Advocates.

The program will be presented on Zoom on Thursday morning with the 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 and in person at the Wedgewood Community Church, 8201 – 30th Ave NE, Seattle, 98115.

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


For the average healthcare consumer, entering the U.S. healthcare system for a clinical need can be fraught with anxiety, fear and insecurity.  And that’s not even considering any insurance issues!  And post-COVID, being admitted to a hospital can be downright scary.  Hear about the work of Guardian Nurses and how their team of nurse advocates, in Seattle and nationally, are shepherding patients safely and effectively through their healthcare journeys.

Betty Long, RN, MHA, is the President/CEO and Founder of Guardian Nurses Healthcare Advocates and a nationally recognized expert and speaker on patient advocacy. As a registered nurse since 1986, she has experience in clinical, management and consulting capacities. In addition, she has a long history of healthcare advocacy with special expertise in critical care, long-term care and geriatric care management. She is a member of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Case Management Society of America as well as the Forum of Executive Women in Philadelphia. She also serves as President of the Board of Trustees for The Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania.

Program: Jonathan Mayer, Professor Emeritus, University of Washington, “Trends in Life Expectancy and Longevity,” July 13, 2023


Jonathan Mayer
Jonathan Mayer, Professor Emeritus, University of Washington

Jonathan Mayer is a Professor of Epidemiology and Geography at the University of Washington.  He is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Medicine, (Division of Infectious Diseases), Department of Family Medicine, and in Health Services, Global Health. He is Program Director, joint degree: MPH in Epidemiology/PhD Biocultural Anthropology.

This the seventh time we have asked him back to talk about medical science. Why? Here is a typical comment:

Dr. Mayer was fantastic.  He is incredibly knowledgeable about this topic and has the rare ability to communicate a complex topic to an audience.

Program: Ed Bronsdon, “Transforming Lives Through Adaptive Skiing,” July 6, 2023

Ed Bronsdon

Adaptive skiing transforms the lives of individuals with and without disabilities. It builds community and promotes inclusion for all. While enhancing self-esteem, adaptive skiing helps individuals learn new skills and foster fitness through fun. Ed will share life-transforming stories of adaptive skiing lessons that he’s led.

Ed Bronsdon is a nonprofit leader and educator. His passion is helping people. He recently retired from full time work after a 37-year career in nonprofits, including 28 years as executive director with the Outdoors for All Foundation in Seattle. He’s a graduate of the University of Washington, has a certificate in Rehabilitation Facilities Management from Seattle University and holds Level III Alpine and Level I Adaptive certifications with the Professional Ski Instructors of America.

  • Nationally, Ed volunteers with Move United as a board member, clinician and as an adaptive instructor.
  • Internationally, he volunteers with Blesma – The Limbless Veterans.
  • In our local community, Ed is active with the University Sunrise Rotary Club of Seattle. His Rotary service includes being a past president of the Rotary Club of Issaquah and multiple board roles with both of these Rotary clubs.

Program: Renee Kurdzos, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, “Foundation Fundraising,” June 29, 2023

Join the University Sunrise Rotary Club for a program featuring Rene Kurdzos of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. At our request, she will focus her time on Thursday on fundraising and discussing the pros and cons of an endowment.

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

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


Renee Kurdzos is the Executive Director, Planned Giving at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.

Find the presentation slides here:

Prior to working at Fred Hutch, Renee served as the Gift Planning Officer for Washington and Hawaii at American Red Cross, Development & Planned Giving Officer at University of Puget Sound, and as the Director of Major Gifts & Planned Giving at the Seattle Repertory Theatre. 

Renee is a Board Member of the American Council on Gift Annuities. She is the past Co-Chair of the Planned Giving Affinity Group for the National Association of Cancer Center Development Officers. She is also a Past President of the Washington Planned Giving Council and past Board Member of Leave 10.

She has a Masters of Science in Taxation and a Certificate in Estate Planning from Golden Gate University, and has achieved the designation of Certified Gift Planning Specialist through the Institute for Philanthropic Studies at California State University Long Beach. Renee has worked in development for 23 years and in planned giving for 18.

She lives in West Seattle with her husband Kevan, daughters Zoe and Margaret, and dogs Abbey and Jack.

Program: Jeff Brennan, District 5030 Foundation Chair, “An Overview of The Rotary Foundation,” June 22, 2023

Join the University Sunrise Rotary Club for a program featuring Jeff Brennan. Jeff is in his fifth year as our District 5030’s Foundation Chair. The Rotary Foundation is a non-profit corporation that supports the efforts of Rotary International to achieve world understanding and peace through international humanitarian, educational, and cultural exchange programs. It has grown from an initial contribution of $26.50 to more than $1 billion.

The program will be presented on Zoom on Thursday morning and at the Wedgwood Community Church.  The formal meeting including the program runs from 7:30-8:30 a.m.  No registration is required.


Jeff Brennan is in his 5th year as our District 5030’s Foundation Chair. Prior to that, he was the Chair of the District 5030’s grant committee for three years. Jeff is past president of the Rotary Club of Mill Creek, a Major Donor Level 2, benefactor and bequest member, and is a member of the Paul Harris Society. He is well-versed in district and global grant writing and has participated in global grants in Chile, El Salvador, Panama and numerous times to Guatemala.

Jeff served in the U.S. Air Force in communications and then worked in the telecommunications field for over 30 years. He has an Associate Degree in Radio Communications from the Community College of the Air Force, a BA and MBA in Management from Angelo State University in West Texas, and a Law Degree from Seattle University. Jeff works for ESO Solutions, (an Austin, Texas based company) the largest software and data solutions provider to Emergency Medical Services providers and fire departments in the US and Canada.

Program: Sean Gibbons, Institute for Systems Biology, “The Human Microbiome,” June 15, 2023

Here are Dr. Gibbons slides.


If you would like to sign up for ISB’s newsletter, you will get updated on Sean’s research, as well as other scientific advances, videos, and events: https://isbscience.org/subscribe/ 


On Friday, June 16th at Town Hall Seattle, Drs. Lee Hood and Nathan Price will be in conversation with Institute for Systems Biology President Jim Heath about their new book The Age of Scientific Wellness: Why the Future of Medicine Is Personalized, Predictive, Data-Rich, and in Your Hands. That will include a live-stream option. The talk begins at 7:30pm followed by book signing (books will be on sale in the lobby). Register to attend on-line or in-person here.

If you are able to join the speakers for a 6pm VIP reception (including valet parking) please contact erika.kreger@isbscience.org for details. In addition to Drs. Jim HeathLee Hood and Nathan Price, ISB faculty members Sean GibbonsAlice Kane, and Naeha Subramanian (experts in the microbiome, aging, and infectious disease respectively) will also be attending the reception, along with Claudia Ludwig and Caroline Kiehle from our STEM education team. So it will be a nice opportunity for guests to catch up with many ISB leaders.


Sean is an expert in the microbiome and has received a lot of general press attention for findings about the impact the microbiome has on people’s response to statin drugs and the way a changing gut microbiome may predict how we age.

Sean received his Ph.D. in biophysical sciences from the University of Chicago in 2015. His graduate work focused on using microbial communities as empirical models for testing ecological theory. He completed his postdoctoral training at MIT from 2015-2018. His postdoctoral work focused on developing techniques to quantify individual-specific eco-evolutionary dynamics within the human gut microbiome.

Gibbons was awarded a Fulbright Graduate Fellowship to study microbiology and synthetic biology at Uppsala University in Sweden, where he earned a master’s degree in 2010. His Ph.D. work was supported by an EPA STAR Graduate Fellowship. Upon joining the ISB faculty in 2018, his startup package was supported, in part, by a Washington Research Foundation Distinguished Investigator Award.

Microbial communities are complex (i.e. many interacting species) and adaptive (i.e., evolving). Complex, adaptive systems continually reorganize themselves in response to the environment. Sean investigates how the structure and composition of evolving ecological networks of microorganisms change across environmental gradients. In particular, he is interested in how ecological communities in the gut change and adapt to individual people over their lifespans (i.e., host genotype, host development and host behavior) and how these changes impact human health. His lab develops computational and experimental tools for investigating host-associated microbial communities to explore the interactions between ecology, evolution and ecosystem function, applying these insights to develop personalized interventions for improving human health and well-being.

ISB & SSF Present- Dr. Sean Gibbons Explains the Microbiome (4min)

https://townhallseattle.org/event/dr-jack-gilbert-with-dr-sean-gibbons/

The Gut Microbiome’s Supersized Role In Shaping Our Metabolome 11/10/22 (4min)

Program: Abel Pacheco, “Service Expansion and Transit-Oriented Development: Sound Transit’s Plans for the Future,” June 8, 2023


Abel Pacheco is the Government & Community Relations Director for the Central Corridor (Seattle) at Sound Transit. Abel supports Sound Transit’s leadership and project teams in responding to key stakeholders and constituencies within the City of Seattle. Prior to joining Sound Transit, Abel served on the Seattle City Council and represented District Four during 2019. Abel completed his fellowship at The Seattle Foundation and has worked at the Seattle Police Foundation and the University of Washington. Abel earned his BA from California State University, Northridge, and his Master of Public Administration from the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Policy and Governance at the UW. As a car-free Seattleite, Abel is passionate about ensuring that our community has a robust transportation network to ensure that Seattle remains a great place to live, work, and visit.