The Board of Rotary District 5370 is pleased to announce Jody L'Hirondelle Swanson as District Governor for the Rotary year 2028-29.
Since joining the Rotary Club of St. Albert on July 15, 2011, Jody has been a cornerstone of service and leadership. Her commitment to the Rotary Foundation is evident as a Paul Harris Fellow +4, a member of the Paul Harris Society, and a dedicated supporter of Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY).
At the club level, Jody has served in several pivotal roles:
- International Services Chair (2012-2015): Led a global grant for Ghana Medical Help, raising over $75,000.
- Secretary (2014-2020): Modernized club communications and provided vital training on ClubRunner and RI platforms.
- President (2022-2023): Focused on membership growth and succession planning, leading the club to win the "People's Choice for Favorite Service Club" and a Rotary Foundation Citation.
Her influence extends throughout District 5370, where she currently serves as the Chair of the Learning & Development Committee (2020-2026). Jody also contributes her professional expertise to the Finance Committee (Insurance & Risk) and serves as the Co-Chair of the Indigenous Relations Committee and a member of the Peace Committee. Additionally, she represents the district as a Director for the Waterton Glacier International Peace Park Association (2024-2027).
Outside of Rotary, Jody is a Bachelor of Education graduate and a highly credentialed insurance professional with a Canadian Risk Manager (CRM) designation. She is deeply involved in her community as an elected St. Albert Métis Councillor and a Trustee for the Arts & Heritage Foundation.
Jody lives in St. Albert with her Métis Francophone family of six. Together, they enjoy traveling, camping, and participating in hockey, swimming, and triathlons. Jody is passionate about her Métis culture, spending her free time practicing pottery, beading, and sewing traditional ribbon skirts and moccasins. She also deeply values her heritage through harvesting and speaking Cree with her Elders and relations.
We are thrilled to welcome Jody to the DG stream!