Prior to founding RISE, Jeremy served for seven years as Associate Vice President of Development at Creighton University. He brings more than 22 years of leadership experience in higher education and nonprofit organizations, with professional experience spanning New York City, Baltimore, and Omaha.

Jeremy earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Susquehanna University and a Master of Science in Leadership from Creighton University.

After more than a 20-year hiatus, Ed Leslie has returned to Rotary.

Thirty-eight years ago, Ed introduced a young Rev. Lloyd Gnirk to the Club. Father Lloyd has since grown into a leader in both local and national Rotary service, while Ed eventually retired from both business and Rotary. Despite the years, the two remained close friends, and Father Lloyd recently encouraged Ed to become active in Rotary once again.

As a young adult, Ed quickly recognized the fellowship, networking, and service opportunities Rotary offered. He credits his entrepreneurial spirit—first developed as a child selling homegrown cucumbers from a little red wagon—with being further shaped through his early Rotary experience.

That spirit served him well. Ed built lasting friendships, developed numerous business relationships, and participated in meaningful service projects, including Downtown Rotary’s Project Hippocrates in partnership with the Rotary Club of Belize City. The initiative brought children from Belize to Omaha for critical heart surgeries, many performed by Dr. Randy Ferlic. It also supported Rotary medical professionals traveling to Belize on medical missions. Ed served as liaison between the clubs on one of these missions and spent a week accompanying the Minister of Health’s driver while medical teams worked in rural communities performing surgeries and dental care.

But who is Ed Leslie?

Ed was born on the west side of Chicago and spent his early years there before moving with his family to the northern suburbs as a teenager. He attended Loyola Academy and later Loyola University Chicago before transferring to Creighton University in Omaha—another Jesuit institution. Initially, he believed Omaha was in Ohio, until his sister, a Dominican nun teaching at Cathedral High School in Omaha, set him straight.

Returning Rotarian Ed Leslie with his sponsor PDG Fr. Lloyd Gnirk, whom he sponsored to Rotary 40 years ago, and President Gretchen Harvey

Rotarians are warmly invited to a special Rotary Social honoring Nonoka Kamada, our Rotary Youth Exchange Student from Japan, as she wraps up her exchange year with us here in Omaha.

This special evening will celebrate the friendship, cultural connection, and goodwill that make Rotary Youth Exchange such a meaningful part of our Rotary experience. Nonoka has been a wonderful part of our Rotary family, and this gathering will give us the opportunity to thank her, celebrate her journey, and send her off with our warmest Rotary wishes.

Guests will enjoy an evening of fellowship, Japanese culture, and friendship. Nonoka will share a special Japanese flute performance, and Emiko and Steve Gerdes will graciously host the event at their residence and treat guests to delicious Japanese food.

Event Details
Monday, June 8
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Click/tap here to register. Due to space limitations at the residence, attendance will be limited to 25 guests. Rotarians are encouraged to register early to reserve their spot.

Please register now and join us for this memorable evening as we celebrate Nonoka and the special connections made possible through Rotary Youth Exchange.

Bill Harvey to Represent District at Rotary International Convention in Taipei

District Governor Nominee Bill Harvey will represent our District on the international stage this June as he moderates a breakout session at the Rotary International Convention in Taipei, Taiwan.

The session will be held on Monday, June 15, 2026, from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. local Taipei time. The topic will focus on the Annual Fund of The Rotary Foundation, with special emphasis on the Paul Harris Society.

The Paul Harris Society recognizes Rotarians who have committed to giving US$1,000 or more each year to the Annual Fund, PolioPlus, or approved Rotary Foundation grants. Through this generous ongoing support, Paul Harris Society members help make possible Rotary’s life-changing work in communities around the world.

Bill shared that he is honored and excited for the opportunity to serve in this role and to represent our District before an international Rotary audience. The session will be conducted in English and simultaneously translated into French, Japanese, and Mandarin, reflecting the global reach and impact of Rotary.

Congratulations to Bill on this meaningful opportunity to highlight The Rotary Foundation and the generosity of Rotarians who continue to support Rotary’s mission of Doing Good in the World.

Build connection in Taipei

Make new connections and create unforgettable memories at the 2026 Rotary International Convention in Taipei City, where traditional and contemporary culture intertwine beautifully.  

Unsure what awaits you at a Rotary International Convention? Explore articles, videos, and photos from past conventions for a sense of their inspirational power. In Taipei, you’ll join fellow changemakers from around the world to share innovative projects, exchange best practices, and form enduring friendships. The convention is packed with exciting breakout sessions, speakers, and more.  

Discover Taipei’s many charms and find more opportunities to connect by registering for the Host Organization Committee's Signature Events.   

Unite for good with us at the 2026 Rotary International Convention in Taipei, Taiwan, 13-17 June 2026.

All RI events take place at Farglory Dome (Taipei Dome) and Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center (TaiNEX) unless otherwise indicated.

Source: https://convention.rotary.org/en-us/

Within hours of deadly floods and landslides that struck Mexico in October, Rotary members were responding. In hard-hit Poza Rica, Rotary and Rotaract members brought residents to safety, plowed mud-laden streets, and moved house to house to clean properties. The effort was supported by clubs throughout District 4185 and by neighboring districts and others abroad. The Rotary Club of Poza Rica joined the nonprofit Planet Water Foundation to install four water towers and a water block in the neediest area and deliver purified water elsewhere. The club also coordinated with World Central Kitchen to provide hot meals. Still, “we desperately need help to get back on our feet and return to our normal lives,” says club member Pepe Badillo. “The houses were a total loss. Everything was destroyed, from a single plate to the bedrooms on the second floor.”

India

The city of Thane, northeast of Mumbai, is recognized for its arts and culture scene. It’s home to drama troupes, an art expo, international film festivals, and comedy venues. What it was lacking, says Atul Bhide, of the Rotary Club of Thane Hills, was a large showcase for aficionados of the written word. To amend that, the club (which also sponsors a book-reading initiative for youth) launched the Thane Literature Festival. Over two days in November, bibliophiles toasted 22 authors and poets who read from their work and participated in panel discussions. The event honored journalist and writing coach Bachi Karkaria with the Thane Literature Festival lifetime achievement award, and judges critiqued entries in a short-story contest. “Encouraging reading habits and love for literature for Gen-Next is also our motive behind this literature festival,” says Bhide.

Source: https://www.rotary.org/en/rotary-projects-around-globe-april-2026