By Chelsea Dubey
The Rotary Club of Grand Rapids
The Rotary Club of Grand Rapids has announced Jon Hankins will serve as the Club’s 2020-21 president. Jon has been a Rotarian for 17 years and will lead the Club through the unprecedented time of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
“Service to others while developing relationships that become like family is what makes Rotary unique. Whether it’s learning something new from guest speakers, helping volunteer on a local or international project, or calling on a fellow member for a business referral, Rotary provides flexible opportunities for members to utilize their skills and align their passions,” said Jon.
Jon serves as the Director of Major Gifts at Davenport University. He brings more than 22 years of non-profit business development and fundraising experience from community-based and higher education institutions. Prior to joining Davenport in 2018, Jon held fundraising roles with Habitat for Humanity of Kent County and Aquinas College. Additionally, he spent 12 years serving in workforce development with nationally recognized Trillium Employment Services in Seattle, Washington.
“This year’s Rotary International theme “Rotary Opens Opportunities” is timely. We will look inward to support and lift one another up, align our passions and talents to projects and introduce new technology to provide increased transparency as to how Rotary truly changes lives,” said Jon.
Jon first learned of Rotary in Seattle, where he became actively involved with the Rotary Club of West Seattle and traveled to Uganda in 2008 to evaluate a global village Rotary project. Jon was slated to be president of the club but made the decision to return back to his home state before his term began.
Jon has served on the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids board since 2012, co-chaired the world community service committee and established an annual international service trip for members to provide clean water to families in need after traveling to Nicaragua to help seed the new program.
“Jon is a dedicated Rotarian and inspirational leader – qualities that we look for when selecting our next president,” said Chelsea Dubey, past-president of the Club. “I’m excited to see how the Club thrives under Jon’s leadership and expertise in fundraising and international service.”
Jon graduated with a BA in Communications from Albion College. He lives in Grand Rapids with his wife Katie, a science teacher at Saugatuck Public Schools, and their son.
The Rotary Club of Grand Rapids 2020-21 Board of Directors includes:
Executive Committee:
Jon Hankins, President, Director of Major Gifts, Davenport University
Neil Marchand, Immediate Past-President, Partner, Miller Johnson
Paula Jastifer, President-Elect, Assessor, City of Grand Rapids
Doris Drain, President-Nominee, Vice President Commercial Loans, United Bank of Michigan
Shaun Shira, President-Designate, Major & Planned Gifts Director, Grand Rapids Community Foundation
Hilary Smith, Treasurer, Partner, H&S Companies
Danielle Rowland, Secretary, Owner – Agent, State Farm
Dawn M. Smith, Executive Director, Rotary Club of Grand Rapids
Directors:
Mary Jo Baweja, Business Development Director, Ulliance
Paul O. Farr, MD, retired, physician
Jim Gilbert, Partner, Swanson-Phillips & Associates
Lia Jensen, Franchise Owner, Valpak of West Michigan
Shannon Kolarik, Business Development, Custer, Inc.
Christine Lindeman, Relationship and Operations Manager, Sytsma Wealth Strategies
Eunice Lopez-Martin, Branch Manager, Choice One Bank
Michael Loughman, Director of Sales, Holland Home
Thomas Mathison, Foundation President, Co-Founding Principal, MATHISON | MATHISON ARCHITECTS
John F. Salan, retired, Assistant United States Attorney
Jason Webb, Vice President, Colliers International
The Rotary Club of Grand Rapids meets on the second, third and fourth Thursdays of the month at noon at the University Club of Grand Rapids and virtually during COVID-19 restrictions. The first Thursday of the month is a 4 p.m. gathering at various locations. Visit grrotary.org or follow on Facebook for more information.
