Events

Hayley "Xandy" Novack, who joined our club last year as a young professional, will be presenting her craft talk! 

Rick Gibson, VP and CMO at Pepperdine University will speak on about higher education in a post-pandemic world.

Rick Gibson (MBA '09, PKE 121), serves Pepperdine as the vice president for public affairs and church relations and chief marketing officer. Since 2009 he has led Pepperdine's efforts to elevate the brand and reputation of the University, working directly with the president to shape the University's vision and advance Pepperdine's mission, interpreting it for various audiences, and providing message leadership through integrated marketing strategies. In his church relations role, Gibson directs a team in the development of programming for church leaders and leads the office that produces Harbor, the annual Pepperdine Bible Lectures. Prior to joining the University in 1997, Gibson served for eleven years as a minister at the Mission Viejo Church of Christ in Orange County, California. An active volunteer in the community, he is a member of LA5 Rotary Club of Los Angeles, serving as president in 2020.

Gibson received his BA from California State University, Long Beach, and his MBA from the Graziadio Business School.

Rick Gibson (MBA '09, PKE 121), serves Pepperdine as the vice president for public affairs and church relations and chief marketing officer. Since 2009 he has led Pepperdine's efforts to elevate the brand and reputation of the University, working directly with the president to shape the University's vision and advance Pepperdine's mission, interpreting it for various audiences, and providing message leadership through integrated marketing strategies. In his church relations role, Gibson directs a team in the development of programming for church leaders and leads the office that produces Harbor, the annual Pepperdine Bible Lectures. Prior to joining the University in 1997, Gibson served for eleven years as a minister at the Mission Viejo Church of Christ in Orange County, California. An active volunteer in the community, he is a member of LA5 Rotary Club of Los Angeles, serving as president in 2020.

Gibson received his BA from California State University, Long Beach, and his MBA from the Graziadio Business School.

Join us virtually on Friday March 19 at 6pm for Westchester Rotary Club's annual Spring Fundraiser. This year's theme is "Magic To Do" from the opening song of the Tony-Award winning musical Pippin. The evening's entertainment will include a magician/mentalist. We are excited to honor Carol Kitabayashi as Citizen of the Year.

Carol has served as WPV's Executive Director since April 2012. She has over 25 years of corporate business experience as a Human Resources Professional from a variety of industries, including the last 20 years of her "for-profit" career at a Global Fortune 100 Company.  Carol has a genuine passion for WPV's mission having cared for her own parents, in-laws, and other older relatives.  Her skills and abilities have been instrumental in revitalizing and growing WPV by creating and managing a strong village team while developing and strengthening important relationships.  In her short tenure, WPV's member and volunteer base have grown significantly, and she has been asked to speak to local, state, and national audiences about the organization and the Village Movement.  Carol is a graduate of UCLA and has spent time volunteering with several community youth organizations and the Culver-Palms Meals on Wheels Program. 

For full details and to buy tickets or sponsorship, check out the event webpage here. 

Elena is a Queen’s University educated scientist, communications and sustainability expert, political advisor and passionate environmentalist. She is a Certified Sustainability (CSR-P) Practitioner and “walks the talk.” Her depth of technical expertise is only surpassed by her ability to build relationships between people and motivate groups to achieve project goals.

She divides her time between the US, Canada and Europe working on diverse alternative energy programs, clean tech projects and political campaigns. In early 2000, she implemented the first urban turbine in North America located in downtown Toronto, Canada. She brought the first urban turbine to Southern California for the Los Angeles Community College District as an Energy Program Manager for a $6 billion bond program.

She is the President of the Board of Directors for the Green Chamber of Commerce and a Technical and Consular Advisor for E3NYC. She also is an avid surfer, saxophone player, and marathon runner. She speaks French, Italian, Greek and German.

Elena is a Queen’s University educated scientist, communications and sustainability expert, political advisor and passionate environmentalist. She is a Certified Sustainability (CSR-P) Practitioner and “walks the talk.” Her depth of technical expertise is only surpassed by her ability to build relationships between people and motivate groups to achieve project goals.

She divides her time between the US, Canada and Europe working on diverse alternative energy programs, clean tech projects and political campaigns. In early 2000, she implemented the first urban turbine in North America located in downtown Toronto, Canada. She brought the first urban turbine to Southern California for the Los Angeles Community College District as an Energy Program Manager for a $6 billion bond program.

She is the President of the Board of Directors for the Green Chamber of Commerce and a Technical and Consular Advisor for E3NYC. She also is an avid surfer, saxophone player, and marathon runner. She speaks French, Italian, Greek and German.

Dr. Kate Brown will speak about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for small businesses. 

A recently joined member of WRC, Christina Davis, will present her Craft Talk. Christina is President/CEO of the LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce. 

A recently joined member of WRC, Christina Davis, will present her Craft Talk. Christina is President/CEO of the LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce. 

LA Alzheimer's Association will present on Keeping Your Brain Healthy!

Vitaliy Bezrodnov will present on the Rotary Children's Fund.

Rotary Childrens Fund - Cultural Exchange Program Golden Gates

The Floating Doctors' mission is to reduce the present and future burden of disease in the developing world, and to promote the improvements in health care delivery worldwide.

Join the Rotary Club of Westchester at the 66th annual Book Sale! Thousands of books from all genres! All proceeds benefit humanitarian, education and community projects locally and abroad! Shop safely at our outdoor location in the Ralphs' parking lot. Thanks in advance for adhering to socially distanced guidelines. Masks are required to attend. 

Do you have books that you would like to donate? Fill out our donation info form and we'll contact you for a book pick-up/drop-off! Thank you for supporting the Rotary Club of Westchester and the community! 

Mark Benthien is Director of Communication, Education and Outreach at the Southern California Earthquake Center headquartered at the University of Southern California. He is also the Global Coordinator of the Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills, and Executive Director of the Earthquake Country Alliance. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Geophysics from UCLA in 1995 and a Master of Public Policy degree from USC in 2003. Well “grounded” in the science of earthquakes, he is a passionate and visionary leader and was recognized in 2012 by the White House as a “Champion of Change” for advancing the causes of earthquake and tsunami education and safety. The annual ShakeOut earthquake drill that began in Southern California in 2008 now has participants across the United States and has become a global movement. He coordinates interactions between SCEC scientists and partners in engineering, government, business, and education; manages programs that provide earthquake information and experiential learning at all educational levels; and promotes earthquake preparedness, mitigation, and planning.

Mark Benthien is Director of Communication, Education and Outreach at the Southern California Earthquake Center headquartered at the University of Southern California. He is also the Global Coordinator of the Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills, and Executive Director of the Earthquake Country Alliance. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Geophysics from UCLA in 1995 and a Master of Public Policy degree from USC in 2003. Well “grounded” in the science of earthquakes, he is a passionate and visionary leader and was recognized in 2012 by the White House as a “Champion of Change” for advancing the causes of earthquake and tsunami education and safety. The annual ShakeOut earthquake drill that began in Southern California in 2008 now has participants across the United States and has become a global movement. He coordinates interactions between SCEC scientists and partners in engineering, government, business, and education; manages programs that provide earthquake information and experiential learning at all educational levels; and promotes earthquake preparedness, mitigation, and planning.