Events

Puget Sound Energy CEO, Mary Kipp, will discuss how the company is keeping its commitment to customers and the environment in the midst of the pandemic. She will share the company’s recent announcement that it is aspiring to be a Beyond Net Zero Carbon company by 2045 and the importance she has placed on addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion.  Mary was named president of PSE in August 2019 and CEO in January 2020. Under her direction, PSE is leading the way to a clean energy future in partnership with its customers and the communities it serves.  

Mary joined PSE from El Paso Electric (EPE), where she served as chief executive officer and president.  Prior to EPE, she was a prosecuting attorney for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for four years, investigating and prosecuting violations of federal energy laws.  Mary also worked as a lawyer at El Paso Natural Gas Company and at Greenberg Traurig, LLP.  She is a member of the Board of  Directors of the Alliance to Save Energy and is immediate past chair of the Smart Electric Power Alliance.  Mary received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Williams College, a Juris Doctor degree from The University of Texas School of Law, and is an alumnus of Exeter College, Oxford University.

Rick Steves, CEO of Rick Steves' Europe, Inc.

Join travel expert Rick Steves—acclaimed for his bestselling guidebooks and public television series—for his conversation with Rotarian Mark Wright as Rick answers the questions we're all wondering: When will we travel again? What will travel look like in the future? And what is the true value of travel?  After a lifetime of exploring Europe and inspiring Americans to broaden their perspectives through travel, Rick shares his reasons why joy awaits those who will travel again.

Whether you’re a fan of hockey or even sports in general, it’s hard not to get caught up in the excitement of all things Kraken!  CEO of the Seattle Kraken, Tod Leiweke, is simultaneously bringing a three-rink training center to Northgate, a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment arena to downtown Seattle, and an NHL hockey team to the Northwest. Join Seattle Rotary for an update on the construction of Climate Pledge Arena and the training center, building a professional hockey team, and the diverse staff making it all happen.  Six months out, here's what to expect from Seattle’s newest professional sports team. Release the Kraken!

The Impact of the Pandemic on Small Businesses in Seattle 

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought disruption and many challenges to small businesses is our community. In response, the UW Consulting and Business Development Center, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Seattle through its Business Mentors Committee, has been assisting minority-owned small businesses in managing the challenges of COVID-19. Join us as we learn about the work of the club's Business Mentors Committee in advancing student careers. This session will include a speaker panel discussion with small business owners. They will share how the pandemic has affected their businesses and the changes they have had to survive. Participants will include Rotary business mentors, small business owners, and a UW student.

Join us for this special happy hour presentation with art historian and Frye Art Museum lecturer, Rebecca Albiani.  Gardens were an important motif of early Impressionist art, featuring prominently in the works of Monet, Renoir, Morisot and Cassatt.   Much later in his career, Monet would create a garden at his home in Giverny, where he installed the famous Japanese bridge over a pond of waterlilies and painted them gloriously in his final decades.  Join us for this special visual treat and celebration of spring!  Registration is free for members and their guests

Rebecca Albiani is a Graduate Lecturing Fellow at Washington’s National Gallery and a Fulbright Scholar in Venice. She received an MA from Stanford University and a BA from the University of California, Berkeley.

Join us on a Single Malt Scotch Tour of Scotland from the Northern Islands to the Southern Lowlands.  Scotland is known for some of the best whiskies in the world. Kevin Crane will lead us through a journey of the senses and will unfold hte sublime nature and mystery of Scotch.  You don't need to an experienced Scotch drinker to attend.

Rotary members shall have an opportunity to share their Scotch experiences and recommendations as they bring their own wee dram to this virtual event. 

Carmen Best, Chair of UNCF and former Seattle Chief of Police will discuss the intersection of educational justice, social justice and the school to prison pipeline.