Speakers

Kathleen Motzenbecker is Senior Vice President of The Medical Alley Association (MAA).  By elevating Minnesota’s Medical Alley as the global epicenter of health innovation and care, her organization champions the most densely concentrated health technology cluster in the world, including industry leaders such as 3M, Medtronic and the Mayo Clinic.  Today, Medical Alley is home to biotechnology, pharmaceutical, diagnostics and digital health leaders. 

In 2015, the Minnesota Business Journal named Kathleen one of its “Top 50 Women in Business” when she was served as Executive Director of the Minnesota Trade Office.  She also previously served as the Asia Pacific Trade Director in Illinois.  In Washington, DC, Kathleen held senior positions with the UN Development Program and the Council on Foreign Relations.  She has monitored nearly 20 elections overseas, primarily in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.  She lives in south Minneapolis with her husband David, a landscape architect, and their six year old daughter.

Monique Hammond is a registered pharmacist who lost hearing in her left ear – from a loud band - at a church fundraiser 12 years ago.  The incident became a life-changer – she had to quit her job at the University Hospital Pharmacy.  Monique had graduated with high distinction from the University of Minnesota, College of Pharmacy.

After losing hearing, she did 5 years of research and wrote the book: What Did You Say? An unexpected Journey into the World of Hearing Loss

(now in the 2^nd Edition).  Monique was appointed by the governor to the Commission of Deaf, Deafblind and Hard-Of-Hearing Minnesotans, where she completed two terms as vice-chair.  She is also past president of the Twin Cities’ Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America.  Monique speaks regularly to employees and the members of the public about Hearing Loss and the dangers of loud noise.

Website and blog:   https://hearing-loss-talk.com/

Bob Solis (so-lease) is a member of the Sun City, Arizona Rotary Club.  In his working life, Bob is a financial advisor and Senior Vice President with Morgan Stanley in the Phoenix area.   

Bob is a native of Minnetonka and attended Benilde-St. Margaret’s High School in St. Louis Park, graduating in 1980.  Following high school, Bob attended Notre Dame on a baseball scholarship. 

In 2006, Bob and his wife Sallie took their life savings to found Open Arms Home for Children in South Africa.  The Home currently serves 58 children orphaned by AIDS in South Africa.  Bob will talk about this project today.

In 2014, Bob was named a winner of Rotary International’s “Service Above Self “ Award.  He is passionate about the role that Rotary plays in the lives of people throughout the world.

Bob and his wife Sallie have 5 adult children and live on the west side of Phoenix.  He also serves as the Interact coordinator at Challenger Middle School in Glendale which boasts 75 enthusiastic Interactors who serve the community with the pride and enthusiasm.

Ola lives in Sweden and a few years ago he wrote a book about a Swedish immigrant family that came to the U.S. in the 1890’s and lived in the hidden St. Paul neighborhood known as Swede Hollow.  His book has just been translated into english and is set to be released soon. He'll be in the U.S. promoting this new release in several cities including Minneapolis.