Speakers

Today's speaker will be our own District Governor, Leif Hagen. Leif grew up in Stevens Point and graduated from St. Olaf College in 1988 with a BA in German and French. His early career included teaching languages in Zug, Switzerland, and high school English in Gero, Japan. In 1992, he entered the financial services field as a financial planner with Lutheran Brotherhood, later joining LPL Financial in 2002. He now owns Achievement Financial in Eagan, Minnesota, offering financial planning and Medicare supplemental insurance services.

Leif has held multiple leadership roles within Rotary, including two terms as President of the Eagan Rotary Club and serving as the two-year charter president of the MN Pride Rotary Club. His Rotary involvement includes leading a GSE team to Bangalore, India, hosting GSE visitors from Finland and Brazil, serving as District Conference co-chair, Assistant Governor for Area 2, and currently serving on the District Foundation grant committee. He is a Paul Harris Society member, a Major Donor, and has attended Rotary International conventions in Birmingham, New Orleans, Bangkok, and Hamburg..

Leif lives in Eagan with his partner, Valdir Oliveira, and has three daughters — Kajsa, Svea, and Britta. He enjoys foreign languages, international travel, collecting art and attending art shows.

Upon joining the Hennepin Healthcare Board, Mauricio Montes del Oca had this to say.

“My motivation to join this board stems from my deep commitment to advancing health equity and ensuring that our healthcare systems serve as inclusive spaces where all individuals, regardless of their language, background, or circumstances, can access outstanding care. As someone who has spent decades addressing barriers to healthcare through language access and community advocacy, I have witnessed firsthand the gaps in care that often go unnoticed. Joining this board represents an opportunity to bring these insights to the table and collaborate with other leaders to drive meaningful change. This role is particularly significant to me as it represents breaking barriers and expanding leadership spaces for people who historically have not had a seat at these decision-making tables.”

Science from Scientists (SciSci) has revolutionized STEM education through its In-School Module- Based (ISMB) STEM Enrichment Program, bringing real-life scientists into classrooms to make STEM engaging, relatable, and accessible. During the 2024-2025 academic year, SciSci impacted over 10,600 students across 84 schools in Massachusetts, Minnesota, and California. 

Our impact speaks volumes: in May 2025, 87% of surveyed teachers stated that their students saw themselves as more capable of doing science and were more excited to learn science a result of participating in ISMB. Further, 97% of teachers reported that SciSci provided a learning experience that otherwise would not have happened. 

This report highlights the achievements of our ISMB program, Grade 2 full science curriculum, out-of-school STEM initiatives, and donor programs. 

As we enter FY26, a time of uncertainty due to changes happening at the State and Federal levels with regards to various education policies, we want to thank our donors, partner schools, teachers, and the SciSci team for your continued dedication to empowering the next generation through quality STEM education! Onward!