Events

Rotarians are invited to engage with Mayor Stephen Burke and City Manager Todd Cusimano as they share their visions and plans for the City in the years ahead. They will highlight the city's next steps, following the passage of the Measure L sales tax, for infrastructure maintenance and enhancements, fiscal sustainability, and emergency preparedness. 

They will also address land use and affordable housing challenges, business and cultural vitality initiatives, the critical importance of public/private partnerships, community engagement, and Mill Valley's ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Additionally, a Q&A session offers participants the opportunity to pose questions and share insights, enabling Mayor Burke and City Manager Cusimano to better grasp and respond to community feedback.

This talk will examine the nuclear security landscape facing the new U.S. presidential administration, emphasizing key risks posed by Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran. We will explore how Russia’s aggressive nuclear posture and renewed deployment of strategic assets impact global stability, with particular attention to its implications for Europe and NATO. Shifts in China’s nuclear strategy, including rapid arsenal expansion and advancements in missile technology, add another layer of complexity, potentially destabilizing the Asia-Pacific region. North Korea’s persistent nuclear advancements and tests underscore its ambition to become a credible nuclear power, raising challenges for denuclearization diplomacy. Lastly, Iran’s nuclear program and uranium enrichment efforts, alongside regional tensions, present immediate proliferation concerns. The talk will address these evolving threats and consider strategies for the U.S. to engage diplomatically, mitigate escalation, and reinforce global nuclear norms in the face of a shifting security environment.

Christian Thwaites worked in the investment management industry for four decades in London, New York and the Bay Area. He was President and CEO of Sentinel Investments and a partner at Cerity Partners, a $100 bn investment adviser. He is married with two sons and has lived in Marin since 2013. He recently was part of a convoy delivering aid, medical supplies and vehicles to front line military in Ukraine. 

The Superintendent of MV School District will provide an update on the fiscal situation of the district. 

Dr. Elizabeth Kaufman has served as the Superintendent of the Mill Valley School District since July 1, 2023. With over 18 months in the role, Dr. Kaufman continues to lead the district with a vision centered on excellence, equity, and community collaboration. Dr. Kaufman brings a wealth of leadership experience to her position, having held various roles throughout her career in education. She earned a Doctorate in Organizational Development from the University of San Francisco, a Master’s in Curriculum & Instruction from Dominican University, and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Reed College. Before joining Mill Valley, Dr. Kaufman served as Acting Superintendent and Associate Superintendent for Educational Services in the Sonoma Valley Unified School District. Her experience also includes serving as a high school superintendent, TK-12 principal, and principal of a dual immersion school. Additionally, Dr. Kaufman has extensive expertise in special education, gifted programs, and served as Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services in the Tamalpais Union High School District.

Leta is the author of "THE KNEELING MAN: MY FATHER'S LIFE AS A BLACK SPY WHO WITNESSED THE ASSASSINATION OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JR." She will share the intimate and powerful story of a Black undercover police officer who famously knelt by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in his dying moments—and the implications of this tragic event for a daughter and a nation.

Enjoy the Installation of Kim Jessup as Presicdent of the Rotary Club Mill Valley for 2025-2026! 

AI isn't coming someday; it is here, and everyone needs to understand the impact of this unprecedented technology. Join a conversation with a local resident and global AI expert who founded a nonprofit in 2019 to help people understand the opportunities and challenges with AI.

Since joining the Rotary Club of Half Moon Bay in 2005, Mitone has served as club president in 2013-14, Assistant Governor from 2017 to 2019, District Chief of Staff 2019-2020, District Membership Chair 2021-2024 in addition to serving on various other district level committees. Effective July 1st, Mitone

serves as the 2025-2026 District Governor for San Mateo, San Francisco and Marin counties. In addition to her work with Rotary, Mitone serves as a ShelterBoxUSA Ambassador to raise awareness and rally support for emergency shelter for those affected by natural disasters and conflict. Mitone’s favorite projects include gardening for home-bound seniors and beach clean ups. She has traveled to India for a Polio immunization campaign. She looks forward to joining other international projects specifically supporting women and children, micro-credit programs and bringing clean water to communities. This meeting offers a wonderful opportunity to meet our new DG and hear her plans for the upcoming Rotary year.

Sarah Allen has experience in ecology and wildlife management, with a focus on marine birds and mammals. She retired from the National Park Service in 2019 after 26 years including 15 years at Point Reyes National Seashore. Her final position was as the lead of the Science Program of the Pacific West Region, identifying and leveraging science needs for parks throughout the region from Washington State to California and extending across the Pacific Ocean to American Samoa. She received her M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, and has authored and co-authored numerous publications, including the UC Press, Marine Mammals of the Pacific Coast: Baja, California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia. In retirement, she continues studies of marine ecosystems, especially assisting the next generation of scientists.