Conveners

Katerina Kotsali-Papadimitriou

R.I Director 2020-22; Rotary Club Pendeli; D 2470 - Greece

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Architecture degree - School of Architecture No. 1, École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts, Paris; Diploma in history and geography of populations and a PhD in human geography.

Since 1980, an independent architect in Athens. Served as a consultant during the preservation of 18^th & 19^th century historic architecture in Mithymna on island of Lesbos. Former Member of the Board and shareholder of Metal Constructions of Volos s.a., which manufactured heavy industrial and mechanical steel structures.

Married to George Papadimitriou, economist with one daughter.

Grew up surrounded by Rotary as her father was a District Governor. At 19, a Rotaractor. In 1993, became a member of Rotary Club of Pendeli, making it the first mixed gender club in Greece! 

Service to RI includes being a member of The Rotary Foundation Cadre of Technical Advisers, Regional Rotary Public Image Coordinator, member of R.I. Committees and RI Presidents’ representative. Also administered polio vaccine to children in Moradabad, India, in 2009, as leader of Greece’s first Rotary National Immunization Day team.

Rotary recognitions include The Rotary Foundation Regional Service Award for a Polio-Free World, and The Rotary Foundation for Meritorious Service. Both Katerina & husband, George, are Major Donors to The Rotary Foundation.  

RI Director for Zone 21 (34 countries!)

Virpi Honkala

R.I Treasurer 2021-22

R.I Director 2020-22; Rotary Club of Raahe, Finland
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Head of Surgery at Raahe Hospital until retirement in 2014; The hospital’s Medical Director 1989 to 2010. Founding member of the Finnish network within the World Health Organization’s International Network of Health Promoting Hospitals & Health Services; served as Group’s Chair and National Coordinator, and also International Board Member. Conferred an honorary title by the President of Finland in 2015 for service as a doctor.

Joined Rotary in 2001 after being well trained at International Assembly as partner to her husband, Matti, a 2001-02 District Governor. Proudest achievement as a Rotarian occurred during a return visit to a community near Pune, India, which uses rainwater harvesting systems made possible by a long-term, multidistrict global grant. The system had helped lift residents out of poverty. “When we went back five years later, it was such an amazing transformation that I didn’t recognize the village anymore”

Served as a Council on Legislation representative, RI President’s Representative, RI Training Leader, Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator, Leadership Development & Training Committee member.

Received The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service and The Rotary Foundation Distinguished Service Award. She and husband Matti are Major Donors and members of the Bequest Society and Paul Harris Society.

RI Director Zones 17 & 18: North Europe - Scandinavia, Baltics, Russia, Poland

Urs Klemm

R.I Director 2021-23; Rotary Club of Aarau, Switzerland
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Studied business engineering & food chemistry; PhD in physical chemistry. Grew the environmental protection division of a Swiss engineering company, where worked on national and international projects including environmental planning for a railway system in Basel, construction of the longest railroad tunnel through the Alps, and improving the water supply in the county of Békés, Hungary.

Responsible for food safety in Switzerland as a Vice Director of the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health 1996 to 2007 before retirement. Head of the Swiss delegation of the Codex Alimentarius Commission — an initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization promoting international food safety — Klemm’s project defined a standard for bottled water. As the Commission’s European Coordinator, carried out projects promoting food hygiene in Central Asia and Africa.

Joined Rotary in 1994, served as Council on Legislation district delegate, Assistant Regional Rotary Foundation c=Coordinator, and Endowment/major gifts adviser. As District Governor, implemented a district project to create 10 youth camp sites. Co-founded the Swiss Rotary Foundation, which generates more than $1 million in annual donations; also the Rotarian Peace Projects Incubator, a joint program of Rotarians, Rotaractors, and Rotary Peace Fellows that aims to identify and activate peace projects. Launched activities of several Rotary Action Groups in Switzerland. Member of two Rotary Fellowships (skiing and sailing); leads hikes for the Swiss Alpine Club, plays piano, and studies literature.

He and his wife, Hélène, also a Rotarian, support The Rotary Foundation as Major Donors and members of the Bequest Society.