All posts by Becky Nixt

Associations-Meals on Wheels

Amie Brown is the Chief External Affairs Officer for Meals on Wheels San Diego County. She came to Meals on Wheels in 2018 after working in the nonprofit sector for more than 25 years, with a strong emphasis in healthcare for the underserved. She has extensive experience with growing nonprofit organizations, earned certificates in Non-Profit Management and Fundraising Management, and is a graduate of Blue Shield of California’s Clinic Leadership Institute. Amie grew up in San Diego and graduated from SDSU with a B.A in Sociology and a B.A. in Women’s Studies. She is the mother of two grown daughters and is ready to dedicate all of her newly found free “empty-nester” time to volunteering.

Amie gave her self introduction by honoring fellow San Diegan Dr. Suess with this poem:

What an honor to be among such great women and men,
I’ve been wanting to be a Rotarian since—I don’t know when.
Denise Scatena, Simona Valanciute and Amy Myers,
Thank you for sponsoring me, and fulfilling my desires.
I’ve attended many other Rotary meetings,
I’m used to warm hellos and friendly greetings.
But none other in San Diego has programing as interesting and robust,
As in this Club with so many fascinating topics discussed!
I look forward to attending meetings of many a committee,
These opportunities to learn leave me feeling absolutely giddy!
From Membership, to Youth Soccer, to Model UN,
The possibilities are endless, where shall I begin?
For now, I’ll focus on meeting new faces,
and, of course, staying in President Michael’s good graces.
But one thing about Rotary is very clear:
We put Service Above Self every day of the year!

Associations-Burnham Center for Advancement

Tad Parzen is the President and CEO at Burnham Center for Community Advancement, as well as the San Diego Business Journal 2023 Nonprofit CEO of the year, and former presenter at San Diego Rotary Club.

Tad’s career began as a litigation and trial attorney as a partner in the firm of Hillyer & Irwin. Leaving the private sector for public service he became General Council at San Diego Unified School District. He later moved into philanthropy, serving at Price Philanthropies and City Heights Partnership for Children.  He has chaired committees on the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, San Diego Business Roundtable for Education and the Human Development Foundation.

He says it has been a deep privilege to have spent the last eight years next to Malin Burnham, where together they strive to make the greater San Diego community a better place to live, work and play for all. Tad’s history of working with the Price family, Beatriz Valencia and City Heights has inspired him to serve on Club 33’s committees with those areas of impact. But, he also plays jazz guitar and may be interested in the music committee!

Tad thanks his sponsors Michael Brunker, Patti Roscoe and Pete Ellsworth.

Classification Pending

Paul Gothold recently retired his appointment of San Diego County Superintendent of Schools after serving six years in that role, providing educational leadership while administering mandated services, and thirty two years in education overall. His first teaching position was educating adjudicated youth in East Los Angeles where he started to realize that young people who have made bad choices in life can still turn things around, learn from their mistakes, achieve higher education and live safe and happy lives.

Paul has spent his career focused on this historically underserved youth population, with a passion for creating better outcomes for these communities. Outside of work, he has served many Lynwood, CA Rotary Clubs by volunteering for community-based sports leagues for underserved youth, and has contributed to a national college resource foundation for students of color.

Although Paul has retired as superintendent, he says he is still going to do whatever it takes to make these kids get what they need and deserve, just in a different capacity. He and his wife have two daughters enrolled in our public schools.

Paul thanks his sponsors Michael Brunker, Ed Abeyta and Mary Walshok.