–presented by Sara Eskrich on December 11, 2024
In 2015, our Club was the first large Rotary club to establish a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Our strategic plan states that we will achieve diversity, equity and inclusion through recruitment, education, member engagement and community service. It’s an overarching theme that guides all we do as a club for our members and for our community.
Last year, we created a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award to recognize a member whose commitment helps in advancing these guiding principles.
Juan Jose Lopez, who passed away in 2023, would have been a valid candidate for this award. During his 26 years of membership, he served on our club’s board of directors, on our foundation board of trustees, and he chaired our scholarship committee. Juan was a strong advocate for promoting inclusivity and creating change in our community. As we recognize a member with our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award, this year we will add Juan Jose Lopez’s name to the title.
This year’s recipient is Scott Strong. Scott is executive director of RISE Wisconsin, and he joined our Rotary Club in 2008.
Scott has been a member of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee for 8 years and has co-chaired it for 2 years. He has led DEI sessions at the Rotary Tri-Con events. Scott has also served on our club board of directors, as Sgt-at-Arms and is a long-time member and past chair of our Youth Awards Committee.
For Scott’s leadership efforts in advancing the principles of our club’s commitment to our DEI goals, we are presenting him with our 2024 Rotary Club of Madison Juan Jose Lopez Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award. Thank you, Scott, for continuing to help us advance the successes of our committee’s work.
Congratulations, Scott, on this well-deserved award!
Rotary Club of Madison, Wisconsin 