Leadership Team Bios
Al Jubitz
Chair Emeritus
District 5100
Rotary Club of Portland, Oregon
United States
Al Jubitz, a third-generation Rotarian, joined Rotary in 1977 and served as the Past President of the Rotary Club of Portland in 2002/2003. He passionately believes that Rotary can lead the way in promoting nonviolent conflict resolution, aiming for a world beyond war. To further this vision, he initiated the Rotarian Action Group for Peace, focusing on empowering Rotarians globally to start peace service projects, engage in nonviolent conflict resolution training, and monitor potential conflict hotspots. Al envisions Rotary International adopting a goal to prevent all wars by 2030, involving Rotary Peace Fellows to actively promote these objectives.
A native Oregonian, Al earned his BS from Yale University and an MBA from the University of Oregon. He retired from the Jubitz Corporation after a 34-year career and founded the Jubitz Family Foundation, which supports peacebuilding, environmental stewardship, and early childhood education initiatives. Recognized nationally by United Way USA in 2010 with the Tocqueville Society Award, Al is also a Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum of Oregon. He serves on various leadership councils and boards, including the Yale School of Forestry and the Environmental Defense Fund. Married for 49 years to Nancy, they have three daughters and four grandchildren, and Al enjoys hiking, squash, and golf.
Grace Van Zyl
Immediate Past Chair
District 9400
Rotary Club of Johannesburg
South Africa
Grace is a Financial Life Strategist and a dedicated member of the Rotary Club of Johannesburg, South Africa. She currently serves as the Community Service Chair and Peace Chair for her district, while also holding the position of CEO for The Foundation for Southern Africa Rotary Clubs (FSARC). Grace is passionate about fostering sustainable peace and travels globally to present to Rotary Clubs on integrating peacebuilding into their projects. Her commitment to Rotary is evident through her multiple recognitions, including being a Paul Harris Fellow, Benefactor, and member of the Paul Harris Society and Polio Plus Society. Recently, she received a Citation of Meritorious Service from the Trustees of the Rotary Foundation.
In addition to her roles within Rotary, Grace is an IEP Ambassador and Chair of the RAGFP for 2024/25. She has also been elected to lead District 9400 as District Governor in 2026/27, reflecting her influential presence in the organization. Through her various initiatives and leadership positions, Grace continues to make significant contributions to community service and peacebuilding efforts.
Tijana Ristic
Chair
District 2483
Rotary Club Belgrade International
Serbia
Tijana Ristic is an Architect, Naval Architect and Marine Engineer with a strong commitment to service through her involvement in Rotary and Rotaract. As a dual member of the Rotaract Club of Belgrade Metropolitan and the Rotary Club of Belgrade International, she has held various leadership positions, including Past Country Representative of Serbia in Rotaract Europe and Past District Rotaract Secretary. Notably, she was the first Rotaractor appointed as Assistant District Governor in District 2483. She served as the District NGSE Chair and District Peace Chair. Tijana is part of the Rotary – Institute for Economic and Peace partnership as a Positive Peace Activator.
Tijana currently serves as Chair of the Public Image Committee and Youth Director for the Rotary Action Group for Peace (RAGFP). She is the first Rotaractor on the Board of Directors and the first Rotaractor to be elected as Chair of the RAGFP for 2025-2026.
Dirk Lustig
Chair Elect
District 2232
Rotary Club Kyiv Multinational
Ukraine
Dirk Lustig was born in Geneva, Switzerland, and graduated from the University of Geneva. With 25 years of entrepreneurial experience in Ukraine, he has dedicated himself to fostering peace and dialogue in the region. Dirk served as an Associate Board Member of the World Economic Forum and has been actively involved in Rotary, currently chairing the Peacebuilding Committee for District 2232-Ukraine from 2019 to 2024. He drafted the “Rotary Peacebuilding Initiative for Ukraine” and organized the first Ukrainian Rotary Peacebuilding Roundtable in Kyiv, highlighting his commitment to conflict resolution and community engagement.
In addition to these initiatives, Dirk launched the project “Let’s Talk Again!”, which focuses on building bridges across conflict-divided communities by engaging young people in meaningful dialogue. He also facilitated the first “Peace Education and Action for Impact” program in collaboration with Russian and Ukrainian Rotaractors through World Beyond War and the Rotary Action Group for Peace. His humanitarian efforts include creating the “Mine Free Ukraine” initiative, aimed at addressing the critical issue of landmines in the country. As an IEP Ambassador for the Institute for Economics & Peace and a member of Mediators Beyond Borders International, Dirk continues to work towards sustainable peace and cooperation.
Michael Hayes
Secretary
District 5160
Rotary Club of Westlake
United States
Michael has been an active member of the Rotary Action Group for Peace since 2015 and joined the Board of Directors in 2020, contributing to the Education and Business Plan Committees. He became a member of the Rotary Club of Westlake in 2000 and has held the position of Club President twice, in 2002/2003 and 2012/2013. His leadership roles within District 6200 include serving as Assistant District Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and District Governor in 2015/2016. Additionally, he founded three Rotary Clubs as the Chair of the District Extension Committee and has been involved in membership initiatives as the Zone 31 Assistant Rotary Coordinator. Since 2005, he has also been the RYLA Program Chair, where he developed a Peace Curriculum for RYLA and Interact Clubs.
In his professional career, Michael has held various management roles, including Environmental Manager and Governmental Affairs Manager, successfully collaborating with Members of Congress, the Louisiana Governor’s office, and the EPA. His experience also encompasses work with South African Ambassadors to the U.S. and a focus on minority community empowerment and conflict resolution. Currently, he serves as the Chairman of the board for the New Legacy Foundation, which aims to relocate at-risk minority communities.
Gabe Hau
Treasurer
District 9800
Rotary E-Club of Melbourne
Australia
Gabe has been a dedicated Rotarian for 25 years, with a background in accounting and law. While he has held various roles at both club and district levels, his true passion for peace emerged in 2018 after attending the Peace Summit at the Toronto Rotary Convention. Shortly after, he became President of the E-Club of Melbourne, leading it to become the first Peacebuilder Club in Oceania.
Since then, Gabe has actively promoted Peacebuilder Clubs in the region, viewing them as a crucial way to emphasize peace within Rotary. He has presented to numerous Rotary clubs about the RAGFP and the importance of Peacebuilder Clubs, which he believes connect like-minded Rotarians committed to peace. In his role as an IEP Ambassador, Gabe continues to introduce the concepts of peace and the RAGFP to various clubs, furthering his mission to inspire a culture of peace within Rotary.
Arzu Alpagut
Director
District 2420
Rotary Club of Findikli
Turkiye
Arzu joined the Rotary Action Group for Peace in 2016 and currently serves as the Secretary while also being the Director for Europe on the Board of Directors. Her commitment to peace is evident through her extensive involvement with the Rotary Club of Fındıklı, Istanbul, where she has held various leadership roles since joining in 2011, including Treasurer, Secretary, and President. In 2021, she established the Peace Committee, guiding her club to become a RAGFP Peacebuilder Club. Her work extends to founding a Peace Club in her District and coordinating key initiatives like the joint youth program with World Beyond War, “Peace Education and Action For Impact,” which welcomed 40 Rotaractors into RAGFP.
Professionally, Arzu has held multiple roles in international telecommunications, including Design Engineer and Executive Mobile Marketing Director, showcasing her project management skills and team leadership. Since July 2020, she has collaborated on various peace projects under RAGFP Turkey Hour, including the “Empathy and Resilience Türkiye Hour” and the “Wellbeing Türkiye Hour.” In addition, since 2021, she has taken on the role of Chief Operations Coordinator for the “RAGFP DEI and Language of Peace” training programs, which have been requested by regions globally. Her belief in project-based management and collaborative peacebuilding continues to drive her impactful work.
Alison Sutherland
Director
District 1150
Rotary Club of Cardiff Bay
Wales
Alison Sutherland is a distinguished Rotary leader with extensive experience at both the club and district levels. Her leadership roles include serving as Secretary, President, and Youth Chair at the club level, and holding numerous district positions such as Rotaract Chair, Assistant Governor, District Governor, and Peace & Scholar Officer. Alison’s dedication extends to her roles as Mediation Officer, DEI Chair, District Conference Chair, and Trainer Facilitator. She was also a Director at Large and Education Chair for the Rotary Action Group for Peace. Her impactful contributions are recognized through her service as a RI Cadre Technical Advisor and her involvement with the Welsh Peace Academy and the Cardiff Council-led Cohesion Group for Wales.
Alison has been instrumental in founding three Rotaract Clubs and four Rotakids, and has developed and delivered significant programs for prisoners and individuals seeking sanctuary. She has organized the Link Weekend for Global Scholars entering the UK, bi-yearly District Peace Conferences, and has been pivotal in the growth of Peacebuilder Clubs and Chapters since 2018. Her international outreach includes founding weekly Zoom meetings with Turkiye, Africa, and Peacebuilders. An author of a program on Domestic Abuse, Alison has earned accolades such as the Champion of Change by RGB&I in 2016 and two Paul Harris Sapphire awards for her exemplary service and work in Africa.
Mitzi Leung
Director
District 3450
Rotary Club of Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Mitzi Leung specializes in vocational and professional education, driven by a strong passion for business education partnerships. She actively promotes positive peacebuilding and capacity development through peace education and training for Rotarians and teaching professionals. Mitzi’s efforts focus on advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), fostering global citizenship, and encouraging intercultural dialogue to enhance international understanding.
As the RAGFP Director for Asia, Australia, and Oceania, Mitzi has made significant contributions as the Founding Chair of the RAGFP Hong Kong & Macau Chapter. Her leadership roles within Rotary include serving as President of the Rotary Club of Hong Kong (2009-10), Assistant Governor for District 3450 (2011-12), and Chair of the District Peace Committee (2014-15). She also served as Vice Chair of the same committee in 2018-19, demonstrating her long-term commitment to peace initiatives within Rotary International District 3450.
Smita Vikhankar
Director
District 3131
Rotary Club of Pune Hillside
India
Smita Vikhankar is an experienced IT professional with a background in software product development, testing, and customer support. She has recently founded her own firm focused on career counseling and guidance, offering psychometric assessments and holistic support for students and mid-career professionals. An ICF certified life coach, Smita is passionate about helping individuals unlock their potential and often speaks at youth and women’s forums on topics such as mind mastery, emotional intelligence, and career planning.
Since joining the Rotary Action Group for Peace in December 2018, Smita has served on the Peace and Education Committees and is now a board member representing the Western Asia Region, also overseeing the IT department. She is the founding chair of the RAGFP India Chapter, established in March 2024. Additionally, in Rotary District 3131, she has held the position of Director for Peace Building and Conflict Resolution/Prevention, mentoring various District Peace Committees to foster a culture of peace.
Anu Narula
Director
District 6910
Rotary Club of Canton
United States
Dr. Anu Narula is a retired Associate Professor of English and was a Fulbright Doctoral Fellow at Yale University in U.S.A.
Anu first joined Rotary in 1995 in India, and has served grassroots communities in D3054 and D3080 in India and D6910 in United States in youth and girls’ empowerment, polio vaccination, character education, health, literacy, and peace building.
Anu has written and published 50 stories as a content writer in the D6910 Public Image team (2021-25) on the mission of Rotary including Peace Building.
Anu has worked on Peace Pole initiatives in her home district, interactive programs on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution in elementary schools with her club, and dialog-based district level events that promote communal harmony and peace among diverse communities. Anu has worked with teams to support disaster relief grant for war ravaged schools in Ukraine and with the pioneer of an education grant for Digital Interactive Classrooms in Panama, besides Global Grant projects in India. Anu is currently serving as a founding member and Chair of the Peace Builder Committee of her club and a member of D6910 Peace Building Committee. In her role as an active RAGFP member and IEP Ambassador, Anu has presented webinars on Positive Peace at Rotary Conferences and Rotary clubs in India and Africa. As a member of the BELRAG Board of Directors and Chair of the Girls’ Education Team of Experts, Anu has led team efforts for organizing a BELRAG Webinar on “Gender Equity and Social Inclusion.” Here is Anu’s personal mission statement on Peace:
“As Rotarians, we all have a sacred duty to Practice Peace in our thoughts, words, and actions, as we build bridges of friendship through service across local and global communities.”
Marsha Hunt
Director
District 5280
Rotary Club of Westwood Village (UCLA)
United States
Marsha Hunt is a Past President of the Rotary Club of Westwood Village (UCLA) in District 5280 of Los Angeles, CA. She is a proud member of the Rotary Action Group for Peace, and Mediators Beyond Borders. She was the 2018/2019 Rotarian of the Year for her Rotary Club. Marsha has been active in projects in the Los Angeles area working on Peaceful Dialogues between Police Departments and local citizens.
Marsha is also a dedicated mother and grandmother
Marsha is the President of the Rotary Ukraine – USA ICC. She has worked on the Ukraine Emergency Grants and took 50 children’s prosthetic hands to the Lviv Rotary Warehouse in Ukraine for distribution to local doctors and hospitals.
In 2018, Marsha was presented with an Honorary Doctorate from the prestigious Nkumba University in Kampala, Uganda. Her Doctorate of Letters was in honor of all the work she has done in Uganda over the past years, building schools, providing for teachers, Building Kataate Medical Center and helping to build up the economy.
She has made over 30 trips to Uganda and has helped many children there, over the years, some that she literally “found” in banana forests. Today, they are all going to school, some have graduated from college, they are thriving and some even own their own business now.
She has enjoyed a great deal of success in her career, starting off in animation and special effects in her early 20’s, and then transitioning into live action. Marsha and her company Marsha Hunt Productions, Inc. have won multiple Emmy’s. Among her clients are FOX Sports, DirecTV, The Discovery Channel, SPEED, Deportes, PORCHE, the Soccer Channel, Sky Sports, Fuel TV, Disney, Warner Brothers and other companies all over the world. As a creative writer/producer, ‘original thinking’ has been the corner stone of her career. Marsha Has been a Rotarian for 15 years.
Maria Vittoria Gargiulo
Director
District 2101
Rotary Club of Global ROOTS
Italy
Maria Vittoria Gargiulo, is a physicist, researcher, and global changemaker with a passion for science, education, and service. Born in southern Italy but a citizen of the world, she thrives at the intersection of research, risk communication, and international collaboration.
With a PhD in Mathematics, Physics, and Applications (Doctor Europaeus), she has tackled cutting-edge research through many EU funded projects on Disaster Risk Reduction, Resilient Societies and Clean Energy. As an IMI-certified mediator, she bridges gaps, whether in scientific discussions or international projects.
Maria Vittoria has been a dedicated Rotarian since 2005, leading impactful initiatives, fundraisers, and major international events. She’s served on the boards of European Rotaract Information Center, Mediterranean Rotaract, and Rotaract Oceania, chaired Mediterranean Rotaract MDIO, and represented Europe at Rotary International’s Assembly. In 2021, she joined the elite ranks of Positive Peace Activators, and in 2025, she founded Rotary Club Global ROOTS – District 2101, proving that service knows no borders.
Fluent in multiple languages and known for her innovative thinking, Maria Vittoria is a powerhouse in education, science, and global leadership.