Leadership Team
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
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 Elect
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.
Michael Hayes
Immediate Past Chair
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 5100
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
Secretary
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
Technical Officer
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.
Dirk Lustig
Director
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.
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.
James Stewart
Director
District 5100
Rotary Club of Seaside
United States
James is a seasoned general management executive with over 30 years of experience in global operations, multi-plant manufacturing, and hi-tech product development. His expertise lies in strategic planning, change management, and group decision-making, enabling businesses to achieve their growth and profit goals. Transitioning from corporate roles to advisory positions, he now focuses on helping organizations identify and eliminate barriers to success.
In addition to his extensive business background, James is actively involved in peacebuilding as a Rotarian, serving on the Board of Directors for the Rotary Action Group for Peace. He is also recognized as an Ambassador for the Institute for Economics and Peace, adding a new dimension to his professional repertoire and demonstrating his commitment to fostering positive change in the world.
Barbara Gaughen-Muller
Director
District 5330
Rotary E-Club of World Peace
United States
Barbara Gaughen-Muller is a dedicated podcaster, author, and passionate advocate for peace. As a former Chair of the Rotary Action Group for Peace and co-founder of the Rotary E-Club of World Peace, she frequently speaks at Rotary Clubs, conferences, and universities, sharing her insights on peace-building, leadership, and the importance of transformative conversations. Barbara serves as a vital link between Rotary and the United Nations, currently holding the position of President of the United Nations Association Southern California Division. She orchestrated the UN’s 75th Anniversary Celebration in collaboration with Rotary and UNA to raise awareness of global issues.
A visionary leader, Barbara co-authored Revolutionary Conversations: The Tools You Need for the Success You Want and hosts the Power of Peace Podcasts featuring world peacemakers. She founded the Santa Barbara UNA Peace Prize to honor individuals dedicated to peace and played a key role in organizing the first Rotary World Peace Conference in 2016. Recognized with the Spirit of the United Nations award, she co-created the La Casa Invitational to bring together global thinkers for problem-solving. Additionally, she established Gaughen Global Public Relations, which received the 2018 IRWIN Award. Barbara believes that a collaborative approach is essential for securing a sustainable future for our planet.
Helen Peacock
Director
District 7010
Canada
Helen Peacock is a Canadian peace advocate and speaker who has shared her insights on World Peace with Rotary groups globally. She believes that achieving peace requires efforts on three levels: personal peace (inner peace), community peace (Positive Peace), and global peace (eliminating war as a means of conflict resolution). Helen played a key role in developing the online Ending War 101 Educational Program, co-sponsored by the Rotary Action Group for Peace (RAGFP) and World Beyond War. As a Civil Society Observer for RAGFP at the United Nations in September 2022 and November 2023, she has also led grassroots initiatives within Rotary to support a resolution for a world free of nuclear weapons during her two years as District 7010 Peace Chair.
Before dedicating herself to peace activism, Helen had a successful career as a Computer Executive and Management Consultant, specializing in Leadership and Teambuilding. She holds a BSc in Math and Physics and an MSc in Computer Science, and her extensive travels to 114 countries have shaped her worldview, leading her to identify as a global citizen. Through her work, Helen continues to advocate for peace and inspire others to join the movement for a more peaceful world.