As I begin this Rotary year as our district governor, I would like to take a moment to share a little more about myself — not just as a governor, but as a Rotarian, a professional, and a person whose life has been deeply influenced by service, leadership, and collaboration with others.
My first connections with Rotary
My connection with Rotary began even before I became a member of a Rotary club. In 1994, as a high school student, I was one of 16 Latvian high school students selected to participate in a 10-day cultural exchange program in Copenhagen, Denmark. The program was organized by Kastrup Rotary Club. This experience opened my eyes to Rotary’s international spirit, the power of intercultural understanding, and the warmth of people united by a common purpose. At the time, I didn’t realize that this opportunity had planted a seed that would later grow into something much greater.
Education, entrepreneurship, and leadership
My academic journey began at the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga and the University of Latvia, where I earned bachelor’s degrees in economics and business administration. (1992–1996). Later, I deepened my knowledge by obtaining a master’s degree in finance and economics from the Stockholm School of Economics (Handelshogskolan i Stockholm) in Sweden (2002–2004).
I started my professional career in Business consulting at Deloitte Latvia, and later held leadership positions in the insurance sector, including serving as CEO and Chairman of the Board at IF Latvia/Sampo Latvia, Pirmais Brokeris and MAI Insurance Brokers. For more than ten years, I led teams and developed businesses in the insurance field.
Since 2012, I have turned my attention to organic fish farming and aquaculture, founding and developing a farm. In parallel, I have been involved in real estate management and development. These areas allow me to combine entrepreneurship with sustainability — values that are especially important to me.
Visit of Rotary International president Jennifer Jones
(currently - Rotary Foundation Trustee) in Riga October 2022
My Rotary journey
I became a member of Riga Hansa Rotary Club in 2002, and from the very first day I felt among likeminded people—people who work with passion and heart for the good of society. I have held various Rotary positions in my club and our district, the main ones being:
Club President (2015–2016)
RYLA coordinator in Latvia (2017–2022)
Governor’s Assistant (2022–2024)
Interact and Rotaract coordinator (2022–2024)
Member of the organizational team for the Rotary
International President Jennifer Jones’s visit to Latvia (2022)
Leader of the district conference organizational team (2023)
On the organizational team for the Baltic Sea Summer Camp (2024–2025)
Awarding of Paul Harris Fellowship 1st level award by Rotary International president Ian H.S.Riseley in Rotary Institute in 2017
Each of these roles has given me an opportunity to cooperate with Rotarians of different generations — from young people to experienced leaders — and has confirmed Rotary’s ability to inspire, unite, and leave a positive impact in society.
A particularly emotional moment for me in my Rotary journey was awarding of Paul Harris Fellowship recognition in 2017, from Rotary International President Ian H.S. Riseley. That really was a special moment that strengthened my belief and passion that our joint Rotary work for society is important, meaningful, and has real purpose.
Rotary year 2025-2026
Assuming the role of Governor of District D2405, I do so with deep gratitude — to the people who have supported me, to the clubs that have inspired me, and to the Rotary values that have guided me for many years. At the start of the year, I want to sincerely thank those who have supported and helped me grow:
My club — the Rīga Hanza Rotary Club, for their trust and ongoing support;
Past District Governor Jānis Anderson, who encouraged, supported, and gave advice;
Past District Governor Māris Slokenbergs, who once invited me into the Rotary family;
The next District Governor Yael Tågerud — thank you for friendship, cooperation and active engagement;
The Latvian public relations coordinator Anita Pužule — for reliable cooperation and determination;
My partner and district trainer Mārā Majore — thank you for support and passion.
Photo of participants of Rotary D2405 district governor’s handover ceremony in Riga, July 1, 2025
PEOPLE | PROJECTS | PUBLICITY
The motto of this Rotary year is Unite for Good, which is a great motto that calls upon us all to engage and carry out excellent initiatives together.
The areas which I want to focus our work on this year are People | Projects | Publicity. In addition, the mutual connection is very important, because Rotary truly comes alive through connection and cooperation: meetings in friendly atmosphere, joint projects, and conversations in which we genuinely listen to each other, and together achieve great things. Regardless of whether you are new to Rotary or a longtime member — I invite all clubs in our district and all Rotarians in your activity to focus on these three main areas, which will define our impact, strengthen our clubs, and bring new energy to the entire Rotary family: Let us unite for good, dream bravely, and act purposefully.
PEOPLE — the heart of Rotary
Rotary has always been about people — about friendships, shared values, and the desire to do good. Therefore this year we will particularly emphasize the involvement of our members.
Practical steps for clubs:
Find out what inspires your members — which events, projects, or speakers would be meaningful to invite;
Involve members in project planning and implementation;
Think about growth — recruit new members, encourage and form Rotaract and Interact clubs;
Host open events for potential members;
Promote cooperation between clubs — organize friendship exchanges or joint events.
PROJECTS — our service in action
To initiate good ideas and bring them through to completed projects — this is Rotary’s strength. This year we will plan and implement projects that are meaningful, visible to the public, and rooted in the needs of the community.
What clubs can do:
Together prepare your club’s action plan for this year and carry it out in your activities;
Participate in creative fundraising events, such as: Sunta Fun Run, Water Day, Polio week events, Rubber Duck races, etc. (from the district side we are ready to provide additional information and support for successful event organization);
Agree on donation goals for Rotary International funds — Annual Fund, End Polio, and/or others.
PUBLICITY — let’s tell about Rotary and our good deeds
It is important that people outside Rotary learn about our initiatives, helping hands, etc. If we want to grow, build partnerships, and inspire others, it is important to publicly speak about what we are doing.
What to expect this year:
The district will present a public relations strategy, will support publicity activitgies by providing information and posting materials on the district website and social media networks.
Publicity shall be integrated in all our activities.
Looking to the future:
When we focus on people, we grow stronger.
When we invest in projects, we change the world.
When we tell about our work, we inspire others to join.
DISTRICT’S ACTION PLAN
This spring the district team participated in an important action-planning event — a “District Visioning” session, in which we
exchanged ideas and planned the district’s vision, plans, and future. Currently the district committees are finalizing action plans, which we plan to present to our district Rotarians in coming months. As a result of our joint work we have formulated our district mission:
“In our district, we are a dynamic network that turns bold ideas into meaningful action.
With impactful prpjects and shared leadership we empower youth, build partnerships, strengthen
communities and shape a lasting change.”
DISTRICTCONFERENCE–ROTARYFORUM
This year the district conference is planned as an open forum not only for Rotarians, but also for other interested participants. The district conference — ROTARY FORUM will take place in Riga, on 17-18 April 2026; the main theme of the ROTARY FORUM: Civil society as a cornerstone of stability, sustainability and international cooperation
GOVERNOR’S ACTIVITIES IN JULY AND AUGUST
The first months as a district governor have passed very quickly. In September I have scheduled to start visiting Rotary clubs. In August we have arranged several important meetings with the district team, past governors, as well as governors of neighbouring districts, to discuss current situation and future plans.
Photo of District governor D2405 and past district governors present at handover ceremony in Riga on July 1, 2025: from the left PDG Bo Söderling, PDG Guntars Kniksts, DG Jānis Teteris, PDG Māris Slokenbergs, IPDF Ulf Andersson, in the front PDG Jānis Andersons
This Rotary year began with the governor’s chain-handover event, which took place on 1 July in Rīga, in the Botanical Garden. It’s a great joy that more than 100 Rotarians from Latvia, Sweden, and Lithuania participated in the event, including5 past district governors and our district’s incoming governor. It was an excellent opportunity to meet and discuss topics relevant to us, as well as to begin new friendships and spark new ideas. During the event we organized a charity raffle, and together raised 330 EUR for projects initiated by youth clubs.
Thanks to all lottery participants!
I want esspecially to thank the Rotaractors and Interactors, who took part in organize the event; special thank you to the Cēsis Rotary Club for supporting the event with arranging the musical performance by young talents Rasa Sofija Grimms and Eduards Grimm from the Alfred Kalniņš Cēsis Music High School; and special thanks to Rīga Hanza Rotary Club for support in organizing the event.
