Fall Conference Presenters

Jillian James, EnROADS Climate Ambassador
Title: The Power of Interactive Climate Education: From Global Insight to Local Impact

At first glance, a global model like the En-ROADS Simulator might seem too broad to inform local decisions. In practice, it’s a powerful way to ground conversations in science, reveal insights, and test strategies leaders can act on. You’ll hear insights and tips from Jillian, who is using the simulator to inform local policy discussions, build momentum for regional climate action, and engage leaders.

Jillian became an En-ROADS Climate Ambassador in 2020, sharing insights from a science-based simulator that makes impacts of climate-related policies more accessible.  She earned both her undergraduate and master’s degrees in aerospace engineering from MIT, specializing in spacecraft systems. For a decade, she contributed to national security space systems at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, where she led satellite development as Chief Systems Engineer. After initiating a project aimed at supporting hurricane Maria relief efforts in Puerto Rico, she began focusing on ways to positively influence our climate through systems change.  Today, as Director of Sustainability at NETSCOUT, she is dedicated to creating a more sustainable and inclusive digital future.
Watch a short demonstration of its operation and features below.

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Sherri Y. Simmons-Horton, Associate Professor
Title: The World Turned Upside Down: The Urgency of our Activism

These are turbulent and confusing times that call for an urgent and collective response. This presentation will underscore the state of civil and human rights being threatened with erasure. The aim is to inform, inspire, and energize participants on the imperative of persistent, strategic, courageous, and unapologetic activist engagement. Key takeaways:

• The importance of collective (not individual) movement building to interrupt and call out injustices.
• The danger in participating  in “oppression Olympics,” and the importance of fighting for all causes.
• The places and spaces of activism, and how we engage in effective activism and collective building.

Sherri Simmons, PhD, MSW, is an Assistant Professor in the Social Work department at the University of New Hampshire (UNH). She also serves as a Core Faculty member in the Women and Gender Studies at UNH. Simmons-Horton has over 25 years of practice experience in the child welfare system in the state of Texas, with a focus on addressing racism and racial disparities present for Black children, youth, and families. Simmons-Horton’s research focuses on crossover youth (adolescents with involvement in the juvenile justice and foster care systems, structural intersectional inequities across both systems and the empowerment of system-involved Black youth and families through an anti-oppressive lens. Simmons-Horton serves as the 2nd Vice President of the Black Administrators in Child Welfare and she is a staunch child, family, and youth advocate, with a strong interest in practice and policy strategies to dismantle oppressive practices in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.

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Mary Ann Rubis – Zonta Foundation Ambassador

Mary Ann Rubis is an optometrist, specializing in the treatment of ocular disease and contact lenses. A member of Zonta since 1997, Mary Ann is grateful for the amazing friendships and opportunities that membership has provided. In addition to being a past member of the International Nominating Committee and D1 governor, she has served on various international, district and club committees. A passionate supporter of the Zonta Foundation for Women, Mary Ann was the Chair of the Foundation’s Development Committee from 2020-2024. This biennium marks her third as the D1 Foundation Ambassador.

 

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Deb Shannon – Coaching and Consulting
Positive intelligence and mental fitness, and the power of self-talk.

Attendees can expect to leave with practical tools rooted in Positive Psychology, Performance Psychology, and Neuroscience essential in building resilience and clear-headed confidence.

Deb Shannon founded Shannon Resources after years in global healthcare tech, driven by a vision to create workspaces that truly engage and empower emerging talent. Today, she is a keynote speaker, thought leader and trusted coach to accomplished women in healthcare and public service who are ready to step into their next chapter of impact. Deb helps research and teaching physicians cut through the mental clutter of outdated systems so they can bring full presence to patient care and public health. She supports public leaders stewarding taxpayer resources to lead with clarity, confidence, and balance. Her clients learn to zoom out, see the big picture, and set meaningful goals—while continuing to deliver excellence in service to others. Through mental fitness sessions, they strengthen performance, well-being, and relationships. Clients consistently highlight the transformative impact of Deb’s thought-provoking questions, which uncover deep insights and spark actionable positive change. Her clients learn to see their strengths, refine self-presentation for leadership, and foster team cohesion in new roles.

In 2010, Deb developed and successfully defended Vermont’s State Telecommunications Plan. Earlier in her career, she served as a translator at the World Ski Championships in Saalfelden, Austria. Most recently, she brought her Positive Intelligence training to life as the emcee of a three-day conference for women B Corp CEOs in Denver, Colorado.Deb received the Soaring Eagle Award for Client Engagement at Cerner Corp and frequently presents on best practices, with sessions described as “engaging and empowering.” An active volunteer, Deb is a member of the Leadership Circle of WeTheChange, she served at Good Neighbor Health Clinic and shares her love of tennis through the Buddy UP program for individuals with Down Syndrome. With a BA in German and Economics from the University of Vermont, Deb is fluent in German and “Dog.” In her free time, she enjoys skiing, sailing, hiking, cheese-making, and exploring the outdoors with her dog, Zoomer.

 

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Keryn Kriegl-Roberts
Zonta Members as Ambassadors: Turning Passion into Impact

Zonta members are the heart of the mission—and when they serve as passionate ambassadors, they can attract new members, donors, allies, scholarship applicants, and program participants. This interactive session is designed specifically for Zonta District 1 members to build the skills and confidence needed to represent their clubs with purpose and pride. Learn how to share your Zonta story, engage your network, and inspire others to join and support the mission. You’ll walk away with practical tools and strategies to help your club grow and thrive.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand how you and your fellow Zonta members can serve as ambassadors by sharing personal stories, making introductions, and building relationships that lead to increased engagement and support.
2. Learn how to implement an ambassador training approach within your club that includes storytelling, network mapping, and stewardship techniques.

Keryn is the current Membership Chair for the Zonta Club of Concord, NH. With over 30 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, she brings a deep commitment to community building and mission-driven work. As Project and Relationship Manager at the NH Center for Nonprofits, she supports organizations across the state in strengthening their impact. A passionate advocate for women and girls, Keryn found her way to the Zonta Club of Concord over breakfast with a colleague shortly after moving to the area. When she mentioned wanting to get involved and meet people, her colleague simply asked, “What about joining Zonta?” That moment sparked a meaningful journey of service and leadership. Today, as Membership Chair, she is dedicated to helping others find their place in Zonta and build a better world for women and girls.

     

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Membership Panel Discussion:  Strength in Numbers: How Membership Growth Fuels Zonta’s Impact ~ Innovative Strategies for Recruitment, Inclusion & Collaboration

When more people join Zonta, our collective power to create lasting change grows exponentially. This dynamic panel of Zonta leaders will share proven strategies and fresh ideas for recruiting and retaining members—both locally and virtually. Learn how e-clubs are expanding our reach, why young women and men are joining Zonta, and how collaborations with community organizations can open new doors to membership. Whether your club is looking for quick wins or long-term growth plans, you’ll leave inspired and equipped with practical tools to strengthen your club, expand your impact, and help build a better world for women and girls.

Vivienne Shen
District Conference Report 

Vivienne shared greetings from Zonta Interantional and introduced Board members for this biennium. She reviewed Strategic Focus Areas and discused global challenges: the Rollback of Women’s Rights, Governments decreasing fund for foreign aid, Gobal Conflicst and the Climate Crisis, as well as Zonta’s Statements about those issues. She then summarized this biennium’s 4 goals: what we have achieved to date, what we have left to do, and the Foundation for Women highlights. Vivenne noted that she was very pleased to join us for this conference and extended a personal invite for all to attend the 2026 Zonta International Convention in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Slides.

Lexi Cole
Nourishing and Sustaining Ourselves and Our World

This presentation will explore evidence-based nutrition, women’s health, and the intersection of food systems with climate resilience. Attendees will gain practical insights into healthy eating on a budget, girls’ and women’s roles in communities and food systems, and how everyday food choices impact both personal and planetary health.

Lexi Cole is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Culinary Medicine Specialist and the Program Manager for Partnerships and Events at the Food is Medicine Institute at Tufts University. She received her Bachelor of Science in Coordinated Dietetics and business minor from Texas Christian University (’19) and holds two master’s degrees from Tufts University (’24) ­– Master of Science in Agriculture, Food, and the Environment and Master of Public Health in Health Services Management and Policy. During her graduate education, she co-authored two peer-reviewed articles – “The role of agricultural systems in teaching kitchens” and “Proposed nutrition competencies for medical students and physician trainees”. She is also a co-author of the book, To Your Taste. She has worked as a culinary nutrition specialist at To Taste, research assistant and project coordinator for the Teaching Kitchen Collaborative, culinary medicine consultant, private nutrition counselor, and assistant cross-country coach.
Lexi is committed to empowering individuals to revitalize connections between food, nature, mindfulness, movement, and communities to enhance human and planetary health. Originally an Idaho native, Lexi now lives in Boston, Massachusetts where she enjoys running long distances, crocheting, playing the cello, baking sourdough and breaking bread with her community.