Our Speakers
Hover over each image to learn more about our guest speakers!
John Simson
JOHN SIMSON IS THE CURENT DIRECTOR OF THE BUSINESS AND ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM HERE AT AU. HE STARTED WORKING IN THE MUSICAL INDUSTRY IN 1971 AS A RECORDING ARTIST AND SONG WRITER. HE HAS WORKED AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SOUNDEXCHANGE, WAS THE PAST PRESIDENT OF THE WASHINGTON, DC CHAPTER OF THE GRAMMY ORGANIZATION, AND HANDLED THE CAREER OF MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER, 5X GRAMMY WINNER
Mike and Julie Shusko
Mark enlisted in the Marines in 1985 and, after serving for 13 years, transferred to the Navy Medical Corps upon entering Wake Forest University School of Medicine. After becoming board certified in Family Medicine, he attended Harvard School of Public Health. Mike retired from the Navy in 2020 as a Captain and is currently a Medical Director at Government Employees Health Association in Missouri. Julie graduated from Centenary College with a B.A. in Sociology. She later attended Northwestern State University to receive her teaching certificate and taught elementary school around the globe for the next 30 years.
Ryan Barto
Ryan Barto is a community organizer who started empowering his neighbors and fellow citizens to become involved in the democratic process at the age of twelve. The first in his family to graduate college, he is perseverant and understands that change starts with community and from an intersectional approach. It was this attitude that led him to attend a local RYLA conference, which sparked his passion for Rotary and youth leadership, solidifying his belief in service above self. Since then, he became one of the founding members of the AU Rotaract club and served on the board of the international conference formerly known as, RYLA North America. Eventually, he became a member, Secretary, and then President of the Rotary Club of Federal City, becoming one of the youngest Rotarian presidents in the world. Barto adamantly believes in the power of his generation to empower change through community. Although for his age, Ryan’s advocacy and fierce leadership have proven that you can never be too young to serve.
Jacquelyn "Lavone" Roberson
Is from Norwalk, CT. She is an educator and a two-time cancer survivor. She writes about Nia, a fictional character who helps people learn purpose. Lavone is the CEO and Founder of The Now I Am Nia Foundation, Inc, where she serves communities in need through various philanthropic projects. Lavone is an alumni of Hampton University and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. As a teacher, she was selected to be in the Nation's First Quad-D Lab Classroom cohort. When she is not writing, teaching, or working in the community she enjoys traveling and spending time with her godchildren. To learn more, visit www.NowIAmNia.org.
