Events

Patricia has been a Rotarian since 2005. She is the Governor for district 5030 for the 2026-2027 year. Patricia will articulate her vision for our Rotary District's year ahead, and to inspire our Club to magnify our impact in the local community and the world.

A chef has been engaged for the event to cook the salmon on-site. The fee is $25. Similar to prior years, Rotarians are invited to bring side dishes and refreshments (see below). Please coordinate those items through the club service chair. Registration for the dinner is through the ClubRunner events system, and the deadline to register is noon on August 12, 2026. Please note that registration is limited to 40 attendees.

David Boyle, PhD, serves as technical director for PATH’s diagnostics program, which focuses on developing and advancing high-impact, affordable, and easy-to-use diagnostic tools and technologies suitable for use in low-resource settings.

Dr. Boyle has over 20 years of experience in leading the development and implementation of diagnostic assays for public health applications and provides scientific leadership and oversight for all diagnostic product development at PATH.

Prior to joining PATH in 2008, Dr. Boyle was the molecular epidemiologist for the Washington State Public Health Laboratories, with oversight of the molecular diagnostics, chlamydia/gonorrhea, and virology/serology laboratories and the bioterrorism response unit and BioWatch program.

Recognized as an international expert in tuberculosis, nucleic acid amplification and population surveillance technologies, Dr. Boyle also serves as a subject matter expert on a variety of cross programmatic initiatives at PATH.

Dr. Boyle earned his Ph. D in Bacterial Genetics from The University of Edinburgh and a B.Sc. with honors from Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh.

Taruni Khurana, MS, PhD, MPH, is the deputy director for PATH’s Global Health Programs division. In this role, she leads a team of experts addressing complex health challenges in low- and middle-income countries. She is responsible for the strategic direction, business development, technical quality, and operational efficiency of multiple global health programs, focusing on generating and translating evidence into action. She works closely with internal and external stakeholders, including donors, governments, partner international nongovernmental organizations, and communities, to ensure alignment, coordination, and accountability.

Before her current position, Dr. Khurana held the role of PATH’s deputy director for the Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases program, leading the global portfolio management and business development teams, and was key in building strong relationships with new donors and partners. Prior to joining PATH, she was the chief operating officer at Shifra, an Australian health start-up that addresses barriers to reproductive health, where she focused on achieving organizational goals through business analysis, strategic partnerships, and managing operations. Additionally, she worked as a consultant for the World Health Organization and previously served as a neuroscientist in India.

Dr. Khurana holds a Master of Science and a PhD in neurobiology and ecophysiology of insect flight from the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, India. She also holds a Master of Public Health from Columbia University and serves as a board member for Shifra.

Dr. Gary Cohn will present a program on the Paul Harris Fellow and Paul Harris Society programs of the Rotary International Foundation, detailing various levels of PHF recognition, and how to engage with the foundation’s giving programs. He will also provide an overview of the major programs offered by the Rotary International Foundation. Dr. Cohn has enjoyed membership in the Rotary Clubs of Port Angeles, Everett, and Kirkland, serving in several club leadership roles over time. Dr. Cohn earned is first Paul Harris Fellow pin while in Port Angeles, and reached Major Donor status in 2019.

Dr. Cohn retired as superintendent of Everett Public Schools after a decade ending in 2019. Prior to Everett Public Schools, Dr. Cohn served as superintendent of the Port Angeles School District for eight years, and vice president at Lake Washington Technical College, where he also served as interim president. Previously, he taught marketing and business education for the Northshore School District, and worked as a marketing representative for an international manufacturer of data processing systems.

Recently, Dr. Cohn served on the boards of the YMCA of Snohomish County, Youth Eastside Services, Snohomish County Health Alliance, Washington Alliance for Better Schools, Music4Life, and the Governor's Council for the Healthiest Next Generation at the invitation of Governor Jay Inslee. Previously he served on the boards of the United Ways of Snohomish County and Clallam County, the Haller Foundation, the K.O. Erickson Trust, and the state’s Professional Educator Standards Board by appointment of former Governor Chris Gregoire. He also served on Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin’s Transition Task Force, Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers’ Aerospace Task Force, Chancellor Paul Pitre’s WSU|Everett Advisory Council, and Snohomish County’s STEM Network.

Degrees earned include a doctor of philosophy in education at the University of Washington, a master of business administration at Seattle University, and a bachelor of arts with majors in economics and business administration from the University of Puget Sound.

Gary lives most of the year in downtown Kirkland with his wife, Sue, and their Dakota Sport Retriever, Bailey. Gary serves on the boards of the Museum of Flight, The Ridge at Troon North Condominium Association, the Brezza Condominium Association, and the Rotary Club of Kirkland. Both Gary and Sue are avid golfers and enjoy walking and social activities.

Ezra Teshome is an entrepreneur who has earned accolades worldwide for his philanthropic endeavors and efforts within Africa to impact the lives of children. He is passionate about global health issues, particularly focusing on the eradication of polio and bringing clean water to villages in rural Ethiopia. He has served notably on the board of several organizations, as well as a university. Professionally, Ezra has built a successful insurance and financial services business for over 35 years. He is also very involved in his local Ethiopian community, where he helped build the first church and establish the community center.   

As a testament to his contributions to society, Ezra has been awarded with many of the highest honors in his community, including the World Affairs Council World Citizen Award; Seattle University’s Alumni Community Service Award; Distinguish Alumni Award from High-line Community College; The Rotary Service above Self Award; Rotary International service award for world polio free Award, Martin Luther Jr. Distinguished service Award from UW Science center and being named a Time Magazine Global Health Hero. 

 Ezra served as the District Governor 2013-14 of Rotary District 5030. He is married to Yobi, and they have 4 children and 5 grandchildren.