Executive Staff

John Hewko

General Secretary and Chief Executive Officer
Rotary Club of Kyiv
Ukraine 

John Hewko is the general secretary and chief executive officer of Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation. From 2004 to 2009, Hewko was vice president for operations and compact development for the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a U.S. government agency established in 2004 to deliver foreign assistance to the world’s poorest countries.

Read Mr. Hewko’s full biography.

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Michele Berg

Deputy General Secretary
Rotary Club of Evanston
Illinois, USA

Michele Berg helps lead the day-to-day operations of the Secretariat, ensuring effective internal operating policies and implementing strategies and programs.

Berg graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a major in Italian and earned her MBA from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a dual specialization in marketing and international business. Berg is a Certified Association Executive (CAE) and Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP). She is past president of the Rotary Club of Evanston, a Paul Harris Fellow, a Paul Harris Society member, and a Benefactor.

David Alexander

General Manager & Chief Communications Officer

David Alexander leads a team of communications professionals who work with Rotary clubs worldwide to unite, inspire, and motivate members, and promote the organization to the public through compelling storytelling. He directs Rotary’s global marketing and communications efforts, overseeing the organization's websites, blogs, podcasts, social media platforms, as well as the Rotary magazine network, which comprises the Rotary flagship magazine and more than 30 regional print and digital publications. Alexander's team has been recognized by peers in the industry, earning a PR News Platinum PR Award, Webby Awards, and more for efforts to promote Rotary as People of Action and in support of the End Polio Now campaign.

Before joining Rotary, Alexander directed media efforts at the National Safety Council, the leading safety advocacy organization in the U.S., and worked in public relations for Apple. He has more than 30 years of experience in marketing and communications.

Julie Burke

General Manager & Chief Financial Officer

Julie Burke oversees all aspects of the financial operations of Rotary International and its charitable arm, The Rotary Foundation. Her responsibilities include financial management, financial planning and analysis, treasury and investment, corporate reporting, accounting services, and risk management.

Burke was previously chief financial officer at two large nonprofit organizations after spending 10 years in public accounting at KPMG.

Burke graduated from Marquette University with a degree in accounting and has a master’s degree in health services management from Webster University. She is a certified public accountant and a certified global management accountant.

Sarah Crawford

General Manager & Chief Programs and Engagement Officer

Sarah Crawford leads a global team responsible for learning and development, meetings and events, programs, grants, and partnerships.

Prior to joining Rotary in 2020, Crawford served as director of strategic partnerships at Millennium Challenge Corporation. She holds an M.A. in international communications from American University in Washington D.C. and a dual B.A. in political science and Spanish from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Crawford, a former Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar to Brazil, likes to sing in Spanish, dance samba, practice her Italian while eating food from the same origin, and learn new French phrases from the wonderful au pairs that live with her family.

Kristopher Newbauer

Head of Global People & Talent (formerly Human Resources)

Kristopher Newbauer oversees all aspects of employment, including talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, professional development, compensation, benefits, and payroll for Rotary’s global workforce.

Newbauer holds a graduate degree in global human resource education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and one in human resources management from North Park University in Chicago (both summa cum laude). He has worked at Rotary since 2004.

Steven Routburg

General Counsel

Steven Routburg and his staff counsel the leadership of Rotary International, The Rotary Foundation, and the Secretariat staff on a wide range of issues about law and legal and corporate policy. The Office of the General Counsel also supports the organization’s Council on Legislation and manages the grant stewardship function for The Rotary Foundation.

Routburg joined Rotary’s staff in 1996 and has been general counsel since 1999. He graduated from the University of Michigan Law School and received his undergraduate business degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Routburg is a Paul Harris Fellow.

Eric Schmelling

General Manager & Chief Philanthropy Officer
Rotary Club of Evanston Lighthouse
Illinois, USA

Eric Schmelling leads the area responsible for facilitating contributions to The Rotary Foundation, which grants nearly $300 million annually to eradicate polio and funds projects and scholarships in communities worldwide.

Schmelling is an alumnus of Beloit College in Wisconsin and received his M.A. from Central European University in Hungary. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Evanston Lighthouse. Schmelling is a Major Donor and Bequest Society member.

Nora Zei

General Manager & Chief Member and Participant Experience Officer
Rotary Club of Chicago Cosmopolitan
Illinois, USA

Nora Zei leads a team focused on defining the strategic growth of the participant experience across multiple products, services, and touchpoints by deepening an understanding of the overall participant journey.

Zei earned an MBA in strategic management from Chicago Booth and is a member of the Rotary Club of Chicago Cosmopolitan.