Rotary International District 5170

"This outgoing GSE Team appreciates the friendship of District-2700 as we travel to Japan and experience your culture customs and enterprise, which will teach us about your world. We bring to you good spirit from D-5170, our experience from California and our intention to connect Rotary worldwide. We hope that this Group Study Exchange will add a rich experience to all of our lives."

Joan Perry, GSE Team Leader to Japan, D-5170, was the founding member and President of the Los Gatos Rotary Morning Club in 2003. The Club, which grew to over 50 members in its first year, participated in community, international and fundraising projects. Joan was the recipient of the 2004 D-5170 award of "Leading The Most Successful New Rotary Club In Recent Memory". She currently chairs her Club's Foundation, and her classification is Author/Finance.

Joan authored the book "A Girl Needs Cash", published by Random House, 1999 – and is the President of Take Charge Financial!, a money management firm. Take Charge Financial! is a licensed brokerage firm that works in the financial markets to direct individual investor moneys.

Joan started and owned the first female municipal investment banking firm in the U.S. in 1985, and her firm worked with cities, states and counties to develop and underwrite large municipal bond issues. Through her years and responsibilities in the financial markets she is recognized nationally as an expert in money management and the subject of women and money. She is asked to speak at Universities, Corporations and Organizations about her expertise. Her education includes a BA from Denison University and an MBA in Finance from Vanderbilt University.

Joan has traveled with fellow Rotarians to project fairs and to deliver wheel chairs in Belize, International Conventions and Rotocare Projects. She has a commitment to the principles of Rotary and the opportunity for compassion and understanding that is at the heart of local and international fellowship in the family of Rotary.