Leo Club Advisory Panel
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The Leo Club Program Advisory Panel is a communication vehicle for Leos and Lions to share their ideas about the Leo Club Program with Lions International.
Advisory panelists represent Leos and Lions in their respective constitutional area and serve as ambassadors for the Leo Club Program. If you have ideas about the Leo Club Program, share them with your panelists.
The Leo Club Program Advisory Panel comprises two Lions and two Leos from each constitutional area. Each fiscal year, one Lion and one Leo from each area are selected to serve a two-year term. Panel membership is the highest international office for the Leo Club Program.
Advisory Panel resources
The Advisory Panel is separated into three committees: Recruitment, Membership Experience and Transition. On their committees, panelists use their combined knowledge and experience to create resources on best practices for Leo clubs. Check out their resources in English below.
Recruitment
- Creating your own Recruitment Event (ppt) 2024
- Creating your own Recruitment Event (pdf) 2024
- On the Spot Recruiting: Elevator Speeches (ppt) 2023
- Elevator Speech resources (pdf) 2023
Membership experience
- Leo Club Retention (ppt) 2024
- Leos’ Leadership Development and Opportunities (ppt) 2023
- How to Organize a Leadership Workshop (pdf) 2023
Transition
- Leo Service Continuation: Key Players (ppt) 2024
- Leo-Lion transition (video) 2024
- Beyond Leos: Continuing the Service Journey (ppt) 2023
- Previous resources
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- Recruitment in a Glance (ppt) 2022
- Tips for Good Orientation Session (ppt) 2022
- Connecting Leos (ppt) 2022
- Activity Ideas for Connecting Leos (pdf) 2022
- Encouraging Leo to Lion Transition (ppt) 2022
- Smart Recruitment (ppt) 2021
- Recruit in 90 Seconds (pdf) 2021
- Collaborating with Your Sponsoring Lions Club (ppt) 2021
- Collaborative Activities for Leos and Lions (pdf) 2021
- Overview of Leo to Lion Transition (ppt) 2021
- Preserving the Future – Leo to Lion Transition (ppt) 2020
- Starting a Community-Based Leo Club (ppt) 2020
- Starting a School-Based Leo Club (ppt) 2020
- Leo Club Officers Overview (pdf) 2020
- Leo Club Program Awards Handbook (pdf) 2020
- 5 Reasons to Create a “Former Leo” Lions Club Branch (pdf) 2020
- Leo Advisory Panelist Talk Leo to Lion Transition (video) 2020
- Leo Times, the Leo Advisory Panel Newsletter
Current Advisory Panelists
Constitutional Area I
Leo Mihika Joshi
United States – Leo Mihika has been a driving force within the Leo Club Program since joining the Northwestern Connecticut Cyber Leo Club in 2021. As president, she spearheaded numerous service projects aligned with the five global causes and played a key role in planning the Multiple District 23 Leos Midwinter Conference (2022) and delivering the keynote address in 2023. Mihika is eager to leverage the Leo Club Program Advisory Panel as a platform to connect with a diverse network of passionate changemakers. She believes in the power of collaboration – that together, we can tackle any challenge and build a stronger, brighter future for our communities.
(English, Marathi) Email Mihika
Lion Ava-Loi P.R. Forbes
Jamaica – Lion Ava-Loi has been a dedicated servant leader for youths, tirelessly advocating for and enhancing their experiences within the Leo community. With a rich history as a former Leo leader representing Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, Lion Ava-Loi has served in various leadership roles including as a past Leo-Lion, district Leo (associate) chairperson and district and MD Lions opportunities for youth chairperson. Notably, she played a pivotal role in establishing the first cyber Leo club in MD 60 and the inaugural Leo district 60 B. Now, Lion Ava-Loi is poised to further her mission by seeking collaborative opportunities with Lions and Leos to continually enhance the collective Leo experience.
(English) Email Ava-Loi
Leo JD Magaw
Transition committee co-chairperson
United States – Since 2018, Leo JD has been a part of the Leo Club Program, holding positions such as Leo club president and Leo multiple district president. He has attended several of the USA/Canada Leo Leadership Forums, including helping plan the fifth annual forum. He is looking forward to meeting and working with Leos from around the world and learning about their passion for serving; by doing so, he hopes to make the Leo Club Program the best it can be.
(English) Email JD
Lion Gabrielle McKechnie
United States – As a member of the panel, Lion Gabrielle hopes to create a unified message on resources available to Leos and deliver the message to as many Lions and Leos as possible. While serving as district governor, she found that the support and knowledge of youth and Leo programs needed to be more available to Lions and districts. Since then, she has focused on bringing more resources to Leo clubs and their sponsoring Lions clubs. Lion Gabrielle is the third of four generations of Lions.
(English) Email Gabrielle
Constitutional Area II
Lion Claude Gilbert
Canada – Lion Claude brings more than 23 years of Lions experience to the panel. He is the Multiple District U Leo chairperson and helped restart the Leo Club Program in Quebec after almost 30 years of inactivity. He believes that Leos will be the main part of the second century of Lions and wants to fill the generation gap between Leos and Lions.
(French, English) Email Claude
Leo Rusheen Takhtani
Canada – Leo Rusheen Takhtani is the charter president of Leo Club of Toronto Centennial who has his roots from India. He has learned a better way of understanding the perspective of Leos while working very closely with past Leo Advisory Panelists and Lions leaders during his involvement in various international events of ISAME as a committee member. A digital marketer and a student of artificial intelligence, he is looking forward to creating major awareness about the Leo Club Program in Constitutional Area II while sharing his own experiences in the journey of achieving new opportunities.
(Hindi, Gujarati, Sindhi, French, English) Email Rusheen
Leo Brady Maull
Membership experience committee co-chairperson
Canada – Leo Brady has served as the president of the Lil Legendary Leo Club and has attended several district conventions as well as the USA/Canada Leo Forum in 2023. He is looking forward to contributing to important projects and decisions regarding Leos. Leo Brady is also interested in meeting new people and learning new materials and skills that he can use in his daily life as a Leo. He also has a passion for theatre and preforming arts.
(English) Email Brady
Lion Tim Beer
Canada – Lion Tim has served as the Leo Advisor for the Lil Legendary Leo Club, as well as a multiple district Leo chairperson. He is looking forward to helping bring more awareness to the Leo and Leo-Lion programs, and to continue working with recruitment and membership. He enjoys traveling and meeting new people.
(English) Email Tim
Constitutional Area III
Leo-Lion Jorge Augstín Garcia Cerna
Peru – Being a Leo has given Leo-Lion Jorge the opportunity to generate change in society and strengthen leadership skills through service. During his time, he has held various positions at the club level, in district H 1 and DMLH Peru, and he has also contributed to the formation of many Leo clubs. Likewise, he has strengthened the leadership of Leos and Lions, since he has given various trainings that had great impact. Leo-Lion Jorge hopes to propose initiatives and actions that will benefit the Leo members and clubs of Constitutional Area III to provide better service. Jorge is always willing to listen to you and help you when you have a problem since he carries Lionism as a philosophy of life.
(English, Spanish) Email Jorge
Leo-Lion Wilson Mathias Morinigo Soria
Panel co-chairperson
Paraguay – Leo-Lion Wilson started as a Leo at the age of 12, and since then he has been actively involved in the program. He has played roles at the club, district and multiple district levels, supporting the creation of several Leo clubs. Wilson is the marketing chairperson of multiple district M Paraguay, with the aim of promoting the correct use of the brand and the extensive dissemination of Lions International. He is also a member of the Ad Hoc Committee on Women and Youth Membership Development at Lions International. He aspires to serve his entire constitutional area and the global community to foster better cooperation among Leos, Leo-Lions and Lions and to continue serving with love and passion.
(Spanish, English, Portuguese) Email Wilson
Leo Jeenette Paola Fuentes Natera
Colombia – As a Leo, Leo Jeenette has served as an officer in her club and district and has participated in her multiple district’s work teams. She has also had the privilege of working with her fellow Leos on the Leos Latinoamerica initiative. She is looking forward to supporting the processes of Constitutional Area III and working toward the development of young leaders. Leo Jeenette is always enthusiastic about learning new things to broaden her horizons and have a better understanding of the society we are part of.
(English, Spanish) Email Jeenette
Lion Braian Alexis Lucero
Argentina – Lion Braian started as a Leo at 16 years old; since then, he has held several positions at club, district and Leo multiple district levels. On the panel, Lion Braian aspires to provide new ideas and to inspire more Leos to take on leadership roles – both within Latin America and around the world. He works and does activism in politics in order to achieve the most equal and equitable society possible as he is convinced that today it is one of the few ways there is to transform other people's lives.
(English, Spanish, Portuguese) Email Braian
Constitutional Area IV
Leo Maria Melina Panteli
Greece – Leo Maria Melina believes it is an honor to be part of this large community of Leos! Her Leo club stays active to help and serve our community and is looking forward to learning how Leos all over the world give back as well. She describes herself as a positive, active and focused person in providing what's best for the community in order to help it evolve. Her motto is to make the world a better place for everyone.
(Greek, English, French) Email Maria Melina
Lion Galeno Rossato
Italy – Lion Galeno believes that working with Leos has always been a source of mutual inspiration to do positive things together. As a panelist he is looking forward to suggesting new ways to develop and strengthen membership through teamwork. As a basketball player, Galeno has realized that playing on a team is more important than working alone.
(English, Italian) Email Galeno
Lion Anke Merkl
Austria – Lion Anke has served as the Leo multiple district chairperson for several years. She believes that the cooperation between Leos and Lions should be constructive, characterized by mutual appreciation and be goal oriented. Lion Anke is looking forward to assisting in the formation of more Leo clubs, networking with Leos and encouraging them to join the Lions organization. She is passionate about Lions, loves connecting people and doing good for the world.
(English, German, French) Email Anke
Leo Maximilian Wintergerst
Recruitment committee co-chairperson
Germany – Leo Maximilian has been a Leo for several years and has served since then at the club, district and multiple district levels, including being multiple district president of MD 111 Germany. He especially loves organizing service projects and activities, and believes the feeling of giving back, helping those in need and making new friends through Leos is priceless. Leo Maximilian is looking forward to working with Leos and Lions from Europe and all over the world on strategies for membership growth, a better transition from Leos to Lions and supporting the clubs in further strengthening their service activities to reinforce the impact of the Leo movement in Europe.
(English, German, French) Email Maximilian
Constitutional Area V
Leo Lee Chun Lian
Malaysia – Leo Chun Lian is excited to assist and be the link between the Lions and the Leos. He knows that together we become great leaders. He is looking forward to helping the Leos in his constitutional area region make their Leo journey memorable yet satisfying.
(English, Chinese , Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia) Email Chun Lian
Leo-Lion Andrew Jing Xiang Lim
Membership experience committee chairperson
Malaysia – Leo-Lion Andrew joined the Leo Club Program in 2008 as an Alpha Leo, continued as an Omega Leo in 2013 and then chartered the first Leo-Lion club in Multiple District 308. He is looking forward to strengthening the connection between Leos and Lions and reaching more people in need. Andrew hopes to bring his experience on the Leo and Leo-Lion journey to inspire more young people to join our movement.
(English, Mandarin) Email Andrew
Leo-Lion Iashia Majerle "Icee" T. Po
Philippines – Leo-Lion Iashia Majerle "Icee" T. Po, a dentist and a teachable artist-teacher-manager-organizer, is a strong advocate of innovation, collaboration and purposeful partnerships. She received the international recognition of Leo of the Year in 2016 during her term as MD 301 Leo president. Leo-Lion Icee is looking forward to being a champion of reaching goals in a fun way and creating a safe space for everyone. She aims to expand opportunities, collaborations and communication among Leos while emphasizing leadership, youth participation and capacity building.
(English) Email Icee
Leo Megan Chuo
Malaysia – Since 2014, Leo Megan Chuo has been serving the community as a Leo. As she embraces the role of the Leo Advisory Panelist, she carries the lessons, connections and inspiration garnered from her experiences. Her commitment to being the voice of Leos remains unwavering, fueled by the profound impact and spirit of Leoism!
(English, Mandarin, Malay, Cantonese, Hokkien) Email Megan
Constitutional Area VI
Leo-Lion Ritwik Bhawsinghka
Transition committee chairperson
India – Leo-Lion Ritwik has been an active member of the Calcutta Park Avenue Leo Club since 2014 and the Kolkata Leo-Lions Club since 2020. He has managed several leadership portfolios over the last 10 years, including Leo multiple district secretary, Leo district president, Leo-Lion cabinet liaison, Lions club president and district Leo chairperson. Ritwik looks forward to helping bridge the gap between Leos and Lions and strengthening diverse cultural ties binding the association.
(English, Hindi, Bengali) Email Ritwik
Leo Rita Giannelli
Panel chairperson
United Arab Emirates – Leo Rita is a globally connected Leo with more than 10 years of experience as a Leo in multiple countries. She founded her Leo club in 2012, and since then she has been covering different roles and leadership positions, while working to strengthen the communication between many Leo clubs internationally. On the panel, she is looking forward to sharing her experience, bringing new ideas and inspiring more Leos to take leadership positions. She has lived in four different countries in four different continents.
(English, Italian) Email Rita
Leo Bijay Shrestha
Nepal – Leo Bijay’s personal development and leadership abilities have both benefited from the Leo Club Program. He is grateful that so many young people have the chance to expand their networks and develop their leadership skills through the program. He is looking forward to promoting Leos in his area, focusing his attention on increasing membership along with Leo-Lion transition.
(English, Nepali) Email Bijay
Lion Gazi MD Shahid Ullah
Bangladesh – Lion Gazi has enjoyed working with Leos for several years, helping them see their potential and involving them in community activities. He believes that Leos are future Lions that need encouragement to make the transition.
(English, Bangla, Hindi) Email Gazi
Constitutional Area VII
Leo Georgia Bailey
Recruitment committee chairperson
Australia – Leo Georgia is a passionate and positive Leo from New South Wales, Australia. She has been a Leo for over 10 years and cannot wait to affect change in her local, national and international communities through Leos and Lions. She is most looking forward to broadening her network across the international branches of Leos and Lions clubs. Georgia wants to learn people’s stories and work toward encouraging people to work together for the better. She is a recent university graduate with a Bachelor in Creative Industries and a Bachelor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
(English) Email Georgia
Lion Linda Payne
Australia – Lion Linda has been the Leo Advisor to a small, newer Alpha Leo Club on a remote island in Australia that has run some very rewarding and fun service activities thanks to its proud, passionate and determined Leos. As a panelist, she is looking forward to hearing from Lions and Leos across the world and seeing how they continue to develop compassion for humanity. Lion Linda believes that Lions International should be a leader in world peace and she hopes to show how small acts of kindness can multiply on a larger scale. Lion Linda lives on a farm on a remote island in a quiet corner of the world and she uses her Lions membership to connect with our international community.
(English) Email Linda
Lion Pam Bennett
Australia – Lion Pam has been a Leo club advisor since 2017, a judge of Leo of the Year from 2018 to 2021, district Leo chairperson and district youth teams leader in Australia. In January 2022, she became the MD 201 Leo committee chairperson. She is looking forward to helping with the growth and advancement of the Leo Club Program and learning more about the Leo program internationally. Lion Pam has worked with youth for all of her working life, including being a member of the MD 201 Youth Exchange Committee.
(English) Email Pam
Leo Clarissa Chandra
Indonesia – Leo Clarissa started her journey as a Leo during her junior high school days back in 2012. Joining as a new member, she did not expect much but surprisingly enjoyed doing volunteer work along with her peers, finding it a fulfilling task to be able to help others. She is looking forward to contributing to and developing the Leo Club Program in her region. In her free time, Leo Clarissa enjoys doing art.
(English) Email Clarissa
Constitutional Area VIII
Leo-Lion Priscilla Koramah Anim
Ghana – Leo-Lion Priscilla, as charter president of the Takoradi Nkuranhye Virtual Leo-Lions Club in District 418, Ghana, has notably contributed to the Leo Club Program. Her journey began in 2017 with the Legon Leo Club, showcasing her innate ability to inspire and lead. Progressing through various roles, she demonstrated a deep passion for community service. Elected as Leo district president for 2022-2023, Priscilla honed her leadership skills and expanded her community engagement knowledge. She envisions the limitless potential of Leos across Africa, aiming to motivate them to develop strong leadership skills and engage in impactful service activities. Ultimately, she dreams of a substantial number of Leos transitioning to Leo-Lions, contributing to the enduring legacy of Lions International.
(Twi, English) Email Priscilla
Lion Sara Taleb
Morocco – Lion Sara has been responsible for Leos in Morocco since 2020 and has been so close to them in many aspects. The first thing she’d like to do is share her experience in Morocco, and then create a real Leo community in Constitutional Area VIII and the world to serve better.
(French, Arabic, English) Email Sara
Leo Tinei Malvin Kawadza
Zimbabwe – Leo Tinei has been part of the Leo Club Program since November 2014 as a founding member of the Bernard Mizeki College Alpha Leo Club. The journey has been such a joy for him, an experience of a lifetime and a key part of his development both as an individual as well as a member of his community. He is excited for and looking forward to sharing value with Leos and Lions across Constitutional Area VIII and across the global community of Leos and Lions working together to serve our diverse communities and, at a large scale, humanity as a whole. Leo Tinei is geared towards working together with various stakeholders to ensure that the Leo Club Program continues to be a place where we serve, we learn, we grow and most importantly a place to help each and every Leo to harness the opportunities that come with being a member of Lions International.
(English, ChiShona) Email Tinei
Leo-Lion Nina Chifundo Gunde
Malawi – Leo-Lion Nina is currently serving as the district Leo chairperson for district 412 B Malawi and Mozambique and has served as both Leo district president and Leo multiple district president. She is looking forward to bridging the communication gap between Leos and Lions in her constitutional area and to working hand-in-hand with Leos whose passion is to serve their communities. She likes travelling, making new friends and helping add a smile to less privileged people around her.
(English, Chichewa) Email Nina