Welcome to the Rotary Club of Mental Health & Wellness

A Message from Your 2025-2026 President: Leading with Heart, Uniting for Hope

Dear Rotary Family, Friends, and Changemakers,

It is with a heart overflowing with both gratitude and a profound sense of purpose that I begin my term as President of the Rotary Club of Mental Health & Wellness. Our club is truly unique – a virtual tapestry of diverse professions and perspectives, all deeply committed to dissolving stigma and illuminating paths to hope and healing across the globe. As someone born and raised in New York, now building my life and service here in Los Angeles, I deeply appreciate how our virtual club transcends geographical boundaries, allowing us to connect and make an impact wherever we are.

This commitment, for me, is not just a role; it's the very essence of my journey. As a charter founding member, I've been dedicated to this vision since its earliest days. I know firsthand the silent battles many face, having learned from a young age—influenced by my Asian cultural upbringing and Catholic schooling—to mask my true feelings; a "poker face" that often hid stress, anxiety, and depression from even those closest to me. I understand the shame and judgment that can surround these struggles.

I've walked through the dark valleys of trauma and recovery, navigating the immense pressure of academics, the profound grief of losing my father at 17 to cancer, the lasting impact of earlier childhood abuse by babysitters, and the indelible shock, guilt, and trauma of finding someone close to me attempting to take their own life. In those moments, it was often a glimmer of light, a spark of hope, that guided me. My journey has included lived experiences of residential trauma treatment, ongoing therapy, and a lifelong commitment to self-healing—always curious, always growing, and learning. I've come to understand that every person's journey is uniquely theirs, and that healing occurs in countless ways – through connection, therapy, the comfort of a fur baby, the solace of music, the release of exercise, and the strength of diverse support systems.

Rotary has become one of those vital safe spaces for me, offering a unique path to find and share that light. This embodies what our incoming Rotary International President Francesco Arezzo calls the very heart of Rotary: friendship and trust. He reminds us that behind every successful Rotary effort, "there are two things that matter most: friendship and trust. This is how we build strong clubs." It is this lived experience, this profound understanding of what it means to seek and find light, that fuels my passion to serve and to lead—because I believe healing happens not just in clinics, but in coffee chats, shared meals, volunteer moments, and genuine fellowship, truly living out the spirit of Uniting for Good through connection. My hope is that by sharing my story, someone out there will feel less alone, and that together, we can be a voice, showing by example that it is truly okay to not be okay, and that vulnerability is a strength.

My theme for the year, Lead with Heart, Align with Purpose to Inspire Hope, speaks to the way we show up: with authenticity, compassion, and a shared commitment to Service Above Self. It aligns perfectly with RI President Francesco Arezzo's powerful call to "Unite for Good," a simple yet profound phrase that encapsulates the essence of our collective power. I also want to express my deep gratitude to Past RI President Gordon McInally and his wife Heather, true champions of mental health, whose tireless advocacy laid vital groundwork for this global conversation. It was truly a pleasure connecting with him, and his dedication further inspires our ongoing commitment. My vision is to foster a vibrant, inclusive Rotary experience that centers wellness, encourages collaboration, and amplifies impact through meaningful partnerships. Just as President Arezzo asks us to "think big—but also to think beyond one year," our club is committed to creating an enduring legacy of hope and healing, ensuring our impact is truly lasting. As someone with a multi-hyphenate background, my professional experience spans sports, entertainment, and fashion, complemented by extensive work in community engagement and strategic partnerships, and service on various nonprofit boards. These diverse roles, along with my certifications as a Behavioral/Mental Health & Wellness Coach, Wellness Recovery Action Plan facilitator, and Pet Loss Grief Specialist, and my role as Community Relations Manager with NAMI South Bay, collectively fuel my ultimate desire to weave these experiences together to impact the world one heart at a time.

I owe much of who I am and my dedication to service to my incredible mother. As an only child, our bond deepened immensely when my father passed, and she bravely became our sole breadwinner and my primary caregiver. From her, I learned the profound power of kindness and selfless giving. Her unwavering spirit of service continues to inspire me, and I was filled with immense pride last month when we inducted her as an honorary member of our club, formally welcoming her into our Rotary family. This personal connection reinforces my belief in the transformative power of community and the values we uphold in Rotary.

As we begin this July, National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, we are especially mindful of the legacy of Bebe Moore Campbell and the critical need to shed light on the underserved communities that too often struggle in silence. This year, our mission remains clear: to destigmatize mental health, empower these communities, and promote whole-person wellness. We embrace Rotary International’s call to be "Unite for Good" and our District 5280’s theme of "Rotary Superheroes," understanding that, as President Arezzo emphasizes, collaboration amongst our fellow Rotary Clubs and outside organizations will truly amplify our message and create lasting change.

How You Can Join Us:

• Partner with us on our local and global grant projects or campaigns.

• Invite our members to share their lived experience and expertise.

• Collaborate on events, fellowships, or speaker exchanges.

Together, with every act of service, every shared conversation, and every moment of genuine connection, we will not only advance our mission but also touch individual lives, one heart at a time, making wellness a global priority. While our topics may sometimes be heavy, let's consciously seek ways to incorporate more fun, joy, and opportunities to lift and lighten our spirits, truly embracing a year not only of service, but of joy, of connection, and of love, just as RI President Arezzo encourages us.

With gratitude and love,

🙏 ♥️

Contact & Connect

Grace Leung 

Rotary Club of Mental Health & Wellness President
Certified Mental Health & Wellness Coach | Certified Pet Loss Grief Specialist | Certified Wellness Recovery Action Plan® (WRAP®) Facilitator
NAMI South Bay Community Relations Manager | NAMI GLAC In Our Own Voice (IOOV) Coordinator
NFL Alumni Association of Southern California Board Member
grace4rotary@gmail.com
310-929-0715