Speakers

Join us for an informative and inspiring program about Rotary International’s Youth Exchange Program, an opportunity that promotes cultural understanding, friendship, and international connections among young people.

Our current exchange student, Bruna Barbosa from Brazil, will share her experiences as part of the program and give us a firsthand perspective on living and studying in the Bryan community.

The Bryan Rotary Club has proudly hosted numerous Youth Exchange students over the years, creating lasting friendships and meaningful international connections. This program is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the impact of Youth Exchange and hear directly from one of the students benefiting from it.

Dr. Mary Parish graduated from the University of North Texas Health Science Center in 1986 and served her residency in Amarillo Tx.  With her husband’s interest in rural Ministry with the Christian Church Disciples of Christ, she moved frenquently and served as a physician in a number of small towns.  She has served on the Texas Medical Association Committee on access and distribution (of Physicians) and also on the Committee on Primary Care.  She has been involved in a number of charitable organizations including serving as a physician locally for Health for All.

In 2024 she joined the Texas Silver Haired Legislature, whose focus is to help older Texans lead healthier, safer, happier, and more independent lives. They provide information and advocacy to the Texas Legislature that has helped mold laws affecting seniors, for over 40 years.

Risa Meyer graduated from Texas A&M in 2005 and George Washington University in 2008. She then returned to College Station to work at Mays Business School for several years before leaving to stay home with young kids. In 2014 she and her husband Jared opened Caring Transitions of Brazos Valley. Caring Transitions is a company that specializes in senior transitions, including relocation management, estate liquidations services and downsizing. In 2021 she got her real estate license where she specializes in downsizing and senior real estate transactions with Miles of Grace Realty.  She and her husband have three children, and she is actively involved in her church, her children’s schools, and various other community activities. She enjoys living, working, and serving in the Bryan/College Station community.

Cheri Blankenship is the owner of Caring Transitions of Brazos Valley & The Woodlands, Houston Metro & Sugar Land, and also serves Richmond, Rosenberg & Fulshear. A Bryan native and Texas A&M graduate with a degree in Accounting, Cheri brings a diverse background in senior services, business operations, sales, marketing, and customer service. After personal experiences caring for her mother and managing estate liquidations for her mother and brother, Cheri opened Caring Transitions of Sugar Land in 2022 and grew the office into a top-10-producing franchise among more than 450 locations nationwide. She and her husband, Dean, are excited to bring their hands-on approach to serving seniors and their families as the new owners of Caring Transitions of Brazos Valley, a community Cheri knows and loves. Cheri is also actively involved in the Aggie and Fort Bend communities through the Sugar Land Lions Club, Fort Bend Aggie Mom’s Club, and Houston Aggie Women.