Joanne Serkeyn proudly serves as the 2026–2027 District Governor of Rotary District 7090, a bi-national district spanning Southern Ontario and Western New York. She is passionate about building partnerships, inspiring collaboration, and creating opportunities that strengthen Rotary's impact through service, innovation, and engagement.

Joanne has proudly served with the Hamilton Police Service for 28 years and currently works in Forensic Services DNA. Throughout her career, she has served in Community Services and leadership roles, developing innovative community programs, building partnerships, and bringing people together to solve complex community challenges.

In 2002, shortly after returning from maternity leave, Joanne joined Rotary. It was a challenging time in both her personal and professional life. In the months following September 11, her work exposed her to traumatic events that tested her view of humanity. Rotary changed that. Through the compassion, generosity, and selfless service of fellow Rotarians, her faith in people was restored. "Rotary didn't just give me an opportunity to serve—it restored my faith in humanity." Rotary has made a lasting impact not only on Joanne's life but also on the lives of her children, who have grown up serving alongside her and witnessing the power of Service Above Self.

That experience continues to shape Joanne's leadership. She believes Rotary is more than an organization; it is an opportunity to change lives, including our own. As a dedicated Rotarian, she has served in numerous club and district leadership roles, always focused on creating meaningful experiences that connect people through service, fellowship, and innovation.

As District Governor, Joanne has championed initiatives that unite clubs and communities through collaboration. She spearheaded a partnership with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats supporting youth programs, launched district-wide Human Trafficking Awareness initiatives, created the Three Bike Tour Challenge connecting clubs across the district, and serves as a founding board member of the Rotary Action Group Against Slavery in Canada, helping launch the organization at the 2025 Rotary International Convention in Calgary.

For more than 20 years, Joanne has also organized the annual Dr. Edgar Davey Holiday Breakfast, bringing together police officers, firefighters, Rotarians, businesses, and community volunteers to serve an inner-city school where many students are newcomers, immigrants, and refugees. More than providing breakfast and gifts, the event creates a place where every child feels welcomed, valued, and included, regardless of culture, language, or background.

Joanne believes Rotary's future depends on creating welcoming, flexible opportunities that strengthen belonging, encourage innovation, and inspire people to serve. She is committed to helping clubs build meaningful partnerships, embrace new ideas, strengthen membership, and create experiences that engage people of all generations.

She believes every partnership, every service project, and every new member begins with a single invitation and the willingness to welcome someone into Rotary. 

Her message is simple: invite a friend, a neighbor, a co-worker, or someone in your community to experience Rotary. One invitation can change a life, just as Rotary changed hers. Together, we can create lasting impact, not only in our communities, but in the lives of those who choose to serve beside us.