High Country PETS Agenda and Speakers
The High Country PETS committee is working hard to build a fantastic event to prepare you to serve as president of your club.

Check out the Draft 2026 Schedule as a preview of what you will experience! 
Check back to see schedule updates. See you soon! 
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Our Speakers and Special Guests:
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Friday Dinner Speaker:
Ryan Warner
Host, Colorado Matters, Colorado Public Radio News

Ryan Warner Ryan Warner is senior host of Colorado Matters, the flagship daily interview program from Colorado Public Radio News. His voice is heard on frequencies across the state as he speaks with Coloradans from all walks of life-- politicians, scientists, artists, activists, and others. Warner's interviews with Colorado's governor now span four administrations. During his tenure, Colorado Matters has consistently been recognized as the best major market public radio talk show in the country. He speaks French, geeks out on commercial aviation, adores and tolerates his tuxedo cat Bob.
 
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Saturday Breakfast Speaker:
IPP Brianna Sherman
Epic Day of Service Foundation
Rotary Club of Denver Metro South
 
Brianna Sherman is a Rotary leader, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for service-driven growth. She currently serves as Incoming Assistant Governor for District 5450, Zone 26 Assistant Membership Chair, President of the Denver Metro South Foundation Board, and a member of the Denver Metro South Rotary Board of Directors. A Rotarian since 2021 and Rotarian of the Year (2022–23), Brianna is a Founding Member of the EPIC Day of Service Foundation and Global Expansion Chair, helping grow a global movement rooted in large-scale service and collaboration. As a keynote speaker, she inspires the next generation of Rotary through purpose, innovation, and service.
More...
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Saturday Lunch Speaker:
Carol Spahn, M.A.
Former Peace Corps Director
Professor, Global and Public Affairs, University of Denver
The Honorable Carol Spahn served as the 21st Director of the Peace Corps and now holds positions as the Rice Professor of the Practice at the Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs at the University of Denver and as the Presidential Executive in Residence at Colorado State University.   
 
Carol led the Peace Corps through a historic rebuilding and revitalization following its first-ever global evacuation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Under her leadership, more than 3,000 Volunteers returned to service in 61 countries, and new country programs were launched in Vietnam, El Salvador, Sri Lanka, and Palau. She also served the Peace Corps as Country Director in Malawi, Chief of Operations for the Africa Region, and as a Small Business Development Volunteer in Romania following the fall of communism. 
 
Beyond the Peace Corps, Carol has led initiatives across sectors to drive sustainable social change.  More...
 
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Saturday Dinner Speaker:
RID Wyn Spiller
Rotary Director for Zones 26 & 27 (2025-27)
Rotary Club of Grass Valley CA
 
Wyn Spiller is a proud member of the Rotary Club of Grass Valley CA.  Since joining in 1994, she has served in a variety of club, district, zone and RI roles including District 5190 Governor 2008-09.  She is the immediate past District Rotary Foundation Committee Chair, immediate past Zone 27 Endowment/Major Gifts Adviser, past Zone 27 Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator and continues to serve on D5190’s Foundation Committee.   She also serves on the D5190 Community Fund Board and chairs District 5190’s Disaster Response and Visioning Committees. 
 
Wyn was honored to serve as the Rotary International 2022 Council on Legislation Trainer, the first Council to be presented both in-person and virtually.  With a long-standing interest in education and leadership development, she has served as an International Assembly learning facilitator, facilitator for Regional Leaders Global Institutes, and faculty for President-Elect Training (PETS) for a number of years. She assisted in bringing both Visioning and Rotary Leadership Institute to D5190 and has served at both at the District and regional levels of each. She is a long-time supporter and past chair of Rotary Youth Exchange.   More...
 
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FRIDAY NIGHT...  Join us for a PETS Party with Syd Masters and the Swing Riders!
Western attire is encouraged Friday Evening!
Closing out Friday night, we've got a great band that will get you ready to gallop into PETS weekend!
 
Syd Masters and the Swing Riders will thrill you with
their masterful western
swing music. Plan to grab something to wet your whistle and enjoy the show with your pardners and new pals!