Speakers

TBD

Introductory note– The Alzheimer's Association is a nonprofit organization focused on
education, support, and funding of many national and international research projects. As
volunteers, we are sharing our personal stories and medical understanding of this
difficult disease to provide valuable education and support services
to our community.

Bio – Rich Phillips
Born in Brooklyn NY, he lived in New York and New Jersey until completing high school.
Rich started college in Texas. He served two years in the U.S. Army, including one year
in Vietnam. Next, he married his Texas sweetheart and returned to college. He
graduated with a degree in Forestry. Then he worked for nine years for Weyerhaeuser
Co. Southern Forestry Research Center doing reforestation and environmental science
projects. He left there to work and attend graduate school at New Mexico State
University. He spent 27 years at NMSU as a project manager in reforestation training,
horticulture research, and agribusiness development. His work included domestic and
international projects. He has been married for 53 years to Linda Phillips, he has three
married children and seven beautiful grandchildren, all here in the Denver area. His
wife Linda has Alzheimer’s disease.

Bio–Richard Ratigan
I am from Montana. After graduating from University of Montana, I attended the
University of Utah School of Medicine. Over the years I practiced as a family physician
and later focused on geriatrics. I have been retired for several years.
I am married with three grown children and seven grandchildren. I enjoy woodworking
and many outdoor activities, especially bird watching and beekeepin

Club Assembly

After surviving a heart attack at 31 years old, Carrie Lehtonen pursued an education in nutrition and lifestyle coaching to become a holistic health practitioner. Carrie started her own business, Firefly Community LLC, because she is passionate about helping others connect with what lights them up and what nourishes them. Carrie coaches individuals to help them increase their intake of whole, plant-based foods. She is also a registered yoga teacher who leads transformational retreats around the world. Carrie lives in Evergreen, Colorado, with her husband, two dogs, and two cats, and loves to hike, bike, paddleboard, travel, and write. Carrie published her first book, Pawsitive Perspectives, in 2024. Learn more at fireflycommunity.com.

Tamara Fennell (Tamie) found her Rotary home with the Rotary Club of Highlands Ranch in
2016. In 2020-2021 she served as Club President. The Rotary Club of Highlands Ranch was the
recipient of the 2020-2021 Paul Harris Award and Rotary Presidential Citation during her term.
Tamie has served her club as Fundraising Chair, Community Service Co-Chair and is currently
Co-Chair of the Pediatric Mental Health Committee. She has served District 5450 as Area 4
Assistant Governor and worked on the 2021-2022 District Conference Planning Committee.
Tamie is a member of Rotary Action Group on Mental Health Initiatives, a member of the
Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group, a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, and a member
of the Paul Harris Society.

Past career experiences include nonprofit fundraising and operations, floral design, owning her
own small wellness centered business and project management, planning and design
development for healthcare and corporate facilities. Through her passion for mental health
advocacy, Tamie has worked at state and local community levels as a program facilitator and
trainer to raise awareness of mental illness and battle stigma.
Tamie holds a Bachelor of Fine Art in Interior Design and Minor in Dance. Her love of the Arts,
nature, gardening, and hiking provide a balance to an active life of volunteering and advocacy.
Tamie lives in Roxborough Park with her husband Kurt and enjoys traveling back east to visit
their adult son, Emerson.