Rotary Club

The Rotary Club of Morrisville is delighted to welcome Jacqueline Whittenburg, Executive Director of The Dereck Whittenburg Foundation, as our newest member. A passionate champion of education, mentorship, and community empowerment, Jacqueline brings a wealth of leadership experience and a heart for service to our club’s mission. As Executive Director for the past ten years, Jacqueline has been the driving force behind The Dereck Whittenburg Foundation’s mission to provide scholarships and support to deserving college students, helping to close the gap in higher education and create pathways for success. Her dedication to opening doors for young people aligns beautifully with Rotary’s commitment to uplifting communities through education and opportunity. Beyond her work with the Foundation, Jacqueline is actively engaged in numerous civic and educational organizations. She serves as a Trustee at William Peace University, contributes to the NCSU Black Alumni Society, and is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., demonstrating her steadfast commitment to community leadership and service. Jacqueline’s desire to join Rotary stems from her passion for creating real, lasting change. In her own words: “I’m passionate about making a real difference in my community, and there’s nothing more fulfilling than serving others in a way that truly resonates and creates lasting change.” Sponsored by fellow Rotarian Rose Cornelious, Jacqueline is eager to deepen her impact alongside like-minded professionals dedicated to service above self. When she’s not leading initiatives for the Foundation or volunteering her time, Jacqueline enjoys spending time with her husband, Dereck Whittenburg, whose own legacy of leadership and mentorship mirrors her dedication to giving back. Please join us in giving a warm Morrisville Rotary welcome to Jacqueline Whittenburg. We are thrilled to have her vibrant spirit, proven leadership, and unwavering dedication as part of our Rotary family. Together, we look forward to continuing to serve and strengthen our community!

The Rotary Club of Morrisville is delighted to introduce Michelle Waite, a dynamic real estate agent, business leader, engineer, and educator, as one of our newest members. Michelle brings nearly 20 years of consulting and business development experience, a deeply rooted commitment to community service, and a powerful drive to empower others through education and wellness. Michelle currently serves as a Real Estate Agent and Sr. Director of Global Learning, Inclusion & Community Engagement. Her engineering and business background equips her with a strategic mindset, allowing her to navigate complex real estate deals with clarity and precision. Having personally managed and invested in both single- and multi-family properties, Michelle offers her clients a practical, hands-on perspective rooted in real-world experience. Her dedication to giving back is just as impressive as her professional background. Michelle has actively volunteered with organizations such as the National Society of Black Engineers, Meta House, Foundations 4 Freedom, TRIBOR, and the YMCA Black Achievers program. Her passion especially shines when empowering young women and building strong, connected neighborhoods. Originally from Milwaukee, Michelle moved to the Triangle nearly three years ago and has been eager to find a deep sense of community. She sees the Rotary Club as a perfect fit—a place where she can grow, collaborate with like-minded professionals, and make a meaningful difference. “Volunteering fuels me,” Michelle says, “especially when it comes to education and wellness. I’m excited about the Rotary Club because it’s where passion meets action.” Outside of work, Michelle enjoys running, swimming, traveling, and writing poetry. She lives in Cary with her family and is thrilled to deepen her roots in the RTP area through Rotary service. Sponsored by Barron Damon, Michelle is a powerful addition to the Morrisville Rotary family. Please join us in giving a warm Rotary welcome to Michelle Waite—we are honored to have her energy, insight, and leadership in our club!

Jennifer Hamilton is the Executive Director of the Jimmy Carroll Foundation and a church leader at Generation Church in Clayton, NC. She loves making an impact in her community and is deeply passionate about people. Under her leadership, the Jimmy Carroll Foundation has nurtured strong, lasting partnerships with nonprofits that are transforming the lives of unhoused people every day. Her love for people shines through her human-centered approach to relationships, management, and service. People matter to her because they matter to God and she believes that each person deserves to be seen, heard, and loved. Jennifer leads Generation Church alongside her husband of 28 years, Jarret Hamilton. They have three children — ages 22, 19, and 15 — and her happiest place is around the dinner table with all of them together. She loves traveling with Jarret, reading, and baking. An avid fitness enthusiast, she runs many miles with Jarret and also enjoys weightlifting and other forms of exercise. She is actively involved in her community through her children’s schools and currently serves on the Downtown Development Advisory Board for the town of Clayton. Giving back and supporting her community is at the heart of everything she does. Humanity is at the center of Jennifer’s leadership in every area of her life, and she invites you to join her in the work of making a tangible impact in the lives of the unhoused. Generation Church in Clayton, NC, is a non-denominational Christian church with the mission of “helping people say YES to Jesus” and making “disciple-making followers of Jesus.” Founded in 2015, they are a multi-generational community known for authentic relationships, strong Biblical teaching, and servant leadership. They aim to create a welcoming environment where people can grow in their faith and help others do the same. Their core beliefs center on the Trinity, the deity of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Bible as God’s Word. They value active discipleship, community involvement, and a vibrant, relevant approach to church life. Websitegenerationchurch.org Facebookfacebook.com/TheGCClayton Instagraminstagram.com/generationchurch The Jimmy Carroll Foundation (JCF) is a Raleigh-based non-profit dedicated to supporting organizations that serve the unhoused population in Wake County. Instead of providing direct services, JCF strengthens its partners through financial grants, volunteers, and in-kind donations. By focusing on long-term partnerships, JCF addresses critical issues such as shelter, food insecurity, and healthcare, with an emphasis on equity and respect for individuals. Their success is measured by the improved capacity and outcomes of their partners in addressing homelessness. Websitethejimmycarrollfoundation.org Facebookfacebook.com/TheJimmyCF Instagram instagram.com/thejimmycf

We are excited to officially welcome Zinnia Hamm as the newest member of the Rotary Club of Morrisville — and with her induction, we’ve hit a significant milestone. Zinnia becomes our 13th new member this Rotary year, helping us reach our club’s growth goal! Zinnia comes to us with a strong Rotary background, transferring from the Cary Rotary Club, where she served faithfully for two years, including time as Membership Chair. She currently serves as Vice President and branch Manager III at First Bank in Cary, where she works alongside fellow Rotarians Andrew and Simmi. Zinnia’s heart for service is evident not only in her Rotary involvement but also in her broader commitment to the community. She is a member of the Western Regional Community Advocacy Committee, a board member for Wheels for Hope, and a regular volunteer at The Carying Place. She’s already been active with our club as well—attending meetings, supporting fundraisers, and quickly building connections with our members. Her decision to join our club stems from a desire to fully engage and contribute, and we’re honored she sees Morrisville Rotary as the right place to do that. As we celebrate reaching our membership goal, we’re especially grateful to be doing it with someone who so clearly reflects the values and energy we strive for. Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Zinnia Hamm — our lucky number 13! Welcome aboard, Zinnia — we’re so glad to have you.