Events

Lori Karas is an award-winning Operations, Sales and Customer Experience Executive with expertise within a variety of industries.  Currently, she serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Operational Services Division within the Administration and Finance Executive Branch at the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  There, she oversees the Strategic Sourcing unit who create statewide contracts for the procurement of goods and services, Performance Analytics, Help Desk, Local Government Enablement, as well as Training units.  Since joining OSD, Lori has been focused on the Customer Experience by aligning technology, reporting, and process which has resulted in an increase in revenue, stronger relationships with the OSD buyer and vendor communities, as well as a stronger understanding of what KPIs to focus on for performance.  

Passionate about giving back to the community – a Rotarian since 2015 – Lori is currently a member of the Peabody Rotary Club and past President of the Boston #7 Club.  She is the District Governor for the 2023-2024 Rotary year at District 7930.  Formerly, Lori sat on the Board of the American Red Cross and was on the Disaster Action Team, on the Board of Trustees for Boston by Foot and served on the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Advisory and Financial Services Boards.  In addition, Lori taught financial literacy at St Francis House’s Moving Ahead Program.  Lori holds a BSBA from Suffolk University. 

Valbona Lavdari and Leonard Ndrecka, a couple from Albanian heritage, with emigration experience in Greece and the U.S., are  motivated by the expression: “The sky is the limit.” Valbona is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty, in the Andover Office. She has adopted the American work ethic and drive to succeed, but she harnesses that energy with a European heart. Valbona is also a public speaker, a published poet, an artist, and a strong community player. As a recipient of the Tribute to Women Award and board member of YWCA, Valbona strongly believes in women's potential to  accomplish greatness. She has served as the Vice President of “The Greater Haverhill Poets”, a non-profit organization with Merrimack Valley Poets. Valbona holds a Bachelor's Degree in English from Salem State University with a concentration in Writing and Art. 

Leonard Ndrecka –With a lot of determination and initiative, Leonard  started as a general contractor in the Remodeling and Restoration Industry in 2002.  He has professionally served  Andover and North Andover's communities for 21 years. Being an expert in his industry for such a long time, he has a great reputation for high skilled quality work, competence, great European taste and perfectionism in detail. His charm, great  communications and modesty make Leonard a great fit for all the communities he's a part of, including his family. Given their background and early years of immigration in the U.S., the couple is very passionate about the non-profit, Habitat for Humanity and the organization's humanitarian cause. Last but not least, Valbona and Leonard  take pride in being great hosts to other European immigrants and Americans alike. They promise to welcome all their guests with tons of fascinating stories that could be anything but boring.  

My name is Christine Peck, and I am one of the support staff to both of our chiropractors – Dr. Peck (my husband) and Dr. Audrey (my ‘bonus’ daughter) at Chiropractic Wellness Centre. My official title is office manager and chiropractic assistant (CA). I love being part of the team that reaches out to our community and helps to educate everyone to the amazing value of chiropractic care.

I was born in Mexico City to parents born and raised in England. At age ten, my family moved to California, where I lived, and then I graduated from the University of California, Davis, with a BS degree in Animal Science. I became an official citizen of our wonderful country when I was twenty-two years old!

Even though I grew up on the West Coast, I have spent more than half of my life on the East Coast, and I love this part of the country – the true change of seasons and the hearty New Englanders.

In addition to sharing the wonders of chiropractic with all of our practice members I love animals, and being part of an office that offers adjustments to both people and pets is perfect!

Join us as we hold the Club's Annual Meeting. 

Doug Brendel is a popular speaker, writer, and actor, but his heart beats for humanitarian work in the former Soviet Union. 

For more than 20 years, he and his wife have led NewThing.net, the largest continuous humanitarian-aid distribution operation in Belarus. 

Since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict, with the people of Belarus caught in the middle between Russia and Ukraine, the dynamics of Doug’s work have zigzagged dramatically — and the opportunity for Americans to help people in need has shifted in surprising ways. 

Doug will share insights, stories, and images from the former Soviet Union — and we’ll enjoy a freewheeling Q&A after his brief talk.

Doug is also an award-winning humor writer — and he says he’ll be bringing an amusing free gift for each individual who attends in person.

So this promises to be a lively experience! 

(Contact Doug personally, either before or after our meeting, via DougBrendel.com.)