Kari A. Akin
District Governor | Rotary International | Finance Professional | Community Advocate

Kari Akin began her Rotary journey in 2011 as a member of the Evansville Rotaract Club, where she served as Communications Chair, Secretary, and Rotary/Rotaract Liaison. In 2016, she transitioned to the Rotary Club of Evansville—the largest club in District 6580 and the State of Indiana—where she has held numerous leadership roles including Board Member (15 years), Treasurer (3 terms), President-Elect, and Club President.

Kari’s impact has extended beyond her home club through her service as Assistant Governor for Area 3, District Governor Nominee, District Governor-Elect, and ultimately, District Governor for Rotary District 6580. Among her many accomplishments, she played a vital role in the $100,000 Rotaract Signature Playground Project for ARC Child Crisis, shepherding it from conception through completion.

A dedicated advocate for service and community engagement, Kari is a founding member of the Rotary Santa Run Committee, which has raised over $500,000 to benefit local charities. She has also served as Selection Chair for the “20 Under 40” Committee, recognizing young professionals for their career achievements and community service.

Globally minded and deeply engaged with Rotary’s international mission, Kari has attended five Rotary International Conventions in Hamburg, Houston, Melbourne, Singapore, and Calgary. She has participated in Sister City projects in Tizimin, Mexico, and chaired the Rotary Club of Evansville’s International Student Mentoring Partnership. She also hosted the Monarch Marathon team—Rotarians from Canada and Europe—during their documentary-filmed journey along the Monarch butterfly migration trail.

Kari is a member of several Rotary International groups, including the Rotary Action Group on Mental Health Initiatives (RAGMHI), and has facilitated PETS Basics and Vibrant Clubs training sessions. She co-led her district’s virtual mental health summit and contributed to the U.K.-based “Rotary Don’t Bottle It Up” campaign, advocating for emotional wellness and open dialogue.

For her extraordinary service, Kari was honored as the 2019 Rotarian of the Year. She is a Paul Harris Fellow +3 and a proud member of the PolioPlus Society.

Professionally, Kari brings a strong background in finance and auditing. She earned her BS in Accounting and Mathematics from Ball State University and has worked as an actuarial intern with Nationwide Insurance (Columbus, OH), a Medicare Federal Fraud Auditor with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Indianapolis, IN), and a math adjunct for non-traditional college students at Harrison College (Evansville, IN). She currently serves as a Senior Finance Officer with the Evansville Metropolitan Planning Organization. Kari is a 2014 Evansville Business Journal 20 Under 40 Honoree and a graduate of Leadership Evansville.

Kari has always had a community mindset as she serves her church as a lector at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church and celebrates her German history as a member of Germania Mannerchor.

Born and raised in Evansville, Indiana, Kari is the proud mother of two adult sons, Andrew and Nicholas, daughter-in-law Jess, and her beloved dog Charli. A passionate traveler and self-proclaimed foodie, Kari is the creator behind BlondeMafia_Eats on Instagram and Snapchat, where she documents her culinary adventures. In every new city she visits, she seeks out the highest rooftop bar to toast with fellow Rotarians over a signature cocktail.

People of Action
About Us
Rotary unites more than a million people around the world. Rotary District 6580, based in Southern Indiana, consists of 32 Rotary clubs and more than 1,500 Rotarians. Rotary clubs in our district range in size from 12 to 200 members. Our clubs’ programs involve prominent leaders in every field, and our membership represents business and civic leaders of our communities and our state. Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
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District 6580
Noah Jager Selected as Global Grant Scholar
Indiana’s three Rotary districts select Cadet Noah Jager as 2024-25 Rotary Global Grant Scholar and The Rotary Foundation has confirmed Noah Jager as the 2024-25 All-Indiana Rotary Global Scholar. Noah recently graduated from West Point Naval Academy. The three Indiana Rotary districts chose Noah over five other outstanding finalists following January 20 interviews. Noah, endorsed by Bloomington Sunrise Rotary, will use the $40,000 award to pursue a master’s degree in International Peace and Security from King’s College London. Noah’s area of focus: Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention. After receiving his master’s degree, Noah will serve as an officer in the U.S. Army for a minimum of five years on active duty and three years in the reserves. In his first duty position, Noah will serve as a Military Intelligence Officer specializing in strategic intelligence. After serving in this role, he hopes to become a Foreign Area Officer (FAO), providing liaison with countries in an assigned region through policymaking, military cooperation, and community engagement. Later, Noah plans to return to Indiana where he will practice law and serve in the Indiana National Guard. Ultimately, he plans to address the needs of Hoosiers by serving in the U.S. Congress.
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