Putting the “class” in classification
- Jessica Lee
- 23 hours ago
- 4 min read
When Yolanda Aserweh stepped to the podium for her Rotary classification talk, it was clear that we were in for something special. An actuary by training, Yolanda spends her days thinking about risk, resilience, and the long arc of financial security. It was clear she puts the “class” in classification.
Born and raised in Ghana, Yolanda came to the United States to pursue her master’s degree, carrying with her a deep belief in education and opportunity. She began her career in property and casualty insurance, working on personal lines reserving and commercial pricing. Those early years taught her how to balance risk with reward, and how small decisions made today can shape futures for decades.
Today, she serves in investment strategy, providing advisory and Outsourced CIO solutions to multi-billion dollar pension plans. Her work helps institutions align their assets and liabilities through thoughtful, data driven decisions that safeguard retirement security for countless families.
It is no surprise that someone who spends her life planning for the future was drawn to Rotary. Our club is built on many of the same values that guide Yolanda’s work: stewardship, integrity, and a commitment to using professional expertise in service of others.
A heart for service and the meaning of Classification
Rotary’s “Classification” talk is one of our oldest traditions. On the surface, it is simple. A new member shares how their vocation, life story, and personal values connect to service. In reality, it is a window into the heart of the person who has chosen to sit at our table.
In Yolanda’s classification talk, she traced her journey from Ghana to the United States and into the actuarial profession. She spoke candidly about the organizations and people who invested in her success. Early in her career, the International Association of Black Actuaries and State Farm Insurance provided mentorship and guidance. That experience of being mentored and uplifted shaped how she sees the world. For Yolanda, service is not abstract. It is a responsibility to offer others the same encouragement, access, and resources that changed her own life.
This is precisely what the Classification talk is designed to reveal. It reminds us that every member brings a unique story and skill set, and that Rotary is strongest when those gifts are shared in the service of others.
The next generation of Rotary and the Scholarship Committee
Yolanda represents a growing wave of Rotary members who are building demanding careers while still seeking meaningful ways to serve. For this generation, service is not something reserved for retirement. It is something to be woven into the rhythm of everyday life.
Rotary’s commitment to education and opportunity resonates deeply with leaders like Yolanda. Our scholarship programs in particular mirror her own journey. She knows firsthand how access to funding, mentorship, and encouragement can turn raw talent into a life of impact.
That is why her appointment to the Scholarship Committee feels so natural. The same analytical mind that aligns billions in pension assets now helps our club evaluate scholarship candidates with both rigor and compassion. She sees beyond test scores and transcripts. She looks for the spark of potential that others once recognized in her.
For Yolanda and many of her peers, Rotary is not an old fashioned civic club. It is a modern platform where professionals can combine their skills, networks, and lived experience to shape the future of the community. When she reviews scholarship applications, she is not just checking boxes. She is imagining the future stories that might be told from our podium one day.
David Hayden, Yolanda Aserweh, Trevor Chambers
Why We Serve
Listening to Yolanda’s story, it is easy to remember why we gather early on Tuesday mornings. Our club believes that talent is universal, while opportunity is not. We believe that education opens doors, that community matters, and that each of us has something to give.
Yolanda’s journey speaks to these values. She worked hard, yes, but she also received help at critical moments. People invested in her, her training, and her growth. Rotary exists for that same purpose, to invest in people who can make a difference.
When our club awards scholarships, supports youth programs, or backs local initiatives, we are betting on the potential of others. We are saying, “We see something in you, and we want to help you move forward.” Yolanda is living proof of what can happen when that kind of support is offered at the right time.
Her presence in our club is a reminder that service is not just about writing checks or attending events. It is about standing beside others as they climb, sharing our skills and connections so that they can reach higher. That is why we serve.
Like to Join Us?
If you enjoy good coffee, better conversation, and the kind of early morning laughter that makes it hard to go back to your inbox, you might feel right at home with us. You do not have to be an actuary, manage pension plans, or secretly enjoy statistics to fit in. You simply need a genuine desire to help others.
On any given Tuesday, you might find members swapping travel stories, trading ideas about community projects, or good naturedly debating whose spreadsheet is more colorful. Somewhere in that mix, you will find Yolanda, bringing her thoughtful questions, warm smile, and quiet determination to make a difference.
So, if you have ever felt that nudge to do more for your community, consider this your invitation. Bring your curiosity, your favorite coffee mug, and that small voice that says, “I want my work and my life to matter.”
We will introduce you to Yolanda and a room full of people who feel the same way. Together, we are putting the class in classification, one story and one act of service at a time.
