2024 GRAND MARSHAL: Laura Upson

Charles is the manager of Kahoots Pet Store here in Poway. He has been with Kahoots for close to 12 years and has worked at several locations across San Diego. In addition to managing the store, he has also taken on the role of trainer and support for Kahoots’ operational software systems. As a native Powegian, Charles holds a lot of pride in his hometown, and is excited to be able to share this with his customers and community. Charles is a member of the Poway Chamber of Commerce (representing Kahoots), a member of the Boy Scouts with his son, and a hobby wood worker. Charles and his wife Christen, an educator at Garden Road Elementary School, met in Poway and have been married for over 13 years, raising 4 children. Their family also includes 1 dog, 2 cats, and 2 geckos.

2024/25 Rotary District Governor Dianne is an accomplished Rotary leader with a strong commitment to community service. Joining Rotary in 1997, she is a proud member of the Rotary Club of Southeast San Diego, serving as Club President, Secretary and Board member. For more than 50 years the club has served the needs of the underserved community in Southeast San Diego, consistently earning the Rotary Citation for their exceptional work. Dianne's passion for education shines through her involvement in leadership projects and Rotary programs like RYLA, LEAD, and Interact, aimed at developing future leaders.

Her professional career spans 25 years as Director of Sales for several national telecommunications & language companies managing prestigious Fortune 100 clients including American Express, Bank of America, AT&T, Microsoft, Citibank, Amazon and more. Currently working as a Sales & Management Consultant, Dianne offers her expertise to a variety of companies, in sales, customer support, business planning, organization and training. 

With over 20 years of service on District 5340's Leadership Team, Dianne has held diverse roles, Her contributions to District Operations, combined with her unique and creative approach to business and comprehensive knowledge of Rotary, have led to significant improvements in District programs and club support. Recognized for her dedication, Dianne has received numerous awards, including Rotarian of the Year, for her instrumental role in membership growth and the establishment of new clubs.

Jonathan Hayward is a tenured mathematics teacher at Orange Glen High School, where he is dedicated to fostering both mathematical fluency and a positive attitude toward learning in all his students. A lifelong resident of North County, he grew up in the area and graduated from Torrey Pines High School. He now resides in Sabre Springs.

Jonathan’s diverse educational background includes an Associate’s Degree in Electronics Engineering, a Bachelor’s Degree in Bassoon Performance from the prestigious New England Conservatory, and a Master’s Degree in Management. Before transitioning to public education, he enjoyed successful careers as a professional bassoonist, an electronics engineer, and a technical college dean. He is proud to bring this wide-ranging experience to his classroom in service of the community he calls home.

Laura Upson serves as the Youth in Transition (YIT) Coordinator for the Poway Unified School District (PUSD). A tireless advocate for PUSD’s most vulnerable students, Laura has dedicated her career to supporting students experiencing homelessness through the Youth in Transition (YIT) program. She currently coordinates support for over 375

students across multiple school sites, ensuring they receive essential resources such as transportation, academic support, and community services.

Laura’s impact reaches far beyond school walls. She has played a critical role in

building partnerships with local organizations to support students, organizing district-wide distribution events for YIT families, and representing PUSD at local, state, and national education conferences. She also has been outstanding in raising awareness

about student homelessness through social media and community outreach, including managing the @pusdcares Instagram account.

Laura comes to us with a background in supporting families after joining PUSD in 2015 when she helped launch the Family Learning Center, which supported immigrant families with tutoring, providing families with school supplies, and community resources.

Laura’s leadership and passion for service have earned her widespread recognition. In 2024, she was honored as the Grand Marshal of the Poway Rotary Parade for her advocacy and support for students experiencing homelessness. In 2025, she was chosen as district level Classified Employee of the Year. Her dedication is evident in everything she does, whether supporting school staff in identifying students in need, presenting at professional learning sessions, or working after hours to ensure families

receive urgent assistance. Her compassion, leadership, and deep commitment to her work make a lasting impact on students, families, and the entire PUSD community.

Mike serves at the pleasure of the Board of Directors, and manages the Staff and the operations of the office, with the mission of providing the most value possible to our members and the business community. Mike grew up in Palo Alto, CA until he headed South to attend San Diego State University. After falling in love with San Diego and graduating SDSU, Mike grew roots in SD. Mike and his wife Lisa of over 29 years have been residents of Poway since March of 1997, and have two children; David (25) and Lauren (23). Mike also has two dogs; Maggie (a 16 year old, 13 lb. mutt) and his COVID rescue Buddy (a 3 year old Australian Cattle dog/German Shepherd mix).