Moderated by
Skot Welch
Founder & President of Global Bridgebuilders
Gary Anderson
Past International Director,
Owner of Anderson Eye Care
Michael Verhulst
Founder & Managing Partner V2
Lizzie Williams
Founder, All Seasons City Club
Why Joining Matters: Building Leaders, Business, and Community
Event Date: November 2, 2026 11:30am – 1:30pm
Event Location: International Ballroom, JW Marriott
Register Today!
Moderated by Skot Welch
Founder & President of Global Bridgebuilders
About Gary Anderson
Past International Director,
Owner of Anderson Eye Care
Dr. Gary Anderson, from Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, was elected to serve a two-year term as a director of Lions Clubs International at the association’s 93rd International Convention, held in Sydney, Australia, June 28 through July 2, 2010.
Past Director Anderson is a doctor of optometry and owner of Anderson Eye Care.
A member of the Grand Rapids Lions Club since 1979, he has held many offices within the association, including club president, district governor and council chairperson. He also served as CSFII district coordinator, host committee chairman of the 2007 USA/Canada Forum in Grand Rapids, he has been a member of the USA/Canada Forum planning committee five times, GMT Area 1C Area Leader, DGE Seminar leader at the International Convention and has led or participated in 26 Lions vision missions to Central and South America and India. He is currently the general chairperson for the 2016 USA/Canada Forum.
In recognition of his service to the association, he has received numerous awards including the Henry Voet Grand Rapids Lifetime Achievement Award, the Lions of Michigan Foundation Humanitarian Award, the Grandville and Betty Cutler Leadership Award, the Lions of Michigan Foundation Ken Lautzenheiser Fellow Award, the S.A. Dodge MD-11 Distinguished Service Award, one International President’s Leadership Award, five International President’s Medals and the Ambassador of Good Will Award, the highest honor the association bestows upon its members. He is also a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow.
In addition to his Lions activities, Past Director Anderson is active in numerous professional and community organizations, including the American Optometric Association and the Michigan Optometric Association.
Past Director Anderson and his wife, Cheryl, also a Lion and a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow, have one son and two daughters, all of whom are Lions and whose spouses are Lions. They have two grandsons and three granddaughters. Past Director Anderson’s brother is also Lion.
About Michael Verhulst
Founder & Managing Partner V2
About Lizzie Williams
Founder, All Seasons City Club
Lizzie Williams is a self-described localist and the founder of All Seasons City Club, a membership organization that helps people build friendships while discovering the best of Grand Rapids.
The idea for All Seasons City Club grew from years of joining clubs herself – from the Spartan Ski Club at Michigan State, to a Polish Hall on Grand Rapids’ west side, to an unofficial scotch club, to the Grand Rapids Economics Club. Each one reinforced her belief that some of life’s best opportunities begin simply by showing up.
Her background is in communications, marketing, and leadership development, with the bulk of her career spent at the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce and OST. Today, she focuses on growing All Seasons City Club, consulting with a handful of organizations, and serving as Chair of the Creston Corridor Improvement Authority and as a board member for the YWCA West Central Michigan and Public Thread.
Lizzie lives in Grand Rapids’ Creston neighborhood with her husband, two daughters, and two stepsons. She’s always in search of a hidden gem, a good game of cribbage, or a reason to get people together!
