Summit 2023 Education Sessions

Jeffery R. Mercier

Jeffery R. Mercier

Sponsored by:
Tarrant County Toastmasters

Vulnerability is the Key to Being Invulnerable

Vulnerability has been described as a weakness and a fault. It has taken on a bad name due to its perceived nature. I’m here to shift that focus and help you narrate a new idea of what it means when you allow Vulnerability to become the shield that guides your Heart and Vision.

BIO:

After going through life unable to find a Mentor or finding unsavory characters as Mentors, it became clear that I should be the person that I was looking for in others. After a long road of battling addiction and failures, I made it my mission and purpose to help young men and others become better versions of themselves. By using the power of Vulnerability, I have been able to overcome my issues in life. It is a beautiful lesson I love passing on.

Brandi Wesley

Brandi Wesley

Sponsored by:
Nissan Toastmasters Club

Imposter Syndrome

Join us for an enlightening education session on overcoming Imposter Syndrome. We will delve into the depths of self-doubt and equip you with empowering strategies to embrace your true capabilities. Don’t let self-doubt hinder your personal and professional growth; it’s time to break free and unlock your full potential!

BIO:

During the pandemic, Brandi Wesley joined Toastmasters with hopes of leadership opportunities and networking in what had become a virtual world. In less than three years, she achieved remarkable milestones, including two terms as VPPR and her current role as President of Nissan Toastmasters. With a stint as both Area 21 Director and Division B Director, she now serves as a D25 TLI Co-Chair. She also joined Toast with Confidence, a club on the campus of Texas Woman’s University where she pursues networking and public speaking practice among fellow students as she pursues her PhD. Brandi has proven that even in a virtual world, we can still connect with others to achieve our goals.

Karen Phelps

Karen Phelps

Sponsored by:
Colleyville Toastmasters
 

Optimizing your Toastmaster Experience!

Whether you are a new or veteran Toastmaster, come and visit the Toastmaster (TM) Fitness Gym to optimize your experience and stretch those TM muscles with some new ideas!

♦ Set Goals and Engage ·
♦ Tighten you Speech Schedule
♦ Utilize your Equipment
♦ Maximize with a mentor

BIO:

Karen is an award-winning sales professional with 31 years of experience in the hospital and pharmaceutical industry. She was a 4-time winner of the prestigious President’s Golden Circle award (top 5% of sales performers). She was nationally recognized for growing her product to be the #1 utilized in the nation in her market through education and support programs delivered to healthcare professionals. Karen has created and delivered countless sales presentations both locally and nationally at sales meetings at Wyeth and Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. Karen excels at getting to the heart of complex issues and simplifying them in a motivating yet digestible format. She shares simple strategies for implementation. This has been a cornerstone in her highly successful career. Karen earned her BBA in Marketing at the University of Texas at Arlington in 1991 while working full-time and attending evening classes for nearly 10 years. She appreciates the power of persistence.

Marcheta Gardner

Marcheta Gardner

Sponsored by:
Skymasters Club

Keep Moving & Unleash Your Brilliance

 

Struggling to keep up with kids and co-workers? Then it is time to ‘Get your MOVE on’ for peak performance. Let’s focus on the 4 Pillars: Food, Water, Sleep, and Exercise and optimize each.
♦ Food: vary the colors and you will get more nutrients for your body.
♦ Water: aim for a gallon each day.
♦ Sleep: 7 – 8 hours for optimal cell repair
♦ Exercise: engage in activities to boost endorphins. Come with me and learn the moves to a more satisfying life!

BIO:

Marcheta Gardner – a woman of many roles: Christian, wife, mother, employee, sister, friend, confidant, Toastmaster, and D25 Immediate Past District Director – is here to tell you her story of living more fully. Do you ever feel like you’re stuck in a rut? Or maybe you struggle to keep up with the pace of your coworkers or kids? Or perhaps you regret that food choice that upset your stomach? She will reveal her journey through District Leadership by sharing the personal, behind-the-scenes ‘work’ that helped her serve well. Tune in for tips on how to enjoy life more… how to enjoy Toastmasters more!

Jeni Malla

Jeni Malla

Sponsored by:
Once Upon A Time
 

Spread Joy through the Power of Communication

Unleash Communication & Leadership Skills from Toastmasters. Let’s Share, Inspire, and Elevate Our Community Together! Communication and leadership skills learned in Toastmasters clubs are essential for such an undertaking. When we articulate our vision clearly, others can understand our goals and support us in the noble cause. Join me as I share my journey. Learn how to propagate the power of communication and spread joy within the community.

BIO:

Jeni Rajbhandari Malla leads Marketing Procurement as a Supply Chain leader in a Telecom company.  With extensive global Telecom Industry expertise spanning services execution, network deployment, operations, and procurement, Jeni has held engineering and managerial roles in Asia and North America. Jeni holds a Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) in Electronics and Electrical Communication from Punjab Engineering College (India), a Master of Engineering (M.E.) in Telecommunications from Asian Institute of Technology (Thailand), and a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from PMI. She is an engaged member of Once Upon a Time Toastmasters and served as the club’s President in 2021. A prominent procurement leader in North American telecommunications, she serves on the board of DFW Minority Supplier Development Council and Women’s Business Council Southwest. Married with a daughter in her junior year of college, she resides in Dallas, Texas, actively engaged in her community, particularly in events for local seniors.

Dave Papenmeier & Jennifer Hanks

Dave Papenmeier

 

Jennifer Hanks

Sponsored by:
Texas Talkers
 

Be WEIRD, RARE, and WILD to Shine Brighter

Using the acronyms WEIRD for our subconscious brain, RARE for our conscious brain, and WILD for the actions we take, we will share with our audience the way each of us can harness the power within to Ignite Your Shine. With a touch of humor, we will explore each of these three areas and their connections in an interactive, engaging workshop that promises to be challenging, educational, and meaningful.

BIO:

Dave Papenmeier spent his corporate career wearing several hats, including systems engineer, personnel manager, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt practitioner, and program manager, continually working with people to change themselves and improve the culture in the workplace. As a program manager, he was responsible for the successful execution of multi-million-dollar programs. Additionally, as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt practitioner, he facilitated groups through process improvement activities as well as trained new practitioners as a certified Lead Green Belt facilitator. Dave developed skills during his corporate career that he has been channeling as a life coach to help people reach their full potential. Using CliftonStrengths and Positive Intelligence as the foundations of his practice, he assists individuals and teams leveraging their top talent themes to improve themselves and transform their situations. Dave is a certified Strengths Champion coach, a CoreClarity certified facilitator, and is in the process of completing his PCCI Life Coach certification.

Jennifer Hanks is a business owner, Licensed Massage Therapist, student, mother, and enthusiastic Toastmaster. Her diverse career path mirrors her love of learning and trying new things, underscoring her goal to serve and help others. Jennifer has overcome major life-altering challenges including the loss of a child.  Yet even after such devastating loss, survival was not enough. Her focus is on growth and finding purpose. Jennifer learned a lot through her healing journey – not only about herself and her brain, but also on how to overcome insurmountable obstacles. She is passionate about sharing her story with vulnerability and authenticity, aiming to encourage and inspire those around her.

Najaf Dostalieyev

Najaf Dostalieyev

Sponsored by:
Strategic Communicators
 

The “Your” Way! Go & Do It!

 

Change is possible, but it takes one step at a time. Stepping outside your comfort zone can help you build your creativity, focus on self-confidence, and learn more about yourself. You may also find that stepping outside your comfort zone enables you to grow, reach new goals, and finally contribute to your family, friends, company, and organization you are helping to succeed. What are you waiting for? Start today. Start sharing your Sunshine. Enjoy life!

BIO:

Najaf spent 12 years as a Petroleum Engineer in diverse locations, including the Caspian Sea, Singapore, South Korea, Namibia, and the Gulf of Mexico, managing multicultural teams and nurturing client relationships. This led to his transition to Sales.

In the last five years, Najaf led sales teams, coached colleagues in effective sales techniques, and educated clients on product value discovery.

Since 2016, Najaf held leadership roles in Toastmasters, organized events, and visited 75 clubs. Proficient in Russian and Turkish, he excels in public speaking, offering training in job search, LinkedIn, and marketing. Notably, he organized an event for past international president Matt Kinsey in DFW.

Najaf is passionate about public speaking, presenting training sessions, including TLI’s on job search, LinkedIn, and bridging hiring managers and job seekers.

Outside his professional and Toastmasters pursuits, he’s a Triathlon enthusiast, advocate for Para-Triathlons, golf mentor, and U.S. history buff.

Candie Blount

Candie Blunt

Sponsored by:
Mr. Cooper Speaks  

What does your body language say about your speech?

 

Whether you mean to or not, your body is telling a story beyond your words. I have learned a lot over the years about how to enhance your storytelling with gestures and movement. In this workshop, we will identify what body language is, why it is so important to your presentation, and how to best utilize it to add energy to your speeches. This is a must for every speaker!

BIO:

As a professional mime/performer, I learned a lot about how the body communicates meaning. For years, I gave performances where I had to effectively communicate the message with no words. As a toastmaster, I understand the need for language, but what happens when your body is telling a different story? Whether it’s nervous energy or simply not being sure what to do with your hands, this workshop will help you enhance your skills to better communicate in your speeches with proper use of body language.

Claryce Cook

Claryce Cook

Sponsored by:
Highway to Excellence

Unite and Ignite: Inspire a New Generation

Millennials & Gen Z are not our future, They are our NOW! Discover how to engage them TODAY!! Join me for an insightful session where we delve into the goals and values driving Gen Z and Millennial generations. We’ll uncover how being a Toastmaster aligns with their values. Participate in discussions and group brainstorming to discover innovative ways for Toastmasters to connect effectively with this demographic. Your input is crucial to shaping our approach for the future. Don’t miss this opportunity!

BIO:

Claryce Cook’s journey in Toastmaster began in her elementary school days. Her passion lies in sharing the benefits of Toastmasters with her generation. As she has stepped into higher levels of leadership, she has become increasingly aware of the generation gap that currently exists in D25. Eager to foster change, she is excited to introduce new ideas and brainstorm with fellow Toastmasters on approaches for attracting Millennials and Gen Z members.

Dr. Stephie Althouse

Dr. Stephie Althouse

Sponsored by:
Southlake Club

Ignite Your Mission: Shine Step-by-Step

KISS Your Mission – Keep It Smart & Simple! Link your Toastmasters speaking skills to your mission and ambitions! Learn how to use your unique gifts and experiences to amplify your brilliance as building blocks for your future, using a straightforward and potent method: ‘KISS your Mission’. Launch yourself on a step-by-step fast track to success, accomplishing YOUR mission, utilizing YOUR unique gifts without feeling overwhelmed

BIO:

Dr. Stephie Althouse is a renowned thought leader in Brilliance Mining and knowledge management, with a profound commitment to helping individuals and organizations unlock their unique gifts and experiences, their ‘brilliance’. As the CEO of Top-Notch CEO and The Brilliance Mine, she has championed strategies for effective knowledge transfer, helping businesses scale up and innovate. An accomplished author, speaker, and coach, Dr. Stephie leverages her scientific background and entrepreneurial acumen to inspire and empower her audience. She is driven by a mission to help everyone realize their potential, execute their mission, and contribute to the world in their unique way. “Keep it Smart and Simple (KISS)” is her mantra, which she applies to help her clients avoid being overwhelmed and to shine step-by-step.

Tracy Speyer

Tracy Speyer

Sponsored by:
Off the Cuff

You Can Do It!

Have no fear! When you are in Toastmasters, you are part of the SUCCESS crowd. A Toastmasters never walks alone.

 

Are you suffering from the fear of failure, the fear of public speaking, or the fear of success? Join me as I empower you with the knowledge, that you can do it; you have what it takes. Let’s explore the journeys of those who have gone before you and uncover how you, too, can muster the courage to accomplish your goals and Ignite you Shine.

BIO:

Tracy has been a Toastmaster for 15 years; she has progressed through the program to her DTM and is now working towards DTM#2 in Pathways. She has served in nearly every officer role, and as Area Governor, and Division Governor. Tracy has competed in several speech contests and also judged many of those contests. Tracy considers herself a lifetime Toastmaster. She likes to quote and personally embraces the mantra, “If you get out of Toastmasters all that you can get out of Toastmasters, you will never get out of Toastmasters!” Tracy is still on that journey and doesn’t see it ending any time soon.

Lawrencina Mason Oramalu & Madison Sly

Lawrencina Mason Oramalu

 

Madison Sly

Sponsored by:
Sore2BMore
 

Growing, Glowing and Toasting with Confidence

Go from 0 to 60 faster than anybody. Hear how a new club reached DISTINGUISHED status in under a year. New clubs and old can turn a SPARK into a FLAME. and be Distinguished!

The Italian poet, writer, and philosopher Dante Alighieri wrote, “From a little spark may burst a mighty flame”. These Toast with Confidence club officers share their journey, starting from expressing interest in Toastmasters and culminating in achieving Distinguished Club status. A spark grew into a mighty flame with the support of wonderful Toastmasters mentors, amazing Toastmaster Area and District leaders, and a small committed group of students who brought their energy, excitement, and expectancy each month.

BIO:

Lawrencina Mason Oramalu is a woman on a mission to encourage, educate, inspire, and empower individuals to reach their potential. Her career focuses on nurturing future leaders and change agents.

Lawrencina serves as the Director of Student Leadership at Texas Woman’s University’s Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership. In this role, her goal is to nurture students’ growth and leadership development by offering financial support through scholarships, as well as programmatic support that aims to build students’ confidence, improve their communication skills, develop leadership competencies, and provide them opportunities to earn marketable credentials.

Lawrencina forges partnerships with like-minded individuals and groups dedicated to education, leadership, and service. She co-founded the Toast with Confidence (TWC) Toastmasters club in 2022, achieving distinguished club status in its inaugural year.  She feels privileged to work with such an amazing and committed group of students.

Lawrencina loves to write and mentor others. She is an author and serves on the southern regional board of Step Up, a mentoring program for girls and young women.

Madison Sly is a Business Administration major at Texas Woman’s University entering her junior year. She is actively involved in Toastmasters as the President  and has also held the VP Public Relations role.

Madison is the recipient of a Jane Nelson Institute Legacy Leader scholarship, a  distinguished scholarship program at Texas Woman’s University,  and has served on the Executive Board giving leadership to the organization’s marketing efforts.

Madison is the TWU campus ambassador for Forté, an organization committed to increasing the number of women leaders.

Marcheta Gardner

Marcheta Gardner
Leadership Committee Chair

Sponsored by:
Strategic Planning Committee

 

Leadership Panel – Speed Dating Style

 

Leadership… How does one do that anyway!

Join us for the Leadership Panel and gain insight into how D25 is run efficiently and effectively.  YES… come see how the sausage is made!  Whether your interest is the Trio path, Decorations for Conferences, Education via TLIs or even Marketing via the Public Relations Manager (PRM) role, Come inquire and be curious of how others accomplished their goals and served the District well!

Come explore the “Why,” “What,” and “How” from your peers that stepped up to share their Sunshine!

Come see how YOU… yes YOU can Ignite Your Shine to help D25 continue to brighten paths, lives… the future!  Oh… all done in speed dating style.