Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the legacy of Dr Ralph Smedley. Toastmasters International turns 100 years old on October 22nd, 2024
To celebrate the Centennial milestone, the year the Global Leadership Impact Summit is putting tother an extraordinary line up of speakers, speaking challenges and the latest in innovative leadership practices that makes ANY club thrive.
The event will take place on October 20, 21st and 22nd.
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Matt Kinsey is the Managing Director and Chief Information Security Officer of IT Fusion, LLC, an IT consulting firm based in Coral Springs, Florida. Formed in 2021 through the merger of MK Tech Group and three other local IT firms, IT Fusion serves small to medium-sized businesses across South Florida, providing robust IT solutions and security services.
With a master’s degree in Computer Information Systems and a certification in Strategic Management, Matt has built an impressive career in both technology and leadership. His contributions to the Boy Scouts of America earned him the prestigious Silver Beaver and Vigil Honor awards, recognizing his dedication to service and leadership within the community.
Few may know this, but Matt is also an avid cyclist, having logged an astonishing 400,000 kilometers (250,000 miles) on his bike! 🚲💨 His long-distance rides have not only kept him fit but also provided him with valuable leadership lessons—lessons that transcend the road and resonate deeply in his approach to business and personal leadership.
In his keynote, “Lies That Leaders Believe,” Matt will share his 30+ years of leadership experience and explore a provocative question: Have you ever been given leadership advice that turned out to be wrong?
Throughout his career as a community and business leader, Matt has received countless pieces of well-intentioned advice. Yet, many times that advice was based on commonly held misconceptions—or worse, outright lies—that leaders come to believe.
Join us as we uncover these “leadership lies” and learn from Matt’s journey. Let’s be inspired by the wisdom and experience of Past International President, Matt Kinsey, DTM.
Presentation Title: It’s About Time!
Time Length: 30-35 minutes, followed by 10 minutes of Q&A.
Luisa Montalvo was born and raised in South Texas and later moved to Austin, Texas, where she worked for Abbott Laboratories for 25 years. After retiring at the age of 53, Luisa devoted her time to a cause close to her heart—rescuing homeless dogs and cats. For the past 8 years, she has tirelessly fostered and cared for over 1,000 homeless dogs, personally driving many of them to their forever homes on the East Coast.
Luisa first joined Toastmasters in 1989 while working at Abbott Laboratories and remained a member for 3 years. She rejoined in 2013, reigniting her passion for public speaking, and has been a dedicated member ever since.
In 2019, Luisa achieved incredible success by competing in the International Speech Contest, where she stood out among 33,000 contestants from 143 countries and placed 2nd in the world.
But her journey didn’t stop there. In August 2023, Luisa once again took the stage at the Toastmasters International Speech Contest. This time, she competed against 30,000 participants from over 150 countries—and she placed 1st in the World!
Luisa is not only the first female to return and win 1st place, but she is also the first Hispanic to claim this prestigious title, making her a trailblazer and an inspiration to many.
Her presentation, “It’s About Time!”, will take us through her 45-year public speaking journey, sharing insights, challenges, and triumphs from her remarkable experience.
Speech Title:
UNPRAISED: The Secret Ingredients for Leadership Failure
Bio:
Brent Pattison is a distinguished leadership expert with over 25 years of experience in corporate leadership, having successfully navigated roles from Supervisor to Senior Vice President in global organizations. His extensive leadership journey includes working with Fortune 100 companies, managing teams of 4,000 employees, and overseeing critical functions such as HR, Recruiting, and Leadership Training.
Brent’s practical approach to leadership has driven him to develop innovative strategies, including his 3P Coaching System, which he highlights in his book, Praise: The Cornerstone of Coaching to Success. His leadership philosophy is centered on connecting people, products, and profits to create meaningful and lasting value for businesses.
With a mission to help organizations grow with intention, Brent embeds his core values of learning, innovation, and connection into every aspect of his leadership. This ensures that the businesses he works with not only thrive but also create lasting value for their owners. Now a consultant, Brent transforms businesses through his leadership expertise, helping entrepreneurs and leaders achieve sustainable growth.
Brent is also the creator of a leadership course where he shares actionable insights on how management and coaching can elevate team performance, improve customer experiences, and enhance bottom-line results. His passion for leadership development extends beyond business—he is a co-founder of one of the world’s top Toastmasters clubs focused on leadership, where he continues to mentor and inspire leaders through learning, innovation, and connection.
Presentation Title: Look Who’s Talking?!
Bio:
Seema Golchha is a standup comedian, a self-taught ventriloquist, and a TEDx speaker—a true multi-talent who has mastered the art of bringing both humor and life to the stage.
In a world where ventriloquism is considered a dying art, Seema has boldly reintroduced this ancient craft in her home country of Nepal, where she remains the only ventriloquist. After nearly two decades as a housewife, she decided to step into the world of comedy and, quite literally, took ventriloquism into her own hands. 🙂
For two years, Seema was an In-house Comic at Canvas Laugh Club India, where her unique act and razor-sharp wit captivated audiences. Alongside her alter ego, Jack Denials, she has performed on international stages, including the prestigious Gotham Comedy Club in New York, sharing the stage with comedy legends like Jay Leno and Jerry Seinfeld.
A member of the Everest Toastmasters Club (District 41) for over 15 years and a Past President of her club, Seema continues to inspire with her versatility and talent.
A Standup Comedian, Ventriloquist, Improviser, and TEDx Speaker, Seema Golchha will shake you to the core with her presentation, “Look Who’s Talking?!”.
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Presentation Title: Leadership Through a Critical Lens
Bio:
Dr. Rozy Rana is a seasoned professional with over 30 years of corporate leadership experience. She currently serves as the Managing Director of Dormans Coffee Ltd, East Africa’s most esteemed coffee roaster, and has held senior leadership roles in administration, operations, finance, and human resources.
Rozy’s Toastmasters journey began in April 2005, and over the past 19 years, she has been a trailblazer. She has participated in and won numerous contests, held various club officer positions, and has extended mentorship and sponsorship to countless members and clubs. She made history as the first Distinguished Toastmaster in East Africa.
In 2017, Rozy played a pivotal role in shaping the future of Toastmasters in East Africa. As the founding Chair of the East Africa Territorial Council, she laid the groundwork for five countries to grow into a District. Under her leadership, the region saw 100% club and membership growth, with 80% of base clubs achieving distinguished status. Her exceptional leadership resulted in East Africa being elevated to Provisional District status, and as District Director, she led the teams to earn Smedley Distinguished status, with the District ranking fourth globally.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions and commitment to Toastmasters’ ideals, Rozy was honored with the Presidential Citation Award.
A holder of a Doctorate in Business Administration, Rozy cherishes her connections with family and friends, who hold a special place in her heart.
Please help me welcome Dr. Rozy Rana as she presents her speech titled “Leadership Through a Critical Lens.”
Presentation Title: “The 3 Ds of Leading Cultural Change in Organizations”
Leadership is not a one-size-fits-all approach. In a constantly evolving world, leaders must adapt their styles to meet the ever-changing conditions within their organizations. Just as you wouldn’t drive a car at the same speed on the same road forever, leaders must know when to shift gears to keep their organizations relevant and thriving.
Effective leadership involves mastering diversity, understanding differentiation, and achieving distinctiveness. With these three “Ds,” leaders can confidently navigate and influence organizational cultural change, ensuring they remain competent in their roles as their teams and environments shift.
Tony Bratschitsch has spent years as a business consultant, helping organizations navigate rapid change, particularly those that experienced explosive growth during the pandemic era. His ability to shift leadership styles has been crucial in adapting to the diverse challenges and continuously changing cultures within these organizations.
In this presentation, Tony will share how leaders can recognize the eight different cultural styles and the two dimensions that affect all of them, providing a framework to effectively lead cultural change.
Tony holds an LLB law degree from the University of London and is currently an MBA candidate at the Jack Welch Management Institute. A Past District Governor of Toastmasters International, he also serves as a Senior Vice-President with The Royal Canadian Legion.
Presentation Title: “Leadership is Everybody’s Business”
Lance Miller is an award-winning speaker and trainer, as well as the 2005 World Champion of Public Speaking. With a career spanning over 5,000 presentations in more than 60 countries, Lance is recognized globally for his expertise in executive communication, leadership, and effective management principles.
Beyond his extensive business background, Lance has truly lived life to the fullest. He has climbed 14,000-foot peaks, rafted the roughest whitewater in the U.S., sailed transatlantic from the Virgin Islands to Norway, piloted his own aircraft for hundreds of hours across the U.S., scuba dived under the ice of frozen lakes, and even hitchhiked across Europe—twice.
Lance’s unique blend of real-world adventure and business acumen makes him a compelling and inspiring speaker. His experiences have shaped his powerful message on leadership, which he’ll share in his presentation: “Leadership is Everybody’s Business.”
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Brahm has been a dedicated member of Toastmasters for 28 years, holding the prestigious distinction of earning 3 Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) awards. As a Leadership Coach and Trainer, he consults and trains within large organizations, while also offering highly sought-after personal online training courses.
One of his most impactful initiatives is the Global Leadership Impact Summit (GLIS), which is his brainchild. Created as part of his third DTM project in 2022, the summit has quickly grown into a global platform for leadership development, with thousands of participants benefiting from its dynamic content.
Brahm’s passion for HPL projects is well-known, and his events have drawn thousands of Toastmasters since the pandemic began. His achievements include being named Club Coach of the Year for District 86 and founding Leadership Speak, an advanced Toastmasters club with over 57 members from 27 countries. In just two short years, Leadership Speak has risen to become the #1 Toastmasters club globally.
His professional coaching program, Pro Speak & Lead, is consistently rated as a 5-star training program, empowering individuals to excel in communication and leadership.
In his presentations, “Find Your Voice: Get. Positioned. Promoted. Paid.” and “Elevate Your Pathways Experience with AI,” Brahm will provide actionable strategies that are immediately applicable to both Toastmasters and Professionals alike.
On October 22, 1924, in a small YMCA in Santa Ana, California, Dr. Ralph Smedley planted the seed of what would become the world’s leading organization for communication and leadership development—Toastmasters International. What began as a humble initiative to help individuals improve their public speaking has, over the past century, transformed into a global movement that has empowered millions.
As we celebrate 100 years of this remarkable journey, we honor Dr. Smedley’s vision and unwavering commitment to building leaders. His legacy is now the cornerstone of an organization that spans over 140 countries, offering a supportive and transformative platform for people from all walks of life to unlock their potential.
For the past century, Toastmasters International has embodied its mission:
“We empower individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders.”
This mission has touched countless lives, helping members develop the confidence and skills necessary to lead, inspire, and make a lasting impact in their personal and professional lives. From boardrooms to classrooms, from community centers to global stages, Toastmasters has cultivated leaders who excel not just in communication but in collaboration, problem-solving, and decision-making.
Toastmasters is recognized worldwide for providing the finest training in public speaking, offering individuals the tools to become compelling speakers, confident leaders, and effective communicators. With its time-tested, experiential learning model, members learn by doing—delivering speeches, leading teams, and participating in real-world projects—all within a supportive, constructive environment.
This approach fosters not only technical skill development but also personal growth, as members conquer fears, hone their strengths, and cultivate leadership that resonates.
As we celebrate this centennial milestone, Toastmasters International looks to the future with an ambitious vision:
“To be the first-choice provider of dynamic, high-value, experiential communication and leadership skills development.”
The next 100 years will be driven by this vision—a future where Toastmasters continues to be the go-to resource for individuals and organizations seeking to develop leaders who are not only skilled communicators but also empathetic, innovative, and equipped to face the challenges of tomorrow.
The Global Leadership Impact Summit (GLIS), held from October 20-22, 2024, will be our flagship event celebrating this centennial anniversary. Join us as we honor the legacy of Dr. Ralph Smedley and explore what the next 100 years of leadership will look like. With keynote speakers, panel discussions, and the exciting 7-Minute Magic Challenge, this summit will bring together thought leaders from across the globe to continue shaping the future of communication and leadership.
As we celebrate 100 years of empowering leaders, we invite you to be part of this monumental journey. Toastmasters International isn’t just about developing skills—it’s about creating impact, one speaker, one leader, and one community at a time.