Conference Education Session Presenters
Your club can sponsor an
education session, keynote speaker or
other events!
For $50, the club will be listed on the D25 website and the conference program.
For more information about this and other sponsorship opportunities,
contact Sponsorship Chair – click here.
Friday Education Session – 5:15 p.m.-6:05 p.m.
Elizabeth Settle
Elizabeth Settle
Sponsored by:
Speaking for Change
Greenhouses: Cultivating Safe Places for Growth
Relationships are hard. Many of us harbor a friendship fantasy: the way things should be — like a circle of beautiful carefree people laughing together as insiders. So why do I feel like such an outsider? There are many inhibitors to real friendship. How can we become the kind of people who create safe places for ourselves and others? Together we’ll explore how to be that kind of person: a greenhouse. A space for cultivation and flourishing.
Bio:
Elizabeth Settle is a writer, a preacher, a friend. With more than 25 years of ministry experience, she currently invests her energies at Gateway Church as a pastor in Groups where she builds teams that advocate for people’s spiritual formation.
Her passion? Creating safe places for people to encounter Jesus. That looks a lot like cultivating connections—with God, self, and others—by sharing stories and scriptures that impart freedom into people’s hearts. She especially enjoys doing this alongside her husband of 22 years, Jason Settle. Together they have two amazing kids, Emily and Ethan, and a cat, Finn, who is the finest of Finneases.
Saturday Education Session #1 – 8:20 a.m.-9:10 a.m.
Cassie Bullock
Cassie Bullock
Sponsored by:
Arlington Nooners
Toastmasters Club
Do you Remember My Name? – 5 basic steps to remember names
Discover how to be your best everyday!
Have you ever said, “I’m not good with names”? Forgetting names usually isn’t a memory problem but rather a lack of focus. This session will have you confidently greeting new friends by name, creating an instant connection to help build relationships! We will practice together using the 5 steps to remember names and more!
Bio:
Cassie Bullock is an author, educator, speaker, and certified memory trainer. A graduate of Texas Woman’s University, Cassie joined Toastmasters International in 2013 to hone and sharpen her interpersonal communication skills. She served as the President of Arlington Nooners Toastmasters club 2019-2020, achieved DL5 in 2020 and is a member of the D25 Speakers Bureau. She uses humor and stories to engage and involve audiences.
Cassie lives in Arlington and is married with 3 grown sons. Personal development, gardening and chickens, are her passions. She is ready to share any experience or knowledge she has that would inspire others. She credits her growth to fellow Toastmasters for their support and encouragement to get outside The Zone; comfort zone, that is. Cassie believes showing up, staying present and embracing vulnerability are key to changing our communities and our world.
Rey Brown
Rey Brown
Sponsored by:
Skymasters Club
Tying It All Together to Become Indispensable
Life is a constant cycle of growing, building community then lifting those around you. In this session, attendees will go through the journey of learning something new, finding their new like-minded tribe through networking and then sharing this with the world. You already have everything you need to grow, increase your reach, and lead.
Bio:
Our special guest today is a technology coach and trainer who has worked in the cellphone industry for over 15 years with the likes of T-Mobile, AT&T and Motorola just to name a few. Now, our guest consults with schools, churches, organizations and families to help build healthy habits and get maximum benefit from all technology devices. He is also the host of the HappilyMobile Podcast. Our guest has been married for twelve years and has four children. Please give a warm welcome for Rey Brown.
Kim Story
Kim Story
Sponsored by:
Afterburners Club
Isn’t It Ironic?: Lessons Learned from my Leadership Journey
What got you here may not get you where you are going. If you are looking to take the next step as a leader – in your community, in Toastmasters, or in your position at work – this presentation is for you. Kim will share stories, anecdotes, quotes, and lessons learned from her leadership journey, focusing specifically on some of the less apparent, and sometimes, even counter-intuitive, aspects of leadership. Become The One – of Service, Influence, and Leadership.
Bio:
Public speaking has always been a passion for Kim. A graduate of Texas A&M University, she received her degree in Speech Communication, then went on to teach Public Speaking as a graduate student at Wake Forest. She has performed stand-up comedy at venues such as the Addison Improv, Backdoor Comedy club, and Hyenas. Since joining Toastmasters in 2014, she has used her speaking
Dana Morgan-Barnes
Dana Morgan-Barnes
Sponsored by:
Once Upon A Time
How to Grow Your Club Through Kindness ~ And Even Change the World
A culture of kindness leads to happier members and healthier clubs. This leads to more member involvement, Officer & Club meeting their goals, better communication within the club and more guests becoming members.
Bio:
Dana has been a Toastmaster for almost 30 years. She has held every District office, minus Finance & Admin, every club office and has 4 DTMS. Dana is currently in 3 clubs and has a passion for the new member.
As a Business and Personal Development Coach, Dana works with small to mid-size companies to teach best practices and initiate discussions that will have the most positive impact to business bottom lines for years to come.
Dana believes kindness can change the world, one person at a time.
Saturday Education Session #2 – 9:20 a.m.-10:10 a.m.
Analisa Gabriel
Analisa Gabriel
Sponsored by:
Lone Star Motormouths
Emotional Agility: Navigating Through Life’s Twists and Turns
The “emotional” part of emotional agility is about coming to terms with your difficult emotions, enhancing your ability to enjoy your relationships, achieve your goals, and live your life to the fullest. Learn how to navigate and thrive in an uncertain world by becoming emotionally agile.
Bio:
With 20 years of experience as a trainer, facilitator, and curriculum developer, Analisa is currently working as an HR professional focused on the performance management process. She is passionate about cultivating a more engaging work environment by helping employees create performance goals that align with organizational goals, core values, and priorities.
Analisa graduated from the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Education and Cognitive Systems. Her dream is to become a professor at a local college someday, and currently considers herself a “Goal Digger,” which she describes as “someone who goes after their dreams, goals, and aspirations unapologetically, while reaching back to help others do the same!”
Katie Britt
Katie Britt
Sponsored by:
Jacques Daniels
Personal Branding – It’s all about personal growth using social media
It’s important to understand your personal brand is simply what others say about you when you’re not in the room. In this presentation, you’ll focus on what personal branding is and how it effects your life – both personally and professionally.
Bio:
Katie is a passionate marketer who believes in maximizing opportunities for organization and individuals to magnify their growth. She creatively makes connections between brands and people through storytelling and design. She is the Vice President of Marketing for the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce and the President of the oldest Toastmaster club in Texas – the Wichita Falls Toastmasters Club 305.
Janet Fuchek – Panel Moderator
Janet Fuchek
Panel Moderator
Mr. Cooper Speaks
Jetset to New Leadership Heights – a panel moderation
Soar to new heights in Toastmasters leadership skills! Climb aboard the Toastmasters Virtual Airlines! Jetset around the globe! Embrace transformational leadership challenges, experience different cultures, and engage in novel meeting practices. Join three DTMs – moderator Janet Fuchek and panelists, Betty Liedtke and Joyce Crawford, who did just that. These “armchair travellers” will share their global leadership journey, where they virtually visited Toastmasters clubs in such places as Jerusalem, Jordan, Japan, Sri Lanka, Ireland, and Uganda.
Bio:
Moderator Janet Fuchek is a DTM and a member of multiple Toastmasters clubs worldwide. Her home club is Westfort Toastmasters in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, where she is based. Janet is an avid traveler, both in-person and virtually through Toastmasters. She is also a teacher, writer/journalist, and karate instructor, who loves competing in Toastmasters contests.
Panelists Betty Liedtke and Joyce Crawford are DTMs from the Greene County Toastmasters Club in Greensboro, GA. Seasoned travelers, both in-person and virtually through Toastmasters, both having won many Toastmasters contests, they are accomplished leaders, writers, and speakers, and Joyce is even a Spiritual Counsellor too.
Panelists
Interactive Workshops – 10:20 a.m.-11:40 a.m.
Marvin Bailey
Marvin Bailey
Sponsored by:
ARBOR Toastmaster
Interactive Workshop – Improv – Many Becoming One – Improvisation through Role-Playing Table Topics
Marvin will deliver a workshop to develop skills and show attendees how to open their minds to new ideas. You will get to perform in an adlib setting, participate in answering and listening sessions, and act out ideas while adding your own twist.
Bio:
Marvin Bailey graduated Midwestern State University in 1988 and has been a Toastmaster since 2012. He is passionate about gender linguistics with over 25 years of studies in the field. His extensive background in theatre lends to an outstanding opportunity to teach others the art of improv while improving public speaking skills and confidence building.
Jamie Pickering
Jamie Pickering
Sponsored by:
Highway to Excellence
Interactive Workshop – Speech-writing – “How to write a speech in 5 minutes”
“I’m giving a speech and I have no idea what to speak on!” Sound familiar? Come join Jamie in this fun interactive session to learn how to quickly generate ideas, flesh them out, and present a well-rounded speech.
Bio:
Jamie holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Texas Wesleyan University with a focus on Sound Design/Sound Engineering and a Bachelor of Science from Texas Women’s University with a focus on Computer Science. At first blush, these seem like two opposite ends of the spectrum, but Jamie has found that they are, in fact, quite close. Just ask her how.
Jamie has spent the last 20 years in IT earning her way from an individual contributor to a leader of several individual contributors. Today, she is an IT manager of a team that supports the back-end systems of a financial company in Fort Worth, Texas.
Leigh Gilliam
Leigh Gilliam
Sponsored by:
Nissan Toastmasters
Interactive Workshop – Evaluation – Bringing VALUE to your e-VALUE-ations!
Join Leigh in a powerful hands-on learning experience. This interactive workshop will provide practical information, the opportunity to apply the newly learned skills, and to receive immediate interactive feedback from fellow Toastmasters. Attend this session to upskill and become more motivating evaluators, and further skills in the journey to become stronger communicators and leaders!
Bio:
Leigh has been a member of Nissan Toastmasters for approximately 20 years (with a 5-year hiatus about 10 years ago) and has held all Executive positions except for VPE. She is currently the President, and this is her third time as President for this club. Leigh is currently working on her Presentation Mastery Level 3, an Advanced Communicator Silver and an ALS in the former program. Leigh is also the Corporate Program Support Chair for the D25 this year.
Fursey Gotuaco
Fursey Gotuaco
Sponsored by:
Afterburners Club
Interactive Workshop (virtual) – Table Topics – Think like Lightning!
The mind is built on electrical synapses that work at the speed of light. Engage this power to think quickly on your feet and harness the power of your imagination to always have words, ideas, and concepts at your fingertips when you need them. Think faster! Organize your thoughts better! Let’s SPEAK WITH THE POWER OF THE STORM!
Bio:
Fursey Gotuaco has been a life-long educator. He has presented and trained speakers and leaders around the world, both in person and in zoom. In addition to teaching for over 30 years, he has also coached hundreds of students, teachers, and leaders in the Gallup StrengthsFinders. He has also twice been a presenter at the VTM CON (Virtual Toastmasters Conference). In 2020 he reached the Semi-Finals of the World Championship of Public Speaking. In 2021, he won Outstanding Toastmaster in District 25.
Saturday Education Session #3 – 1:30 p.m.-2:20 p.m.
Annette Walters
Annette Walters
Sponsored by:
Lone Star Motormouths
“I AM SO OVER THIS!” STEPPING OUT OF OVERWHELM WITHOUT DRAMA
Annette will talk about overwhelm, from its source to its purpose, and how to simply navigate it. We no longer must wait for overwhelm end, or struggle to overcome it. Today, Annette teaches us three simple steps to walk out overwhelm without struggle, frustration or shame…whenever we decide it is time.
Bio:
Annette owns Connected Life Coaching.net, is a Certified Life Coach, third generation Toastmaster, Eagle Scout mom, wife, podcaster, writer, and speaker. Annette helps her clients move from “stuck in a life they should be grateful for” to building an “intentional life they cherish”, without burning the boats. She is a graduate of the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN, a past Toastmaster President and Area Governor, and a Certified Life Coach through The Life Coach School. ConnectedLifeCoaching.net
Alexia Willis
Alexia Willis
Sponsored by:
Southlake Club
Growth in Giving: Discovering How Your Unique Attributes Can Strengthen You + Your Community
In a world where we’re pressed for time and overcommitted, carving out space to give back can feel impossible. But as we create opportunities for growth in ourselves, our homes, and our communities, we cannot underestimate the profound impact that volunteering has in our lives. Join us during this interactive and informative session as we explore volunteerism as a catalyst for personal and communal growth.
Bio:
Alexia Willis is the Senior Education Manager at Junior Achievement of the Chisholm Trail, an organization dedicated to inspiring youth to succeed in a global economy. JA’s volunteers build entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and work/college readiness skills in K-12 youth. In addition to coordinating volunteers to inspire students in the classroom, Alexia manages the JA Company Program, JA’s flagship program allowing 9-12th grade students to create their very own startup companies. Alexia has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication as well as 10+ years of experience in education, nonprofit volunteer recruiting, and program management. In her spare time, Alexia enjoys spending time with family and friends, dabbling in the culinary arts, and exploring her city with her partner and their two dogs.
JA Gamache
J.A. Gamache
Sponsored by:
Tip Top Toastmasters
How to avoid memory blanks
Having a blank in front of an audience is undoubtedly one of the biggest fears of any performer. In this high-energy, interactive workshop, J.A. Gamache will share with you proven strategies to prevent a blank and even techniques to come back elegantly from losing your train of thoughts through 7 proven strategies to avoid and deal with memory blanks.
Bio:
J.A. Gamache is a bilingual (French and English) speaker from Montreal, Canada. He won Toastmasters’ District 61 international speech contest 14 times and once placed 3rd at the World Championship of Public Speaking. His book, “Jitters or not, HERE I COME! The 3 conditions to end the fear of public speaking once and for all & 77 tips to deal with what happens on stage.