Summit Keynote Speakers

Leading Through Change

It never fails…after you learned how to do something and finally got the whole process under control, something changes to disrupt the whole flow again! Or maybe you’re more of an out-with-the-old, in-with-the-new kind of person, always looking for the next new thing. Either way, in the face of change we have to learn something new to adapt and move forward. Life changes around us. Innovation happens all the time.  Change creates a lot of emotions from excitement & delight to debilitating fear. As leaders, we have to embrace the change and understand people’s reaction to change to effectively lead others through it.

Bio:

Elly Malaxos, DTM, is not a nerd despite being an IT professional. She’s a restless world traveler, an investor, and a Toastmaster who relishes constant change and wants to force a new world order! Well, not really. But she would like to make everyone feel empowered to face down their old routines and embrace change.

As a woman in IT herself (still a rare breed), she innately understands the importance of effective communication. To bridge the communication gap between technical and non-technical business teams, Elly engages the audience with stories, a healthy dose of humor and positive messages of empowerment, even when new technology seems threatening in the workplace…or at home!

She earned a Computer Science degree from Northwestern University and has held various IT and management consulting roles throughout her career. She’s a founding member of FEAR-less Toastmasters (fitting name, isn’t it?) and recently won the District 25 International Speech Contest in 2021.

Leading a Life of NO Regrets

Pallavi is an engaging and award-winning motivational speaker. She will share with us her life experiences and daunting journey that ultimately enabled her to craft a simple yet powerful framework to lead a life of no regrets. Part of this journey includes life lessons she learnt from her 9-year-old son as they traveled the world in 80 days. Pallavi will bring to us practical strategies that she shares with CEO’s, high level executives and professionals that empower them to soar to new levels of personal excellence thereby enabling them to lead fulfilling, purposeful and joyous lives.

Bio:

Pallavi Ridout is a dynamic speaker, executive coach and personal excellence enabler for leaders, teams and individuals.

She leveraged her successful 20 + years of corporate experience in talent management to begin a private coaching practice that enables her to “Lead a Life of no Regrets”. She actively infuses the wisdom she has gained from her personal journey to discover her IKIGAI (Japanese word for purpose) in helping people become their best selves.

Pallavi is also passionate about empowering women & leadership and provides pro bono coaching services to underserved communities in India. She also actively mentors students at the University of North Texas. She holds an MBA from George Washington University.

A few fun facts: Pallavi is a decorated Toastmasters speaking champion. She has participated at the district level of the “world championship of public speaking”. She has also served as the President of the Warner Bros. Toastmaster club in Los Angeles.

But her no 1 passion is her son and in her spare time she loves to travel the world.

Journey to the Finish

Is earning the Distinguished Toastmaster award the beginning or the end of your Toastmasters journey?  This session will explore that question.  It will also empower you to draw the parallel between Toastmasters training and competing at an Ironman competition.  Come soar with three-time half Ironman finisher and discover what comes next on your journey to the finish line.

Bio:
Chris Raneri has more than 25 years of leadership experience, both as a professional and as a volunteer.  He has been in Toastmasters for the past 8 years and is a member of three clubs. He has served in multiple District leadership roles; most recently as the 2020-2021 District 25 Director. He is currently serving as a charter member of the D25 Strategic Planning Committee. Chris has worked at AT&T for the past 21 years, spending 7 years as a Chief of Staff to an Assistant Vice President.  When not at work or serving his Toastmasters family, he spends his time competing in triathlons, including three Ironman 70.3 races.