D2tm Youth Leadership Chair

I joined toastmasters to improve my communication skills. I soon realized that toastmasters provided a supportive learning environment, a community and lasting connections. I have served as a club officer, area director and youth leadership chair. The reason I stayed in toastmasters was not only to continue to improve my communication and leadership skills but also also to serve as a mentor, a coach and help other members succeed. I stayed in my role as youth leadership chair because I saw an opportunity to provide a platform for the youth in district 2 to improve their communication and interpersonal skills. I have served as the chief judge at a gavel club area contest, I have organized a gavel club leadership training sessions and look forward to being part of more such events. I will continue to support the counselors, coordinators and mentors who are committed to providing their service to help shape the future with the next generation of leaders.

Email: anand.vijayachandran@gmail.com

Phone: 602-738-6626 

Counselor at Voice Masters Club

Sophia Chen graduated from Stanford University and worked at Oracle Corporation for 20 years as a Software Security Architect. In 2020, she left Oracle to devote more time to her children’s education. Family has always been Sophia’s highest priority, and she strongly believes that public speaking is essential to children’s personal growth and future success.

Since 2020, Sophia has volunteered with the Voice Master Gavel Club. She is committed to creating a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment where young people can practice public speaking, express their ideas, and grow into confident communicators and future leaders.

Email: xiaohua.chen@gmail.com

Volunteer at Voice Masters Club

I joined Toastmasters in 2011 with the goal of improving my communication and leadership skills so that I could better serve my community and become a more effective leader both personally and professionally. Over the years, Toastmasters has transformed the way I communicate by helping me speak with clarity, confidence, and purpose. It has also taught me the value of giving constructive feedback that encourages, motivates, and empowers others to grow.

What I appreciate most about Toastmasters is its positive, supportive, and inclusive environment, where members genuinely help one another succeed. It is an outstanding platform for developing communication and leadership skills, building meaningful relationships, expanding professional networks, and growing together as individuals and as a team.

Beyond Toastmasters, I have been actively volunteering with various nonprofit organizations for more than 20 years. I strongly believe in giving back to the community by sharing the knowledge, skills, and experiences I have gained throughout my professional career and personal life. Mentoring others and helping them build confidence, improve communication, strengthen leadership abilities, and reach their full potential is something I truly enjoy.

I would be honored to serve the Gavel Club by mentoring and guiding young members. My goal is to create a positive and engaging learning environment where students can develop confidence, enhance their public speaking and leadership skills, and become effective communicators. I hope to inspire and shape the next generation of leaders by providing guidance, encouragement, and constructive feedback that helps them realize their full potential.

At the same time, I believe mentoring is a two-way learning experience. While I share my knowledge and experience with Gavel Club members, I also learn from them. Young members bring fresh ideas, creative approaches, new technologies, and modern communication styles to their meetings. Interacting with them helps me stay connected with the current generation, understand emerging concepts and terminology, and continue growing as a leader. I believe that this mutual exchange of knowledge and perspectives creates a richer learning experience for everyone involved.

Email: p_shakil@yahoo.com

Phone: 425-212-8876