═════ District Director Candidate ═════

Professional Expertise & Academic Background

Estelle brings a rigorous, detail-oriented approach to leadership, shaped by her extensive academic and professional experience:

• Scientific Excellence: Holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and a BS in Chemistry from Bradley University.

• Project Management: Frequently leads projects and teams to the successful completion of objectives.

• Strategic Planning: Experienced in succession planning and implementing improvement projects based on changing regulations.

• Procedure Development: Skilled in drafting standard operating procedures and interpreting complex quality management systems.

• Financial Oversight: Served as Treasurer for Section 1205 of the American Society for Quality (2020–2021).

Toastmasters Leadership & Distinguished Service

Estelle has held nearly every major leadership role within the District structure, consistently earning recognition for her performance:

• District Executive Roles: Currently serving as Program Quality Director for D54 (2025–2026) and previously served as Club Growth Director (2024–2025).

• Division & Area Leadership: Served as Division A Director (2023–2024) and Area 10 Director (2022–2023).

• Club Leadership: Held multiple terms as President and VP Education between 2017 and 2026.

• Major Honors: Her accolades include Division Director of the Year (2023–2024), Area Director of the Year (2022–2023), and the District 54 Foley Award (2024–2025).

Leadership Philosophy & Vision

Estelle is committed to "giving back" to the community that has aided her personal and professional development. Her vision for the District focuses on empowerment and proactive management:

• Supportive Leadership: Believes in informing others of what can be done rather than focusing on limitations.

• Team Respect: Prioritizes advanced planning to accommodate team members' schedules and avoid last-minute rushes.

• District Mission: Aims to help every member achieve their goals, grow club membership, and encourage Area Directors to lead by example during club visits.

Personal Interests

Outside of her professional and Toastmasters life, Estelle is an avid reader and lifelong learner . she enjoys gardening, cooking, and preserving her own food, as well as outdoor activities such as hiking, wildlife photography, and camping.

Her candidate biographical information sheet can be found by clicking here.

═════ Program Quality Director Candidates ═════

Professional & Military Leadership

Dawnella brings a distinguished background of over 24 years of service in the United States Air Force. Her military career provided her with extensive experience in leading diverse teams, including a unit of 174 people. This background has uniquely prepared her for District leadership through:

• Strategic Planning: Years of experience planning military exercises and deployments, fostering a "forward-thinking" mindset.

• Procedure Development: A proven track record of writing policy and creating training plans to help members meet educational requirements.

• Financial Oversight: Extensive experience in the banking industry and multiple terms as a Club Treasurer.

Toastmasters Experience & Education

Dawnella has held numerous leadership roles at the club level, demonstrating a deep understanding of Toastmasters operations:

• Club President: 2017–2019.

• VP Education: 2019–2020 and 2022.

• VP Membership: Multiple terms between 2015 and 2025.

• Club Secretary & Treasurer: Serving multiple terms across various years.

Her educational achievements include Competent Communicator, Leadership Development Level 4, and Motivational Strategies Level 4. She has also been recognized with Certificates of Appreciation from the District 8 and District 117 Leadership Committees.

Leadership Philosophy

Dawnella believes that effective leadership is rooted in authenticity, dignity, and respect. She views teamwork as the essential driver of success and believes that to lead others, one must first learn how to follow.

"I want to serve as a District Leader because I want to continue to serve people both inside and outside of Toastmasters... communication is the foundation of how we serve others and accomplish our goals and dreams."

Her candidate biographical information sheet can be found by clicking here.

Professional & Community Leadership

Burchell has a extensive history of leading teams and managing complex community initiatives, which demonstrates her ability to handle the responsibilities of District leadership:

• Professional Management: Currently serves as a team supervisor in her professional career.

• Community Engagement: Served as the Missouri State PTA Diversity Outreach & Engagement Chair and Events Coordinator.

• Youth & Education Leadership: Held numerous leadership roles within the PTA at multiple levels, including school district area vice-president. She also dedicated 13 years as a Girl Scout Troop leader, recruiter, and membership committee member.

• Inclusion Advocacy: Volunteers as a live audio describer for events supporting community members with low or no vision.

Toastmasters Experience & Honors

In a relatively short time, Burchell has established herself as a high-performing leader and speaker:

• District Leadership: Currently serving as the Division F Director for District 211.

• Club Leadership: Serves as President of Shalom Church Toastmasters.

• Communication Excellence: A highly successful competitive speaker, earning 1st place in the 2023 Area 18 International Speech contest and placing 2nd and 3rd in District-level International Speech contests.

• Distinguished Achievement: Recipient of the Triple Crown Award in both 2024 and 2025.

Skills & Strategic Vision

Burchell’s educational background and specialized training provide her with a strong foundation for the Program Quality Director role:

• Academic Background: Holds a B.S. in Business Management and a Master’s in Human Resource Management (MHRM/MBM).

• Strategic Planning: Earned a Certificate of Strategic Planning from the Workforce Solutions Group and has experience creating departmental plans.

• Operational Expertise: Experienced in revising and creating workplace procedures for various projects.

• Leadership Philosophy: She prioritizes the "art of communication, listening, and patience," alongside effective delegation and time-blocking.

Vision for the District

Burchell is committed to the District's growth through the formation of new clubs and helping every member achieve personal success. She seeks to serve as a resourceful leader who helps others better themselves while continuing her own journey of lifelong learning.

Her candidate biographical information sheet can be found by clicking here.

═════ Club Growth Director Candidates ═════

Professional Expertise & Strategic Planning

Kari’s professional background as a Product Manager provides her with the critical organizational and strategic skills necessary for District-level growth initiatives:

• Strategic Planning: In her professional role, she strategically plans work for three teams based on business prioritization in two-week cycles. She also applies these skills to her leadership in the Girl Scouts, managing fall sales, STEM events, and camps.

• Financial Management: She possesses extensive experience in setting budgets, preparing financial statements, and managing funds as a treasurer for multiple non-profit organizations, including Toastmasters, Girl Scouts, and the PTA.

• Procedure Development: Kari is skilled at identifying operational inefficiencies and working with resources to develop and implement improved plans and procedures.

Toastmasters Leadership & Recognition

Kari has served in a wide array of leadership roles, consistently earning high honors for her service:

• District Leadership: She is currently the Division B Director (2025–2026) and previously served as the District 54 Administration Manager (2021–2023) and Area 20 Director (2020–2021).

• Event Execution: She has successfully planned and executed major events, including a virtual Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI), a District Annual Conference, speech contests, and workshops.

• Major Honors: Her awards include District 54 Toastmaster of the Year (2020–2021), Division B Toastmaster of the Year (2019–2020), and multiple Area 20 Toastmaster and President of the Year awards.

• Educational Progress: She has completed two paths (Presentation Mastery and Effective Coaching) and multiple levels in Dynamic Leadership.

Vision for District 211

Kari is passionate about the upcoming merger of districts and is eager to help define District 211 as an "outstanding district". Her leadership philosophy and objectives include:

• Cohesive Operation: She believes the first major objective for the new District will be determining shared values and learning to operate cohesively.

• Collaborative Problem Solving: She proposes forming sub-committees to address membership decline and retention, leveraging the increased resources of a larger district.

• Effective Delegation: Kari emphasizes that building relationships and finding the unique strengths of each team member through delegation is the key to a high-functioning team.

• Commitment to Growth: While she acknowledges she is looking to further develop her experience in starting new clubs, she is dedicated to stretching her abilities and working closely with other leaders to recognize growth opportunities.

Her candidate biographical information sheet can be found by clicking here.

Professional Expertise & Strategic Leadership

Gary’s professional background as a Lead Automation Trainer directly complements his candidacy for Club Growth Director. His experience includes:

• Strategic Initiative Design: Leading initiatives to garner interest and increase engagement with applications and development—skills that translate directly to membership recruitment and club growth.

• Proven District Strategy: As a Past District Director, he successfully led a district through specific strategies that resulted in achieving Select Distinguished District status.

• Financial Stewardship: Two years of experience assisting with District budgets during his tenure as Program Quality Director and District Director.

Distinguished Toastmasters Leadership Record

Gary possesses one of the most comprehensive leadership portfolios possible within a District, having completed the full "District Trio" and beyond:

• District Executive Leadership: District Director (2024–2025), Program Quality Director (2023–2024), and current Immediate Past District Director (2025–2026).

• Division & Area Management: Division Director (2022–2023) and Area Director (2021–2022).

• Club Leadership: Multiple terms as President and Vice President Education.

• Educational Commitment: He has demonstrated immense dedication to the Pathways learning experience, reaching Level 5 in four separate paths (DL5, EH5, PM5, SR5) and completing various levels in every available path.

Major Honors & Recognition

Under Gary's leadership as District Director, the district achieved significant milestones, earning him:

• Select Distinguished District Award (2024–2025)

• President's Membership Retention Award (2024–2025)

• District Club Retention Award (2024–2025)

Vision for District 211

Gary is deeply invested in the members and clubs of this geographical region, regardless of the transition from District 54 to District 211. His "three-tiered" approach to the mission includes:

• Create: Forming new clubs to continue providing a diverse range of environments for members.

• Sustain: Maintaining member engagement through robust officer training.

• Achieve: Helping every club reach its unique level of success, whether that be through the Distinguished Club Program or membership growth awards.

Personal Philosophy

Gary credits Toastmasters with the blossoming of his professional career and views his candidacy as a way of "paying back" to the organization. He believes in a leadership style that focuses on identifying the potential in others and promoting them to achieve their best.

His candidate biographical information sheet can be found by clicking here.

═════ Division Director Candidates ═════

Professional Expertise & Education

Christina brings a high level of professional discipline to her leadership roles, backed by significant corporate experience and academic achievement:

• Technical Product Management: 20 years of experience working within financial institutions.

• Strategic Project Planning: 30 years of experience in project planning at work.

• Academic Foundation: Holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Alverno College in Milwaukee, WI.

• Financial Oversight: Served as a Club Treasurer, providing her with practical experience in Toastmasters finance.

Toastmasters Leadership & Recognition

Christina has consistently served in high-level leadership positions, earning numerous accolades for her dedication and performance:

• Division Director: Served as Division Director for D54 (2023–2024).

• Area Director: Served as Area Director for both D54 (2022–2023) and D35 (2017–2018).

• Award-Winning Performance: Recognized as the D54 Div C President of the Year (2024–2025) and D54 Div C Area Director of the Year (2022–2023).

• Spirit of Dedication: Recipient of the D54 Spirit of Dedication award (2023–2024).

Vision for District 211

As a member of three clubs and an "introvert by nature," Christina credits Toastmasters with giving her the confidence to work effectively with others. Her primary goal is to ensure a seamless transition for the brand-new District 211:

• Proactive Communication: Christina believes that "no news" is not necessarily good news; she is committed to keeping communication lines open between leadership and clubs.

• Inclusivity: She aims to build strong reports with clubs transitioning from outside of D54 to ensure they feel welcome and well-informed.

• Dedicated Service: Retiring this year, Christina is eager to dedicate her extra time to the organization she loves.

Her candidate biographical information sheet can be found by clicking here.

Professional Expertise & Strategic Planning

Mathew brings a robust background in finance and operational planning to his leadership roles:

• Financial Background: Holds a BA in Accounting from the University of Northern Iowa and currently works in the accounting field.

• Team Leadership: Serves as the team lead for the pharmacy accounting department at Hy-Vee, where he has developed interpersonal communication skills and an understanding of time-critical environments.

• Strategic Readiness: Serves on an Employee Emergency Readiness Planning Committee, evaluating safety policies and preparedness from a long-term scope.

• Procedure Development: Demonstrated high-level organizational skills by developing all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for a pharmacy accounting team overhaul in 2020.

Extensive Toastmasters Leadership

Mathew possesses a rare and comprehensive understanding of District operations, having served in nearly every major District Executive Committee (DEC) role:

• Top-Tier Leadership: Served as District Director (2023–2024), Program Quality Director (2022–2023), and Club Growth Director (2021–2022).

• Support & Management: Currently serving as Administration Manager (2025–2026) and previously served as Immediate Past District Director (2024–2025) and Public Relations Manager (2020–2021).

• Foundational Leadership: Served as Area 64 Director (2019–2020) and is a Triple Crown Awardee.

Vision for District 211

Mathew’s leadership philosophy is centered on collaborative growth and mentorship:

• Growth and Retention: He identifies District growth and retention as the primary objectives, proposing that growth be achieved through member-driven leads and retention through high-quality club training.

• Meeting Leaders Where They Are: From his previous positions, he has learned that meeting fellow leaders at their preferred communication level to set achievable goals is more effective than making demands.

• Inspiring Others: His motivation for serving is rooted in a desire to ignite leadership potential in others.

His candidate biographical information sheet can be found by clicking here.

Professional Expertise & Strategic Leadership

Leigh possesses significant professional management experience that translates directly to District leadership:

• Governmental Management: She serves as the Neighborhood Services Manager for the City of Columbia, Missouri, where she manages a division responsible for code enforcement and the City's volunteer program.

• Strategic Planning: Leigh has served on the Strategic Planning Committee for the City of Columbia. Furthermore, as a former Baldrige Quality Award Examiner, she possesses specialized knowledge in organizational performance improvement.

• Financial Oversight: She is responsible for her city division’s budget and has served as a treasurer for both the Boone County Fair and the Hinkson Valley Pony Club.

• Procedure Development: Managing a dozen employees and hundreds of volunteers, she has developed training instructions and checklists to ensure organizational success.

Toastmasters Leadership & Education

Leigh has a long history of service at both the club and district levels:

• District Leadership: Served as an Area Governor for the 2012–2013 term.

• Club Leadership: She is the current Vice President Education for Downtown Toastmasters and is a past president of both the Downtown Toastmasters and Columbia clubs.

• Distinguished Achievement: Earned the highest educational designation, Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM), in July 2014.

• Academic Background: Holds both a Master’s and a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education from the University of Missouri.

Vision for Division B

Leigh’s leadership philosophy centers on the belief that "the magic of Toastmasters happens at the club level". Her objectives for the District include:

• Club Support: Focusing on providing club leaders with quality training, well-run contests, and recognition of excellence.

• Visibility and Presence: She believes a good leader must invest time to be present and communicate effectively with members to support their pursuit of improvement.

• Growth: Supporting the development of new clubs to expand the organization’s reach.

Personal Interests & Community Involvement

Leigh is an active member of her community, participating in the Columbia Kiwanis Club, the Ashland Optimist Club, and her church. She is married with one daughter and enjoys quilting, reading, and traveling.

Her candidate biographical information sheet can be found by clicking here.

Professional Expertise & Strategic Leadership

Anne brings a high level of professional discipline to her candidacy, backed by significant corporate experience and specialized certifications:

• Global Leadership: Several years of experience at Caterpillar, leading diverse, international, and remote teams.

• Process Improvement: Holds a 6 Sigma Black Belt and possesses extensive experience in process improvement and change management.

• Strategic Planning: Currently serves as the Board Chair for the Girl Scouts of Central Illinois, where she has spent over four years reviewing and advising on strategic plans.

• Financial & Academic Foundation: Seven years of experience in machine pricing at Caterpillar. She holds a double major in International Business and French with a minor in Accounting from Illinois State University.

Toastmasters Experience & Recognition

Anne has a consistent history of serving in club leadership roles, demonstrating a deep commitment to the Toastmasters mission:

• Club President: Served multiple terms, including 2016, 2020–2021, and 2022–2023.

• VP Education: Served multiple terms in 2017 and 2021–2022.

• Other Club Roles: Has served as VP Membership (2023–2024) and Club Secretary.

• Educational Achievements: Her honors include Advanced Communicator Bronze , Advanced Leader Bronze , and Level 4 completions in both Effective Communicator and Dynamic Leadership.

Leadership Philosophy & Vision

Anne’s leadership approach is centered on collaboration, trust, and member-focused growth:

• Prioritizing Retention: She believes the district’s biggest priority is membership retention and growth, placing retention first because happy, engaged members are the primary drivers of growth.

• Collaborative Mindset: Anne has learned that a leader does not need all the answers; instead, building trust with a team is crucial to bringing the best ideas forward.

• Commitment to Service: She finds supporting and coaching others in their development to be her most rewarding experiences and seeks to "give back" to the organization that has significantly benefited her own growth.

Her candidate biographical information sheet can be found by clicking here.

Professional Expertise & Applied Philosophy

Jim’s professional background provides him with a unique "human systems" approach to leadership, which is invaluable during a District transition:

• Independent Thinker & Publisher: Works in the field of Applied Philosophy of Human Systems, exploring how clarity emerges within meaning-based systems and how people lead effectively.

• Systems Orientation: Rather than focusing purely on performance or motivation, Jim examines the underlying frames that shape what is possible in leadership—an essential skill for building a new District culture.

• Academic Foundation: Holds a Bachelor of Arts in English (Creative Writing) and a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Theology (Greek emphasis), providing a strong foundation in language, interpretation, and communication.

Toastmasters Leadership & Proven Results

In a short tenure, Jim has achieved milestones that typically take years, proving his dedication and efficiency:

• Division Leadership: Currently serving as the Division A Director for District 8 (2025–2026), where he has led large-scale training initiatives and developed practical tools for membership growth.

• Club Turnaround: As VP Education and VP Membership for Ozark Orators, he helped grow the club from 8 to 18 members and guided it to President’s Distinguished status for the first time in its 44-year history.

• Educational Achievement: A Triple Crown Awardee (2024–2025) who has completed the Presentation Mastery pathway.

• Strategic Support: Has a proven track record of supporting Area Directors and improving club visit and officer training participation benchmarks.

Leadership Philosophy & Vision

Jim is recognized for a "calm, thoughtful style" that prioritizes orientation over pressure. His vision for District 211 includes:

• Alignment: Ensuring District goals are aligned with club-level realities so that programs like Pathways and the DCP are experienced as meaningful and empowering rather than overwhelming.

• Clarity and Momentum: Focusing on helping leaders understand "what matters next" to maintain momentum during the merger of districts.

• Sustainable Culture: Committing to service and continuity to contribute to a healthy, sustainable leadership culture where both new and experienced Toastmasters can thrive.

Personal Approach

Outside of his professional and Toastmasters roles, Jim values collaboration and the development of leaders. He believes that leadership is most effective when individuals clearly understand their place within the larger system and feel supported in their unique development journey.

His candidate biographical information sheet can be found by clicking here.