Embedded Files
Six Toastmasters were advanced to the 2023 Roche Speaking World Cup contest, and six fantastic speeches were delivered from Roche Toastmaster Clubs across the globe. Watch the speeches HERE!
“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.”
– Albert Einstein
2023 World Cup Champion: Joao Abrantes, Basel Toastmasters Club, Basel, Switzerland
João has been part of Roche since 2019 as a Clinical Pharmacometrician Scientist and is based in Basel. With a Ph.D. from Uppsala University, Sweden, João has significantly contributed to mathematical model-informed drug development.
Joining Toastmasters in Sweden, and later in Basel, has helped João enhance his public speaking skills, which he finds crucial for communicating complex scientific concepts. This has strengthened his influence in critical decision-making within drug development.
Outside of work, João enjoys running, public speaking, and meditation, exemplifying a balanced approach to professional and personal growth. These activities help him overcome mental fatigue, recharge his batteries, and stay focused both at work and in life.
2023 World Cup Runner-up: Ariel Hu, Roche MVPs Toastmasters Club, Mississauga, ON, CA
2023 World Cup 3rd Place: Henry Kruk, Genentech Toastmasters, South San Francisco, CA
2023 World Cup Finalist: Gabby Miles, Roche Indy Toastmasters, Indianapolis, IN, USA
2023 World Cup Finalist: Yufang Wang, Roche Bay Area Toastmasters Club, Santa Clara, CA, USA
I have been with Roche since 2017, as a Toastmaster since 2016 and attending Toastmasters meetings since 2014. At work, I use my quantitative microscopy skills to help the development of DNA sequencers. For work, I like to speak with beautiful pictures. Being a scientist in training, I spend most of my time in the lab, alone. Perhaps because of this, I find the Toastmasters experience a good complement to my life, initially just to deliver speeches, later also the leadership oppotunities. I have taken all the club officer roles as well as the Area Director. I was the charter president of the Roche Bay Area Toastmasters Club, mainly serving the Santa Clara and Pleasanton members, as well as anyone else interested in joining. Outside work, I enjoy cooking and silkworm rearing. Currently I take the advantage of Roche’s world language learning program to learn Spanish.
2023 World Cup Finalist: Burton Holmes, Roche Desert Toastmasters, Roche Tissue Diagnostics, Tucson, AZ
Burton grew up in Northern California where he learned the value of hard work and setting goals. He has lived in Utah, Brazil, North Carolina and now in Arizona for the past 16 years. Each place holds a special place in his heart and memory, but for now he loves the stark beauty of the desert and plans to stay for a long time. He has been with Roche for 12 years and a Toastmaster for eight. While he still fears public speaking more than almost anything, he does find enjoyment in pushing himself into the uncomfortable zone of speaking in front of an audience. Life is about continuous improvement and growth. When not speaking or preparing for a speech, Burton enjoys spending time with his family outdoors, helping others through service, cycling, cooking and reading.
2023 World Cup Contest Chair: Lea Scalici, Roche Bay Area Toastmasters Club, Santa Clara, CA, USA
2023 World Cup Chief Judge: Kristina Protuseviciute, Basel Toastmasters Club, Basel, Switzerland
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse