Candidates for District 101 Elected Positions for 2022-23
“The District Leadership Committee report is published here. Please visit our Business Meeting webpage for more information.”
Candidates for District Director
Kalpana Aroda, DTM
Each time I took a chance by taking on a new role within Toastmasters, I stepped out of my comfort zone and learned something new. Over the past 6 years and holding 3 major district leadership positions, I have had the pleasure of helping members by supporting and leading clubs and our division. I was recognized as Division Director of the Year (20/21) and as your PQD this year, I have introduced new programs opening additional opportunities to expand their leadership skills.
My vision as District Director is to create opportunities for our members to try something new, introduce Toastmasters to someone ready to take this journey and help those who are prepared to make the most out of their memberships.
It will be an honor to serve D101 as each one of us step out of our comfort-zone because life truly begins at the end of our comfort-zone!
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Stephen Nosek, IP5, SR4
Toastmasters is the community where we learn how to thrive!
A quote, yet never delivered, by U.S. President John F. Kennedy; “leadership and learning are indispensable to each other” embodies the mission of Toastmasters.
Our community builds relationships, instills confidence, strengthens foundations, and challenges each one of us to become better communicators, leaders, and ultimately, people. Every. Single. Day.
It’s no secret that our community is struggling to bridge the gap between in-person and virtual meetings, declining membership, and adjusting to the new normal with the reopening of the Bay Area.
My vision as the next District Director is to create a strong learning culture of the fundamentals and teach all members and clubs “how” to become successful in the program. Together, we will work to make D101 the best environment where members and clubs can thrive every single day.
Vote for Stephen Nosek for D101 District Director.
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Candidates for Program Quality Director
Raji Bandanapudi, DTM
My Toastmasters journey has taught me that learning and growth is not a destination but a journey. A journey where you learn by practice, progress by sharing your knowledge and grow by serving others. As a leader I have strived to create a path for free flow of ideas, support and a community where everyone feels included and their needs are addressed.
As a Program Quality Director, my vision is to create a community that innovates to help members achieve their goals and provides them with lot of opportunities for leadership. My Toastmasters more rewarding than I ever imagined and I envision the same for all the Members. I will strive to ensure that members will cherish being a Toastmaster in District 101 as I help them learn, progress and excel.
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Abhijeet Joshi, DTM
GOETHE wrote “Knowing is not enough, we must apply. Willing is not enough, we must do.”
My year serving as your Club Growth Director has confirmed my belief that we grow best when working together. My team and I were able to connect with members across the district to understand and address your diverse needs.
As a nominated candidate for Program Quality Director, it is my intention to continue to build on these synergies. Together, we will support clubs to deliver consistently high quality meetings by sharing tools and best practices with you.
As Ralph Smedley said, “We learn best in moments of enjoyment”: As a district team, we will work to provide enjoyable, high energy and just in time training for our district leaders, clubs and members.
With your vote and continued support, I look forward to serving you as District 101’s Program Quality Director for the 2022-2023 year.
Candidates for Club Growth Director
Candidate for Division A Director
Daniel Pinto, DTM
I have three main goals that I would like to achieve for Division A for the 2022 to 2023 Toastmaster Year. The first goal is to help clubs work through the challenge of making the difficult decision of going back to in-person meetings, continuing with online meetings, or trying hybrid meetings. This is a very difficult decision for many clubs, and I look forward to working with each club in determining what is best for them. My second goal is to increase participation of members in district events such as Club Officer Training, Contests, and attending the end of year District Conference. The third goal would be to achieve Presidential Distinguished Division for Division A in the 2022-2023 Toastmaster Year.
Vote for Daniel Pinto for your next Division A Director.
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Candidates for Division B Director
Kate Plant, PI5, DL5
Have you ever felt like you were in the right spot? I rejoined Toastmasters to improve my public speaking, leadership skills, and in the process found a wonderfully encouraging community. Each year I continue to grow through my various roles, including VPM, VPPR, VPE, President, Area Director C1 & C2 (shortly), and Club Coach. As a Division B Director, I will continue to advance, connect and encourage my fellow Toastmaster members and district leaders.
Our year ahead will be about continuing to build, expand and find a new equilibrium for our Toastmasters Clubs through in-person, hybrid and virtual meetings. Additionally, my goal will be to encourage youth and “the unheard” to join a Youth Gavel or Toastmasters Club. Through a community of learning together, we can each support Division B to shine!
My vision as your next Division B Director is to continue the great work of Division B members, while encouraging a curious, inclusive and supportive community. Together, we’ll resonate the District goals, surmount challenges and opportunities with ease, inspire courage, strive for excellence and recognise the power of compassionate and empowered communicators.
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Raghunadha Raju, DTM
Toastmasters has helped me to improve my leadership, communication and my ability to connect and positively influence others.
This has opened up new horizons of growth for me at the workplace. On a personal front, I have strengthened existing relations. This inspired me to serve the community in various roles.
In my journey of leadership as Area Director, Club Coach, Club Mentor and Club Officer, I have learned meeting quality, strong mentorship and membership experience are the keys to success of clubs, area, division, and district.
As a Division Director, my vision is to work with my team of Area directors to guide the Area clubs to have high quality and fun meetings, expand membership, open mentorship opportunities at various levels, and empower members to expand their leadership.
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Candidate for Division C Director
Priya Shastri, PI4, PM5
Communication is key to the growth of an individual. An impeccable skill to have is concise and clear usage of words. I joined this forum about 2 years back and have grown tremendously through this journey.
I would like to continue my leadership journey in this area further by becoming Division Director. This year I was privileged to serve the role of Area Director of C2. During my journey as Toastmaster I have served various roles .Each and every experience working with the clubs helped me provide novel solutions to problems. Perseverance and persistence are keys to achieve your goals and toastmasters teaches you that at the beginning!
Given a chance, I hope to encourage club building activities and bolster a community of leaders who can rise by helping each other. I can perform to the best of my abilities and make a difference to the world!
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Candidate for Division D Director
Cherry Sze, IP5, DL5
I would give back to my Toastmasters community and help my Division and District thrive. There is nothing more important than to listen to the needs, challenges, and important requests of our members. The voices of our members are critical to me, and I will make use of my position to see how we can enhance our Division for each member. I will be the voice and representative for our Division.
My visions are to (1) communicate and collaborate with Toastmasters & Area Directors to ensure members needs are addressed, (2) foster a safe, caring, and equitable environment for successful learning and sharing best practices, (3) listen to members’ challenges, as well as celebrate successes together. I am ready to take on any challenges to help our Division and District 101 succeed. It will be a privilege and an honor to serve you.
Candidates for Division E Director
Jay Mojnidar, LD5
I believe in the mantra: “Sweat a bit, smile a lot, and achieve a whole lot!”. I will help you achieve your goals by fostering an environment for individualized growth and collective camaraderie. This is a battle-tested framework. First, as VPE and then as President at Cupertino Toastmasters we achieved 10 out of 10 DCP points in back to back years. I am the Area E6 Director with 4 of 5 clubs that will be or already are a President Distinguished Club, with the 5th projected to be a Selected Distinguished. I’m also a mentor at the new SITimes club that’s already poised to be Distinguished. With me, we will break a sweat, laugh together, and take Division E to the next level!
Vote for me! You can’t go wrong. 🙂
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Jenny Wang, ACG, ALS, PL5
For every role I play in Toastmasters, I learn new skills. As a club member, officer, coach, district officer or founder of a new club chapter, I am here to develop all the skills TM offers and work towards its mission to see how far we can go. Growing with the club during the pandemic made the experience more rewarding.
As a division director I will ensure that the club achieves its mission and fulfills its responsibilities to its members through leadership and support of the area directors.
My objective is to build new club opportunities and support all clubs in achieving excellence, provide a mutually supportive and promote a positive learning environment in which every individual member has the opportunity to develop oral communication and leadership skills. This in turn fosters self-confidence and personal growth. Please support my quest for Division E Director.
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Candidate for Division G Director
Anna Garcia, DTM
There is really no other community like Toastmasters. When I entered a club meeting for the first time, 9 years ago, it has been a welcoming and warm environment, that turning into a family. I felt good about joining this wonderful club and the Toastmasters Organization. My hope with taking on a leadership role is to continue to help clubs foster that same experience for the newest person. As a leader I want to pick up the ball where it is on the playing field and help advance it to the goal. It would be both an honor and an amazing experience to grow my leadership as I support Division G. By keeping the member experience at the heart of what we do, helps us to continue to grow into an amazing District 101.