About

District leaders

Jo Idoux, DTM

District56 Director

Chandra Munagavalasa, DTM

Program Quality Director

Sharla Ozen, DTM

Club Growth Director

Carolyn Charney, DTM

Administration Manager

Becky Noe, DTM

Finance Manager

Carolyn Charney, DTM

Public Relations Manager

Rose Bradford, DTM

Immediate Past District Director

Avishek "Avi" Roy Chowdhury, PM5

Division L Director

Yvette Hayes, DTM

Division M Director

Jose Antonio Betancourt, DTM

Division N Director

Marcia Hudgens, DTM

Division O Director

Elizabeth Ruiz, DTM

Division P Director

Roop Roy, DTM

Division Q Director

Cassie Brandley, DTM

Division R Director

DIVISION L

Division L 40 Area Director

Ryun Jung "RJ" Lee, DTM

Division L 41 Area Director

Kay Miller, DL3

Division L 42 Area Director

Cheryl Long, DL5

Division L 43 Area Director

Marie Goradia, DTM

Division L 44 Area Director

Michele Cuellar, DTM

Division L 45 Area Director

Elly Hard, DTM

DIVISION M

Division M 30 Area Director

Wade Downing, DL4

Division M 31 Area Director

Nishu Kurup, PM5

Division M 32 Area Director

Akinlolu "Akin" Oni, SR5

Division M 33 Area Director

Stacey Butler, EC4

DIVISION N

Division N 20 Area Director

Karl D'Gama, CC, CL

Division N 21 Area Director

Maximo "Max" Lopez, SR2

Division N 22 Area Director

Vacant

Division N 23 Area Director

Jorge Gonzalez, PI5

Division N 24 Area Director

Jose Alcantar, DL3

DIVISION O

Div O 10 Area Director

Jenny Chow, SR3

Div O 11 Area Director

Tammie Rochester, IP3

Div O 12 Area Director

Deanna Werner, IP4

Div O 13 Area Director

Alvin Watts, ACB, ALB

Div O 14 Area Director

Roy Monarch, DTM

DIVISION P

Div P 1 Area Director

Jennifer Nelson, DTM

Div P 2 Area Director

Deandra Newcomb, DL4

Div P 3 Area Director

Vacant

Div P 4 Area Director

Qiana Preston, EC5

Div P 5 Area Director

Fatimar Jones, DTM

DIVISION Q

Div Q 50 Area Director

Paul Crescini, TC3

Div Q 51 Area Director

Amrita Verma, DL4

Div Q 52 Area Director

Tia Black, LD1

Div Q 53 Area Director

Erin Neyhart, IP4

Div Q 54 Area Director

Theresia Olson, TC1

DIVISION R

Div R 60 Area Director

Tere Benza P., IP5

Div R 61 Area Director

Srikkanth Madhavan, PM4

Div R 62 Area Director

Sabrina Amani, PM3

Div R 63 Area Director

Becky LeBlanc, VC3

Div R 64 Area Director

Jessica Quevedo, VC5

SPECIAL COMMITTEES

Alignment Committee Chair

Harold Eaton, DTM

Audit Committee Chair

Isaac Berry, DTM

Compassion Outreach Chair

Terri Gatica

Credentials Chair

Vacant

District Historian

Diane Nino, DTM

District Information Technology Manager

Jennifer Guhlin, IP5

District Leadership Chair

David Rebeles, DTM, PDG

Internal Communications Manager

Latonia Jones, IP3

Logistics Manager

Jennifer Nelson, DTM

Parliamentarian

Tamesia Garner, DTM

Social Media Chair

Stacey Butler, EC4

Webmaster

Loni Huff, IP5

Webmaster Assistant

Sarah Krusleski, DL3

CLUB GROWTH COMMITTEES

Club Growth Team Support Assistant

Monique Lampkin, IP4

Club New Source Research Chair

Valeria Jones, PM4

Club Extension Co-Chair (New Clubs)

Carol Caraway, DTM, PDDD

Club Extension Co-Chair (New Clubs)

Sharon Fant, ACS, CL

Club Quality Co-Chair (Mentors)

Basma Al Kakoun, MS5

Club Quality Co-Chair (Mentors)

Rob Sutphen, DTM

Club Retention Co-Chair (Coach)

Gabriel O'Neale, VC1

Club Retention Chair - Community

Jocelyn Williams, DTM

Club Retention Chair - Corporate

Isaac Berry, DTM

Club Sponsor Co-Chair

Linda Caban, EC2

Club Sponsor Co-Chair

Mohina Panthi, DTM

Demo Team Chair

Dorothy Hudson-Jenkins, DTM

YLP/Gavel Club Co-Chair

Andrew Paultanis, DTM

YLP/Gavel Club Co-Chair

Shalah Soraya Mohammed, DTM

PROGRAM QUALITY COMMITTEES

District Chief Judge

Fatimar Jones, DTM

District Contest Chair

Jennifer Nelson, DTM

DCP Chair

Carol Caraway, DTM, PDDD

DTM Chair

Michele Cuellar, DTM

Spring Conference Co-Chair

Elizabeth Ruiz, DTM

Spring Conference Co-Chair

Akinlolu "Akin" Oni, SR5

Education & Training Co-Chair

Sai Gowthami Asam, PM1

Education & Training Co-Chair

Harold Eaton, DTM

Education & Training Co-Chair

Elizabeth Ruiz, DTM

Education & Training Co-Chair

Amrita Verma, DL3

DISTRICT CLUB

What Is Toastmasters?

Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication and leadership development. Our organization has more than 345,000 members.

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DISTRICT CLUB

District Leaders

District leaders put service above self in supporting all clubs in achieving excellence.

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DISTRICT CLUB

our history

District 56 became the second Toastmasters district in Texas on July 1, 1957, as a result of a split with District 25.

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Jo Idoux, DTM

District 56 Director

Jo began her Toastmaster’s journey in June 2015. She enjoys bringing the gift of Toastmasters to new members, mentoring, and witnessing all Toastmasters grow into better versions of themselves each day. Jo retired from MD Anderson Cancer Center after 38 years where she worked as a Sr. IT Project Manager.

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Chandra Munagavalasa, DTM

Program Quality Director

A Toastmaster since January 2015, Chandra values his journey in Toastmasters. The communication and leadership skills he learned in Toastmasters helped him both personally and professionally. Chandra gained a lot from Toastmasters and wants to help others so they can have a rewarding Toastmasters experience."

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Sharla Ozen, DTM

Club Growth Director

In 2016, Sharla was introduces to Toastmasters, and her life-changing journey began. She loves her Toastmasters family and the transformative impact Toastmasters has made in her personal and professional development.

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Carolyn Charney, DTM

Administration Manager

Carolyn Charney joined toastmasters in March of 2015 and earned her DTM in October of 2018. She attended her first meeting to satisfy a coworker who was determined to get her interested/involved. A Charter member of Destined for Excellence; She has served District 56 as an Area Director, TLI (Toastmasters Leadership Institute) Co-chair, Trainer, Club officer and Pathways Ambassador. Carolyn currently earns a living as a Software Compliance and IT Asset Manager, a fancy title for a Program Manager at an international insurance company. Now serving as the district Administration Manager and Public Relations Manager, her advice is, “Hang on, and enjoy the ride.”

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Becky Noe, DTM

Finance Manager

Carolyn Charney, DTM

Public Relations Manager

Carolyn Charney joined toastmasters in March of 2015 and earned her DTM in October of 2018. She attended her first meeting to satisfy a coworker who was determined to get her interested/involved. A Charter member of Destined for Excellence; She has served District 56 as an Area Director, TLI (Toastmasters Leadership Institute) Co-chair, Trainer, Club officer and Pathways Ambassador. Carolyn currently earns a living as a Software Compliance and IT Asset Manager, a fancy title for a Program Manager at an international insurance company. Now serving as the district Administration Manager and Public Relations Manager, her advice is, “Hang on, and enjoy the ride.”

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Rose W. Bradford, DTM

Immediate Past District Director

In 1999, Rose joined Toastmasters to overcome her fear of public speaking. She conquered her fear, found confidence, and discovered a passion for leadership. As IPDD, Rose maintains her passion for ROTOKO, which is to Reach at least One member, to Teach(mentor) them so they remain, or Keep engaged in Toastmasters. She loves seeing the metamorphosis that occurs as members develop into beautiful butterflies. In 2017, Rose retired from ExxonMobil as a Paralegal after a 40-year career.

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Avishek "Avi" Roy Chowdhury, PM5

Division L Director

Avi joined Toastmasters in 2019, and since then he never looked back. He strongly believes the Toastmasters platform is the only place where you meet the best and the one who wants to be their best. Avi being a certified technical & project management professional with over a decade of experience, strategic planning is his key area. He is a proven leader with a record to bring the best out of teams and enable them to reach their highest potential. Being a creative person, he loves to bring in innovation and out of the box thought process to regular activities. This California Boy, now Texan, considers sports and photography his passion.

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Yvette Hayes, DTM

Division M Director

I have learned through Toastmasters that I can not do it by myself. The journey to communication and leadership comes from the help of others. Daily it is something new to share so others can grow as well. "Surround yourself with people that have your best interest at heart. People that push you to do your best, and reach for your goals. No drama, no mess. Simply positive energy and good intentions."

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Jose Antonio Betancourt, DTM

Division N Director

Jose Antonio Betancourt started his Toastmaster journey in April 2016. He never thought that he could learn so much about communication and leadership. Best of all, Jose Antonio is still learning and challenging himself with new projects in this great journey of Toastmasters. He works for a Catholic Church Community and is also a Real Estate Investor.

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Marcia Hudgens, DTM

Division O Director

I am honored and excited to return and serve Division O. I first joined the corporate club, Downtown Houston, which brings back wonderful memories. My vision for Division O is to remain strong and viable, building stronger after the past year. I am proud the clubs remained resilient. I envision seeing members visit other clubs and sharing ideas.

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Elizabeth Ruiz, DTM

Division P Director

Elizabeth joined Toastmasters to polish her public speaking skills. Helping others to learn and grow is why she stays. She is passionate about empowering individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders. Elizabeth is working on a dissertation for her PhD in organizational leadership. She is a researcher, speaker, and thought leader in the future of leadership in a digitally connected world.

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Roop Roy, DTM

Division Q Director

Roop has been a Toastmaster since 2013 and considers himself a Toastmaster for life. He has served in every club officer role at least once, has been a club sponsor, mentor & coach. He has organized / participated in speech contests, youth leadership program, speechcraft and district conference committees. He has learnt a lot & grown out of his comfort zone thanks to Toastmasters and wants to share the same joy with others.

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Cassie Brandley, DL5

Division R Director

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