Cynthia Abdon, DTM, COT Team

VPM Trainer

Cynthia Stephanie Abdon, DTM, is a long-time Toastmaster. Outside of Toastmasters, she has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics and a Master of Business Administration Degree (MBA). She was a business strategy consultant, project manager, intelligence analyst, and tax advisor in companies belonging to engineering, high- tech, oil and gas, and oilfield services. She is currently concentrating on international VAT taxes. In Toastmasters, her past district roles included: Toastmasters Pathways Ambassador, Public Relations Officer, TLI Chair, Realignment Chair, and other district chair roles. She was a Past Distinguished Area Governor and Past President’s Distinguished Division M Governor --“Division Governor of the Year Awardee 2013-2014”. In recent years, she served as District 56 Speechcraft Chair and Club Officer Trainer. She currently serves as Area R64 Director and a Club Officer Trainer. She is currently a member of three clubs: Deerwood Toastmasters, Master Evaluators (where she was Past President), and her home club, C&F (Current and Future) Leaders Club, an advanced President’s Distinguished Club (9 years in a row since inception), which she founded and sponsored in 2014, calling it “The Leaders’ Ship. She created the One-Day-5-Hour Speechcraft and the C&F Valentine and Fall DTM-a-Thons that served both her club (C&F), and other clubs for seven years, contributing at least 10 DTMs per year to District 56. Beliefs: She strongly believes in Toastmaster's values of Respect, Integrity, Service, and Excellence. Passion: Help other Toastmasters as a District 56 Trainer using the prescribed training materials and sharing years of experience as a leader and Toastmaster.

Fatimar Jones, DTM

2023 District Fall Education Summit Co-Chair

Fatimar Jones is a Distinguished Toastmaster, Division P Director for the 2022-2023 term, and Chairperson of the 2023 District 56 Speech Contests. She is honored to serve as the District 56 Program Quality Training Chair. Fatimar's commitment to Toastmasters is further evident through her active membership in six clubs, where she has held all club officer roles. Fatimar worked in the oil and gas industry for 40 years and retired as a project advisor in 2020. Her expertise in this field shaped her leadership style and ability to inspire others. Family holds a special place in Fatimar's life. She is happily married to Adrian Jones and is the proud mother of four adult sons. With seven grandchildren, she cherishes the joys of family life and the opportunity to pass on her wisdom and values to the next generation. Fatimar indulges in her love for reading in her spare time and stays active in her community through volunteering. Her commitment to personal growth and making a positive impact on society is truly commendable. Please join me in welcoming Fatimar Jones, an individual who embodies the spirit of leadership, communication, and service.

Gevenia Bradford, DTM, COT Team

SAA Trainer

Gevenia Bradford, DTM: Gevenia’s Toastmasters journey began in April 2012 with the Pearland Toastmasters Club. She served as Vice President of Public Relations and supported the Vice President of Education by assigning Mentors to the club’s new members and monitoring the process. She was a charter member and club sponsor of the Mid-West Pearland Club. Gevenia has served as Area and Division Director of Division P4 in District 56. While performing in the Division Director’s role, she was instrumental in starting the Young Professional Toastmasters Club, now the Southeast Houston Toastmasters Club.  She has served as an area contest judge and Club Officer Trainer. She is an ATD – Association for Talent Development member and a Distinguished Toastmaster.

Jennifer Nelson, DTM, Division O Director and Club Officer Training Team

Secretary Trainer

Jennifer Nelson, DTM, Division O Director, is honored and excited to serve on the COT Training Team! In District 56, Jennifer has held all club officer roles with lessons learned from every experience!  It is essential in every role to have direction, know the responsibilities, and see how each person is supported! Let's have FUN as we Learn and Grow with each other!  Let’s have the BEST year ever!

Joshua Saenz, Club Officer Training Team

Club President Trainer

Joshua Saenz joined the ChampionX Toastmasters club in 2018 (formerly called Nalco Champion Toastmasters) and is still going strong. He's served as a Sergeant At Arms, Club President twice, and Vice President of Education. Currently the Sergeant At Arms-elect for the incoming club year and looking forward to it. Being a member of Toastmasters has allowed Joshua to come out of his shell as a public speaker and leader and network with other great professionals within his company and the Houston area.  He is happy to say that he has completed the Dynamic Leadership pathway and is close to finishing the Effective Coaching pathway. Joshua also serves as a Club Coach. He is thrilled to be a part of the Club Officer Training team.

Mark Vine, COT Team

VPE Trainer

I joined Deerwood Toastmasters in 2021 and I have not looked back since. During my short time with the club, I have served as SSA, VPE and I am now the President elect for this coming year for which I very excited. I cannot believe the progress in have made during this time, Toastmasters has provided me with a safe space not only in terms of structuring and making speeches, but also improved my listening and feedback skills; all of which are very important to becoming an effective leader and communicator. TM has also been a fantastic opportunity to broaden my network outside of my usual circle of personal/professional friends/colleagues and make a bunch of new ‘mates’ through the club and getting involved with other district activities - everyone's super friendly and welcoming!

Mary Jubb, Division M Director and PQD Team

Teach / Zoom Lead

Mary Jubb is a geologist, Toastmaster, and mom originally from the mountains of East Tennessee. She holds a BS in Geology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and an MS in Geology from the University of Tennessee. Her career as a geologist took her to North Carolina, Ohio, and California before settling in Houston in 2014. She joined Missouri City Toastmasters in 2018 and Sound of Greenway Toastmasters in 2019 and has served as an officer in both clubs. In 2022, she won Best Presentation at the International Geomechanics Symposium in Abu Dhabi, thanks to her experience in Toastmasters. When she isn’t looking at rocks or planning speeches for Toastmasters, she enjoys reading, running, playing with her dogs and cat, and homeschooling her two boys.

Program Quality TEAM

Building a Healthy Team

Rose Bradford, DTM, PDD, COT Team

Treasurer Trainer

Rose Williams Bradford joined Toastmasters in April 1999 and became an active member and leader in ExxonMobil Toastmasters.  Before leadership at the District Level, Rose served in leadership roles in the three clubs she currently belongs to, Determined to Master Speaking (DTMS), Dining Out Toastmasters, and Wordcrafters (presently serving as Treasurer).   Additionally, she supported members outside her clubs as Club Sponsor, Club Mentor, and Club Coach.  She began District leadership as the Area O12 Governor in 2013-2014.  She continued serving D56 as the last Division O Governor and continued in leadership through the 2022-2023 fiscal year.  She held varied District roles, including Committee Chairs/Co-Chairs, Pathways Ambassador, Club Growth Director, Program Quality Director, District Director, and Immediate Past District Director.  Rose is passionate about members connecting and collaborating outside their clubs and strongly advocates for Area and Division Council Meetings throughout the District. She believes council meetings allow reaching members outside our clubs and be the conduit that motivates them to do more, grow more, and stay engaged in Toastmasters.

Zenia Shipp, DTM, New Member and Pathways Orientation Chair, and COT Team

VPPR Trainer

Distinguished Toastmaster, Zenia Shipp, is the New Member & Pathways Orientation Chair. She joined Toastmasters in 2014. Zenia has served her clubs in all club officer roles for the past nine years. She has also served as DCP Chair, Area Director, TLI Trainer and Club Growth Chair in District 56. Zenia is the 2017-2018 President’s Distinguished Area P4 Director and Spring 2020 Club Vice President Public Relations of the Year Award Recipient.

Fatimar Jones, DTM

2023 District Fall Education Summit Co-Chair

Fatimar Jones is a Distinguished Toastmaster, Division P Director for the 2022-2023 term, and Chairperson of the 2023 District 56 Speech Contests. She is honored to serve as the District 56 Program Quality Training Chair. Fatimar's commitment to Toastmasters is further evident through her active membership in six clubs, where she has held all club officer roles. Fatimar worked in the oil and gas industry for 40 years and retired as a project advisor in 2020. Her expertise in this field shaped her leadership style and ability to inspire others. Family holds a special place in Fatimar's life. She is happily married to Adrian Jones and is the proud mother of four adult sons. With seven grandchildren, she cherishes the joys of family life and the opportunity to pass on her wisdom and values to the next generation. Fatimar indulges in her love for reading in her spare time and stays active in her community through volunteering. Her commitment to personal growth and making a positive impact on society is truly commendable. Please join me in welcoming Fatimar Jones, an individual who embodies the spirit of leadership, communication, and service.

Gevenia Bradford, DTM, COT Team

SAA Trainer

Gevenia Bradford, DTM: Gevenia’s Toastmasters journey began in April 2012 with the Pearland Toastmasters Club. She served as Vice President of Public Relations and supported the Vice President of Education by assigning Mentors to the club’s new members and monitoring the process. She was a charter member and club sponsor of the Mid-West Pearland Club. Gevenia has served as Area and Division Director of Division P4 in District 56. While performing in the Division Director’s role, she was instrumental in starting the Young Professional Toastmasters Club, now the Southeast Houston Toastmasters Club.  She has served as an area contest judge and Club Officer Trainer. She is an ATD – Association for Talent Development member and a Distinguished Toastmaster.

Jennifer Nelson, DTM, Division O Director and Club Officer Training Team

Secretary Trainer

Jennifer Nelson, DTM, Division O Director, is honored and excited to serve on the COT Training Team! In District 56, Jennifer has held all club officer roles with lessons learned from every experience!  It is essential in every role to have direction, know the responsibilities, and see how each person is supported! Let's have FUN as we Learn and Grow with each other!  Let’s have the BEST year ever!

Mark Vine, COT Team

VPE Trainer

I joined Deerwood Toastmasters in 2021 and I have not looked back since. During my short time with the club, I have served as SSA, VPE and I am now the President elect for this coming year for which I very excited. I cannot believe the progress in have made during this time, Toastmasters has provided me with a safe space not only in terms of structuring and making speeches, but also improved my listening and feedback skills; all of which are very important to becoming an effective leader and communicator. TM has also been a fantastic opportunity to broaden my network outside of my usual circle of personal/professional friends/colleagues and make a bunch of new ‘mates’ through the club and getting involved with other district activities - everyone's super friendly and welcoming!

Mary Jubb, Division M Director and PQD Team

Teach / Zoom Lead

Mary Jubb is a geologist, Toastmaster, and mom originally from the mountains of East Tennessee. She holds a BS in Geology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and an MS in Geology from the University of Tennessee. Her career as a geologist took her to North Carolina, Ohio, and California before settling in Houston in 2014. She joined Missouri City Toastmasters in 2018 and Sound of Greenway Toastmasters in 2019 and has served as an officer in both clubs. In 2022, she won Best Presentation at the International Geomechanics Symposium in Abu Dhabi, thanks to her experience in Toastmasters. When she isn’t looking at rocks or planning speeches for Toastmasters, she enjoys reading, running, playing with her dogs and cat, and homeschooling her two boys.

PQD Team Training with DCP Chair

Progress in the DCP

Kate, is a professional life coach who help others catalyze their success. She is also an avid Toastmaster. Kate first joined Toastmasters club in 2003 while she was living in Calgary Canada, yet did not achieve her DTM until 2019. Toastmaster really sharpened her professional and personal communication skills, she is able to expand her horizon to coaching, mentoring and training to raise leaders for different levels of organizations and corporates. Kate keeps learning and developing herself. Her passion of helping people grow and develop to reach their highest potential has motivated her into leadership training and professional coaching. She is currently a member of ICF(Coaching Federation), and a Certified Life Coach with CCA.

Rae Ann George, DTM

Club Treasurer Training

Steve Jones, DTM, COT Team

Club President Trainer

Steve Jones, DTM, is a Dining Out Toastmasters (DOT) member and has served as a DOT officer since 2016. He recently completed a term of service to District 56 as Division N Director (2019-20) and previously as Area Director in Division Q (2015-16). He joined Dining Out Toastmasters 2015 to enjoy the Advanced Club experience in the Premier Leadership Club in Southeast Texas... let's say "The World"! Steve is a certified executive coach (ICF) and has worked at UTHealth since 1993 and is currently serving the university as a Sr. Program Manager in the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging.

Terrie Green, DTM, Club Officer Training

VPM Trainer

Distinguished Toastmaster Terrie Lynn Green: Terrie Green is a 2004 Charter member of Determined to Master Speaking and a member of the Dining Out Toastmasters Club. During her membership at DTMS, she has won several Speech competitions in Humorous, International, and Tall Tales.  Terrie Green served as Area Q-55 Governor and received recognition from Toastmasters International as a certified Mentor and Coach. In the service year of 2018-2019, Terrie received The Toastmaster of the Year award for recognition of exceptional leadership and devoted service as the District Logistics Manager. She currently holds the position of President and Vice President of Education of DTMS, encouraging the members to step out of their comfort zones to reach their goals. The skills she has learned as a speaker she has taught to the high school students at Sterling High School, where she graduated from using the Educational Program set up by Toastmasters International.

Zenia Shipp, DTM, New Member and Pathways Orientation Chair, and COT Team

VPPR Trainer

Distinguished Toastmaster, Zenia Shipp, is the New Member & Pathways Orientation Chair. She joined Toastmasters in 2014. Zenia has served her clubs in all club officer roles for the past nine years. She has also served as DCP Chair, Area Director, TLI Trainer and Club Growth Chair in District 56. Zenia is the 2017-2018 President’s Distinguished Area P4 Director and Spring 2020 Club Vice President Public Relations of the Year Award Recipient.