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Speakers for this event

• Alan Steinberg

  Alan Steinberg

  District Conference Karaoke Chair & DJ

  Alan Steinberg is new to Toastmasters, joining the Daybreakers Club in Fall 2023. He serves as the President/CEO of the West Houston Association, working with industry leaders who collaborate, educate, and advocate to improve the quality of life, experience, and opportunity for 2,000,000+ people who live, work, and play in the 1,200 sq mile Greater West Houston region and beyond. Alan is involved with the community, serving on the Harris County MUD 500 board, the Memorial Management District, the Houston Clean City Commission, the Alief Super Neighborhood Council, Leadership Houston, the UH Katy Advisory Committee, and the Volunteer Houston Advisory Committee. Most notably, as you can tell from the boots and hat, he is also very involved with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Houston and is always ready to work with others to make Houston an increasingly better place to live, work, and play.

  District Conference Karaoke Chair & DJ

• Alison Nissen, DTM, District Conference Master of Ceremonies

  Alison Nissen, DTM, District Conference Master of Ceremonies

  Friday, May 3, 2024

  Friday, May 3, 2024

• Anastasia Wilson, District Conference Hospitality Suites Chair

  Anastasia Wilson, District Conference Hospitality Suites Chair

• Andrew Paultanis, DTM

  Andrew Paultanis, DTM

  District Conference Author\'s Corner Chair

  District Conference Author\'s Corner Chair

• Angela Tornes, DTM, Past District 43 Director

  Angela Tornes, DTM, Past District 43 Director

  Education Session

  Education Session

• Basma Kakoun, DTM

  Basma Kakoun, DTM

  District Conference Entrepreneur's Corner Chair

  District Conference Entrepreneur's Corner Chair

• Becky Fields, District Conference Gift Bag Co-Chair

  Becky Fields, District Conference Gift Bag Co-Chair

  Gift Bag Co-Chair for Saturday, May 4, 2024

• Charlie Pitts, DTM, Past Distinguished District Governor

  Charlie Pitts, DTM, Past Distinguished District Governor

  Education Session

  Education Session

• Cynthia Abdon, DTM, Distinguished Toastmaster Chair

  Cynthia Abdon, DTM, Distinguished Toastmaster Chair

  Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) Ceremony

  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. Last year she served as Area R64 Director and a Club Officer Trainer. This Toastmasters year, Cynthia is the DTM Chair, and serving on the Club Officer Training Team. She is currently a member of four clubs: Deerwood Toastmasters, Master Evaluators (where she was Past President), 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, and her most recent club she chartered, and is a charter member, club sponsor, and club member of, POP Houston Toastmasters Club. She created the One-Day-5-Hour Speechcraft and the C&F Valentine and Fall DTM-a-Thons that served 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 Toastmasters' 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.

  Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) Ceremony

• Diane Nino, DTM, District Conference Toastmasters Trivia Game Chair

  Diane Nino, DTM, District Conference Toastmasters Trivia Game Chair

• District Conference AV & Lighting Chair

  District Conference AV & Lighting Chair

• District Conference Awards Chair

  District Conference Awards Chair

• District Conference Certificates Chair

  District Conference Certificates Chair

• District Conference Decorations Chair

  District Conference Decorations Chair

• District Conference Dignitary Parade Chair

  District Conference Dignitary Parade Chair

• District Conference Education Chair

  District Conference Education Chair

• District Conference Gifts Chair

  District Conference Gifts Chair

• District Conference Hall of Fame Chair

  District Conference Hall of Fame Chair

• District Conference Photos Chair

  District Conference Photos Chair

• District Conference Program Book Ad Sales Chair

  District Conference Program Book Ad Sales Chair

• District Conference Program Book Chair

  District Conference Program Book Chair

• District Conference Publicity Chair

  District Conference Publicity Chair

• District Conference Selfie Booth Chair

  District Conference Selfie Booth Chair

• District Conference Silent Auction Chair

  District Conference Silent Auction Chair

• District Conference Sponsor Chair

  District Conference Sponsor Chair

• District Conference Team Building Activity Chair

  District Conference Team Building Activity Chair

• District Conference Timer Chair

  District Conference Timer Chair

• District Conference Venue Chair

  District Conference Venue Chair

• District Conference Volunteer Chair

  District Conference Volunteer Chair

• Elizabeth Smith, District Conference First Timers Chair

  Elizabeth Smith, District Conference First Timers Chair

• Elly Hard, DTM, Tall Tales Speech Contest Chief Judge

  Elly Hard, DTM, Tall Tales Speech Contest Chief Judge

• Farzana Chohan, DTM, Toastmasters International Director, Region 5

  Farzana Chohan, DTM, Toastmasters International Director, Region 5

  Keynote Address, Education Session, & Fireside Chat

  Farzana Chohan, DTM, of Chesterfield, Missouri, is a leadership human-excellence strategist for Optimize Excellence, and has worked in the design thinking industry for over 20 years. In her current role, she leads and tracks the impact of strategic initiatives focused on community engagements, education, equity, inclusion, and culture of belonging. Chohan earned a doctorate degree in management from Webster University in Webster Groves, Missouri. She additionally holds a master's of architecture degree and has completed certification in project management and cognitive behavioral therapy. Chohan has served on the board of Women in Healthcare and the board of the Human Development Foundation (North America). She is a TEDx speaker, and the author of SUBTLE: Phenomenon of “Social Unconscious Biases, Terminating Larger Equity” and Leadership IN Women. A Toastmaster since 2010, Chohan is a member of her home club, Aspiring Speakers in St. Louis. She has held several high-profile leadership positions within Toastmasters and has attained the Distinguished Toastmaster designation—the highest level of educational achievement in the organization. “Everyone around the world can benefit personally and professionally in articulating convincing thoughts and growing as a leader,” she says. As a member of the Toastmasters International Board of Directors, Chohan is a “working ambassador” for the organization. She works with the Board to develop, support, and modify the policies and procedures that guide Toastmasters International in fulfilling its mission.

  Keynote Address, Education Session, & Fireside Chat

• Gail E. Lover, DTM, Past Distinguished District 5 Governor

  Gail E. Lover, DTM, Past Distinguished District 5 Governor

  Education Session

  Gail E. Lover, DTM, PDDG, is a Toastmaster for 25 years August: Serving two Districts - 5 and 56. Currently serving as District 56 Parliamentarian, as well as President of a Presidents Distinguished Toastmaster Club, the Great Communicators of San Diego, her home Club. Toastmaster Lover is also a current Professional Registered Parliamentarian and Genealogy Researcher, a retired public and private educator, a retired jeweler and gemologist jeweler.

  Education Session

• Gevenia Bradford, DTM, District Conference Gift Bag Co- Chair

  Gevenia Bradford, DTM, District Conference Gift Bag Co- Chair

  Friday, May 3, 2024, Gift Bag Co-Chair

• Harold Eaton, DTM, District Conference Logistics Manager

  Harold Eaton, DTM, District Conference Logistics Manager

• International Speech Contest Chair

  International Speech Contest Chair

• Javier Florez, DTM, District Conference Comedy Hour Chair

  Javier Florez, DTM, District Conference Comedy Hour Chair

  Javier Florez, DTM, has been a member of District 56 for 15 years.  He has taken on several club leadership roles and has been a member of several clubs throughout the district.  He has additionally been an Area Governor, an Area Director, and Public Relations Officer (PRO) for District 56.  He enjoys the process of continuous growth and supporting people with their personal growth in communication, leadership, and personal development.  Toastmasters provides an environment for exploration and creativity in communication which he embraces by getting involved with various activities, hobbies, and professional endeavors, including storytelling, comedy, improvisation, technical training, motivational speaking, and coaching.  He looks forward to supporting District 56 and its members with their educational goals during the upcoming Toastmasters season.

• Jo A. Idoux, DTM, Past District Director

  Jo A. Idoux, DTM, Past District Director

  Candidates Showcase and Education Session

  Candidates Showcase and Education Session

• Jonetta Barnett

  Jonetta Barnett

  District Conference Video Chair

  I joined The Tomball Toastmasters club to become a better speaker and improve my leadership skills. I helped charter THE Tomball Toastmasters to allow small business owners that have a flexible schedule to improve their speaking skills. My hobbies are gardening, camping, fishing, and challenging myself to improve. I find joy in serving others and always receive more than i give. My church family is a very special part of my life as are my 4 girls and my husband of 33 years. I will always stay in Toastmasters, Every day i learn something.

  District Conference Video Chair

• Kathryn Kest, DTM, Past District Director

  Kathryn Kest, DTM, Past District Director

  Pillars of Toastmasters Chair

  Pillars of Toastmasters Chair

• Latonia Jones, DTM

  Latonia Jones, DTM

  District Treasurer

  District Treasurer

• Marcia Hudgens, DTM, Past Distinguished District Governor

  Marcia Hudgens, DTM, Past Distinguished District Governor

  International Speech Contest Chief Judge

  International Speech Contest Chief Judge

• Martha Elias, DTM, Past District Director

  Martha Elias, DTM, Past District Director

  Education Session

  I joined Toastmasters to learn how to communicate more effectively. Being a member has really helped me grow in ways I never imagined. Becoming a leader was not something I had set out to do. In becoming a President's Distinguished Area Governor in 2011-2012, I feel that achievement boils down to setting goals, and working toward accomplishing them. Also, I served as the District Club Coach Chair 2012-2013, Lt. Governor Marketing 2014-2015, Program Quality Director 2015-2016, and was elected in May 2016 to serve as the 2016-2017 District Director. Toastmasters enabled me to become the communicator and leader that I am today.

  Education Session

• Mercedes Balli, DTM, Past Distinguished District 49 Governor

  Mercedes Balli, DTM, Past Distinguished District 49 Governor

  Education Session

  Education Session

• Michele Cuellar, DTM

  Michele Cuellar, DTM

  District Conference Parade of Banners Chair

  Hall of Fame: All District 56 Toastmasters Clubs are invited to walk in the Parade of Banners with their club banner while the MC announces the club name and year chartered.

  District Conference Parade of Banners Chair

• Pamela McCown, DTM, Past International Director

  Pamela McCown, DTM, Past International Director

  Leadership Panel & Education Session

  Join us to meet and learn about the incoming elected District Leaders.

  Leadership Panel & Education Session

• Pat London, DTM, Past Select Distinguished District Governor

  Pat London, DTM, Past Select Distinguished District Governor

  Education Session

  Education Session

• Rae Ann George, DTM, 2024 District Conference Co-Chair

  Rae Ann George, DTM, 2024 District Conference Co-Chair

• Roop Roy, DTM, Tall Tales Speech Contest Chair

  Roop Roy, DTM, Tall Tales Speech Contest Chair

• Sharla Ozen, DTM, District Director

  Sharla Ozen, DTM, District Director

  Annual District Council Meeting Chair

  Annual District Council Meeting Chair

• Sheryle H. Warren, DTM, Past Distinguished District Director

  Sheryle H. Warren, DTM, Past Distinguished District Director

  Education Session: Who is your WHY?

  Distinguished Toastmaster Sheryle H . Warren will speak about who benefits from someone serving as a Toastmaster, as a club, district or international officer, or as a club SMAC.

  Education Session: Who is your WHY?

• Tall Tales Speech Contest Toastmaster

  Tall Tales Speech Contest Toastmaster

• Terrie Green, DTM, 2024 District Conference Co-Chair

  Terrie Green, DTM, 2024 District Conference Co-Chair

• Todd Corson, Live Entertainment

  Todd Corson, Live Entertainment

  Fun Friday Live Music Networking Sessions

  Opportunities for networking and exchanging ideas while Toastmaster Todd Corson entertains us with his music.

  Fun Friday Live Music Networking Sessions

• Troy Rockett, District Conference Master of Ceremonies

  Troy Rockett, District Conference Master of Ceremonies

  Saturday, May 4, 2024

  Saturday, May 4, 2024

• Zenia Shipp, DTM

  Zenia Shipp, DTM

  District Conference Registration Chair

  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.

  District Conference Registration Chair