Speakers for this event

• Fatimar Jones, DTM

  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.

  2023 District Fall Education Summit Co-Chair

• Gevenia Bradford, DTM, COT Team

  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.

  SAA Trainer

• Harold Eaton, DTM, Club Officer Training Team

  Harold Eaton, DTM, Club Officer Training Team

  Treasurer Trainer

  Harold joined Toastmasters for the first time in 1982 with Nooners Toastmasters in Greenway Plaza. After 32 years busy with work and family, he came back to Toastmasters with Houston Galleria Project Management Toastmasters in 2014 and has also joined Health Wealth and Happiness Toastmasters. Harold is an engineer who moved to IT in the mid-'80s when personal computers were introduced. Harold says he has repeatedly found the benefits of connections with others based on communication.

  Treasurer Trainer

• Javier Florez, DTM, COT Team

  Javier Florez, DTM, COT Team

  VPPR Trainer

  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.

  VPPR Trainer

• Jennifer Nelson, DTM, Division O Director and COT Training Team

  Jennifer Nelson, DTM, Division O Director and COT Training Team

  Vice President Membership

  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!

  Vice President Membership

• Mark Vine, COT 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!

  VPE Trainer

• Mary Jubb, Division M Director and PQD Team

  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.

  Teach / Zoom Lead

• PQD COT Team

  PQD COT Team

  Prospective Member Engagement

  Prospective Member Engagement

• Rose Bradford, DTM, PDD, Club Officer Training TEAM

  Rose Bradford, DTM, PDD, Club Officer Training TEAM

  Secretary Trainer

  Rose Williams served as 2013-2014 Area O12 Governor and then as 2014-2015 Division O Governor for District 56. She served as the 2016-2017 Secretary to Dining Out Toastmasters and has greatly benefited DOT and our District. She is dedicated to excellence as the District 2016 Spring Conference Co-Chair and 2016-2017 DTM Chair, the Club Growth Director (2018-2019), and the Program Quality Director (2019-2020). In May 2020, Rose was elected to serve as the District Director for District 56, serving Houston and surrounding areas. We look forward to her future contributions to members and District 56.

  Secretary Trainer

• Zenia Shipp, DTM, New Member and Pathways Orientation Chair, and Club Officer Training Team

  Zenia Shipp, DTM, New Member and Pathways Orientation Chair, and Club Officer Training Team

  Club President 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.

  Club President Trainer