District 19 Management

I joined Toastmasters in 1998 because I wanted to be a more effective communicator. As an extrovert, I have always been comfortable talking, but I needed a place to obtain feedback and practice. Personal situations led me to step away from Toastmasters for a while, but I realized that speaking skills deteriorate without practice and I missed the members of District 19!

Over the years, I’ve served the District in a number of ways including Area Director, Finance Manager and now Program Quality Director.  As an accountant, serving as Finance Manager (previously Treasurer and Audit Committee) is well within my comfort zone.  My new role will be a stretch, but I’m super excited to serve in this way and to learn and serve along with my fellow district officers.

On a personal level, I have been happily married to my husband Craig for 32 years and have an “adult” son, Josh (age 20). I enjoy my role as pit crew for all the things my big boys love to do including dirt bike racing and golfing. As an Iowa State graduate and CPA, FBL Financial Group, Inc. had paid my salary for 30 years where I have worked most of my career in statutory and GAAP financial reporting for its main subsidiary, Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company. In addition to Toastmasters, I volunteer with FBL Women’s Inclusive Network, Accounting and Finance Women’s Alliance and as a barista at my church.

When I walked into the Eagle’s Voice Toastmasters fall open house in 2015, I had no clue what I was getting myself into. To be honest, I did not even believe the demonstration meeting I witnessed was for me. It took another three months and a coworker who would not give up getting me to join. I never imagined after the final “dude, you really need to join” conversation that I would end up here, your Club Growth Director.

By nature, I am an early adapter. I love to say I tried it first, I owned it first or just in general I was first. Which is why when the call for Pathways Guides in the district came up, I jumped on the opportunity. That chance to be first into Pathways would ultimately be the first of many opportunities that has brought me to leadership today.

If there is one thing that I am continually reminded along my leadership journey, it is that I have not done this alone. I have had so many people help me along the way. That is the focus that I want us all to have throughout our next year. While we are all have different destinations, our journeys are best travelled together. Working together is what will give us the best club and member experience.

Outside of my Toastmasters time I enjoy spending time biking and, near, in or on the water (fresh, salt or frozen).  I spent 12 years in the television news industry as a photojournalist and producer before making the transition to a corporate communications role five years ago. While there are plenty of days that I miss news, I can say with certainty I do not miss the 2:00 AM house fire calls. I currently reside in Des Moines with my wife Mackenzie and son Graham.

I first learned of Toastmasters in 2012 through a member of District 19. I was still in college and still finding my own footing. There was no way I was going to join at that time. That was true. It was not until August 2018 that I joined Hy-Vee Toastmasters after seeing my friend, Cindy Irvin, speak. Between the connections I have made and the opportunities I have had, this organization has changed me for the best.

I dove headfirst into leadership with Hy-Vee Toastmasters as our Sergeant at Arms, followed quickly by serving as Area 64 Director. Next came a year as Public Relations Manager before I chose the right moment to run for Club Growth Director. I say headfirst into leadership, but it always feels like I fall backwards into it, surprised at how quickly I love to serve our members.

We have so much strong potential in District 19, so many spaces we can fill with new faces and empowered leadership. I hope to be the candle that reflects that desire to do more with District 19 Toastmasters.

Outside of Toastmasters, I enjoy visits to the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden as an amateur botanist. When I am in better shapes, I take on 5K’s monthly and love the sports of rugby and tennis. An Iowa born guy, my goals of inclusion of all groups to Toastmasters comes from the many people I met attending the University of Northern Iowa for my degree in Accounting and Economics.