Jean Gamester, DTM

ILC Nominated Candidate
Second Vice President

 

Let’s Transform Together!

Vision for the Future

I believe in our purpose to make effective communication a worldwide reality and our mission to empower communicators and leaders.

What does this look and feel like?

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Everyone loves our education system and actively participates in learning.

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People from all backgrounds feel they belong and can succeed here.

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Young people worldwide are excited by opportunities for learning, leadership and friendship.

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Experienced members flourish and at the heart of our shared success.

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We’re building and leading excellent clubs globally.

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It’s easy to do business with us and get things done, wherever we are in the world.

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We have a solid financial base, diverse revenue streams, and transformative plans for our future.

At your Service

Toastmasters is where we ignite our unique potential. I want us to emerge from our recent difficult times even stronger than before.  My expertise in directing change, troubleshooting, developing people, and delivering results, can help us achieve those goals.

Directing Change

  • Leading organization wide culture, process and technology transformations in global corporates and local government
  • Chair of Toastmasters’ Change Management Working Group
  • Author and chair of Project Management undergraduate microcredential

Troubleshooting

  • Interim CEO of youth focused public speaking charity, addressing financial, strategic and stakeholder crises
  • Interim leadership roles addressing performance, contractual and wellbeing issues in transforming organizations
  • Red Cross emergency response youth volunteer

Developing People

  • Toastmasters Board Parliamentary Procedure Learning Group Lead
  • Professional Doctorate focusing on practitioner growth and empowerment (post viva, pre award)
  • MBA and Business School lecturer and student engagement lead in strategy, innovation and leadership

Delivering Toastmasters Results

  • Toastmasters Presidential Citation for leading change and delivering growth
  • President’s Distinguished District: #4 in the World
  • President’s 20 Plus Award: #1 in the World
  • Excellence awards in Leadership, Education and Training, and Marketing
  • Area Director of the Year

Moments of Reflection

Being a reflective leader allows me to learn from the past, excel in the present, and envision the future. These reflections highlight the perspective, energy, and sense of possibility I bring to board leadership.

The Power of Conflict Resolution – A Very Personal Story 

Have you ever found yourself involved in a strong conflict with someone? I think it’s safe to say that we all have at some point in our lives. At the encouragement of my past District Director…

From Fight or Flight to Safe and Social

Have you ever been in a situation where you felt under threat—where you wanted to fight, flee, or freeze? I have…

Making Toastmasters a Household Name

One of the most common descriptions of our brand awareness that I hear is that we are the world’s best-kept secret. So it’s no secret that we should to work together to…

Where Leaders are Mentors

They say, “When the student is ready, the teacher appears.” Throughout my journey in Toastmasters, I’ve encountered many such teachers. At every stage…

Your Votes Count! Proxies, voting and dancing at the Annual Business Meeting

My first experience with the Annual Business Meeting (ABM) was in 2012—and I wasn’t even there! , I volunteered to be the one who…

Today, tomorrow and transformation

Over these past months I’ve had lots of calls with Toastmasters leaders exploring what is going well, what could be better and how we can improve.  In one of those conversations we talked about…

Stories for Leaders: A “Why?” Moment

A meaningful moment in my life was seeing my younger brother Barry struggle to speak his name. When he was with me, he was funny, lively and had plenty to say. We would…

Leadership Talk in Turbulent Times

The challenge of what to say and how to respond to wider world events is something many leaders grapple with. I’d like to share how I am working with it in case it helps.

Jean Gamester, DTM

I have been an active member of Toastmasters International for almost two decades, serving in various capacities including at club, District and international levels. These roles have given me the opportunity to show my ability to inspire and lead, earning the Presidential Citation along the way.

My professional background as an educator and in leading and transforming organizations complements my Toastmasters experience. I have the breadth and depth of experience and character to contribute to the leadership and ongoing transformation of Toastmasters.

I am passionate about creating a supportive and dynamic environment where we as members can thrive and achieve our goals, enabling us to make a positive contribution in our lives and communities.

Born in Dublin, Ireland, I lived in Toronto, Canada until I was five. My family then returned to Dublin, where I grew up immersed in Irish culture.

As a young adult, I moved to the UK and now live in Cardiff, Wales with my supportive husband of 25 years, Steve, and our rescue dogs, Loki and Nova.

I joined Toastmasters in 2006 to boost my confidence at work. Since then, I’ve grown as a speaker, storyteller, and transformative leader. My Toastmasters journey ignited a passion for learning, leading me to develop future leaders as a university educator and researcher.

In my spare time, I enjoy yoga, writing, photography as well as cozy moments reading and watching TV.

My campaign team have shared feedback on the kind of person I am:

  • I see the big picture and love the detail too.
  • I am driven by learning, creativity and making things happen.
  • I care deeply about inclusion and fairness.  People trust me.
  • I bring people together and create safe spaces to learn and work together.

Transforming Together

Fellow Toastmasters, I’m ready, willing and able to play my role in shaping our future, as your Second Vice President. Together, we can continue to transform our organization and ourselves through the power of our program. By voting for me, you endorse a leader committed to inclusivity, innovation, and integrity.

 

Let’s transform together!