Meet Our Speakers
Barbara Abbate, DTM, taught Theatre and Broadcasting at several magnet schools in New York City, Columbia Teachers College, and at the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. Before moving to Austin, she was the Artistic Director of the Schoharie Creek Players near Woodstock, New York. She is the author of Awareness High School: a Practical Guide to Self Discovery and Mastery for Students ,Teachers and Parents, where she encourages the teaching of awareness as the core curriculum emphasizing the teaching of the 3 C’s of creativity, compassion and critical thinking. |
Speech Titles and Key Takeaways
Envisioning the School of the Future Speaking Time: Two hours to full day Envisioning the School of the Future is a keynote and workshop developed through an association with IMPACT II: Teacher Network. Teachers and administrators engaged in this workshop have the opportunity to envision and create plans for their ideal view of the school of the future; and create ways to implement those plans with their staff. Teaching Awareness as an Essential Part of the Core Curriculum Speaking Time: Ten minutes to two hours This presentation offers teachers strategies to use awareness and mindfulness techniques in the classroom to enhance their students’ cognitive, as well as emotional growth. Creating a Signature Statement for Personal Branding Speaking Time: 45 minutes Just as an elevator pitch can allow for the concise description of your job position, so, too, a signature statement can help you define who you are and what you stand for as a person. |
Bart Loeser, DTM, has been a professional educator and corporate trainer for over 30 years. With a background in organizational psychology, he loves using story-telling and games to teach interpersonal skills, especially in workplace settings. His favorite topics include leadership development, communication, team-building, time management, and emotional intelligence.
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Speech Tittles and Key Takeaways
Leading Strategically in an Absence of Authority You don’t need to be a boss to get results from others. Building leadership skills at any level will shape your life to help you achieve greater satisfaction and an empowered environment. In this session, you’ll explore the 5 simple strategies to mastering the art of enthusiastic influence. Communicating with Confidence: the ABCs Imagine the ability to share your ideas or directions in a manner that’s clearly understood and received in the most positive manner, and building bridges to boot. You will learn techniques as simple as “ABC” to hone the subtle art of successful communication. |
Managing Change for Great Results
The only sure thing in life is CHANGE. Yet change is often met with pessimism or trepidation. Without a clear plan, change can bring strife, stress, and negativity. Learn how to create a 5-point plan for approaching any change that can guarantee great results.
The only sure thing in life is CHANGE. Yet change is often met with pessimism or trepidation. Without a clear plan, change can bring strife, stress, and negativity. Learn how to create a 5-point plan for approaching any change that can guarantee great results.
Carlos Velázquez is the CEO and President of HMA Associates in Washington DC, a communications firm that specializes in working with underserved communities to impact health equity. His expertise in the development of communications interventions as a vehicle for shifting public narratives about social change makes him an innovative and dynamic thought leader in the cultural marketing field. He has launched national campaigns that address issues such as mental health, immunization uptake, HIV/AIDS prevention, and food insecurity. |
Speech Tittles
Recovery, Resiliency, and Robust Communications to Protect our Communities in a time of COVID Dichos de mi mamá: Viviendo una vida con propósito Grumpy Old Man: Life Transitions for Latino Seniors Cultural Equity: What the Arts Can Teach us About Ourselves As an award-winning author and speaker, he contributes as a guest blogger on issues related to men’s health and social justice. He serves on the boards of the Arlington Community Foundation, Nevada Hispanic Services, and the Nevada Museum of Art in addition to being the past chair of the Human Rights Commission and serving on the Arlington County Commission for the Arts and the Commission on Aging. He is a highly sought-after speaker who has addressed audiences in Australia, Spain, Belize, Ecuador, Mexico and throughout the United States. |
Catherine O’Toole was born and raised on the beautiful green island of Ireland. After a severe second cancer diagnosis, she decided to take on the secret, silent, deadly cancer-causing chemicals hiding in plain sight in our homes. She is a health advocate and a storyteller, teaching people about cancer-causing chemicals in their homes and sharing tips and knowledge to easily remove some of these toxic chemicals. Catherine brings awareness so that you do not unknowingly bring these products into your home. Catherine O'Toole WELL AP + Parson School of Design Healthy Materials Advocate |
Speech Tittles and Key Takeaways
How Healthy is your Home Unnecessary toxic chemicals from poorly made products can fill our homes and damage our health. In this presentation, Catherine will share her knowledge, research, and expertise in reducing and eliminating toxins from your home, so you, your family, and fur babies can live a healthier, happy life. Living a Zero Waste Lifestyle Americans generate 4.5 lbs of waste per person per day or over 1,600 lbs per person per year, creating a colossal burden on our planet. Catherine explores the 5 Rs, refuse, reduce, reuse, repair, and rot. Together, we can slash the amount of trash created and leave our home, our planet healthier for our future generations. Follow Your Dream Life should be full of adventure, but sometimes fear holds us back. Catherine left New York City and the corporate grind to fulfill a dream of traveling the world on a budget and without boundaries. Her story will inspire you to follow your dream, find yourself, and live your life to the fullest with no regrets. |
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Chelsea Mora works as a Talent Development Specialist for Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area and serves the youth within Williamson and Burnet counties for the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) program. Chelsea graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Silliman University. She lives with her spouse and two fur babies. Speech Title and Key Takeaways
Know Your Career 1. Make an informed decision about choosing a career. 2. Learn what to research in the labor market. 3. Resources and ways to research a career. |
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Speech Title and Key Takeaways
Feedback with Impact Shift your perspective on feedback. Deliver welcome, constructive, impactful feedback to your peers, your boss, and your family! |
Jean Ramsey, DTM, has been in Toastmasters for over 12 years. She joined to become a better Communicator, but stayed because of the Leadership development opportunities. Jean has a passion for the program, especially evaluations! Learning to deliver and accept valuable feedback has been instrumental in her success professionally and personally!
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Speech Titles and Key Takeaways
Zero Injuries Workplace safety John Hale Inspires team members with a vision of Zero Injuries. He is safety manager with more than 20 years’ experience in coordinating with management and supervisors to plan, implement, and make safety compliance a part of the way we do business. |
A professional with experience in construction and general industry conducting site inspections, incident investigations, risk assessments, and safety course development. A veteran with 22 years of service in the US Air Force.
John makes the message stick with inspiring and often humorous stories that illustrate safety strategies, so managers and workers alike catch the vision of a zero-injury workplace. With the same dynamic style, he has in front of an audience and live streaming presentations, John expertly delivers the message straight to the heart, and at that moment you are changed.
What sets John apart from other safety professionals is his incredible skill at sharing personal stories including times when he was "that guy" the foolhardy risk-taker with both thrilling and terrible results. After being moved by the stories when facing dilemma workers will pause in the "Wait-a-Sec" moment to choose safety and avoid being like "that guy" who took a safety shortcut and suffered serious consequences.
John makes the message stick with inspiring and often humorous stories that illustrate safety strategies, so managers and workers alike catch the vision of a zero-injury workplace. With the same dynamic style, he has in front of an audience and live streaming presentations, John expertly delivers the message straight to the heart, and at that moment you are changed.
What sets John apart from other safety professionals is his incredible skill at sharing personal stories including times when he was "that guy" the foolhardy risk-taker with both thrilling and terrible results. After being moved by the stories when facing dilemma workers will pause in the "Wait-a-Sec" moment to choose safety and avoid being like "that guy" who took a safety shortcut and suffered serious consequences.
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Speech Titles and Key Takeaways
Social Media: The Basic Platforms Used to Promote Your Club From keeping up with friends to how we stay informed, social media has become a part of everyday life. It’s also a great way to get the word out about your club. Lilly covers some of the most commonly used social media sites, and how to use them for your benefit. |
Lilly Andrus is the District 55 Social Media Strategist.
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Speech Titles and Key Takeaways
She’s Losing It! Funny and inspiring, if you’ve ever been on a diet or wanted to get your groove back, this is the keynote for you. Creating a PR Strategy A step-by-step guide for beginners to market an event for your small business, club or non-profit Tips for Public Speaking on Zoom. Lights, camera, action! Speaking on Zoom can be like filming a movie and Lisa has tips to help make Zoom presentations more fun. |
Lisa Traugott is a writer and bodybuilding enthusiast. Her memoir, “She’s Losing It!” was called by The Statesman Social called it the “Best New Year/New You book”. (It’s like a Rocky for Moms.) She was on the winning team of the John Cena military-inspired reality TV show American Grit on FOX. She was co-chair of the Women’s March on Texas in 2020. She is passionate about helping people live their dreams.
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Livya Mitchell, DTM, is the current District 55 Club Growth Director, Speaker, Trainer, and Coach. She specializes in improving the Human Connection.
Speech Titles and Key Takeaways
Livya speaks about hospice care and will customize her talk for your group. |