Jean Gamester, DTM

Toastmasters offices held and terms of service (international and regional level):

• 2010-2011 Area Governor
• 2011-2012 Division Governor
• 2012-2013 District Administration Manager
• 2013-2014 Lieutenant Governor Marketing/Club Growth Directorr
• 2014-2015 Program Quality Director
• 2015-2016 District Director
• 2018-2020 ILC (International Leadership Committee) Member
• 2019-2021 Change Management Working Group Chair
• 2022-2024 International Director
• 2025 Second Vice President

Toastmasters honors and recognition (international level):

• 2010-2011 Area Governor of the Year
• 2013-2014 Excellence in Marketing
• 2014-2015 Excellence in Education & Training
• 2015-2016 Excellence in Leadership
• 2015-2016 President’s 20 Plus Award - #1 in the world
• 2015-2016 President’s Distinguished District - #4 in the world
• 2020 Presidential Citation

Relevant work experience and how it relates to Toastmasters and your role as a Board Member:

Strategic Change: I’ve led programs of change in global firms such as BT and Centrica, local government, and not-for-profits. I understand how developing culture, business models, and technology can help organizations like ours achieve strategic goals.

Leading together: I build diverse, high-trust teams that deliver results, for example as a District leader and Board working group chair. I’m told I engage and inspire people at all levels, connecting and collaborating together. I form strong relationships with shared mentoring, feedback, and reflection.

Education: As interim CEO of a public speaking charity, I helped teach 30,000+ adults and young people in 18 months. I’ve led global training initiatives and teach MBA students in strategy, change, and leadership. I bring business insight, critical thinking, and mentoring strength to board work.

Finance: I’ve managed major budgets, including a $600m shared business case across five organisations. I bring financial discipline with a focus on value and fiduciary responsibility.

Personal Growth and Commitment: My research focuses on self-awareness, adaptability, and empowerment. Through my doctorate, I’ve deepened my critical thinking and strengthened my commitment to fairness, inclusion, and care within the Toastmasters community.

What experience do you have in strategic planning?

Toastmasters Strategic Planning: I’ve served on the Strategic Planning Committee, helped shape the 2024 Strategic Plan and key strategies for Belonging, Recognition, and Realignment. I chaired the Change Management Working Group, leading past Board and District leaders to propose improvements in strategic implementation. As District 91 Director, our planning drove us to become the 4th highest performing District in the world and highest percentage of clubs at 20+ members.

Transformational Strategies: I’ve led strategic planning with executive boards, including as non-profit CEO where I engaged donors, staff, and trainers in shaping and delivering organisation-wide strategy.

Developing Strategists: As a business school educator, I supervise and teach MBA and Masters students to conduct practitioner-based research to lead change in their organizations. This kind of approach can be applied to Board work in strategic planning and exploring strategic possibilities for Toastmasters.

What experience do you have in the area of finance?

Financial Troubleshooting: As interim CEO, I stabilized a non-profit’s finances, working closely with auditors and trustees to manage risk and ensure accountability.

Business Cases & Funding: I’ve led strategic business cases, negotiated contracts, and managed supplier relationships—including a $600m procurement across five local authorities. I’ve also developed funding strategies and built philanthropic partnerships.

Fiduciary Responsibility: As a former CEO and current Board member, I focus on financial oversight, risk management, and value creation to protect, sustain and expand the organization. An example of this is participation in setting our annual budget for Toastmasters and overseeing progress.

Financial Education: I draw on my ACCA diploma and Masters in Economics. In my Business School practice I lead the delivery of Accounting and Finance teaching for both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

What experience do you have in developing policies?

Toastmasters Policy and Parliamentary Procedure: As a Board member I have actively engaged with developing and reviewing policies and recommendations for change to our governing documents. I have led the Board’s Parliamentary Procedure learning group, which is a key skill in teamworking to shape policy language and make decisions.

Organisational Policy: I’ve developed shared policies across government bodies to support ERP integration, collaborated with unions on HR policies during transformation, and co-created policies for performance agreements for outsourced services.

What lessons did you learn from previous leadership positions?

Connection: Early on, I learned that leadership starts with communication—this is what brought me to Toastmasters. I now lead by engaging others, encouraging dialogue, and embracing constructive conflict to build stronger teams and communities.

Adaptability: Across a range of change programs and leadership roles, I’ve learned to tailor my leadership to the needs of people and context, with a focus on empowerment, curiosity, and resilience.

Growing the Individual: Toastmasters taught me the power of personal growth. My doctoral research explored self-enablement and I have learned that when we develop ourselves, the capability to be of greater service to others follows.

What experience and key strengths would you bring to the Board of Directors?

Leadership & Change : As an educator, I teach and supervise research in strategy, leadership, innovation, and change. My practice builds on global experience in strategic delivery, digital transformation, and cultural change. I lead flexibly, get things done, and bring valuable insight to strategic committees, governance, and ambassadorial roles—especially during times of change.

Belonging : Fairness is a core value for me. My commitment to member engagement is shaped by my leadership, teaching, and doctoral research into self-enablement and practitioner development.

Contribution to Toastmasters : Before joining the Board, I led election campaigns for Board candidates, co-founded a regional Parliamentary Procedure group, served on the ILC, and chaired the Change Management Working Group. As District 91 Director, I led the District to top global performance. I now serve on the Executive Committee and lead two clubs as President.

Relationships : I’ve been told that I bring a well-informed, creative, and open minded approach to collaborative and leadership work. I listen deeply, build trust, and focus on what’s best for members—enabling strong collaboration and people development.

Love of Learning : I’m a lifelong learner, with deep postgraduate study including at doctoral level and three DTM awards. In strategy work, I thrive on discovering what’s possible and shaping the future.

Why do you want to serve as an International Officer/Director?

I love Toastmasters and being part of empowering voices, transforming lives and building mutual connection all over the world. We’re at the cusp of our second century, we have a fantastic legacy, and work to do. I want to play my role in reigniting our growth, enhancing our education system and reaching our next generations. I believe my skills in directing change, navigating complex relationships and situations, and my focus on growth of the individual, can help us achieve those goals.

What volunteer experience do you have outside of Toastmasters?

Emergency Response: As a teenager with the Irish Red Cross, I led emergency response teams and delivered first aid at events and in hospitals. These early leadership roles built my confidence, decision-making, and collaboration skills—foundations I bring to board service.

Prison Education: I’ve mentored young offenders and now support prisoners studying virtually. I design collaborative learning experiences for those in isolation, bringing empathy, resilience, and non-judgmental support to my leadership and mentoring.

Have you worked with other Boards of Directors outside of Toastmasters? If so, describe your experience.

Transformation Board: I led a public sector transformation program, working with the CEO, board, and elected officials to shape strategy and ensure operational continuity during change.

Charity Board: As interim CEO, I helped a charity navigate financial crisis and stakeholder conflict. I worked with the board to restore transparency, strengthen governance, and rebuild funder relationships.

In your opinion, what are Toastmasters International’s major objectives and how would you work to achieve them?

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

What does this look and feel like?
- Toastmasters becomes a household name
- We’re confidently building new clubs and leading excellent clubs globally
- Everyone loves our education system and actively participates in learning
- Young people worldwide are excited by opportunities for learning, leadership and friendship
- People from all backgrounds feel they belong and can succeed here.
- Experienced members flourish and are at the heart of our shared success
- It’s easy to do business with us and get things done, wherever we are in the world
- We have a solid financial base, diverse revenue streams and transformative plans for our future

How do we achieve this?
- Successfully implement the Refocused Region Advisor program, supporting leaders in taking accountability for, planning for, and achieving strong performance in club building and club excellence worldwide.
- Support the realignment of Regions 1-7 as new District structures take shape, with new shared identity and community. Enable Districts in Regions 8-14 to review and design new structures as a foundation for future success.
- Enhance Pathways content, functionality and translations in collaboration and consultation with members. Promote participation and engagement in our education and leadership programs.
- Drive marketing campaigns that are aligned and recognized at International, District and Club level. Develop a range of initiatives to expand our reach and service to young people, as well as enhancing opportunities for experienced members’ growth.
- Work to realize alternative revenue opportunities. Streamline operations to enhance efficiency and service levels. Balance global and local opportunities so we are aligned, adaptable and serving members well wherever we live.

Additional information about candidate:

Background: Born in Dublin, I spent early childhood in Toronto before returning to Ireland. Now based in Cardiff with my husband of 28 years, Steve, we share our home with our rescue dogs, Loki and Nova.

Toastmasters Journey: I joined Toastmasters in 2006 to speak more confidently at work. Since then, I’ve grown as a speaker, storyteller, and leader. My doctoral research continued the journey of personal development that I can bring to my service as a member of the Executive Committee.

Interests: Nature walks and daily yoga give me strength and clarity. Toastmasters sparked my creativity, which now flows into storytelling and photography.