Pawas Chandra, DTM

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

• 2011-2012 Division Governor
• 2015-2016 Club Growth Director
• 2016-2017 District Director
• 2017-2018 Immediate Past District Director
• 2020-2021 Board Committee Member
• 2020-2021 Change Management – Working Group
• 2023-2025 International Director

Toastmasters honors and recognition (international level):

• 2011-2012 President's Distinguished Division
• 2015-2016 Excellence in Club Growth
• 2016-2017 President's 20 Plus
• 2016-2017 President's Distinguished District
• 2016-2017 Excellence in Leadership
• 2022 Presidential Citation

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

In my two decades of varied work experience, I have managed multiple services and product lines for businesses across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and Australia/New Zealand. Working with organizations that shaped major market changes, I gained deep insights into digital business models. This experience and knowledge contributed to their respective growth strategies, business viabilities, sustainable operational and fiscal principles, and user retention methods. I have navigated fast-evolving user needs to maintain and grow market share. Managing and scaling businesses worldwide has deepened my understanding of cultural nuances and the sensitivities essential to achieving product-market fit. As we enter the fourth industrial revolution, as noted by the World Economic Forum, my experience in adapting to dynamic user segments across global markets will augment the board’s strategic deliberations and direction.

What experience do you have in strategic planning?

In managing global portfolios, I have led strategic planning while balancing current business needs and increasing market share. My experiences in strategic planning have included entering new markets, business development, and navigating Force Majeure situations. This has given me first-hand knowledge and experience of the need to balance liquidity, market positioning within an evolving competitive landscape, complex regulatory frameworks, and investments in new end-user products. Each of these projects required a focus on business sustainability, the ability to anticipate changes, and careful course correction to stay relevant in the market.

What experience do you have in the area of finance?

My professional experience has allowed me the opportunity to oversee the fiduciary responsibilities of businesses. Preparation and management of these responsibilities require prudent fiscal understanding of two key metrics – customer acquisition cost and cost of doing business. Consistent monitoring and prioritization of marketing, innovation, operational costs, headcount, and travel were just some of the key activities that I managed. This oversight ensured the fiscal health and stability of projects while also driving revenue. Taxation and compliance on a global scale are niche areas in which I have both interest and experience.

What experience do you have in developing policies?

Effective policies are critical to staying competitive in this pro-technology era. I contribute relevant and practical policy development that serves as guardrails preserving the best interests of the organization, specifically policies related to product development, business planning, and business operations. In my experience, each stakeholder (business, finance, production, legal, operations, and technology) must be consulted as a collective unit. This approach ensures the organization addresses potential challenges and explores opportunities. Having worked across different industries, ranging from digital advertising and internet business to workspace and blockchain, I bring a unique blend of modern and traditional policy development experience that can help prepare Toastmasters International for global success.

What lessons did you learn from previous leadership positions?

Everyone joins an organization with the intent to succeed. Through my leadership experience, I have learned that two elements form the foundation of high impact teams – clarity and alignment. Each and every person brings something unique to the table, and it is our job as leaders to appreciate the person, empower them to perform, and motivate them to overcome their own limitations. Practicing compassion has helped me forge strong teams that remain clear and aligned in working toward a common goal. I learned that providing a meaningful experience that supports team members in achieving their individual goals also helps drive them toward achieving the organization’s goals. Clarity and alignment bring collective success.

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

I have a passion for strategic planning, which stems from an analytical mindset, the ability to drive collaboration, and the foresight to understand prevalent market trends. I have collaborated on building new-era monetization models for organizations, including mobile-first and blockchain companies, driving growth in key markets. As Col. Hannibal Smith said in the movie A-Team, “I love it when a plan comes together.” While planning is my passion, I also seek opportunities to learn and improve systems.
Over the past decade in Toastmasters, I have had the privilege of speaking, consulting, and mentoring District and club leaders across the world to help them lead with impact. This mix of thriving in global business and gaining perspective of multi-generational Toastmasters leadership will enable me to support my fellow board members to collectively build futuristic growth and strengthen the value proposition: balancing today’s needs with strategies for future success.

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

I believe Toastmasters is a rare organization that helps individuals in self-transformation and strengthen the fabric of human connection. Toastmasters has played a key role in my life and career, shaping the leader I am today. I experienced the power of Toastmasters quite early in life and am aware of how it can transform the lives of young professionals. My journey from an IT engineer to leading global businesses would not have been possible without the pivotal experiences I had through our organization. The leadership lessons learned through serving in various roles have helped me to navigate numerous personal and professional challenges.
Today, our organization is poised for revolution in creating even more positive impacts on our members. By applying my systems-approach to leading multi-generational and geo-political teams, I can help ensure Toastmasters International is positioned to meet the needs of a diverse membership, evolving market dynamics, and ensuring fiscal prudence.

What volunteer experience do you have outside of Toastmasters?

As an alumnus of the Indian School of Business, I volunteer to lead informational sessions about the school, interview prospective students, and mentor current students. Working with these aspiring future leaders has given me the opportunity to share insights on the different forms of leadership required at various stages of business, as well as the importance of mindset and skillset needed to unleash their potential.

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

I have worked as a consultant with multiple boards on various projects, including committee work with Toastmasters. These projects included researching viability of products in specific markets, organizational design, regulatory navigation, and market entry strategy. They included mobile app companies from Australia, China, and North America. While the assignments were project-focused, they allowed me to share my expertise in business, design thinking, and new-age marketing. Each opportunity enabled me to collaborate with diverse stakeholders and respective boards.

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

For over a century, Toastmasters has been a catalyst for personal transformation and human connection. Every era required different priorities – be it making the organization more inclusive by inducting women or expanding globally. In our current era, we are looking at ways to meet the diverse needs of our members globally. To meet these needs and stay true to Toastmasters foundational objectives, we ought to look for collective consideration on three things. 1) How can we help make the member and leader experience more intuitive and relevant? 2) How do we prepare our corporate and governance structure for efficiencies? 3) How can we actively work towards revenue diversification opportunities to build fiscal muscle for our organization’s growth? I would bring my expertise in strategic planning, organizational design, and leadership to help deliberate on these considerations as Toastmasters International pursues opportunities to remain the first choice for an individual’s transformation for communication, connection, and collaboration.

Additional information about candidate:

As a Yoga and meditation practitioner, I have come to appreciate the power of awareness. It has helped me become cognizant and compassionate both in my professional and personal life. I have realized that it is through continuous learning that one acknowledges their perspectives and sensitivities. I have run half-marathons, and it is my aspirational goal to run a full marathon.

Additionally, travel is something that rejuvenates me and broadens my perspective. Apart from traveling throughout India, I have travelled to the USA, the UK, the Bahamas, Switzerland, Spain, Sri Lanka, China, South Korea, and Malaysia.