Mindy joined Toastmasters 5 years ago to overcome her devastating experience of September 11th. She was in New York and witnessed the horrific event firsthand. After coping with a severe case of PTSD, she felt that if she could finally share her experience with others, it would help her heal. Joining Toastmasters was the best thing she ever did. Her mentor acclimated her to the club, speech-writing and delivery. She received her CTM that year, and the last speech she gave was about her experiences that fateful day in New York . Because of the mentoring she received, she continued to serve her club, Quincy Toastmasters, as Vice President of Education and most recently President. Under her leadership, the club reached Presidential Distinguished this year. She is currently serving the District as Area F4 Governor.
Dick Karon is an Engineering Fellow and the Technology Development Manager for Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems. He spends much of his time communicating with individuals and groups; organizing, running and participating in many meetings; and serving as counsel and mentor to colleagues with a wide range of background and experience. Like many engineers, Dick had very little formal communications training in school or during his 41 years in industry. After discovering Toastmasters 10 years ago, he quickly began to live by the adage, "practice, practice, practice." Since earning his first DTM in 2007, Dick has continued to work on his communications and leadership skills using the extensive Toastmasters program.
Dick has focused on applying the Toastmasters program to employee development in the corporate environment, and increasingly devotes his energies outward from Toastmasters, mirroring our International President Gary Schmidt's theme this year, "Confidence, Leadership, Service."
Gina Colvario Krupka is a versatile professional with diverse skills, abilities and experience in the areas of training, customer relations, public speaking, management, and life coaching. She is a passionate team leader and builder with infectious enthusiasm and an unwavering commitment to developing individuals to their greatest potential. Gina brings to her clients over 20 years of experience in peer, team and community development. She has received her BS degree in Administration and Management from Boston University, and has been recognized with the Saturn Award for her participation in the development and implementation of curriculums for high school and college peer leadership groups.
Gina is a graduate of the Life Coach Institute, and earned her Advanced Communicator Bronze designation from Toastmasters International. She currently serves as President of two Toastmaster clubs, the East Bay Toastmasters Club in East Providence, RI and the Advanced Orators Club in Foxboro, MA. She has delivered numerous presentations, seminars, workshops and conferences to audiences ranging from children to adults on a variety of topics.
Dennis J. Coppola Jr. is a Massachusetts certified teacher and professional speaker. Coppola helps audiences overcome work, personal, and life adversities. Through his passionate studies of personal development, business, and teaching, he has dedicated himself to helping people live an inspired life. His programs provide continual education of Inspirational and Self-Improvement resources for millions of Americans who want to achieve personal and financial wealth through action and destiny realization. His dynamic presentations and seminars challenge audiences, professionals and individuals alike to find solutions and strategies to achieve their life goals. He is a dual graduate from Northeastern University with a M. A. in Teaching and a B. S. in Business Administration specializing in Accounting and Finance. He has taught hundreds of students as a full-time classroom math teacher, University Program Teaching Assistant, and private tutor
Elizabeth Benson has been a member of the Friendly Persuasion Toastmaster Club, of Haverhill, MA for 5 1/2 years. She is the current President of her club and before this served for 2 years as the Vice President of Education.
Liz has been married to her husband Steve for 30 years and has two grown children. She has owned her own business, "Dove Haven Studio," since 1996 and works as a Fine Art Oil Painter. She also teaches workshops specializing in getting unblocked and finding one's authentic self. Recently, Liz became a Peer Coach, working with people living with Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Before becoming an artist, Liz worked for 12 years as a Special Needs Advocate, where she honed many Team Building Skills. Then, through organizing and running support groups, as a well as producing art shows with more than 500 participants, she grew through her successes and failures in the art of Synergetic Team Building.