The Toastmasters District “Trio” includes the District Director (DD), Program Quality Director (PQD) and Club Growth Director (CGD). They work together to ensure that
- The District, Clubs, and Members continue to grow
- Club officers are trained and supported in their roles
- Members and Clubs meet their goals, and
- District leaders receive the resources needed to properly lead and succeed
District Director
Carolyn Douglas
Carolyn Jolly Douglas was introduced to Toastmasters in association with her employment responsibilities to interact and communicate effectively with the public, community leaders, nonprofit organizations and various government officials on issues of the environment where we live, work, and play. Through EPA Speak Easy Toastmasters she focused on developing communications skills, listening as well as speaking. Through Toast of Richmond, West County Toastmasters, Toastmasters Leadership Club, Healthy Toasts, and Leaders WorldWide, she has completed communication and leadership project that lead to her becoming a Distinguished Toastmaster.
Outside of her clubs, she has served as trainer for club officers during district conferences and makeup trainings, a coach and mentor, an Area Director and Division Director. She holds advanced degrees in Natural Science, Environmental Management, Metaphysics and Divinity. A member of the HeartMath Institute, she holds two certifications as a HeartMath Certified Professional. She consults with nonprofit organizations on board member and program development. She is a motivational and inspirational speaker, and thought leader.
Program Quality Director
Ed Cullen
The Program Quality Director (PQD) is responsible for training events such as club officer training, additional educational programs, the annual conference and contests in the district. The PQD is part of the district leadership team, working closely with the district director and the club growth director.
Ed Cullen has been a Toastmaster since April 2011. During that time, he held six of the seven club offices, in various clubs, some offices as many as six times. Ed became an Area Governor in the 2013-2014 Toastmasters year, Division Governor in the 2014-2015 year, Public Relations Manager in 2015-2016 and 2020-2021 years. Some of his greatest personal growth and opportunities to be of service have been in District roles like TLI Dean, Speechcraft Chair, Club Extension Chair, Club Coach, Pathways Guide/Ambassador. Ed’s role as Club Growth Director in 2021-2022 has been extremely rewarding in terms of team building and given him a new vantage point.
Club Growth Director
Sally Philbin
As the Club Growth Director (CGD), I am responsible for all aspects of marketing, club-building, and club-retention efforts within the District. This includes creating a Team that allows more Toastmasters to become involved in the District’s efforts to charter new clubs and build all existing clubs to Excellence. We have been working to reinforce the outreach efforts of our District Members and to encourage all members to see the value in maintaining their membership in Toastmasters.
My Toastmasters Life: In my 30+ years in Toastmasters I have had many opportunities to serve at the Club, Area, Division and District Levels. Club Offices have included: President, EVP, Secretary, and S@A. Area Level involvement has included: staffing Area Speech Contests and serving as an Area Director 3 times. Division Level involvement has included: staffing Division Contests and serving as Division D Director once. District Level involvement has included: various Conference committees, Co-chair D57 Conference (Fall 1994 & Spring 2017), D57 Open House Chair (2020-21), D57 Club Extension Chair (2021-2022). Club Growth Director 2022-23. Accomplishments have included: Triple Crown (2013, 2014, 2020), OATM (2020), Successful Club Coach (2019-20), New Club Mentor (2011-12), and completion of Legacy DTM in 2014.
My Life Outside of Toastmasters: I have been married for over 35 years. We have one son who is a Musician, Composer, Director and one daughter who is a Veterinarian. I have been a 4-H Leader for over 20 years and I am on the Board of Directors for Hayward La Honda Music Camp. I am on the Fairview Municipal Advisory Council and I am a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). As a member of this organization, I have coordinated a Veterans Event at Lone Tree Cemetery in Fairview (Hayward) the past 2 years and will be putting the event on again next year (Sunday, Nov 5, 2023 at 2pm). I am a member of the Mayflower Society. I am retired from the University of CA, Office of the President (UCOP) where I was employed as Manager Systemwide HR Compliance. Oh, and I have a horse in the backyard.
