Evaluation is a key element of the Toastmaster experience. Learning to offer speech evaluations, providing positive feedback on elements that work, and suggestions on how to grow, is a tool that carries into all aspects of communication. For it is through evaluation and feedback that we grow!  At the District 123 Conference, on May 2, 2025, Jennifer took the stage in the Evaluation contest. Contestants listen to a speech and have 5 minutes to prepare their unpracticed evaluation. Jennifer’s evaluation garnered her Champion status with her first place win.

A tall tale is a highly exaggerated, improbable story with a plot that is heightened with the use of body language and vocal variety.  On May 3, 2025, Jennifer took her theatre training to the stage as she regaled Toastmasters District 123 Conference attendees with her hilarious tall tale entitled, “A Day Out With Sassy”.  Sassy’s adventures crowned her with the first ever D123 Tall Tales District Champion trophy!  Watch excerpts of her hilarious tale here:

Jennifer started competing at Toastmasters Speech Contests in 2022…, amassing wins at the Club, Area, Division and District levels.  In May 2024, at the Toastmasters District 123 Conference, she took 2nd place in the District Table Topics Contest.  For Table Topics, the contestant hears the topic announced from the stage. They have the short walk to the stage to prepare for their 2-3 minute impromptu speech.  On the topic, What Are the Characteristics of a True Champion, here is Jennifer's winning presentation.

Jennifer offered her Art of Presentation training for members of the Durham Region Association for Volunteer Administration (DRAVA) at their November Meeting on Thursday November 21, 2024.  This training module, used for the Durham College Capstone program, breaks down the basics of communication and presentation to ensure your message is heard and understood. Consider this training for your organization!  

On October 15, 2023, Jennifer took the Wonder Woman Stage at the inaugural Northumberland Expo for Women offering a keynote speech entitled, “You Can, Too”. Her talk addressed the signs of narcissism in relationships and its counterpart, narcissistic abuse. In 20 minutes, she offered attendees 3 tips that she personally implemented in her own life to help get beyond the hold of the narcissist in order to move from surviving to thriving. This 2-day weekend event also offered her an opportunity to meet women of all ages and demographics, both attendees and vendors, many of whom shared with her their own stories of dealing with narcissism. Click here to catch a glimpse…

Already comfortable on the stage, Jennifer became a Toastmaster in 2017 to hone her speaking and delivery skills. She stepped immediately into leadership on the Club Executive and then at the district level soon after, taking on Area Director, then Division Director and assuming other leadership and training roles. She became a Distinguished Toastmaster in 2022 and remains an active Toastmaster today. She is working toward her Accredited Speaker Designation.

Toastmasters District leadership was a rewarding environment for Jennifer, expanding her skillset and earning her the coveted Division Director of the Year award for 2020-2021. The following year, she focused on speech contests, winning her way through to the district level of competition.

One part of her journey is giving back to the next generation of communicators and speakers through the Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program. A partnership was formed in 2021 with Durham Region Police Services Youth in Policing Initiative bringing communication training to the program. “The DRPS Youth In Policing Initiative continues to include Toastmasters communication training to this day in its program.” What a rewarding experience!