Join us in this post-Valentine’s themed event where Jackie Kam-Blackard tell tells us how she chose her husband. She’s going to tell us how she developed “The List” along with timing and ACTingJackie is a Business Analyst for Cygna Healthcare and is the 2025-2025 Program Quality Director for Distict 8 Toastmasters in St Louis, Missouri

Terri introduces us to one of the most essential leadership roles in any Toastmasters speech contest, the Chief Judge. This training equips you with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to serve as an effective Chief Judge—the person responsible for safeguarding the integrity, fairness, and professionalism of every contest. Participants will learn how to recruit and brief judging teams, manage ballots and tiebreakers, oversee contest rules, handle eligibility requirements, and ensure a seamless, unbiased experience for contestants and officials. Drawing from Toastmasters International’s official contest rulebook and best practices, this session provides step-by-step guidance, real-world scenarios, and practical tools so you can lead contests with clarity, confidence, and credibility. Perfect for anyone preparing to serve as Chief Judge or looking to deepen their contest leadership expertise.

Terri Orban is the Marketing Director for The Advance Group and its family of companies, with offices in New York, New Jersey, and Florida. With nearly 30 years of relocation marketing experience, Terri has worked with some of the most recognized brands in the industry, including Mayflower Transit and United Van Lines. In these roles, she managed local marketing efforts for more than 500 locations nationwide, specializing in digital presence optimization.

Terri holds a BS in Organizational Leadership and an MBA from Maryville University. She has been an active member of Toastmasters since 2017, completing three paths, Dynamic

Leadership, Presentation Mastery and Engaging Humor, and is currently on the Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) track. Terri has served as a District Admin Manager, Division Director, Area Director, and has been a member of the District Leadership Committee (DLC) and District Education Committee. She has also held every officer position at the club level, demonstrating her commitment to personal growth and leadership development.

Derek brings us a presentation noting Harvard that research shows that people who ask questions are perceived as more intelligent, more interesting, and more attractive. This presentation gives you the exact question types that create memorable conversations -- as well as a way to make curiosity a habit.

Derek Zboran founded Triumph With Your Talk to help hesitant experts, silenced creatives, and passionate enthusiasts find their confident voice. He blends positive psychology research with practical communication strategies to help people turn self-doubt into bold expression. Derek has spoken at TEDx Missouri S&T, authored four books, and hosts a podcast of his own.

Major (ret) USAF Yolandea Wood presents a riveting story about the famous Tuskeegee Airmen of World War II. As a local expert and archivist for this daring group of men and women, Yolandea weaves both history and stories from the heroes themselves and adds her personal experiences with them as a cadet and graduate of the United States Air Force Academy.

As founder of the nonprofit Lifting Up Dads, Todd brings us a presentation to encourage fathers from being the to STOP being the silent, stone-faced hero our culture demands: discover why hiding your pain is a lethal failure and how vulnerability is actually the single most powerful tool you have to build an unbreakable family. He invites us to hear this speech to learn the proven, daily steps—the "Core Leisure"—that create profound psychological strength, allowing you to ditch the "Disneyland Dad" guilt and finally find your true, constant identity as a father.

TedX Speaker Todd Duermyer is a passionate advocate dedicated to redefining paternal strength, urging fathers to trade silent stoicism for active, vulnerable presence. Drawing on his experience as an adoptive father and his personal journey overcoming anxiety and mental health challenges, he brings a deeply empathetic and practical perspective to modern parenting. His strives to deliver essential "Dad hacks," mental wellness strategies, and a message of team-based parenting. His mission is simple: to transform families and future generations by empowering men to lead with love, consistency, and courageous vulnerability.

Join Jamil in a poetic storytelling of fiction, non-fiction and future endeavors.

Jamil is a student of Southwest Illinois Community College and is also 2025-2026 term President of the O'Fallon Toastmaster Club of O'Fallon, Illinois. He is an aspiring political leader in the State of Illinois and is an active worker in many philanthropic endeavors in the MetroEast area of Illinois.

The Power of No: Energy, Focus, and Resilient Leadership.... In leadership, every “no” protects a bigger “yes.” This talk explores why great leaders say no—and how it unlocks focus, energy, and clarity. Learn practical strategies to set boundaries, beat burnout, and protect the yeses that matter most.

Kevin Harper is a nationally recognized executive leader, strategist, and nonprofit innovator with more than two decades of experience guiding organizations through growth, transition, and transformation. As the former President &CEO of Food On The Move, Kevin grew the organization from a small volunteer-led initiative into a multi-million-dollar enterprise with $11M+ in assets and over 100 cross-sector partnerships. His work and insights have been featured innumerous publications highlighting innovative approaches to leadership, philanthropy, and community impact.
As the founder of The Nonprofit Coach, LLC, Kevin equips leaders and organizations with tools to maximize influence, strengthen boards, and drive mission success. His coaching has impacted a wide spectrum of clients—ranging from CEOs and nonprofit executives to celebrities, community leaders, and even the next generation of changemakers through mentoring high school and college students.
A dynamic speaker known for blending practical strategies with relatable sports-driven analogies, Kevin delivers clarity, confidence, and actionable insights. Whether on stage, in the boardroom, or in the classroom, his mission is simple: to help leaders unlock their potential and create lasting impact.