Patrick Oluyide, DTM

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

• I will leverage my 20 years of empathetic, adaptive, and results-driven leadership experience, gained through guiding, coaching, and supporting diverse organizations in strategic planning and organizational development. My goal is to enhance the board's ability to address both current and future challenges for our members.

• I have demonstrated my abilities through my involvement in several key projects, including revitalizing a struggling aviation business to achieve profitability, developing a corporate governance policy for the National Bureau of Public Enterprise, designing and implementing a comprehensive performance management system for a major bank, and creating a four-year strategic plan for a pension company currently managing billions of dollars in assets.

What experience do you have in strategic planning?

• I led the strategy committee at the Nigeria Institute of Training & Development in creating a five-year plan focused on membership growth. This initiative revitalized the institute and attracted thousands of new members.

• As a faculty member, at Atlantic University (PAU) in Lagos for over a decade, I have helped medium-scale businesses with their strategic planning processes. Additionally, I participated in the strategy development for the YOUWIN initiative, which funded outstanding business plans from young entrepreneurs in Nigeria.

• As the director of District 94, I took the initiative to lead the development and implementation of the CARE-GROW-WIN strategy. This comprehensive approach was aimed at achieving our goal of becoming the best district in the world in 2022, and it was executed with particular attention to the challenges posed by the pandemic.

What experience do you have in the area of finance?

• Effective strategic planning requires a solid understanding of financial insights. Drawing from my hands-on experience, I have conducted thorough analyses of financial data, identified emerging patterns, extracted meaningful insights, and made informed projections to guide decision-making. I have also supported organizations in the budgeting process and in developing strategies for revenue generation and cost reduction. For example, I led a team to create a two-year strategic plan focused on revenue growth and cost-cutting for an insurance client. The successful implementation of this plan played a key role in helping them achieve a third-place ranking in their industry.

• In my capacity as Managing Partner of a business consultancy over the course of seven years, I dedicated my efforts to financial management and strategic decision-making, which were critical in sustaining the organization's viability through the challenges posed by the pandemic.

• I have provided oversight and contributed to financial decisions as the Board Chair of a faith-based organization, a member of the university Governing Council, and a member of the Nigeria Institute of Training and Development's Governing Council.

What experience do you have in developing policies?

• I embarked on my policy development journey a decade ago at the National Institute for Planning and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru, Nigeria. During this time, I had the privilege of honing my skills in policymaking through a collaborative public sector-led approach.

• I have utilized my skills in both the public and private sectors. While serving on the Nigeria Institute of Training and Development Governing Council, I contributed to the review and development of membership policies. Additionally, I have supported clients in developing their human resources policies.

What lessons did you learn from previous leadership positions?

• Empathy and selfless giving are fundamental to the attainment of a compelling vision. Effective leadership requires a balance between short-term imperatives and long-term goals. Leaders ought to utilize scenario-based thinking and cultivate an environment where multiple layers of leadership can flourish.

• Quality is the cornerstone of lasting organizational success. Every aspect, from finance to membership and marketing, is intricately linked to the pursuit of excellence. Prioritizing quality ensures not only growth but also a strong reputation in the marketplace.

• As a husband and father, I've come to realize that true leadership is all about lifting each other up, working together, and feeling a genuine sense of responsibility for one another. It's a journey of collaboration and shared growth that enriches our lives and strengthens our bonds.

• Leadership must push boundaries and inspire the organization to make a significant impact. We don’t engage in Toastmasters merely for the experience; we are in Toastmasters to transform the world around us.

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

• I exhibit a strong Diversity and Inclusion mindset in my current role at Rapport (Compass Group), where I am responsible for supporting various business functions, including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). I provide coaching and development for leaders across multiple generations and from over 67 countries. My dedication to diversity is further demonstrated through my position as director of a multicultural district encompassing 15 countries. Leading this diverse team to achieve the number one ranking globally during the pandemic illustrates my capacity to facilitate collaboration and leverage diverse perspectives effectively.

• My local and global perspective from Western and Central Africa, combined with my drive for results, offers a unique diversity that the Toastmasters board has yet to benefit from.

• My proficiency in strategic planning and my inherent focus on future-oriented perspectives have evolved significantly over the years, particularly through my diverse professional experiences.

• My passion for guiding the team toward winning solutions relies on my creative, critical, and analytical problem-solving abilities. This was clearly demonstrated when I supported the leadership and members of District 94 during the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges of implementing Toastmasters Enterprise Resource Planning (EPR). Our collective efforts not only navigated these obstacles but also propelled us to become the number one district in the world in 2022.

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

• In the past five years, Toastmasters has experienced notable challenges, including a loss of 91,874 members and 2,358 clubs. Between 2023 and 2024, we created 958 but suspended 988 clubs. This trend calls for our collective attention. I’m deeply committed to being part of the solution. Together, we can work towards rejuvenating our cherished community that has given us all so much.

• I am motivated by a profound purpose: to assist individuals, organizations, and nations in discovering and actualizing their potential. This commitment enables me to leverage my strategic capabilities in collaboration with others to address the pressing challenges that lie ahead, as the next century will be shaped by our actions and their impacts. Together, we can pave the way for meaningful progress and transformation.

• My vision for Toastmasters is to ensure that future Toastmasters thrive in a welcoming and inclusive environment, I am driven to collaborate with others to cultivate a member-focused Toastmasters that inspires and empowers everyone to reach their fullest potential, regardless of their age or background.

What volunteer experience do you have outside of Toastmasters?

• As Rotaract president club, I led my club to contribute to the polio eradication campaign.

• As the founding Alumni President of my university, I led the Alumni body to identify collaborative and innovative solutions to the challenges facing the institution and to establish necessary structures that ensure its continuity.

• Other volunteering experiences outside Toastmasters include serving as a member of the University Governing Council, as well as being a Governing Council member of the Nigerian Institute for Training and Development and serving as the Board Chair of the Daystar Skill Acquisition Programme (DSAP).

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

• Governing Council, Nigerian Institute of Training and Development: I gained valuable experience in navigating the challenges of a multi-generational board. My leadership roles included chairing both the Strategy Committee and the Learning & Development Committee. It was incredibly rewarding to see the 5-year strategic plan we developed come to life through implementation. I also felt the significant responsibility of the oversight function in caring for the organization.

• Governing Council, Adekunle Ajasin University: My involvement in committee membership and oversight of university management has provided me with invaluable insights. I have come to appreciate the significance of my perspective while also recognizing the importance of actively listening to the viewpoints of others. This experience has equipped me with the skills to negotiate effectively and articulate my ideas convincingly to my peers. Furthermore, I have learned that it is often the responsibility of board members to make difficult decisions that may not be popular but are essential for the institution's advancement.

• Daystar Skill Acquisition Programme: This initiative produces between 5,000 and 10,000 graduates annually. Through this experience, I have come to understand that board responsibilities occasionally necessitate a proactive approach, addressing current challenges to prioritize future objectives. My service on this board began with efforts focused on restructuring, stabilizing, and establishing a clear vision and direction.

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

The envisioned future of Toastmasters is attainable in today's world by focusing on the following priorities:

• Financial Sustainability: is essential for our organization, as it drives measurable operational excellence focused on continuous quality improvement. By optimizing costs and elevating customer value, we ensure that our members receive outstanding service, positioning us for long-term success and trust in our commitment to quality.

• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging are intended to foster an environment within the Toastmaster ecosystem that is welcoming, representative, and inclusive of all members. We believe that by expanding our outreach to a broader range of social and professional sectors, we can enhance our collective impact and create a more enriched experience for everyone involved.

• Membership Growth: The goal is to leverage technology to enhance program delivery and support sustainable growth. We aim to redefine our offerings, improve our positioning, and strengthen our engagement with corporate clients. By utilizing data insights, we can reevaluate our future membership investments, focusing on revitalizing the Gavel Club as an effective feeder system. Additionally, we want to help our members understand the significant impact Toastmasters has on the global community through their involvement.

Additional information about candidate:

• I view time as life segmented into meaningful moments, which reflects my respect for time, existence, and the experiences we share. Embracing new experiences and learning from unexpected sources, such as children, enriches my understanding. I am dedicated to empowering others, as they strive to unlock their full potential.

• I enjoy making music and playing chess with my sons. I love chatting with my best friend, who is my wife, and our whole family enjoys wandering around town to discover new places. Toastmasters is my family, and I am always committed to giving my best in service.

• I have a vibrant personality and truly appreciate the lighter side of life. If you happen to catch me lost in thought, don’t hesitate to say hello—I simply value moments of meditation and reflection. Your friendly gesture could brighten my day!