Wafae Owen, DTM

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

With over 30 years of experience spanning leadership, team building, business management, sales, marketing, data analysis, and strategic planning, my diverse skills perfectly align with Toastmasters' mission! From working in both the tech and financial worlds, with public and private companies, and collaborating with multinational, cross-functional teams, I have acquired skills in critical thinking, collaboration, strategic planning, and goal achievement. I have worked cohesively with teams by embracing diversity, being empathic, and staying flexible and focused. Whether it is leading teams, balancing budgets, or building growth strategies, I bring the know-how to get the job done. I will use my skills to collaborate with the board to ensure Toastmasters continues to grow and thrive, one club at a time.

What experience do you have in strategic planning?

I have many years of experience in:
1) Leadership and vision: setting long-term goals and supporting and guiding teams toward success.
2) Problem-solving skills: analyzing complex situations and developing actionable plans.
3) Adaptability: adjusting strategies as circumstances change.
4) Data-driven decision-making: using metrics and insights to guide the planning process.
5) Collaboration: working with diverse teams to align everyone toward common objectives.
6) Project management: breaking down big-picture goals into achievable tasks.

As a Sales Supervisor, I strategized with my team to increase revenues by offering training, support, and incentives to software dealers. At Temple-Inland, Inc., I served on and led committees to fundraise for charitable organizations. We successfully strategized to increase the fundraising totals each year through crowdfunding campaigns, fun competitions, and gift matching. For the local Ronald McDonald House, the raised funds went into an endowment account and were later used to help construct a bigger, better facility.

As Club Growth Director, I strategically planned our District growth. My team and I launched 18 new Clubs and recruited and trained over 30 Club coaches to strengthen struggling Clubs. As Program Quality Director, I developed a strategy to help our Clubs achieve excellence through invaluable training and support, and we achieved Select Distinguished in the Distinguished Clubs category. In 2020, as District Director, I quickly created a plan to pivot smoothly to virtual events when the pandemic hit and persuaded the DEC, that wanted to cancel the remaining contests, to keep them going. This enabled Mike Carr to go on to become the 2020 World Champion of Public Speaking. Per my suggestion, my home District created a District Advisory Council that I now chair to help with the strategic planning.

As Region Advisor, I created a streamlined monthly checklist to keep District leaders on track and drafted the Public Relations Manager 30-Day Action Plan that TI polished and released in 2024. As a District Strategies Committee member, I suggested and crafted the Leadership Succession Plan and Accountable Communication strategies that are now part of the District Strategies Guide.

What experience do you have in the area of finance?

For over 25 years, I have prepared and/or managed the Sales and Marketing, facilities, HR, and Administration budgets, optimizing the funds. Working at four startup companies gave me a front-row seat to the fast-paced world of finance and helped me gain experience in:
1) Budgeting: creating, reviewing, and managing budgets.
2) Forecasting skills: predicting financial trends.
3) Financial reporting: Preparing clear, easy-to-understand reports.
4) Cost control: keeping expenses in check while maximizing value.
5) Analytical mind: spotting opportunities and risks in financial data.

As a District Trio member, I helped prepare and review the monthly District finances and the annual budget ensuring we stayed within budget to support the District mission. So, whether it is startup madness or Toastmasters finances, I am ready to keep the numbers in line and the mission on track.

What experience do you have in developing policies?

At two startup companies, I helped develop and maintain employee Handbooks that support the mission and values of the employer while fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and positive thinking. This enabled me to be a:
1) Detail-oriented thinker: can craft clear, actionable policies that are easy to follow.
2) Problem-solver: identify gaps and create rules that address real needs.
3) Skilled researcher: collect relevant information to create and update policies.
4) Collaborator: work with teams to ensure policies meet organization and employee needs.
5) Compliance expert: align policies with legal and organization standards and local, national, and laws.

As District leader, I studied the Governing Documents, reviewed them often, and made sure DEC members were on the same page, too. That way, we stayed compliant with Toastmasters International policies and protocols.

What lessons did you learn from previous leadership positions?

Below is what I have learned from previous leadership positions:
1) Communication is everything: honest, clear, and regular communication keeps everything running smoothly. Listening more and guiding team members help them develop.
2) Teambuilding is powerful: I am only as strong as my team. Empowering and supporting them is key to success.
3) Change management: I am open and ready to pivot and keep things moving forward.
4) Mistakes are part of the journey: embrace them as steppingstones to success.
5) Focusing on the big picture: keep the overall mission in sight while managing the details.
6) Accountability: take ownership of the results and hold everyone accountable for their part.
7) Making difficult decisions: you cannot please everyone - sometimes the hardest choice is the right one.
8) Anticipation: staying proactive is key to tackling challenges before they become problems.
9) Reflection: I regularly look back on my experiences to learn and improve.

Serving in District leadership and as a Region Advisor has allowed me to connect more with members, embrace different viewpoints, and empower others to learn and develop. Leading diverse teams to strive for excellence has been a joy, and I am always ready for the next challenge.

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

My experience and key strengths that will help me bring value to the Board are:
1) Visionary thinking: creating strategies to drive long-term success.
2) Collaborative leadership: working with a team cohesively and fostering a positive, results-driven environment.
3) Resource management: ensuring smart, efficient use of funds and manpower.
4) Adaptability: pivoting quickly when challenges arise and ensuring steady progress.
5) Accountability: taking ownership and helping achieve excellence.
6) Empathy: understanding the needs of all stakeholders to make better decisions and foster teamwork.

With these strengths, I am ready to collaborate, innovate, and help keep pushing Toastmasters forward.

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

I want to serve as an International Director because I am passionate about helping members grow personally and professionally. Using my leadership experience, strategic thinking, and love for collaboration, I am ready to drive initiatives that empower our members, clubs, and districts to shine. It is all about making a lasting difference, supporting members globally, and ensuring Toastmasters International continues to thrive in this ever-changing world. Plus, I want to work alongside board members who will challenge and inspire me to keep learning, growing, and achieving. Together, we can help Toastmasters become stronger than ever.

What volunteer experience do you have outside of Toastmasters?

1993-1995: Volunteer with Texas Runaway Hotline
1993-1994: YMCA Indian Guides Co-Tribe Leader
1993-1994: Co-coach of Soccer Team (Westlake League for children)
1995-2014: Volunteer Coordinator with School Parent Teacher Association (Leander School District, Texas, USA)
1996-2008: Corporate Volunteer Manager and Fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House, United Way, American Cancer Society, and American Diabetes Association
2003-2004: Guaranty Bank Diversity Committee
2003-2006: Girl Scouts Troop Leader and National Delegate
2008-2012: Volunteer and Team Manager with Destination Imagination
2009-2010: VP of the St. Edwards University Chapter of The National Society of Leadership and Success
2023-2024: Mentor with ScholarShot

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

I have had the pleasure to work with the YMCA Board of Directors to expand the outreach in the Austin, Texas community and fundraise for initiatives that make a difference. Our monthly meetings were a blend of strategic planning, financial oversight, policy review, and evaluation and support of the executive leadership team to keep everything running smoothly.

For 16 years, in my professional career, I have worked closely with senior executives, Board and committee members, preparing board materials and handling all the logistics. I understand how Boards strategically plan to achieve organizational goals and how Board committees tackle governance, finances and audit, policymaking, succession planning, and more.

I also advise the CEO of Best Coaching 4 Life Success LLC on their business plan and fundraising. I get how it all fits together, and I am ready to put that experience to work.

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

Toastmasters International's major objectives are to empower individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders, grow membership, build quality clubs, and promote public speaking excellence.

To achieve these objectives, I would work with the board to help our organization move the mission forward by:
1) Focusing on the member experience to enhance the value members get from club meetings and educational programs, ensuring continued engagement, growth, and retention.
2) Ensuring effective regular communication: being transparent, clear, and specific.
3) Supporting club growth and retention while using innovative marketing strategies to promote Toastmasters globally and help districts grow and retain clubs.
4) Exploring other revenue alternatives for organization sustainability and better value to our members.
5) Promoting leadership opportunities, encouraging members to step into leadership roles at all levels, and enhancing their training so they can lead effectively.
6) Fostering a collaborative environment to ensure board efforts are aligned with Toastmasters' strategic goals.

Additional information about candidate:

My mother instilled in me the importance of education, hard work, and perseverance. Her wisdom and encouragement motivated me to pursue higher education, take bold risks, face obstacles head-on, and stay focused on my goals. I have lived in Africa, and Europe, and when I migrated to the USA, I did not speak English or know a single person. I overcame many difficulties, adapted to many changes, and gained more strength, courage, and confidence from each new challenge. I have learned from my mistakes. I now speak three languages fluently (English, Arabic, and French) and appreciate the value of different cultures and diverse perspectives. I am a go-getter, ambitious, tenacious, and always ready to adapt. I am also a huge believer in empathy and public service. When I am not busy chasing goals, I spend time with my wonderful husband and three children, read, practice yoga, travel, cook, and dance like nobody is watching.