Listen in on this delightful conversation with Accredited Speaker, and Company Culture Pro – Stephanie Angelo.

Stephanie joined me virtually from Arizona.  She initially joined Toastmasters around 2005 but left due to time constraints, eventually rejoining in 2017, becoming a member of the Rise and Shine club.

Professionally, Stephanie is a company culture consultant focused on creating organizations that combat culture stagnation.

Toastmasters provides her with a platform to test portions of her speeches in a live setting.   Stephanie found Toastmasters instrumental in honing parts of her presentations, particularly after the introduction of the Pathways program, despite needing to adapt her content for specific projects. She has completed three Pathways and is working on a fourth. Her Toastmasters experience extended internationally when she attended German-speaking clubs during a four-week stay in Germany to improve her language skills.

In 2023, Stephanie earned the prestigious Accredited Speaker (AS) designation, becoming the 92nd recipient. She shared the rigorous application process, which involved submitting a detailed application, client recommendations, and an unedited video of a professional speech. Passing level one allowed her to present at the International Convention before five anonymous judges.

 Stephanie emphasized that while the AS designation enhances credibility, it does not directly increase client inquiries.

 For those considering Toastmasters, Stephanie advises identifying personal goals—whether camaraderie or professional development—and selecting a club accordingly. Her journey underscores the importance of persistence, self-awareness, and finding the right environment to grow.