Speakers
Rochelle Rice, DTM, AS, CSP
Accredited SpeakerRochelle Rice, DTM, AS, CSP, is the first woman to hold both the Accredited Speaker designation from Toastmasters International and the Certified Speaking Professional designation from the National Speakers Association. With over 30 years in the fitness industry and a background as a professional jazz dancer, she integrates somatic experience training with speaking expertise to help emerging leaders develop their Body-Mind Connection for increased confidence. A longtime member of Bryant Park Toastmasters and the National Speakers Association, Rochelle served as the Council Chair for the Accredited Speaker Program (2021-2023) and recently joined Chamber Toastmasters in Kyiv, Ukraine. She is also a proud aunt to 12 nieces and nephews. Her presentation, “Bring Your Body to the Stage: From Engagement to Excellence,” emphasizes the power of the body in leadership and communication.
Seth Greenwald
Best-selling Author | Keynote Speaker and Course CreatorSeth B. Greenwald, PMP, MID, is a best-selling author, keynote speaker and course creator for project managers, engineering leaders and other technical professionals. After earning his Mechanical Engineering degree from The Cooper Union, Seth served as senior project manager for some of the largest engineering and construction firms in the country. He currently manages multiple civil works mega projects for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. As the owner of Creatively Speaking Inc., Seth has empowered countless individuals to advance their careers through effective communication. His public speaking programs 'Page to Stage' and 'Find Your Flow' have garnered widespread acclaim for their transformative impact on his student’s ability to craft highly memorable messages through the power of storytelling. Seth latest book, "Answering the Call of Your Creative Warrior" is the inspiring story of how he discovered his inner source of creative confidence. His new online course 'Strategic Storytelling for Technical Professionals' was recently voted a top 10 course on the MYCPE learning platform. Seth is the founder and charter member of PMI-NYC Toastmasters and an active member of the Westchester Advanced Toastmasters (WAT) club. He earned his first DTM in 2016 and working diligently towards his second one. In his spare time, Seth enjoys experiencing the world to collect fun stories to share with his local audiences.
Roz Mays
Fitness Educator & SpeakerRoz The Diva has dedicated over a decade to helping nontraditional athletes kick ass in and outside of the gym. Whether public speaking, working with individual clients, or running her mouth on social media, she makes sure everyone with a pulse feels like an athlete (even you!). Her talents have been featured in Google, Fitbit Premium, The New York Times, Glamour and others. When she’s not sweaty at the gym, she’s usually making pancakes with Beyonce and Michelle Obama.
Fern Chan
Author | Speaker| Presentation CoachMeet Fern Chan, the presentation Jedi Master and bestselling author of "How to NOT Suck at Presentations." This sassy mompreneur ditched her 9-5 in higher education to become the force behind Fern Chan Ventures, where she transforms business leaders, entrepreneurs, and educators into presentation powerhouses. When she's not dropping knowledge bombs at the UN in Vienna and New York or empowering fellow moms to conquer the business world, you'll find her hogging the karaoke mic or geeking out over Star Wars. With the badassery of Leia and the wisdom of Yoda, Fern is on a mission to banish boring PowerPoints to a galaxy far, far away, and restore energy and enthusiasm in the audience.
Scott Mason
Attorney. Coach. Speaker. Podcaster. Myth SlayerScott Mason, also known as the Myth Slayer, is a Columbia Law School graduate who has spent over 20 years working as an attorney and senior executive in the government and non-profit sectors. He later became an entrepreneur, successfully expanding a manufacturing company into a major operation serving prominent corporate clients across two cities. Currently, he operates his own coaching and speaking business, focusing on transformative executive leadership coaching for lawyers. Scott has contributed insights to various media, including books, online magazines, TV, radio, and numerous podcasts. He has hosted four podcasts, including the official podcast for District 46, “Transformational Pathways,” and “The Webdelics Podcast,” which aligns with his co-founded venture, www.Webdelics.com, a leading online resource on plant medicines. Additionally, he co-founded the Podcast Pioneers club in District 46, aimed at enhancing podcasting skills among Toastmasters.
Neerja Purang, DTM
District Contest ChairNeerja Purang, DTM, is an accomplished IT Project Manager with a passion for empowering teams and driving impactful change in complex healthcare environments. A dynamic leader both in the workplace and within the Toastmasters community, Neerja served as the District Director for Toastmasters District 46, where she championed communication excellence and leadership development across the New York City metro area. Known for her strategic vision, calm demeanor, and collaborative leadership style, Neerja continues to mentor emerging leaders while managing high-stakes technology projects at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Her commitment to service and lifelong learning makes her a respected figure in both professional and volunteer circles.
Neerja Purang, DTM
District Contest Chair
Bianca Magbujos
Motivational Keynote SpeakerBianca Magbujos has been a member of Toastmasters for 8 years and has served as President of New York Toastmasters in 2023. She has 10+ years of experience in the Learning and Development field designing and facilitating workshops that are fun and impactful. She is still nervous when giving a Table Topics speech, but has learned how to use those nerves as a secret weapon.
Dorjano Miletic
Yoga Instructor
Anna Stepanova, DTM
District Chief JudgeDr. Anna Stepanova is a neuroscientist at Weill Cornell Medical College, researching the role of mitochondria and calcium signaling in heart health for patients with Friedreich’s Ataxia. Her work aims to uncover new therapies for FA-related cardiomyopathy. She is also an active volunteer at Columbia University Toastmasters, helping others grow as communicators and leaders. Anna earned her Ph.D. in Physiology from the Koltzov Institute in Moscow and completed postdoctoral training at Columbia University. Outside of science and Toastmasters, Anna enjoys biking, dancing, baking, and reading memoirs and psychology books.
Anna Stepanova, DTM
District Chief Judge