President
Neta Glasser
Presently serving as SmoothTalkers’ President, Dien has been in the club for more than 2 years. She has been working as an acupuncturist in the San Diego area for the past 13 years. While taking her doctorate courses, she was told that she needed to get more comfortable delivering speeches in front of groups. She was attracted to SmoothTalkers for the opportunity to practice her public speaking and was pleasantly surprised to discover that it also helped develop her leadership skills. She has stayed, because of the warm, welcoming, and supportive environment created by all the members. Her most challenging role continues to be volunteering to be a speaker. "My nerves still get the best of me when I deliver a prepared speech, but the rush you get when you deliver a good speech is absolutely worth it!" Dien is also enjoys salsa dancing, kickboxing/aerial classes, and trying all the new amazing restaurants that spring up in San Diego.
What was your proudest moment?
“It was the day I delivered an emotionally personal speech that moved everyone in the room. I discovered that being authentic and vulnerable can be a wonderfully freeing and socially connecting experience." I am so proud to be member of SmoothTalkers, because this group offers a safe environment that allows all its members to be themselves and flourish.
Vice President of Education
Brian Atkins
Cindy has been a SmoothTalker since 2012 and became the club's first Distinguished Toastmaster in 2016. She is the current VPE and a past President and served in all the other officer roles and a district role as Area Governor. She's represented SmoothTalkers and Area 19 in a few Humorous Speech contests. Outside of Toastmasters, Cindy likes to read, play in senior women’s sports leagues, hike, backpack and travel.
Why did you join Toastmasters?
“The club was meeting at my church so I popped in just to see what was happening. It was so exciting and entertaining I got hooked! I didn't want to speak, just to come and listen, but they finally talked me into joining and it's been a fabulous ride ever since.”
Vice President of Membership
Aditi Tondulkar
Jacob has been a member of SmoothTalkers for almost two years. He served as the Sergeant at Arms and currently serves at the Vice President of Membership. His favorite role during a meeting is the Toastmaster and facilitating the meeting to make sure the meeting is run smoothly as well as having people leave with a smile on their faces. As an Annual Pass Holder, Jacob enjoys visiting Disneyland at least once a month. He also enjoys practicing mixology from time to time.
What is a skill you learned in Toastmasters that you use in your day-to-day life?
“A skill that I learned from Toastmasters is the importance of diversity in one’s life. Every meeting I have attended at SmoothTalkers has always delivered something different. Whether it be an inspirational moment, a learning experience, or sharing a funny story or memorable experience, the speeches delivered at SmoothTalkers provide us with something to take home with us. These speeches, delivered by people from all walks of life, have given variety in my life and have inspired me to pursue knowledge and experiences that I may not have pursued otherwise. I believe the diversity of this club is what makes us thrive.”
Vice President of Public Relations
Christopher Castro
Christopher has been with SmoothTalkers since January 2020. He is currently the Vice President of Public Relations. He enjoys giving evaluations on speeches and the Grammarian role. Besides exploring San Diego, he enjoys travelling, reading, and writing.
Why did you join Toastmasters?
“I joined Toastmasters because I had a chance to travel to Beijing, China, after winning an international competition. I had trouble speaking in public and in interviews and I practice both those skills in Toastmasters meetings. (Delete: so I signed up.) It has helped me tremendously improve my public speaking abilities but unexpectedly and even more importantly helped me engage with other people and create a positive and supportive environment."
Secretary
Steve Cicero
Stephen Cicero is a mathematician, software developer, and self-taught economist. He is married and has a son who is currently enrolled at UC Santa Cruz. His primary interests are in economics and its relationship to political issues, fantasy role-playing games, and Toastmasters.
He joined Toastmasters in April 1998 and joined SmoothTalkers in February 2014. Steve is a Distinguished Toastmaster. He has joined three additional clubs and taken offices in each of them. He also served one and one-half terms as an Area Governor and has been a Club Mentor for a new club. His current clubs include Excelsior, Hi-Fi Speakers, Liberty, and SmoothTalkers.
Treasurer
Chaz Mathias
Chaz has been a member of SmoothTalkers for over a year and is currently serving as the club's Treasurer. He enjoys pushing himself to speak at every meeting in any of the various roles. Chaz enjoys reading, participating in any competitive sport and hiking the numerous trails that San Diego has to offer.
Why did you join Toastmasters?
“Public speaking was always a terrifying task and when this fear began to hold me back in many areas in my life, I decided that I needed to give Toastmasters a try and I’m so glad that I did. Our group is welcoming and supportive and it creates an environment to quickly move past your fears and build on your natural speaking abilities. My favorite part about the club is that it provides opportunities to not only give prepared speeches but also work on evaluating, impromptu speaking and serving in leadership roles. Toastmasters has opened my eyes to the possibilities that effective communication can bring in life.”
Neta Glasser
Presently serving as SmoothTalkers’ President, Dien has been in the club for more than 2 years. She has been working as an acupuncturist in the San Diego area for the past 13 years. While taking her doctorate courses, she was told that she needed to get more comfortable delivering speeches in front of groups. She was attracted to SmoothTalkers for the opportunity to practice her public speaking and was pleasantly surprised to discover that it also helped develop her leadership skills. She has stayed, because of the warm, welcoming, and supportive environment created by all the members. Her most challenging role continues to be volunteering to be a speaker. "My nerves still get the best of me when I deliver a prepared speech, but the rush you get when you deliver a good speech is absolutely worth it!" Dien is also enjoys salsa dancing, kickboxing/aerial classes, and trying all the new amazing restaurants that spring up in San Diego.
What was your proudest moment?
“It was the day I delivered an emotionally personal speech that moved everyone in the room. I discovered that being authentic and vulnerable can be a wonderfully freeing and socially connecting experience." I am so proud to be member of SmoothTalkers, because this group offers a safe environment that allows all its members to be themselves and flourish.
Vice President of Education
Brian Atkins
Cindy has been a SmoothTalker since 2012 and became the club's first Distinguished Toastmaster in 2016. She is the current VPE and a past President and served in all the other officer roles and a district role as Area Governor. She's represented SmoothTalkers and Area 19 in a few Humorous Speech contests. Outside of Toastmasters, Cindy likes to read, play in senior women’s sports leagues, hike, backpack and travel.
Why did you join Toastmasters?
“The club was meeting at my church so I popped in just to see what was happening. It was so exciting and entertaining I got hooked! I didn't want to speak, just to come and listen, but they finally talked me into joining and it's been a fabulous ride ever since.”
Vice President of Membership
Aditi Tondulkar
Jacob has been a member of SmoothTalkers for almost two years. He served as the Sergeant at Arms and currently serves at the Vice President of Membership. His favorite role during a meeting is the Toastmaster and facilitating the meeting to make sure the meeting is run smoothly as well as having people leave with a smile on their faces. As an Annual Pass Holder, Jacob enjoys visiting Disneyland at least once a month. He also enjoys practicing mixology from time to time.
What is a skill you learned in Toastmasters that you use in your day-to-day life?
“A skill that I learned from Toastmasters is the importance of diversity in one’s life. Every meeting I have attended at SmoothTalkers has always delivered something different. Whether it be an inspirational moment, a learning experience, or sharing a funny story or memorable experience, the speeches delivered at SmoothTalkers provide us with something to take home with us. These speeches, delivered by people from all walks of life, have given variety in my life and have inspired me to pursue knowledge and experiences that I may not have pursued otherwise. I believe the diversity of this club is what makes us thrive.”
Vice President of Public Relations
Christopher Castro
Christopher has been with SmoothTalkers since January 2020. He is currently the Vice President of Public Relations. He enjoys giving evaluations on speeches and the Grammarian role. Besides exploring San Diego, he enjoys travelling, reading, and writing.
Why did you join Toastmasters?
“I joined Toastmasters because I had a chance to travel to Beijing, China, after winning an international competition. I had trouble speaking in public and in interviews and I practice both those skills in Toastmasters meetings. (Delete: so I signed up.) It has helped me tremendously improve my public speaking abilities but unexpectedly and even more importantly helped me engage with other people and create a positive and supportive environment."
Secretary
Steve Cicero
Stephen Cicero is a mathematician, software developer, and self-taught economist. He is married and has a son who is currently enrolled at UC Santa Cruz. His primary interests are in economics and its relationship to political issues, fantasy role-playing games, and Toastmasters.
He joined Toastmasters in April 1998 and joined SmoothTalkers in February 2014. Steve is a Distinguished Toastmaster. He has joined three additional clubs and taken offices in each of them. He also served one and one-half terms as an Area Governor and has been a Club Mentor for a new club. His current clubs include Excelsior, Hi-Fi Speakers, Liberty, and SmoothTalkers.
Treasurer
Chaz Mathias
Chaz has been a member of SmoothTalkers for over a year and is currently serving as the club's Treasurer. He enjoys pushing himself to speak at every meeting in any of the various roles. Chaz enjoys reading, participating in any competitive sport and hiking the numerous trails that San Diego has to offer.
Why did you join Toastmasters?
“Public speaking was always a terrifying task and when this fear began to hold me back in many areas in my life, I decided that I needed to give Toastmasters a try and I’m so glad that I did. Our group is welcoming and supportive and it creates an environment to quickly move past your fears and build on your natural speaking abilities. My favorite part about the club is that it provides opportunities to not only give prepared speeches but also work on evaluating, impromptu speaking and serving in leadership roles. Toastmasters has opened my eyes to the possibilities that effective communication can bring in life.”