I am a passionate advocate for the education, leadership and training opportunities offered through the Toastmasters program, and will offer innovative, transformative and strategic ideas to the board.

Brian Hatano, DTM, PDG says

I had the honor and pleasure of serving as district governor with Sondra Nunez as the lieutenant governor of marketing (yes, those were our titles in 2014-2015). – By then, Sondra had years of Toastmasters and real-life leadership experience that she used to make our team more effective. She has parlayed her growing knowledge into subsequent leadership positions including district director and region advisor where she thrived and made a difference in many Toastmasters’ lives. – The 2014 World Champion of Public Speaking used a phrase that was appropriate during that time for Sondra: “I see something in you. But I don’t know what it is.” – I now know what those qualities are: the ability to learn, listen and lead.

Brian Hatano, DTM, Past District 39 Governor, 2014-2015

George Jarosik, DTM, PDD, says

In my several years with Toastmaster International, the #1 characteristic I have come to identify as the mark of excellence in Toastmasters Leadership is being a people person. In this quality, along with many others, Sondra Nunez stands apart. If commitment, encouragement and excellence has a smile and a heart, it would be found in this woman. I could never say enough about her. As for me and my vote, there is no other option. Sondra Nunez is the right choice as International Director.

George Jarosik, DTM, Past District 39 Director, 2015-2016

Ginny Grabowski, DTM, PDD, says

Sondra is a fantastic leader. When she served as RA for Region 1, I was most impressed with her ability to listen. She listened through to the end of what we were saying. She considered what we said, and she gave honest, relevant advice, helping us to grow as leaders. She is passionate about modernizing, growing, and refining this organization by inspiring and encouraging leaders and members. She is a true professional with a unique ability to make the hard work of leadership fun and inspiring. She is passionate about the mission of Toastmasters. I am excited that she has put her hat in the ring to become an International Director. She will make a difference that will be palpable throughout the Toastmasters world.

Ginny Grabowski, DTM, Past District 32 Director, 2019-2020

Bett Bollhoefer, DTM, PDD says,

Sondra is a wonderful and thoughtful leader. I worked with her when she served as RA for Region 1. During my interactions with her I saw her as a compassionate and wise leader. We were full of questions and she always patiently listened to our challenges, even if she’d heard similar ones before. She took the time to ask clarifying questions and didn’t make any assumptions.Then when she was ready she gave us clear and useful ideas to improve the situation. She is focused on our mission. She has great ideas for bringing us to the modern world, increasing membership, and focusing on quality. She would be a fantastic International Director. Please consider voting for her as our Region 1 ID!

Bett Bollhoefer, DTM, Past District 57 Director, 2020-2021

Jessica Allen, DTM, PDA, says

Sondra has the determination of a dedicated leader and the thoughtfulness of a fellow team member. In my time working with Sondra, for almost a decade, I have observed that she is ethical, innovative, and self-aware, and someone who focuses on self development and the development of others. She is a strategic thinker and action-driven. As the CEO of a multi-million dollar company, along with her board, she guides the financial direction of her company. As a current board member of an international women’s organization, she is regularly practicing effective cross-cultural communication on a global level. More importantly, her commitment to Toastmasters International is unmatched. I whole-heartedly endorse Sondra as the next International Director from Region 1.

Jessica Allen, DTM, Past Region Advisor, 2019-2021

Debra Kroon, DTM, PDD, says

When you are new to District Leadership, having someone like Sondra on your side is a tremendous advantage. When I served in District 9’s Leadership during 2019–2021, Sondra was our Region 1 Advisor. Sondra quickly acclimated to her role and became an active, supportive leader. Being able to draw on her vast experience, skills and knowledge base helped me grow as a leader. Often Sondra went beyond in her supportive efforts for us District Leaders. When a need was recognized, Sondra strategized developing additional training to help strengthen our teams. Sondra’s Toastmasters experience has prepared her to readily step up to challenges and respond effectively. I appreciate her encouraging, empathetic, and positive approach.

Debra Kroon, DTM, Past District 9 Director, 2020-2021

About Sondra Nunez, DTM

“The Toastmasters program has transformed my personal and professional life in ways I never thought possible. From starting out in 1998 in my first club, Post Toasties at USAA Insurance, to serving as 2019-2021 Region 1 Advisor, to leading Mountain Valley Petroleum, I will forever be grateful for the people I have served alongside with and the friends I have made.

Because of you, fellow leaders, I have learned to listen with understanding, to value all people, regardless of skill level or knowledge, and work to find solutions to a wide variety of challenges with empathy and compassion”.

– Sondra Nunez

Sondra Nunez, DTM, has served in club, district, and region Toastmasters positions, culminating in her appointment as 2019-2021 Region 1 Advisor. Her work in Toastmasters was recognized with the 2020-2021 Toastmasters Presidential Citation, the highest honor bestowed on a member by our organization.

The practice of effective communication and leadership skills through Toastmasters has allowed Sondra to serve others in a way she never imagined possible. One such opportunity is as a member of the 2022-2024 National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs Executive Committee.

NFPBWC has been at the forefront of advocating for economic justice, access to quality healthcare, human rights, diversity, equity, and inclusion for over 100 years. Each year in March, BPW members from all over the globe participate in the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) as well as the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) CSW New York parallel events — which organizes the civil society side of UN CSW. In March of 2023, Sondra will represent the NFBPWC at the International BPW Leadership summit taking place in New York City immediately prior to the UN Commission on the Status of Women.

As a lifelong volunteer, Sondra has served in many non-profit organization positions including various parent/teacher associations, community services and chambers, where she led fundraising efforts, event production, volunteer services and other operational and administrative projects.

Professionally, Sondra Nunez is owner of Mountain Valley Petroleum, Inc., a $10MM corporation, in West Sacramento, California, where her day-to-day focus is fiscal management and strategic planning.

Non-Profit Organizations & Events
National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs
-Executive Committee Member (Secretary)
-Member, Lifelong Leadership and Learning Program Committee
-Member, Advocacy Program Committee
City of Rocklin Chamber of Commerce
-Chair, Event Volunteer Recruitment Committee
Special Olympics
Loaves and Fishes (feeding homeless persons)
Soroptimist International

“Service on these boards allows me to collaborate with people of a wide spectrum of ages and occupations. I value learning from my fellow team members while working to understand experiences and needs from their points of view.”

Membership Growth Innovation

In the fast-paced and ever-changing world, leaders are tasked with looking not just at what has been or what is, but also what can be. I am a leader who enthusiastically embraces change at every level. I understand the need for continual innovation of processes to meet the needs of a multi-generational customer base. How we grow membership and build clubs is always evolving. With a constantly changing world, especially in these times, our marketing and PR tactics need to change. Growing membership and building clubs is an artform and science that needs innovative and fresh thinking each year. Districts need more training, tools, systems and marketing support.

Innovation

Transformative Leadership Development

I believe in creating a strong vision for the future. I am enthusiastic about motivating and inspiring members of the team toward common goals, and passionate about working to ensure all team members are heard and feel valued. Toastmasters secret weapon is leadership development. Build upon and leverage leadership development from club officers to board officers. Toastmasters is truly transformative and we should be modeling exceptional leadership at every level, inspiring new leaders to continue their growth and journey, and contribution to TI.

Transformation

Successful Strategic Planning

No one expected the pandemic, but how quickly we responded was a function of our leadership and strategic planning. The Toastmaster model as we knew it three years ago will probably never be the same. Virtual and Hybrid communication and leadership training are probably here to stay. As owner of a multi-million-dollar organization for 20 years, I have dedicated myself to understanding all aspects of short-term and long-term strategic planning and implementation. This skill is vital to the ability to move an organization such as Toastmasters forward through strategic, regulatory, financial and operational threats.

Strategy

Sondra’s Toastmasters Journey

My Toastmasters experience has transformed how I show up in the world, who I am as a leader, and how I connect and communicate with my family, colleagues and community. Everyone, in every walk of life, should know about and have the same opportunity available to them for decades to come.

Awareness of Toastmasters should be in every corporation and community. Access to Toastmasters should be quick and easy. Achievements through the Toastmasters program should be recognized and celebrated more than ever. This is how personal transformation begins.

We need to remove as many barriers as we can.

We need innovative membership growth alternatives, transformative and long-lasting leadership development, and ongoing strategic planning, processes and methods that focus on the District mission and support uninterrupted learning.

2020-2021 Presidential Citation Award Recipient
2020-2021 Resilience Award Recipient
2021-2022 Region Advisor Selection Committee Member
2019-2021 Region 1 Advisor
2019-2021 Region Advisor Committees
Core Values Committee
District Visits Committee
RA Handbook Committee
2017-2018 District 39 Immediate Past Director
2016-2017 District 39 Director
2015-2016 District 39 Program Quality Director
2014-2015 District 39 Lt. Governor Marketing
2012-2013 District 39 Public Relations Manager
2012-2013 District 39 Secretary

Vote for Sondra Nunez, DTM,

for Toastmasters International Director, Region 1

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