2024 Conference: Keynote Sessions

Session 1 Workshops Conference PageSession 2 WorkshopsKeynoteC&L Award

About Sheryl Roush

Sheryl Roush, DTM, PDG, AS, shares insights from over 35 years of as a professional speaker and top-rated international trainer. She is CEO of Sparkle Presentations, Inc., based in New York, “Bringing Out Your Brilliance!”  

She has given well over 3,500 presentations on-site in 13 countries. The National Speakers Association honored Sheryl with “Member of the Year” in the San Diego and Los Angeles Chapters, plus LA’s Golden Microphone Award. As a trainer and speaking coach, her clients include: Deepak Chopra’s lecture team; Intuit’s TurboTax® executive sales team; Southwest Airlines; NFL cheerleaders; and started the Speakers Bureau for the U.S. Olympic Training Center working with 30 Olympians. As a conference speaker, Sheryl has opened on stage for Dancing with the Stars Marie Osmond, keynote closed for Geena Davis, and presented on programs with Olivia Newton-John, and John Maxwell, to name a few. 

Sheryl Roush

Morning: “Heart of a Toastmaster: Breaking Barriers”

Why did you JOIN Toastmasters? How are you “breaking barriers” in your life?  What’s NEXT for you?   Attend this engaging heart-centered keynote message and feel re-energized to continue your journey! 


Afternoon: “Sparkle When You Speak! Breaking Barriers to Brilliant Communications

Want to connect better with your listeners?
Need to gain credibility with your audiences?
Could your presentations be more engaging?

Build instant rapport, credibility and confidence! Explore effective ways to design and deliver engaging presentation… that even work in speech contests!

Break barriers with others!  Authentically connect with anyone… boost your interpersonal communication skills, and be Brilliant!

Joe Grondin, our Keynote!

Register Here!

Joe Grondin, DTM AS, in round black eyeglasses, a gray charcoal suit with a pink shirt and a pink-and-gray paisley tie, holding a microphone, smiling broadly, and standing in front of a blue-and-pink curtain with several indistinct national flags behind him at the 2017 Toastmasters International Convention.
Joe Grondin, DTM AS
Keynote Speaker at District 53’s Annual Conference

 Joe Grondin, DTM, AS is a retired educator and is now, with the guidance of his Toastmaster family, fulfilling his dream of being an international inspirational speaker. He is the author of the books “Living in Harmony With Our Children” and “Speak to Reach” and has been asked to speak throughout North America on these topics.   

Joe has been busy traveling the globe to pursue his passions. Destinations include Malaysia, Washington D.C., and Las Vegas to participate in the Toastmasters World Championship of Public Speaking. Having qualified seven times for the world championships, he has successfully placed in the top 10 on two occasions. Joe is a three-time TEDx speaker and earned the prestigious Accredited Speaker designation from Toastmasters International in 2017 becoming one of 90 people in the world who hold this distinction. Joe does admit that his biggest accomplishment is getting hugs from his grandchildren.

Joe is a “FEEL GOOD” type guy and takes any opportunity to sing and dance in public, much to the dismay of my family. The last time Joe did his song and dance in public his children ran for cover.

Joeis a proud Toastmaster and he believes that Toastmaster audiences are the best audiences in the world. It is truly an honour for Joe to present in front of his toastmaster family because it matters not where you are in your journey, you are dedicated to self-improvement so that you can make a difference in this world. Joe is hoping that in some small way he can help you on that journey.

Saturday Morning Keynote – “Developing Your Signature”

This session will focus on how to develop our unique signature voice and encourage you to develop your unique presentation style.

Saturday Afternoon Keynote – “Mrs. Elliott’s Lessons

Mrs. Elliott, Joe’s favourite teacher, taught him four lessons on leadership at a time he needed it the most. Toastmasters further helped Joe to hone those lessons. This presentation combines leadership with wellness and are lessons about finding what shines within us, finding the possibilities, finding the strength within, and finding the positive.


Bonus Workshop & Breakfast: (Separate registration)

“Speak to Reach”

This presentation surrounds Joe’s book about providing us with tools to help us to become proficient public speakers but also, through self-reflection, enabling us to speak from our hearts to reach any audience. To reach an audience means using our unique heart-connected voice to touch others in a way that inspires them to make a positive change.

Register for the conference!