R.I.S.E. in Leadership Panel

Past International Director Sandy Vogele, DTM, began her Toastmasters career at Forest City Toastmasters in London, Ontario, Canada in March 1980 and still remembers her first mentor. She has been a member of Toastmaster clubs in two countries (Canada and USA). Sandy has served in leadership roles from club level to international.

Sandy is married to Past International Director Jim Vogele DTM and lives in Cincinnati, OH. Jim is responsible for her moving from Canada when they were married in January 1989. Sandy currently serves as a part-time pastor at Red Lion United Methodist Church.

Mentoring is a passion of Sandy’s both inside and outside of Toastmasters. In Toastmasters, Sandy has served as mentor to new members and experienced members both for developing as communicators and leaders.

Don Schulze has been in Toastmasters since 2005 and was our 2021-2022 District 40 Director.  Don previously earned the trifecta of District 40 recognition, selected as the Area Director of the Year, Division Director of the Year, and Toastmaster of the Year.  Don also served as both the District Finance Manager and District Administration Manager as well as supported District 40 as various Committee Chairs. Don is currently in three Toastmaster Clubs: AGOISSI (which stands for A Group of Individuals Seeking Self-improvement), ENCORE Advanced Toastmasters (where he was the co-founder), and Rise Higher Advanced Toastmasters (for which he currently serves as its President).

Pierre Charles Mingot is an engineer who fell in love with Toastmasters in 2014. Since joining The Bees club in Haiti, he has made developing his leadership skills an obsession. He has served the Caribbean Toastmasters (District 81) for the past 5 years as Division Director, Public Relations Manager, Club Growth Director, and Program Quality Director and is currently the District Director. He quickly identified with and attached to Toastmasters for its core values and stayed there for the happiness it brings him.

Besides public speaking and leadership, DTM Mingot is above all a technology adept. He studied electronic engineering and then obtained a Master's degree in Database and Systems Integration. He worked for a few years as a software developer and business analyst before taking up the position of Chief Technology Officer of fintech startup. Needless to say, how much the skills he learns at Toastmasters serve him professionally.

Althea Letang, DL5, EC5 joined Toastmasters in 2017 as a charter member of her home club Franklin County Communicators 6137312, a corporate club under the Franklin County Board of Commissioners. Toastmaster Letang served as VP of Membership, VP of Education and Club President. A transplant from St. Croix, in the United States Virgin Islands, Toastmaster Letang enjoys traveling, volunteering and is a licensed Zumba instructor. She currently serves as the Administration Manager for District 40.

In addition, Toastmaster Letang was the Immediate Past Division H Director in Columbus for the 2021-2022 program year; Assistant to the District 40 Program Quality Director during 2020-2021 program year and was Co-Chair for the 2021 District 40 Conference. Toastmaster Letang currently works for the State of Ohio as a Program Manager in the Bureau of Long-Term Services at Support for the Ohio Department of Medicaid.

In addition to serving as a District 40 Trio member and Immediate PDD the past four years, Gene Bailey also has served as Division Director and Area Director earning both the District 40 Division Director of the Year and Area Director of the Year. He has served as VP of Membership for the ENCORE Advanced Toastmasters Club, Past President and VP of Membership for the City of Columbus Toastmasters Club and Club Coach for Progressive Speaking Toastmasters Club. While as Area Director and Division Director, Gene assisted in establishing various new Toastmasters clubs in the Central Ohio Area!! He is currently a member of the City of Columbus Toastmasters & ENCORE Advanced Toastmasters Clubs.
Gene has served as the Director of the Neighborhood Health Projects Office & Community Engagement Officer for the Columbus Public Health Department for the past 18 years. His office assists residents, neighborhoods, and the faith-based community to address the key "health issues" confronting them to ultimately improve community health outcomes and quality of life!
In his spare time Gene loves to spend time with his wife and two daughters and their cavashon named LeBron! He enjoys working on the lawn, reading and being active!