Charlene C. Burroughs, DTM

Toastmasters offices held and terms of service (international and regional level):

• 2011-2012 Area Governor
• 2012-2013 Division Governor/Lt. Governor Marketing
• 2013-2014 Lt. Governor Education and Training
• 2014-2015 District Governor
• 2015-2016 Immediate Past District Director
• 2020-2021 Region Advisor
• 2022-2024 Region Advisor

Toastmasters honors and recognition (international level):

Relevant work experience and how it relates to Toastmasters and your role as a Board Member:

I believe that every experience in life offers an opportunity to learn. This mindset has shaped how I apply my knowledge both within and beyond an educational system. With 31 years of experience as an educator—including roles in the classroom and on district-level leadership—I’ve consistently worked with multidisciplinary teams to set shared goals and achieve measurable outcomes. I see this collaborative, goal-oriented approach as essential to the work of the Toastmasters Board: aligning efforts to meet the diverse needs of members and drive organizational success.

Through my leadership experience, I’ve learned that setting goals is only the beginning. Equally important is maintaining transparent communication and fostering meaningful engagement. My teams and I prioritized keeping stakeholders informed and actively sought their input, using feedback to refine our goals and shape responsive, effective policies.

Throughout my career, I’ve also served as a trainer for a public school district, a U.S. federal agency, and a national seminar company. In each role, I designed and facilitated training sessions tailored to the unique needs of participants. As a member of the Toastmasters Board, I would bring this same inclusive and practical approach—developing solutions that reflect the diverse backgrounds and expectations of our membership.

What experience do you have in strategic planning?

I have played a key role in supporting and leading strategic planning efforts by applying data-driven analysis to identify growth opportunities and assess risks impacting organizational stability. My leadership experience includes work done at a public school district and in two women's organizations, where I collaborated with teams to interpret data, develop strategic plans, and implement solutions that addressed critical challenges and advanced long-term goals.

Specifically, in the school district—serving more than 22,000 employees—I contributed to a strategic planning team focused on combating fraud, waste, and abuse. Our initiatives were thoughtfully aligned with the district’s vision and mission, reinforcing a culture of integrity, transparency, and accountability throughout the organization.

In one women’s organization, I collaborated with the founder and a strategic planning team to assess threats to organizational growth. Together, we developed targeted plans to address these challenges and strengthen the organization’s long-term sustainability.

In another women’s group, I worked with a team to confront member apathy and lead a cultural transformation. Our strategic planning efforts focused on fostering a more inclusive, collaborative environment and reducing internal conflict, ultimately improving member engagement and organizational cohesion.

What experience do you have in the area of finance?

As a school district-level leader, I collaborated with department heads and their supervisors to develop and manage the budget for our division, ensuring that financial planning aligned with operational priorities.

In my role as a Toastmasters district leader, I partnered with the leadership team to develop the district budget. Each month, I worked closely with the finance manager to monitor spending, evaluate progress, and make necessary adjustments to stay on track and meet organizational goals.

What experience do you have in developing policies?

I have drafted policies for the department I supported within the school district, which were submitted for review and approval by the board of trustees. Currently, I serve on the Bylaws Committee of a local women's organization and its affiliated nonprofit foundation.

What lessons did you learn from previous leadership positions?

Through my previous leadership roles, I’ve learned the importance of embracing change. Nothing remains static—circumstances are constantly evolving. As a leader, I must stay attuned to the present, monitor shifts, and be ready to respond effectively.

I’ve also come to understand that leadership isn’t about me. It’s about the people I serve. By listening to their needs and priorities, I can make decisions that benefit them—and, in turn, strengthen the Toastmasters organization.

Another valuable lesson is the power of decisiveness. I’ve realized that I’m entrusted with leadership because others respect my ability to make thoughtful, timely decisions.

Finally, I’ve learned that leadership is a full-time commitment. It’s a 24/7 responsibility, and leaders are always being observed. Our actions, even outside formal settings, shape how others perceive us and the values we represent.

What experience and key strengths would you bring to the Board of Directors?

The key strengths and experience, I would bring to the Board of Directors include the ability to listen. Nothing can be accomplishing without understanding both sides of an issue.

Why do you want to serve as an International Officer/Director?

I joined Toastmasters in 2008, and over the years, the organization has played a pivotal role in my growth as both a speaker and a leader. Through club meetings, district leadership, and mentoring opportunities, I’ve gained invaluable skills that have enriched my personal and professional life. Toastmasters has empowered me to lead with confidence, communicate with clarity, and connect with people from diverse backgrounds.

Now, I’m ready to give back in a meaningful way. Serving as an International Director would allow me to contribute at a global level—supporting members and emerging leaders as they pursue their own journeys of growth. I want to help shape the future of Toastmasters by fostering inclusive leadership, strengthening member engagement, and ensuring that our programs remain relevant and impactful across cultures and generations.

My experience in strategic planning, financial management, and organizational development has prepared me to serve with purpose and vision. I believe in the mission of Toastmasters, and I’m committed to helping the organization thrive so that others can benefit from the same transformative experience I’ve had.

What volunteer experience do you have outside of Toastmasters?

I volunteer as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), where I advocate for children who have been removed from their homes and placed in foster care. My responsibilities include conducting monthly visits with the children, writing detailed reports of those visits, and attending family court hearings to provide testimony.

In addition, I serve on the Executive Team of my sorority chapter, contributing to leadership and organizational efforts.

I have also volunteered at my place of worship, where I led a group for girls aged 8 to 12, providing mentorship and guidance.

Have you worked with other Boards of Directors outside of Toastmasters? If so, describe your experience.

I served as Vice Chairman of the Board for Women of Visionary Influence, where I contributed to policy development and strategic planning aimed at increasing membership and strengthening organizational stability.

Currently, I am a board member of the Pearls by the Lake Foundation, a nonprofit philanthropic organization dedicated to serving our local community. In this role, I help design and implement impactful programs. Our signature initiative provides clean water and personal care items to a community without access to running water. Additionally, the foundation awards scholarships to students from underserved backgrounds, supporting their pursuit of higher education.

In your opinion, what are Toastmasters International’s major objectives and how would you work to achieve them?

In my view, one of the major objectives of Toastmasters International is to ensure the growth and long-term stability of its clubs and membership. These two goals are deeply connected, and I believe that sustainable growth begins with strong, stable clubs.

To support this objective, I would advocate for an international educational campaign that equips district leaders to engage meaningfully with club leaders. This initiative would encourage clubs to guide their members in reflecting on their purpose—understanding their “why,” clarifying their priorities, and identifying goals that align with the needs of their members. By helping clubs connect their mission to the broader support available through Toastmasters, we can build more resilient communities. Importantly, this dialogue must extend beyond the club level. Insights from these conversations would be shared with the International Director through Region Advisor calls, and promising ideas could be elevated to the Board for consideration as future initiatives.

Another key objective, as outlined in the CEO Report, is increasing brand awareness through social media. I would welcome the opportunity to contribute to this effort by serving on a committee that collaborates with the public relations department. Together, we could craft inclusive, creative campaigns that highlight member stories and showcase the transformative power of Toastmasters. By amplifying these voices, we can attract new members and reinforce the organization’s global relevance and impact.

Additional information about candidate:

Charlene is an active member of her home club, Dallas ISD Talk It Up! She has served in leadership roles at every level within both the club and the district, demonstrating her deep commitment to the Toastmasters mission.

In the fall of 2025, Charlene was selected for the inaugural cohort of her sorority’s Graduate Member Leadership Institute, recognizing her dedication to leadership and service.

In her free time, Charlene values quality moments with her family.