Helena Boden-Brewer, DTM

Member Since: 2009
Home Region: 10
Home District: 91
Supporting Districts: 74, 79, 94, 104, 114, 122P, 129, 130

Toastmasters offices held and terms of service (international, region and District level):

• 2022-2023 Immediate Past District Director
• 2021-2022 District Director
• 2020-2021 Program Quality Director
• 2019-2020 Club Growth Director

Toastmasters honors and recognition:

• 2020-2021 Excellence in Program Quality Award
• 2019-2020 Excellence in Club Growth Award

What is your understanding of the Region Advisor role and how does your experience relate to the role?

Region Advisor is a consultative, trusted and strategic position. As and when required, creating a confidential and safe space for District leaders to have candid conversations. The purpose is to advise, which means not performing the tasks required, but rather by allowing the leaders to find their own way, encourage the flow of ideas, share resources and best practices. The role requires a blend of mentoring and coaching, whilst reminding District leaders to focus on achieving their goals to deliver on the District mission. I understand the time commitment serving as a voluntary leader. With serving in six out of the seven District Leadership Team roles, plus as District Conference Director, I gained a wealth of experience and knowledge to share. In my year as CGD, 2020, the pandemic struck. This changed everything that had been planned from that point onwards. The pivot from in-person to online happened overnight. Working with fellow leaders creating and considering multiple scenarios and options, adapting the strategy to ensure District success. For me it highlighted how important it is to have empathy in situations, offer support to assist others in finding a way through and achieving resolution and/or a successful outcome.

What is your experience with coaching individuals and/or teams?

In my professional work, I mentor and coach senior business leaders. To support and continue developing my skills in coaching, I am undertaking a course of study with Henley Business School on their profession executive coaching program. Joining the Odyssey Project provided the opportunity to work with individual mentees from across the global community of Toastmasters. Working with one mentee continued outside of the project. English was not their first language; they had clear goals on developing both their English speaking and written communications. We planned sessions that would support the English classes they attended. I witnessed how their confidence grew from our intention, and I championed their success when they achieved their personal goal. Chairing the District Leadership Committee (DLC) in 2022/23 and bringing eight strangers together to serve, all with varying experience and skill sets from within Toastmasters and from their professional working experience. To gain insight into the team members, working collectively and individually, I provided guidance, support materials, opportunities for discussion and they fed back to me their understanding of the process. I found applying the Tuckman model, provided a good structure for the team and individual members. This enabled them to perform well together very quickly. As District Conference Director, from the outset I brought the team together, to establish the strategy, build the plan and understand the direction. Each team member owned their roles, some set personal goals which I encouraged, enabling them to shine and deliver a successful District Conference.

Why are you interested in serving as Region Advisor?

I believe that I can and will make a difference, providing lived experiences with District leaders, to help them achieve their personal goals and achieve the District Mission. In service within District Leadership, alongside the main trio roles, I bring experience of serving as both District PR and District Administration Manager. This bold step toward serving as a Region Advisor is an opportunity to continue my journey within the organization, whilst paying it forward. As a District leader, I thoroughly enjoyed attending training and learning opportunities. I found myself being inspired by the Region Advisors, their commitment and dedication to supporting the District leaders. In serving, I want to create a camaraderie of learning in a supportive and collaborative environment, for fellow leaders to achieve success. I am looking forward to hosting the regular peer to peer meetings, to facilitate the sharing of ideas and solutions. I am a people person and people feel comfortable sharing their stories with me. I am also a trusted confidante to many.