EXECUTIVE TEAM

Bonnie Maidak is the District Director for Toastmasters District 36. Bonnie is enthusiastic about helping everyone develop their communication and leadership skills through the Toastmasters program, whether through district or club service. Bonnie initially joined Toastmasters when living in Illinois, and rejoined Toastmasters in May 1999 when she was living in Michigan. She dedicated herself to District 36 and Region 7 activities shortly after her move to Maryland in late 2000. A member of five D36 clubs, she most recently served District 36 as the Club Growth Director in 2019-2020 and as Pathways EPIC in 2018-2019. Earlier district service includes TLI Dean, District Secretary, Area Governor, Division Governor, and more. Twice earning the district Toastmaster of the Year award, she is proud of a personal triple Triple Crown and a club triple Triple Crown educational award achievement in 2015-2016. Bonnie has earned the most educational awards during the last 16 years in District 36, pioneered the first Pathways Mentor Program in April 2019, and was given the first CL award in July 2006. In addition to club and district activities, she has a consecutive 14-year streak of attending the International Convention, has served on two International Convention Host District Committees, three Region 7 Conference Committees, and assisted in the election of at least four International Directors.

AnnMarie Walker joined Toastmasters in March 2008 where, for a couple of years, she served as a club officer. Once she realized that she could assist her club in meeting their DCP Goals with more than just being a club officer, she has been on a roll! AnnMarie became active on the district level as an Area Director, Division Director, TLI Dean/Instructor, Logistics Manager, Conference Contest Chair, and, most recently, a Finance Manager. AnnMarie also volunteered at the International Conventions as a Helping Hand. This year, she will epand her growth in Toastmasters as the Program Quality Director for District 36. When AnnMarie is not serving as a Toastmaster, she works at the Department of Veterans Affairs as an Accountant for the Veterans Benefits Administration, Office of Financial Management. She also serves in her church as an Usher and on the logistics team for the Women’s Ministry. She is also incredibly involved in the Parents Teacher/Students Association (PTSA) at her daughter’s school. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, but she genuinely enjoys her “me” time also. She has moved out of the shadows and ready to stretch and grow.

Gwendolyn Miller, affectionately known as “Gwen,” is an educator at heart she will pretty much teach anything you put in front of her. She is a Sunday school teacher and teaches Adult Sunday School every Sunday morning via Zoom. She just loves the whole concept of introducing information and watching people grasp that information and transmit it back to her, indicating that they understand what’s being taught.   Gwen is a Christian, a daughter, a sister, an auntie and a mother she has one adult son who is the twinkle in her eye and her motivation to be all that she can be.   Gwen is employed at AARP for over 11 years and works in Government Affairs with the Financial Security and Consumer Affairs team. She advocates for the 50 plus population on such issues as Social Security, Age Discrimination and Older Workers, Unemployment Issues, Retirement Security and Livable Communities. It is rewarding work, but it can be stressful at times. She finds relief from that stress by attending Toastmaster meetings. I still remember my first speech October 2008 the title was “I Dance to the Beat of a Different Drum”. I remember telling myself -- “you better not pass out.” I finished my speech, and, some 13 years later, here I stand before you as your Club Growth Director.   My journey over these 13 years have been amazing, I like the Servant Leader I have become. I am dedicated, devoted, determined, inspired and grateful for this opportunity. I understand strategic thinking and planning, achieving targets, team management and collaboration. I understand respect, patience, tact, creativity, Integrity and Tact. My experience in Toastmasters has been quite a journey. I have been Sergeant-at Arms, Vice President of Membership, Vice President of Education, Club President Area Director, and Division Director all several times.   Although we were called Division Governors at that time. I have been TLI Dean, TLI Educational Coordinator, and District 36 Conference Registrar. I have earned my DTM. Currently, I am a speech, HPL, and project away from my second DTM.   I understand that the role of Club Growth Director comes with tremendous responsibilities. I think my record shows that I am not afraid of Hard work and responsibility. As Club Growth Director I understand I will be responsible for caring out the District Marketing plan and assisting clubs to meet the end-of-year targets.   I will be instrumental in helping clubs maintain membership and grow new clubs. Helping clubs with their club success plan and the District’s Distinguished Program. I know this is a team effort and I am committed to working with The District Leadership to make this happen. It will take a lot of team collaboration, motivation and organization. But I know it’s possible. I am asking all of the members of District 36 who are not afraid of hard work to join with me in making District 36 the best District of 2021 and beyond. 

Samuel Nathanson is District 36's Webmaster.

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No biography is available for Janice Strachan.