Webinars

Webinars

Connect and Inspire Through Storytelling

A joint webinar from Rotary and Toastmasters; enjoy it On Demand!

Don’t miss this storytelling learning hour featuring experts who will share their perspectives on crafting stories that connect with and inspire others. Discover the importance of telling great stories (already within you!) in your professional, personal, and community lives. Learn some basic elements of delivering an inspiring story as well as some skills and techniques that can take your stories to the next level. Like the most memorable of tales, this webinar will captivate and motivate you from beginning to end (with time for questions). Everyone who registers will receive access to the recording.

A woman standing on a book, telling a story.


Join Connect and Inspire Through Storytelling—On Demand!


Watch now


Can't view this video? Click here.


Moderator


Mary Shackleton

Mary Shackleton
Rotary leader, change advocate, Past Toastmasters area governor, research specialist



Mary Eileen Shackleton is a Past District Governor (District 7230 | 2020-21) and Past Club President (Metro New York City | 2015-16) for Rotary International. She currently serves as the Endowment/Major Gifts Advisor for Zone 32 (2023-26) and as an Alternate Representative (United Nations, New York) in the Rotary Representative Network.. She is also District 7230’s Council on Legislation Representative (2023-26). She will chair the Mid-Northeast Multi-District Presidents-Elect Training Seminar in March 2026.

In Zone 32, she has served as an Empowering Girls Initiative Ambassador (2021-23) and Assistant Rotary Coordinator/Innovative Club Advocate (2022-23). Shackleton was a Learning Leader for 2021-22 District Governors in Zones 28 & 32.

She believes in the power of the Rotary International - Toastmasters International partnership. Shackleton was Charter President and co-founder of the Goodwill Toastmasters Club. In Toastmasters International District 46, she served as Area Director for an Area receiving a President’s-Distinguished Designation (2022-23).

Panelists


Mike Carr

Mike Carr
2020 World Champion of Public Speaking, economist, international speaker, financial firm partner



As the Toastmasters 2020 World Champion of Public Speaking, Mike Carr captivated an online audience with his winning speech, “The Librarian & Mrs. Montgomery,” with its message of “the victory is in the try,” not the result. Carr won at the organization’s first online convention.

He is currently a partner in a private financial firm, FMP Wealth; he speaks internationally and consults companies large and small on growth, productivity, finance, and how a few small things can help teams produce better results.

He is also an economist who does improv on the weekend. He started his first business at age 14 and has been a student of finance and economics ever since. Along the way, he has worked with a Texas State Representative, two U.S. Senators, three Global Financial Firms, and several small businesses. Throughout his career, Mike has led some of the most successful teams in Texas including his favorite—his family of 10.

When he’s not speaking, Carr can be found reading Stoic Philosophy, Japanese history, and Calvin & Hobbes.

Learn more about him on his website: mikecarrofficial.com.

Verity Price

Verity Price
2021 World Champion of Public Speaking, Accredited Speaker/Coach



As the Toastmasters 2021 World Champion of Public Speaking, Verity Price captured the imagination of so many with her winning speech “A Great Read,” an inspiring invitation to improve our lives by “writing a different story.” She was the sixth woman to be crowned the title, as well as the first World Champion from Africa.

Her talent for “acting out the box,” rather than merely thinking out of it, has brought international success for Price, speaking globally on innovation, and thinking differently. She has spoken twice at TEDx; in 2023, she was awarded the prestigious Accredited Speaker designation by Toastmasters International.

“Change your thinking and you change your results,” is the passionate belief that Price teaches thousands of people globally, both as a speaker and as a speaking coach, helping others to improve their presentation skills and infuse innovation and positivity into their organizations. Learn more about her on her website: iamverity.com.



Nikita Williams

Nikita Williams
Toastmasters Evaluation Champion, inclusive community builder, Rotary program alumna, learning and development professional



Nikita Williams has been with the Rotary International family for over 12 years. She started her journey in Guyana with an Interact Club, moved on to Rotaract, and in 2023, finally transitioned to become a Rotarian with the Rotary Club of Toronto in District 7070.

In 2021, she joined the Toastmasters International family and is currently a charter member and vice president public relations of See. Her. Empowered (SHE) Speaks Toastmasters Club. She is also currently the District 123 Toastmasters Evaluation Champion.

A jack-of-all-trades master of a couple but expert of none, Williams is a learning and development professional who is tremendously passionate about empowering others and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Building inclusive communities with a strong sense of belonging is one of her superpowers.

You can find her:

  • Helping clubs establish DEI committees/working groups
  • Empowering members to lead cause-based passion projects
  • Encouraging women to find, use and amplify their voices as they confidently communicate