Helen He, DTM

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

Delivering positive results in both corporate and non-profit environments has been my forte. As the Head of Consumer Insights and Business Planning for a Fortune 500 company, I led our team to achieve a market leader position with an aggressive growth plan of RMB 12Bn (USD 1.7 Billion). This role involved comprehensive market and consumer insights, strategic business planning, and financial analysis.

Additionally, my volunteer leadership roles, including serving as a board member for Entrepreneur Organization China, have equipped me with the skills to drive membership and organization growth and foster community engagement. My diverse experience provides a strong foundation to help Toastmasters thrive globally.

What experience do you have in strategic planning?

As an International Director, I contributed to the 2024 strategic plan, as well as developing individual strategies for District Reporting, District Structure, and Club Quality. Serving on these committees has equipped me with strategic planning skills that I am eager to fully utilize on the executive committee.

In my tenure as District 85 Director, my strategic planning expertise was instrumental in helping my District team develop and implement effective 3-year strategies, resulting in the growth of over 200 clubs and successful district reformation. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic in 2020, we were able to keep up our growth. In the face of fear and turmoil, eleven out of thirteen divisions achieved President’s Distinguished Division status, and our district earned Distinguished District status along with the President’s Extension award, boasting a 12% club growth rate. This achievement positioned us as the 3rd highest Club Growth District in the world, underscoring my ability to execute strategic plans under pressure. This became a pivotal moment for the district growth and it was achieved by the team I led.

Over my multi-decade professional career in Business Planning, I have collaborated with cross-functional C-level executives to deliver Coca-Cola China’s annual business plans, 3-year strategic plans, and long-term strategic initiatives. My leadership in market assessment and planning enabled the Coca-Cola brand to achieve a dominant market share leadership position in China. In my current job as a business coach, I coach Chinese entrepreneurs in developing and implement their business plans for international expansion.

My extensive experience in strategic planning, both within Toastmasters and in the corporate sector, has honed my ability to think strategically, develop growth plans, and execute them effectively.

What experience do you have in the area of finance?

As an International Director, I am responsible for overseeing the financial viability of Toastmasters International and approving its budget. This includes addressing the resources needed for key projects and initiatives to drive the organization’s growth.

Financial analysis is an integral part of my current role as a business partner, and it has been a critical component of every business and strategic plan I have delivered. A key aspect of driving business investment optimization is conducting thorough analyses of brand-level P&L, ROI of specific channels’ marketing spend, and operational investments. This process includes developing model scenarios to project revenue growth assumptions. Detailed scrutiny of these areas has led to strategic top-tier business growth and the development of a robust product and channel portfolio.

Toastmasters International can leverage my extensive experience in business finance to develop multiple products and channel offerings, thereby increasing our revenue streams. This is instrumental in ensuring the organization’s financial health and supporting its long-term growth objective.

What experience do you have in developing policies?

During my tenure as an International Director, I served on the Policy Review Committee, where I made recommendations on policies designed to guide members, clubs, and districts towards sustainable growth. These policies aimed to equip them with a robust support system, ensuring they have the necessary resources to thrive.

Developing effective policies has been a core component of my business planning responsibilities at multinational companies. For instance, our global team was responsible for E-commerce sales, while the China team handled offline sales. During an online price promotion, these two channels began to cannibalize each other. I contributed revenue growth management ideas and collaborated with team members to develop a channel segmentation pricing strategy and policy. This policy adhered to global E-commerce guidelines while boosting local sales momentum, enabling our company to achieve strong sales across all channels.

My experience in developing global policies to meet the diverse needs of local customers will add value to Toastmasters International’s policies. By leveraging my expertise, I can help create policies that are comprehensive, inclusive, and aligned with the organization’s mission and goals.

What lessons did you learn from previous leadership positions?

Find Your Purpose “Serving a purpose greater than yourself can help you unleash your full potential.” In the last few months of the 2019-2020 Toastmasters year, our district lost over 1,000 members due to COVID-19. We were hit unexpectedly and deeply. As District Director, I considered giving up. However, attending a club meeting to (re)build human connections with members grounded me in Toastmasters’ purpose. This helped me find my own purpose and gain the energy to navigate the storm.

Humility “I don’t know everything. I need to reach out to people and learn from listening to them.” Although I felt the calling, I didn’t know how to proceed. I reached out to our members to listen to their hopes, fears, and emotions. I made personal calls to each of our district officers, listening to their ideas. This collective effort worked to revive and reignite hope in our members’ hearts. Together, we developed an innovative “Reconnection Program” to rebuild our membership.

Develop People “What makes a difference in organizational performance is changing how your team operates.” On my last day as District Director, I received countless heartwarming messages, reminding me of the challenges we overcame and the remarkable success we achieved. Over 1,000 members rejoined Toastmasters, a testament to the stronger team and people we had built.

From my leadership experience, I have learned that when you strengthen your inner core by finding your purpose, reach out to learn from others, and dedicate yourself to building a stronger team and people around you, you will unleash your full potential to impact lives and organizations.

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

Power of Connection: I am good at connecting with people across different countries, creating a robust network of support. By valuing diverse perspectives, I foster an inclusive environment and effective teamwork. For example, during district visits, I listened the local leaders to understand their unique challenges and co-created solutions. The heartwarming messages I receive after my keynote speeches remind me of the unique opportunity we have to achieve something remarkable together.

Power of Belief: My unwavering belief in our core values, goals, and abilities inspires confidence, helps us overcome challenges, and motivates others. During the COVID-19 crisis, I worked closely with my team, sharing my conviction and positive mindset, which encouraged everyone to stay committed and focused on success. Our collective efforts and mutual support were key to navigating this difficult period.

Internal Drive: I am driven by internal values and goals, demonstrating resilience and personal accountability. My intrinsic motivation kept me focused and persistent, even in the face of adversity. This inner drive was crucial in reviving our district during the pandemic, where I collaborated with team members to develop and implement recovery strategies, ensuring we stayed on track.

Adaptive Leadership: I excel in leading teams through unpredictable situations and making informed decisions even when the path forward seems unclear. Creativity and flexibility are critical to solving new challenges and adapting strategies as needed. By understanding and leveraging the strengths of my team members, I help our team move beyond problems and focus on solutions.

My leadership and analytical experience, combined with my adaptability and commitment to volunteer leadership, provide a strong foundation to help Toastmasters thrive globally. I have successfully navigated complex challenges and driven significant growth in both corporate and non-profit settings.

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

My personal and professional transformation through the Toastmasters leadership journey has given me a profound belief in the immense value of Toastmasters International in enhancing lives globally. In true Toastmasters fashion, I owe my growth to the many individuals who have supported, encouraged and motivated me. I want to extend this transformative experience to others worldwide. I am committed to honoring the trust these individuals have in me. By serving as an International Officer, I can share my talents and skills and empower others to make a similar positive impact on our organization.

With my extensive experience, knowledge, and passion for this esteemed organization, I aim to influence every member’s Toastmasters journey, making it more fulfilling and life-changing. Through my stewardship on the Board, I will work towards a sustainable and visionary future for our beloved organization. Toastmasters deserves a brighter future!

What volunteer experience do you have outside of Toastmasters?

Over the past two years, I have served as a leadership coach for members of the China Entrepreneur Organization and as well as a leadership trainer for MBA graduates at Shanghai Foreign Studies University. My focus has been on developing leaders for tomorrow - helping entrepreneurs and young professionals cultivate the leadership mindset and capabilities they need to succeed.

As a result of this coaching, many entrepreneurs have reported significant improvements in their business performance. They have shifted their mindset from self-limiting Reactive beliefs to the visionary, authentic and courageous leadership. This transformation has enabled them to developed stronger, more cohesive teams, increased their ability to innovate, and enhanced their overall strategic vision. Additionally, MBA graduates have expressed greater confidence in their leadership abilities and a clearer understanding of how to lead effectively in diverse and dynamic environments.

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

Yes. I am a current board member of Entrepreneur Organization China, which is a global network of nearly 20,000 entrepreneurs in over 80 countries, dedicated to helping members achieve their full potential through peer learning, shared experiences, and personal growth. I have played a pivotal role in shaping our vision and strategy, leading initiatives that resulted in a 20% increase in membership and enhanced organizational growth. My efforts have been instrumental in driving our mission to empower entrepreneurs to achieve professional and personal success at this economically challenging year.

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

Toastmasters International’s objective is to foster an empowering learning environment where members develop confidence in speaking, lead with influence, and ultimately enhance their personal lives and careers. To achieve this, we need to focus on the following areas:

1. Connect with Purpose: Our purpose is why we exist. Toastmasters exists not just to provide skill training but to help people realize their full potential. By aligning our communication and leadership development activities with this purpose, we can inspire members to pursue their personal and professional goals with passion. This aligns with our 2024 Strategic Plan's emphasis on Club Excellence and Member Achievement, ensuring that every club provides a consistent, high-quality member experience and supports members in achieving their personal and professional goals.
2. Connect with Individual Growth: Everyone wants to grow, and growth is the ultimate life goal. As an organization, we must better connect our offerings with individuals’ aspirations for growth. This includes keeping our education programs dynamic in the hybrid workplace, offering diverse types of club experiences, and providing leadership mentoring and coaching to support individual growth and help everyone blossom in their own lives. This is in line with our Strategic Plan's focus on Awareness and Engagement and Member Achievement, which highlights the importance of understanding each member’s unique aspirations and helping them design a Toastmasters journey that guides them to success.
3. Connect with Technology: We must leverage digital transformation to enhance the membership experience. This includes improving the Pathways learning experience, providing timely membership services, managing club and district business efficiently, and ultimately delivering the best possible user experience for our members and leaders. Our Strategic Plan underscores the need for Operational Effectiveness, which involves creating increased value for members through standardized support, innovative tools, and efficient processes, as well as exploring alternative revenue streams.

Additional information about candidate:

My professional journey offers a unique perspective on organizational development and leadership. During my first 20 years in multinational companies, I wasn't just developing business strategies and solving problems—I was cultivating a deep understanding of organizational culture and human potential.

Over time, I realized that true organizational excellence transcends traditional strategic planning. The most significant difference in performance comes from transforming how organizations and teams fundamentally operate. This insight led me to focus on culture building—a sophisticated approach that goes beyond surface-level management.

My transition from a business strategist to a leadership coach was deliberate. I invested seven years in professional coaching training and accreditation, developing a robust methodology for helping individuals and organizations unlock their potential. This wasn't just a career shift; it was a commitment to understanding the human dynamics that drive organizational success.

During the challenging post-pandemic period and economic downturn in China, I applied my culture-building expertise by coaching entrepreneurs. My approach focused on helping business leaders shift from a fixed to a growth mindset, which resulted in remarkable business transformations. By addressing underlying psychological barriers, I've enabled businesses to innovate and adapt in unprecedented ways.

The most rewarding aspect of this work is witnessing the excitement of entrepreneurs as they reimagine and rebuild their businesses. Each transformation represents more than a business strategy—it's a cultural revolution that empowers individuals and organizations to think differently.

My core belief is that developing people is the foundational key to building a stronger future. By investing in leadership development and cultural transformation, we don't just improve business performance—we create meaningful change that resonates beyond the workplace.

This approach to culture building demonstrates my ability to understand complex organizational dynamics, facilitate meaningful personal and professional growth, drive innovation through mindset transformation and create sustainable change strategies. I want to be part of the solution that will help our organization unlock its full potential by focusing on how we work, think, and grow together.