Golden Gavel Award
Toastmasters’ most prestigious award, the Golden Gavel, has been presented annually since 1959 to an individual distinguished in the fields of communication and leadership. The illustrious list of Golden Gavel honorees includes Dr. Joyce Brothers, Walter Cronkite, Stephen Covey, Anthony (Tony) Robbins, Debbi Fields Rose, Muhammad Yunus, and Zig Ziglar.
Recent Recipients
Lisa Sun, 2024 Honoree
Lisa Sun is the Founder and CEO of Gravitas, a fashion brand on a mission to catalyze confidence. Sun is the national best-selling author of Gravitas: The 8 Strengths That Redefine Confidence. She has always had a passion for style, inclusivity, and helping people look and feel their best.
Upon receiving the award, she told the audience, "This is so humbling…Toastmasters changed my life. You all do something very extraordinary…because you help people overcome the greatest fear which is speaking in front of others. It is something that you give as a gift in a risk-free environment. Public speaking is a way in which we change the world…we advocate for ourselves, we advocate for others, we advocate for causes and so thank you all for making a difference.”
Yolett McPhee-McCuin, 2023 Honoree
Yolett McPhee-McCuin, affectionately known as 'Coach Yo,' is the head coach for the University of Mississippi women's basketball program, which was returned to national prominence under her leadership.
She puts an emphasis on teaching, developing, and inspiring through character-building and leadership, on the court and in life.
Upon receiving the award, she told the audience, "I am a lifelong learner, and so I try to give back by teaching as much as I can."
Shirley Davis, PhD, 2022 Honoree
Shirley Davis, PhD, is an award-winning global workforce expert; as an international speaker, she delivers more than 100 speeches a year.
She is president and CEO of SDS Global Enterprises, which provides high-performing/inclusive solutions for workplace cultures. She was inducted into the Diversity and Inclusion Hall of Fame in 2021, and is the author of five books, including her newest—Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Dummies.
Liza Pavlakos, 2021 Honoree
Liza Pavlakos is a successful entrepreneur and a powerful speaker who has inspired audiences across six continents after overcoming homelessness, abduction, intense abuse, and human trafficking.
Founder of Positive Breakthroughs, she works with a team of experienced chartered psychologists, psychotherapists, counselors, and coaches who are committed to offering therapy to all individuals regardless of their age, race, culture, disability, sexual orientation, or socio-economic background.
Julian Treasure, 2020 Honoree
Julian Treasure is a sound and communication expert whose mission is to help people and organizations to listen better and create healthier and more effective sound, including speaking.
In 2003, Treasure founded The Sound Agency, an audio-branding company that asks and answers the question, “How does your brand sound?”.
Treasure’s five TED Talks have been viewed more than 100 million times. He is the author of: How to Be Heard and Sound Business.
Jia Jiang, 2019 Honoree
“Being recognized by Toastmasters International as the 2019 Golden Gavel Award recipient is a great honor,” says Jiang. “I look forward to sharing my experiences with Toastmasters’ members and educating them on the benefits of rejection training.”
Keith Ferrazzi, 2018 Honoree
“I am honored to be presented with the prestigious Golden Gavel Award,” says Ferrazzi. “Toastmasters is a wonderful organization that has helped millions of people develop and improve their communication skills. Joining the group of past Golden Gavel recipients is humbling.”
Erin Gruwell, 2017 Honoree
“Toastmasters was a game-changer for me personally and professionally, and contributed to the growth of the Freedom Writers,” says Gruwell. “Being selected as the 2017 Golden Gavel Award recipient is an incredible honor and I accept the award on behalf of all of the teachers out there who, every day, go into a classroom and give of themselves so their students can learn to use wings to fly.”
Tony Buzan, 2016 Honoree
“It’s a great honor to be recognized by Toastmasters International as the 2016 Golden Gavel award recipient,” says Buzan. “I look(ed) forward to sharing my knowledge and experiences with an audience of esteemed communicators and leaders.”
Muhammad Yunus, 2015 Honoree
“It’s a tremendous honor to be recognized by Toastmasters International as the 2015 Golden Gavel Award recipient,” says Yunus. “Early in my life I committed myself to eliminating poverty and I accept this award on behalf of everyone who strives to serve and help the poor.”