Kate Gardiner, ACS, ALB

From left: Kate Gardiner and Katina Cuba

Kate Gardiner has mentored many adults, as well as disengaged youth, throughout her career in education and training. And since joining the Noosa Toastmasters club in 2011, in Queensland, Australia, she started adding club members to her list of mentees. Katina Cuba began reaping the benefits of Gardiner’s mentoring when she joined Gardiner’s club in February 2015.

Cuba worked in the petroleum industry in Peru, her native country. Her corporate job brought her to America, the United Kingdom and Argentina before she relocated to Australia to start her own consulting company. As a business strategist, she sought to expand her portfolio. An online search led her to a local Toastmasters club, which she joined after her first visit.

How did you think Toastmasters could help you?

I wanted to take my business to the next level, but I needed to increase my own confidence in delivering seminars and webinars. The club’s structure allowed me to practice speaking publicly and because members were supportive and encouraging, I felt nurtured and safe enough to do that.

What do you like about Kate?

Kate is a natural leader with a strong work ethic. She takes a great interest in the way we learn and she’s committed to the club and its members. She is quick to respond to questions and is straightforward in her feedback. Plus, she’s quick to celebrate task completions.

How has she helped you?

My first language is Spanish, and although I practiced speaking English in Peru and in all the countries where I’ve lived, I’m just now overcoming my anxiety about my accent, and that makes me more confident when I speak to a large audience. I have made new friends and I expanded my business network. Thank you Kate!

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