Nitasha Kumar, DTM
Toastmasters member since : 2001
Education: Undergraduate Degree in Design
Distinguished Toastmaster obtained twice in Pathways program
Toastmasters offices held and terms of service:
- LEAP Chair D121 – 2023-24
- Division J Director D121 2022-23
- Area I1 Director D121 2021-22
- Smedley Speakers Society D92 – Club President, VPEd, VPM, VPPR – 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2006
- AWEsome Toastmasters Club -D121 Club President, Treasurer – 2024, 2023, 2022
- Sunday Toastmasters – D121 Club President, VPEd – 2020, 2021, 2022
- Atlantic Toastmasters Club D74 – Treasurer 2023-24
- New Delhi Toastmasters club VPPR – 2003
Toastmasters honors and recognition:
- Recipient of Outstanding member pin from Past International President – 2022
- Long standing Toastmaster award for 20 years in Toastmasters – D121 – 2022
- President Distinguished Area Director D121 – 2022
- Recipient of Core Value coin from District Director – 2021
- Spearhead Award D92 – 2021-22
- Master Mentor Grand Slam award D92 – 2021-22
Relevant work experience and how it relates to Toastmasters and your role as a District leader:
In my role as Design manager at Raymond Ltd I worked across multiple teams viz Marketing, Branding, Sales, Production, Franchisee, Architect and Contractor to enable the design, development and timely completion of over 50 stores all over India. This was possible by a thorough understanding of role of each team and effectively collaborating with each team to deliver their bit towards the common vision.
The role of a District Leader also involves creating a collaborative environment to work towards the district mission. Understanding the contribution of each team ie the member, the club, the area and the division and empowering them with the right tools is how a District leader can work towards accomplishing the District mission
What experience do you have in strategic planning?
As part of my business venture as a public speaking coach for children and teens I’ve accumulated substantial experience in strategic planning. I have designed and implemented customized coaching programs tailored to the unique needs and developmental stages of young clients. I have executed targeted marketing and outreach campaigns to reach parents through various channels. I have partnered with schools and similar youth organizations in the community to expand my reach and access potential clients. My priority has been to gather feedback from both parents and the children which can help me to continuously refine and improve my coaching approach
What experience do you have in the area of finance?
In my role as an interior designer specializing in corporate and retail interiors, I’ve gained some experience in the field of finance. I have worked on developing and managing project budgets, ensuring that expenses are accurately estimated and tracked throughout the duration of the project to meet financial objectives and constraints. I have conducted cost analysis of materials available in the market to provide the best within the constraints of project budget. I have also gained experience in negotiating contracts with clients, vendors, and subcontractors to ensure best terms and pricing for project materials and services. This has helped me gain a good grasp on negotiation skills.
What experience do you have in developing procedures?
As part of my business venture as a public speaking coach for children and teens I have structured procedures for these three main areas:.
1. Curriculum Development, to ensure that it aligns with our educational objectives and meets the developmental needs of children. This includes researching best practices, designing age-appropriate activities, and incorporating feedback
2. Program Implementation: I have a clear process on implementing our programs which includes scheduling classes, managing enrollment, and allocating resources.
3. Assessment and Feedback: I’ve implemented procedures for assessing children’s progress and collecting feedback from parents and in
structors.
What lessons did you learn from previous leadership positions?
Essential lessons I have learnt
– building strong interpersonal relations are key for individual and team success
– in order to get your team to excel, you need to have a shared vision that everyody can relate to
– demonstrate high level of integrity to build a strong TQ (Trust Quotient)
Why do you want to serve as a District leader?
Serving as a district leader provides an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the community and organization. District leaders have the ability to shape policies, allocate resources, and implement initiatives that can contribute to the growth of the members and Toastmasters International.
Serving as a district leader fosters deeper connections within the community and organization. It provides opportunities to engage with diverse groups of people, build relationships, and collaborate on initiatives that benefit everyone involved.
In your opinion, what are the District mission’s major objectives and how would you work to achieve them?
The Districts’ major objectives would be to spread Toastmasters to more people and newer geographies and also to ensure that we retain all the current clubs. I would work towards doing this by conducting frequent open houses in key business districts, work towards providing training and mentorship to club officers to build committment. I think a District leader plays a key role in ensuring that all clubs maintain high standards of meeting quality. This may involve conducting club visits, providing feedback and guidance to club leaders, and offering resources and support to help clubs address any challenges they may face.
Additional information about yourself:
Program co-chair for Coronation 2024 – D92
Division PR ambassador – D92