Nitasha Kumar, DTM
Toastmasters member since: April 1, 2002
Education: Women Startup Program (Entrepreneurial Studies) IIM, Bangalore, Undergraduate Degree in Design, CEPT, Ahmedabad, Distinguished Toastmaster obtained twice in Pathways program
Toastmasters offices held and terms of service:
- Club Growth Director – 2024-25
- 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, 2020, 2006
- All Women and Entrepreneurs Toastmasters Club -D121 Club President, Treasurer – 2024, 2023, 2022
- Sunday Toastmasters – D121 Club President, VPEd – 2020, 2021, 2020
- Atlantic Toastmasters Club D74 – Treasurer 2023-24
- New Delhi Toastmasters club VPPR – 2003
Toastmasters honors and recognition:
- Master Mentor Silver D92 – 2023-24
- 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:
My professional journey of almost 25 years, has always centered around engaging leadership, teamwork, agility and growth—qualities that are essential for a District Leader.
As a Design Manager in various architectural firms across India, I worked with diverse teams—Marketing, Sales, Branding, Production, Franchisees, Architects, and Contractors—to successfully deliver over 75 retail and corporate office projects. This required strong coordination, clear communication, and aligning different stakeholders toward a common goal. In Toastmasters, a District Leader plays a similar role, bringing together members, clubs, areas, and divisions to work toward the district mission.
Currently, as a Communication skill trainer and leadership mentor for children, I focus on building confidence, strategic thinking, and teamwork—skills that directly apply to developing and supporting leaders in Toastmasters. My experience in managing projects, leading teams, and empowering individuals equips me to foster a strong, collaborative environment that helps the district grow and thrive.
What experience do you have in strategic planning?
I have gained significant experience in strategic planning through both my entrepreneurial venture and my leadership roles in Toastmasters.
As a Communication skill trainer and leadership mentor for children, I design and implement tailored programs for children, develop marketing strategies to reach parents, and partner with schools to expand my reach. I constantly gather feedback from clients to refine my approach and ensure effectiveness. This requires ongoing analysis, strategy formulation, and evaluation of results.
In Toastmasters, my roles—Area Director, Division Director, and currently as Club Growth Director—have allowed me to plan and execute initiatives at multiple levels. I’ve worked with college and corporate leaders, resolved challenges, and made key decisions to drive growth and achieve objectives.
Both experiences have strengthened my ability to analyze situations, create targeted strategies, and measure success, equipping me with the skills necessary for strategic planning and leadership.
What experience do you have in the area of finance?
I have gained valuable experience in finance through multiple roles in Toastmasters, my career as an interior designer, and as a small business owner.
As President & Treasurer of my Toastmasters club, I managed club finances and helped oversee the budgeting process for events and initiatives. Currently, as Club Growth Director (CGD), I am responsible for budgeting marketing initiatives and awards, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to support district growth.
In my interior design career, I’ve developed and managed project budgets, ensuring costs were accurately tracked and aligned with financial goals. I’ve also conducted cost analysis of materials and negotiated contracts with clients, vendors, and subcontractors, ensuring favorable terms and pricing. These experiences have given me a solid understanding of financial planning, budgeting, and negotiation.
As a small business owner, I handle financial planning, track expenses, and ensure profitability, further enhancing my ability to manage finances effectively. This combination of experiences has equipped me with strong financial management skills that are critical in any leadership role.
What experience do you have in developing procedures?
I have extensive experience in developing procedures through my roles as Club Growth Director, at my workplace, and in my coaching business.
As Club Growth Director, I developed and implemented procedures to support district growth, ensuring consistency across initiatives. This included identifying needs, delegating responsibilities, and managing the implementation process.
In my coaching business, I established procedures in key areas:
– Curriculum Development: Designing age-appropriate, research-based content aligned with educational goals.
– Program Implementation: Managing logistics such as scheduling, enrollment, and resource allocation.
– Assessment and Feedback: Creating systems to track progress and gather feedback for program improvement.
These experiences have honed my ability to create effective procedures that drive successful outcomes.
From my previous leadership roles as Club Growth Director, Division Director & I’ve learned several key lessons:
1. Building strong relationships: Strong interpersonal connections are crucial for individual and team success. Cultivating relationships with club leaders and members fosters collaboration and a cohesive district environment.
2. Shared vision: Establishing a shared vision is vital for team excellence, ensuring everyone is aligned toward common goals.
3. Integrity and trust: Demonstrating integrity builds trust within the team, fostering effective collaboration and performance.
4. Strategic planning and execution: Strategic thinking and execution skills are essential for achieving district-wide objectives.
5. Member needs and leadership development: Understanding member challenges and aspirations, while mentoring area leaders enhanced my delegation, coaching, and empathy skills, empowering the district’s talent pool.
Why do you want to serve as a District leader?
I want to serve as a District Leader because it allows me to create a lasting impact and elevate the district’s future. As PQD, I can implement initiatives that improve learning and development while using my experience to strengthen the district. This role will also give me the opportunity to mentor future leaders, ensuring that high program quality standards are maintained and a strong leadership pipeline is built. Serving as a district leader enables me to shape policies, allocate resources, and foster meaningful connections within the community, contributing to both individual and organizational growth.
In your opinion, what are the District mission’s major objectives and how would you work to achieve them?
The district’s key objectives are to build new clubs and support all clubs in achieving excellence. As Program Quality Director, I would contribute by designing strategic initiatives that enhance member experience, strengthen club quality, and foster leadership development. By ensuring engaging education programs, effective training, and mentorship opportunities, I would help create an environment where clubs thrive, ultimately supporting both membership growth and excellence.
Additional information about yourself:
I am a designer by qualification, a public speaker by passion, a mom by choice, and a traveler in dreams.
A Toastmaster since 2002, I am a member of three clubs across three districts, which has given me a well-rounded perspective on leadership and communication. Visiting over 300 clubs across 99 countries, while embracing the online world, has expanded my horizons, allowing me to experience diverse club cultures, leadership styles, and innovative approaches to engagement. These experiences have shaped my ability to adapt, collaborate, and mentor effectively on a global scale.
When I’m not immersed in Toastmasters, you’ll find me enjoying classic Dev Anand melodies or getting lost in a gripping Netflix series.