| Topic | Speaker |
| Fan Your Fun | Conor Cunneen |
| “From Spark to Wildfire: Fan Your Journey, Fuel the Future” | Srinivas Saineni |
| “Gamechangers Wanted: Lead, Influence, Deliver” | Srinivas Saineni |
| Taking your Toastmasters experience outside the club | Eric Feinendegen |
| Improving Speech Evaluations | Marty Jalove |
| Elevating your speech | Rachel Rice |
| Team Building | Valerie Fuson |
| Time Management | Barbara Beckley |
| From Idea to Amazon: Self-publishing Made Easy | Mary Mattran |
| Preparing elevator speeches | Surprise Speakers |
| Road To DTM | Marian Stricker, Keith Essex, and Brian Shields |
Learn More About Our Speakers
Conor Cunneen
Conor Cunneen – IrishmanSpeaks is happily exiled in D30 where he has been force-fed more corned beef and green beer than he ever had in Ireland!
Conor is a multiple winner of Chicago D30 International Speech and Humorous Speech Competitions. This DTM is one of less than 100 people in the history of Toastmasters to achieve Accredited Speaker designation.
In keynotes and workshops to clients from Harley-Davidson to Helsinki, from Memphis to Madrid, Conor uses strategic humor to build connection and reinforce core messaging to leave audiences with a smile on the face, a spring in the step and memorable, actionable takeaways to achieve client objectives.
The man from county Cork, Ireland first wondered if he might have a penchant for humor when his school teacher Brother Flaherty said to him “Cunneen, you are a total clown!!”
Conor is a former VP Marketing with global giant Unilever. He is a Fellow of the Marketing Institute of Ireland, author of two books on Mark Twain and as an Irish immigrant he is proud to have received the Presidents Gold Medal for Volunteer Service for the work he does with the unemployed from President Obama.
He likes to play Metallica loud. His wife does not like him to play Metallica loud!
Srinivas Saineni
Friday Keynote Title:
“From Spark to Wildfire: Fan Your Journey, Fuel the Future”
Synopsis:
Every Toastmaster begins as a spark—of courage, of voice, of possibility—and personal growth is the first flame we ignite.
But true impact comes when we fan that flame outward—welcoming new members, strengthening clubs, and creating spaces where others can rise.
This keynote challenges leaders to move beyond self-growth and become catalysts—fueling voices, building clubs, and igniting a wildfire of transformation.
Saturday Keynote Title:
“Gamechangers Wanted: Lead, Influence, Deliver”
Synopsis:
Leadership today demands more than good intentions—it calls for gamechangers who take ownership and deliver results through unwavering accountability.
By mastering persuasion, negotiation and high-stakes dialogue Toastmasters can elevate every conversation into impact.
This keynote is a call to step up—lead boldly in clubs, districts, and beyond, and become the force that transforms teams, organizations, and communities.
Srinivas Saineni Bio
Srinivas Saineni, DTM, is a technology leader at AT&T, where he has worked for about 25 years. In his tenure, he has led strategic initiatives and cross-functional teams to successfully deliver high-impact solutions for customers across the globe.
Saineni earned a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Illinois in Chicago. He is also a Project Management Professional (PMP). Saineni enjoys volunteering for non-profit organizations and has served on many boards including as President of the Project Management Institute Chicagoland.
A Toastmaster since 2006, Saineni is a member of his home club, Toastmasters on Purpose, in Palatine. He has held several high-profile leadership positions within Toastmasters and has attained the Distinguished Toastmaster designation—the highest level of educational achievement in the organization.
Saineni credits Toastmasters with reinforcing his belief that growth as a leader comes from committing to a lifelong learning mindset. He says, “I have learnt that good ideas can come from anywhere and anyone, the key is to be open and ready for them. Toastmasters has given me the self-confidence to lead large teams effectively.”
As a member of the Toastmasters International Board of Directors, Saineni is a “working ambassador” for the organization. He works with the Board to develop, support, and modify the policies and procedures that guide Toastmasters International in fulfilling its mission.
Eric Feinendegen
Toastmasters helped you build confidence, sharpen your message, and step into your voice—but what comes next?
The Next Stage: Building Influence, Impact, and Income Beyond Toastmasters is designed for speakers who are ready to take their skills outside the club and into the real world. In this session, you’ll discover how to leverage your speaking abilities to expand your reach, grow your platform, and create meaningful opportunities—whether that’s advancing your career, inspiring audiences, or generating income through your message.
You’ll walk away with practical strategies to position yourself, build credibility, and take intentional steps toward becoming a speaker who doesn’t just present—but makes an impact. If you’ve ever wondered, “How do I take this beyond Toastmasters?”—this is your next step.
Eric Feinendegen Bio:
Professional speaker & emcee, and a certified speaker, coach, and trainer with the Maxwell Leadership Team. He is also actively pursuing the coveted Toastmasters Accredited Speaker design. Speech Title: The Next Stage: Building Influence, Impact, and Income Beyond Toastmasters
Marty Jalove
Marty Jalove of MasterHappiness.com is a Business Consultant, specializing in Sales, Marketing, and Communication. He coaches small businesses in how to reconnect with their “Inner BACON” and helps them use that passion to create focused marketing strategies, improve employee retention, and build a loyal following.
He hosts an inspirational and educational radio show and podcast, “Bacon Bits with Master Happiness.” Every week he illuminates his listeners with ways to improve their outlook on their personal and professional life with B.A.C.O.N.
He is a winner of the Toastmasters International Speech Contest, Humorous Speech Contest, and Table Topics. Author, Inventor, and awarded “Innovator of the Year” Marty is always eager to help Toastmasters and acknowledges that this institution continues to be instrumental in his success.
Rachel Rice
Rachel C. Rice, PHR is a nonprofit strategist and capacity-building consultant with over 20 years of experience advancing mission-driven organizations. Her career began in community health outreach across Chicagoland, where hands-on engagement sparked a passion for nonprofit administration and organizational effectiveness.
Rachel brings a unique blend of strategic discipline and positive energy to her work, helping teams embrace change and strengthen operations. She is the owner of Rice Consulting Services, partnering with nonprofits on startup development, strategic planning, change management, and operational excellence.
A DePaul University alumna and Professional in Human Resources (PHR), Rachel leads with a servant’s heart—and a results-driven mindset. Rachel means RESULTS!
Valerie Fuson
Barbara Beckley
Time Management Session: Barbara J. Beckley, DTM2
Title:
Own Your Time, Amplify Your Voice: Strategic Time Management for Purpose-Driven Leaders
Description:
In a world filled with constant demands, mastering your time is no longer optional—it’s essential for impact. In this empowering and practical session, Barbara J. Beckley will guide you through proven strategies to help you take control of your schedule, align your priorities with your purpose, and show up with clarity and confidence in every area of your life and leadership.
Designed especially for speakers, leaders, and entrepreneurs, this session will help you move from feeling overwhelmed to becoming intentional with your time—so your voice can be heard, your message can be seen, and your impact can grow.
Whether you’re balancing speaking engagements, business goals, or personal responsibilities, this session will equip you with tools to elevate your productivity without burnout.
3 Key Takeaways:
✔ Clarity Over Chaos – Learn how to identify what truly matters and eliminate time-wasting distractions
✔ Purpose-Driven Scheduling – Discover how to align your daily activities with your bigger vision and speaking goals
✔ Consistent Visibility Strategy – Create a simple, repeatable system to show up confidently and consistently in your message and leadership
Short Bio:
Barbara J. Beckley is a Visibility Strategist, TV Streaming Producer, and CEO of DFN Broadcast Studios, where she empowers individuals to amplify their voice and elevate their brand through media and storytelling. As a dynamic speaker and coach, Barbara has helped countless leaders gain clarity, confidence, and visibility in their personal and professional journeys.
She is an international best-selling author, talk show host, and purpose-driven leader known for helping others turn their message into movement. Barbara has been a dedicated member of Toastmasters International for over 17 years, where she has held every club officer role across multiple clubs and served as the Past Program Quality Director for District 30. Through her leadership and service, she has played a vital role in developing speakers, strengthening clubs, and advancing communication excellence.
Barbara continues to inspire individuals to step into their voice, lead with purpose, and create lasting impact in their communities and beyond.
Mary Mattran
Title: From Idea to Amazon: Self-publishing Made Easy
Bio:
Mary Mattran spent decades as a software engineer before life handed her an unexpected third act. But, being a DTM, that pivot was not scary. After falling for a crypto scam, she transformed that experience into a mission: “Educating everyday people on how to recognize and avoid scams.” That mission became her first book, The Scam Survival Guide 2025. Mary is available to speak to libraries, civic organizations, and community groups about scam awareness.
Blurb:
Mary Mattran didn’t set out to become an author. But once she had something worth saying, she figured out how to get it published. In this candid, practical talk, Mary walks you through her journey from first draft to Amazon, sharing what she learned about editing, production, cover design, and getting your book live without a publisher to hold your hand or reduce your profits. Whether you’re sitting on a book idea or just curious how it all works, you’ll leave with a realistic roadmap and proof that it’s more doable than you think.
Marian Stricker
Marian has been with Naperville Toastmasters since 2016, has held six of the seven club officer roles and is currently the W73 area director. Marian is feverishly working to achieve her Distinguished Toastmaster designation.
With a team of fellow toastmasters, Marian has launched three in-person Youth Leadership programs. Marian had previously taught youth educational programming for 12 years and was a coach for her sons’ soccer and baseball teams. Marian hails from a technical background and had been in supervision /management for decades before she retired. Marian participates in several philanthropic organizations with missions to support local and international communities. The leadership, creativity and energy that exists in Toastmasters is an inspiration to Marian and teaching these basic lifelong skills to youth is a privilege.
Keith Essex
Keith Essex, DTM and PDG is a long-time member of Toastmasters, joining the Strowger Toastmasters after attending a Speechcraft course in Jan. 1980. Currently Keith is a member of two clubs – Addison & Elmhurst Area Toastmasters Club #1604 and Glendale Heights Area Toastmasters Club #1348043. Keith has served as all club officers – most more than once. He has been an Area Governor, a Division Governor, the District Treasurer, and each of the top three officers concluding with District 30 Governor in 1988-1989 as a Distinguished District. Keith has remained active in District 30 since then by serving on many of the annual committees and has been chairman of both a District Level and a Regional Level Conference and assisted on the 1999 International Convention hosted by District 30 in Chicago.