Jana Barnhill elected 2008-2009 International President
August 27, 2008
Jana Barnhill of Lubbock, Texas, was recently chosen by 235,000 members to lead Toastmasters International in the coming year.
She was elected for a one-year term at the organization’s annual International Convention, held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, August 13-16, 2008. With her chosen theme “Toastmasters: The Courage to Conquer!” she will help us all reach our goals and fulfill our organization’s mission this year.
By way of explaining her theme, she says: “Most people want to do something of significance in life. But they often need courage to conquer obstacles separating them from reaching their goals. When armed with confidence and courage, there is no limit to what they can do…Toastmasters International is full of people who have achieved results beyond their wildest dreams.”
A dedicated Toastmaster for 24 years, Jana has held many leadership positions in this organization. She is a Distinguished Toastmaster in more than one sense: She is only the fourth woman in our organization’s history to serve as International President, and she is also one of a handful of women who have earned the prestigious Accredited Speaker award – and she has twice competed in the World Championship of Public Speaking, placing second in 1996 and third in 1993.
She is married to Toastmasters Past International President and Accredited Speaker Bob Barnhill, DTM. They live in Lubbock, Texas, where they run a professional speaking and training business called L.I.V.E Speakers, Inc.