#267: Meet Maureen Zappala, Toastmasters' 2024 Newest Accredited Speaker (2nd of 2)

January 15, 2025Categories: Accredited Speakers, Change, Inspiration, Personal Development
The Toastmasters Podcast with Greg Gazin
The Toastmasters Podcast is like a radio talk show featuring interviews with Toastmasters usually featured in the Toastmaster magazine. The purpose of the podcast is to amplify the magazine - to dig deeper or to put a voice to a face or written wordBut unlike a radio show, a podcast is on the Internet, and available, for free, to anyone in the world with an Internet connection, and a connected device capable of playing audio. 250+ episodes are at ToastmastersPodcast.comThe Toastmasters Podcast is co-produced by Toastmasters International and Archieboy Holdings, LLC, for our global audience of Toastmasters and those interested in public speaking and leadership.

[30:33] Maureen Zappala is one of two members who successfully completed the final step of the Accredited Speaker (AS) application process at the 2024 Toastmasters International convention in Anaheim, California. She was subsequently awarded the prestigious Accredited Speaker designation joining an elite group of only 95 individuals to receive this accreditation and honor since the program began in 1981.

In this episode, host Greg Gazin speaks with Maureen Zappala. You'll hear inspiring and fascinating stories about her AS journey, as well as her, Toastmasters, and personal experiences. Maureen also shares highlights and valuable lessons from her presentation and origin story, Confidence is NOT Rocket Science. You might just pick up some valuable tips along the way - including learning about imposture syndrome and how to find your DOT. ( You'll have to listen to learn what that means)!

Maureen Zappala has been a Toastmaster for 25 year and is a former NASA propulsion engineer or “rocket scientist,” who works with high-performers to overcome Impostor Syndrome, the secret self-doubt that haunts competent professionals.

At NASA, she was the youngest and first female manager of the Propulsion Systems Laboratory, a jet engine test facility. Don’t let that Big Bang theory Geekiness fool you – she’s an award- winning keynote speaker and author of five books, including the most recent: Get Your Best People to Give Their Best Effort.

In 2019 after 36 years in Cleveland, she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada – a warmer climate. (Good thing – Maureen still can’t find her winter coat, but she’s perfectly okay with that!)

You can connect with Maureen through her website, MaureenZ.com which also offers a wealth of resources including her programs, demo video and blog. You can also watch her entire AS presentation on YouTube.

You can also read the article, New Accredited Speakers Exemplify Resilience: The Two Accomplished Women Who Persevered Through Previous Doubts, by Stephanie Darling, in the January 2025 issue of Toastmaster magazine.

The Accredited Speaker (AS) Program recognizes some of the most exceptional professional speakers in Toastmasters. It is designed for sought-after presenters who combine expert knowledge in a particular subject with mastery of the spoken word. This AS award requires applicants to pass two rigorous levels of judging and is the highest-earned designation recognized by Toastmasters International. 

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