Division D Conference 2026 · Champions
On 25 April in Munich, our community crowned its champions. They competed on the 15th of May at the District 95 Conference in Essen — representing 30+ Toastmasters clubs across Bavaria.
These five speakers and coaches led our hands-on sessions on 25 April — including our Youth Boot Camp for ages 11–18. Thank you for sharing your craft with the room.
Present with Power
From Death by PowerPoint to Seducing with Slides — Presentation tips for Toastmasters, business, and life.
Ineke Vermeulen is a public speaking and TEDx coach, trainer, and Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) with over 15 years of experience. She works with clients ranging from ambitious individuals to global organisations, helping them communicate with confidence, clarity, and impact.
Elevator Pitch
Der Workshop erklärt Voraussetzungen und Funktionen des Elevator Pitchs und versetzt die Teilnehmer in die Lage ihren eigenen persönlichen Elevator Pitch zu erstellen und zu üben.
Edgar Niklaus (Dipl.-Ing. und Betriebswirt) ist selbständiger Finanz- und Versicherungsmakler seit 1999. Bei Toastmasters seit November 2004, DTM seit 2015. Er hat unzählige Reden und viele Workshops gehalten und bringt 18 Jahre berufliche Führungserfahrung mit.
Overcome the Spotlight Effect
Turn public speaking from a fear into your advantage. This workshop will give you practical tools to reduce anxiety, embrace new opportunities, and speak with impact.
Darya Juric is an IT professional passionate about communication. In 2022 she founded a corporate Toastmasters club, and later a series of webinars focused on developing the inner skills and mindset that lay the foundation for successful public speaking.
EN
Communicate by type — reach everyone
Speak with confidence. Grow beyond yourself.
Oleg Güntner has spent 25 years at BMW, currently as a manager responsible for prototype part quality in development. He is a certified trainer for "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" and a coach for leadership and personal development. A Toastmaster since 2012, he is currently President of Munich Media Speakers. He holds degrees in Industrial Engineering and is an NLP Master.
Thank you to our four contest chairs, who ran every competition on 25 April with precision, fairness, and care — making sure each speaker got their moment to shine.
Contest Chair — Evaluation & Table Topics
Mel Kelly is a dynamic speaker and comedian known for his sharp wit and engaging stage presence. A Toastmasters champion, he has impressed audiences across Europe with his ability to blend humor and powerful storytelling. Over the years, Mel has earned multiple awards at Toastmasters district conferences in both English and German, including 1st place finishes in Evaluation and Table Topics, as well as top placements in Humorous and International Speech contests. With experience both on stage and in competition, he brings energy, professionalism, and a touch of fun to every event — ensuring a smooth contest where every speaker gets their moment to shine.
Contest Chair — International Speech
Mikaela Gallon is a Sr. IT Project Manager and PMP®, and the founder of Present.Global — where communication meets coaching, mindfulness, and presence. Half French and Maltese, raised between Argentina and South Africa, she has worked across Europe, New York, and Tokyo. Fluent in French, English, Spanish, and German, she knows firsthand that real communication goes far beyond language. A TEDx speaker, 2x TEDx coach, 3x Toastmasters District Champion, and Ivy League MBA, she has spent a lifetime crossing borders and building bridges — connecting people, connecting dots, and bringing a fuller, more human voice to the way we communicate.
Wettbewerbsleiter — Deutscher Bewertungs- & Table Topics-Wettbewerb
Tobias Schlosser is a dedicated Toastmaster known for his analytical mindset and his willingness to dive into complexity where others might hesitate. He has a natural ability to unpack challenging ideas and turn them into meaningful insights that support real growth. An experienced competitor and leader, Tobias brings precision, fairness, and thoughtful depth to every contest. His calm presence and structured approach ensure a well-run experience — where every speaker is seen, challenged, and encouraged to improve.
Wettbewerbsleiterin — Deutscher Redewettbewerb
Christina, an industrial engineer with over 14 years in the automotive industry, once considered invisibility her superpower—until launching her own business as a health consultant revealed the need to be seen and heard. This turning point led her to Toastmasters in 2014. Since then, she has served multiple times as a District Officer and held various leadership roles across clubs. Through Toastmasters, she transformed her voice into a powerful business asset—making confident speaking and impactful presentations a cornerstone of her success.
On 25 April 2026, the Division D Conference brought Toastmasters from every corner of Bavaria together for a day of inspiring speeches, fierce competitions, and genuine human connection.
Seasoned speakers competed for glory; first-timers got their first taste of Toastmasters. World-class speeches, laughter, learning, and a community that will stay with us long after the applause has faded.
Toastmasters International is a world-leading communication and leadership organisation with over 300,000 members in 145 countries. Members grow their confidence, sharpen their public speaking skills, and discover their voice — in a supportive, non-judgmental community of people just like them.
Follow our page for the latest news, updates, and announcements from Toastmasters Bayern.
