Our Club Members

President

TM Member since: 10/1/2010
Noel Bentley, DTM

Professional Edge is a club that provides its members with a rare speaking opportunity for Toastmasters. You, as a speaker, have the benefit of delivering your speech in a space designed for presentations and receiving feedback from some of the most helpful and decorated Toastmasters around. When you add our welcoming and friendly members to the mix you have a Toastmaster meeting that I believe everyone should experience.

I started in Toastmasters six years ago and have been a member in many clubs in two provinces. Being a part of this organization has given me a great deal of personal satisfaction, growth and opportunity and I believe it holds the same potential for everyone. If you have any interest in improving your public speaking and networking with others who share the same interest, I encourage you to join us at our next meeting.

Past President & VP Education

TM Member since: 1/1/2020
Tom Dutta
FOUNDER and CEO, TEDx Speaker, Author, Radio/Film Producer

Short Bio:  Tom Dutta is an award-winning CEO, Best Selling author and Radio/Film Producer. Transforming leaders and companies worldwide, Tom believes real change starts at the top. He is dedicated to changing our view of mental health in the workplace by breaking the silence, telling his story of struggle, and being a leader by example.

Long Bio:  Tom Dutta is an award-winning CEO, speaker and International #1 Best Selling author with over 30 years’ experience transforming leaders and companies worldwide. Tom’s experience spans the Education, Financial, IT, TELCO, Not-for-Profit and Health sectors. His career includes senior roles in many Canadian companies including Founder, CEO, and Chairman of the Board. Tom is the host and executive producer of the Quiet Warrior Internet radio show.    

As Founder and CEO of KRE-AT® Tom is an authority on what motivates leaders’ actions. Tom’s business experience, and 10-year study of the science behind success has enabled him to create a proven coaching and mentorship formula called The Way of the Quiet Warrior®.  

Tom received the William Shatner MOVING AMERICA FORWARD AWARD special TV Series, and the 2018 Courage to Come Back Certificate of Top 3 Nomination Finalist for his incredible mental health journey. These narratives will be part of Tom’s latest film project, taking his life story to the big screen. His purpose is to lift the stigma of mental health in the workplace.   

Tom has served as Chairman of the Board pioneering a shift in the access to mental health services for over a decade and an advocate for programs serving mental health.  

His talk at TEDx Bear Creek Park is about the important role leaders have in breaking the stigma around mental health.

Tom’s beautiful wife Anna, his three children, one granddaughter, and miniature Shih Tzu Shadow are the lights that shine brightest in his life.

604 474 4944  www.kreat.ca

TM Member since: 1/1/2009
Ron Newell, DTM

I was invited to The Professional Edge meeting as a guest test speaker for The International Evaluation Contest.  I was so impressed with the quality of the evaluations and the constructive feedback required to improve on our communication skills.

The members of Professional Edge are not only good at what they do, they make it an enjoyable atmosphere with their distinct personalities always at play!

I have discovered unlimited opportunities to take my communication and leadership skills to the next level thanks to Professional Edge Toastmasters.

Ron has served as D21 Logistics Manager, Area Governor, President of Surrey Toastmasters and VP of Membership for Professional Edge Toastmasters. He’s also a ProEdge Past President, event manager for TEDx White Rock 2018 and a District 21 Club Coach and Mentor.

VP Membership 

Sergeant @ Arms
TM Member since: 10/1/2019
Lorne Fardy

Lorne joined the Pro Edge club in the fall of 2019. His goal for joining was to get pointers on improving speaking skills in a group environment. Little did he know this group contains such high caliber speakers, and quickly recognized there’s lots to learn to becoming a better speaker.

After only two years with Club he recognizes he’s learned a lot, however there’s still so much to learn and improve upon. Also, the collective knowledge of the club members is very apparent in the speeches delivered at each monthly meeting. At the conclusion of each meeting “I feel smarter and energized to take on the day”.

In the fall of 2021, Lorne decided to broaden his Toastmasters horizons by taking on the role of VP Membership. He’s very excited to share his experiences as one of the newer club members.

Sergeant @ Arms
TM Member since: 10/1/2018
Manjit K. Johal

Manjit joined Toastmasters to learn clear, concise, and impactful communication,  with fewer words in short time. However, she got much more then that. The Professional Edge Toastmasters Club is an inspirational, motivational and transformational club. Professional  Edge Toastmasters executives, motivate members with RESPECT, inspire members with INTEGERTY, provides comfortable positive learning environment through SERVICE, and transforms members with example of EXELLENCE (RISE).

This Toastmasters Club, with it’s  members (RISE) to high caliber speakers, communicators, speech writers and leaders. After each monthly meetings, members are energized, mesmerized, socialized with positive energy to a WOW factor. CHECK IT OUT. Manjit has been visiting and participating in Professional Edge Toastmasters Club with fellow toastmasters. After joining the club, she is strengthening her wings in the leadership role, as Vice President of Public Relations.

Secretary
TM member since 1/1/2013
Jenny Peng, IP4 (ACS, ALB)

VP Membership
TM Member since: 07/01/2020
Judy Higginbotham

Judy has been a member of Toastmasters for two years in an effort to improve her speaking skills. She has been a teacher, broadcaster politician and continues to be involved in the community to support and help make the city we live in better and kinder place to live in.

Always positive, Judy does what she can to volunteer and support those who need a hand out. She also spends her time travelling when she can and spending time with her two smart, beautiful and intelligent grandchildren.

Treasurer
TM Member since: 10/1/1997
Beverley Steeves, ACB

Beverley is a charter member of Professional Edge and has served in many of the Executive roles.  She has always enjoyed the positive, supportive, and teaching moments the club has to offer. After each meeting, she is always grateful to be involved and learn so much from all the incredible members.  

After working 32 years with Immigration & then CBSA, retirement has brought many new prospects into her life.  Whether it’s trekking the Inca Trail in Peru, walking on the worlds largest salt flat in Bolivia, snorkelling the Silfra Fissure in Iceland, hiking in Greece and England, kayaking in the Bay of Fundy, or camper van travelling,  she is always on the go looking for new adventures with her husband and fellow Pro Edger, Alan.  Her mantra is,  “All who wander are not lost.” And she is a wanderer.

My original purpose when I joined Toastmasters was to seek assistance to overcome the shyness I experienced.  When I first began my journey as a Charter Member of White Rock Toastmasters, I embraced   the changes within me that began to take place.  Opportunities presented themselves, and doors began to open for me in both my career and my personal life.

After taking a number of years away from Toastmasters, I decided to join Professional Edge.  I found the club to be dynamic, full of vigor, inspirational, helpful, positive, and, a lot of fun.  These elements and more, provide for a wonderful learning environment, I realized what I had been missing, and was drawn back.

TM member since 1/1/1989
Ken Cowie, ACS, ALS

I joined Surrey TM In Jan 1989.In the beginning I zestfully achieved my Competent TM in the first two years. I served on the executive and attended meetings faithfully. I enjoyed doing evaluations and taking on Leadership roles. Back then we had no mentoring program and I used to write out my Full Speech then spend hours trying to memorize. I stopped doing speeches for years because I just did not have the time to prepare the speeches in that manner.

In the Fall of 2012 after almost 25 years in TM, I found myself at an Pro-Edge Open House and was very impressed with the quality of speeches from members with many less years than myself. I joined and have learned more in the next 1.5 years from these members than many of the previous years.

I have listened to the many evaluations of each speech and am learning more about effectively communicating The Message. I have asked members how THEY prepare their speeches and am learning how to efficiently prepare a speech instead of trying to memorize it.

Surrey Toastmasters has provided me with skills and the encouragement to enjoy the FULL Toastmasters experience which is not available at an advanced club, however I believe my skills are improving at an excelled pace because of my short time at Pro-Edge.

Past President
Member since: 1/1/2020
Eric Huang

Eric Huang is a self-made entrepreneur and investor. He is the founder of Huang Wealth Management (HWM) where he and his team manage the investment assets for hundreds of high net worth families,  business owners, executives, high income professionals from Canada, US, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. As a leading investment advisor and Vice-President of RBC Dominant Securities, he helps his clients to become millionaires, multimillionaires, and reach financial freedom through investing and realizing their life goals.

Through his career, he has been a manager, executive for major corporations in China, US and Canada. As an entrepreneur and investor, he is proud of making differences in people’s lives. Eric received his bachelor in Engineering in China, and MBA in International Banking from Texas A&M International in Texas, U.S. He has been a speaker and keynote speaker for many events and seminars. He attributes his success partially to the training of Toastmaster, and wants to continually to grow in the organization and also help other Toastmasters to become better speakers and leaders. Eric first joined Toastmaster in 2005, and rejoined the Toastmaster in 2019. He has been a member and held executive roles for clubs and was the past president of the Professional Edge.

Charter Member, TM Member since: 2/1/2003
Alan Warburton, DTM

Alan is a Distinguished Toastmaster and an experienced public speaker.  He has twice been the Provincial Champion in the Humorous Speech Contest and twice been the Provincial Runner-Up in the International Speech Contest. In 2013 he won the District 21 International Speech Contest.

Alan is a retired school principal who continues to enjoy the many leadership opportunities provided by Toastmasters.

He believes that the Professional Edge Toastmasters Club is an excellent place to continually build your speaking skills.

TM Member since: 11/1/2012
Cheryl Crotty, CC

There’s a part of me that has always wanted to be a great communicator.  I knew I needed help and I remember going to a Toastmasters meeting more than twenty-five years ago when I was living in Dallas, Texas.  The members were great and very welcoming but I let my hectic life and shyness keep me from going to another meeting.  It was in late 2012 when I finally took another step along my Toastmasters journey …. what an incredible pathway to personal and professional growth!  

I didn’t realize when I first attended Professional Edge that members are advanced in their experience and skills.  Had I known, I probably would have felt intimidated and perhaps I wouldn’t have ventured into the lovely, theatre-like venue where I was warmly greeted and where I immediately felt at home.  I joined that very day and soon made my first “Icebreaker” speech.  I quickly learned that it’s not only presenting that helps me develop my communication skills, but that the contemplation and self-reflection that precede the words is a remarkable part of the process.  My confidence continues to grow and for over five years now, I have been taught and touched by Professional Edge speakers at every single meeting.  It’s exciting to share my growth and to see fellow members grow in their expertise.

The Toastmasters experience is amazing!  I am privileged to be a part of this very special club.  If you want to improve your communication and leadership skills, I encourage you to visit Professional Edge.  If you do visit, I hope you don’t let anything hold you back and that it’s not too long before you come again.

TM Member since: 11/1/2008
Duncan Robinson, CC, CL

Duncan joined Toastmasters in 2008.   He recognized that in order to grow, he must have a stronger ability to communicate. Toastmasters, in his opinion, has delivered a Royal Flush.   Of all the opportunities that have occurred over the last 6 years, Duncan really believes a large part of this is due to Toastmasters.

Duncan actively participates in all contests, knowing that this is a growing curve, and it forces you to get creative.   He assembles this journey of Toastmasters as a Paradigm to the journey of Life.   The more you invest the more you gain and grow.

Duncan has been touched by a life experience that garners him well in his day-to-day work with Freedom 55 Financial.  He encourages clients and friends to dig into the planning process, because our ‘one day’ will come, when we are no longer able to plan.

Pro Edge will take you to your next level…I encourage you to reach your new level of Commitment.

TM Member since: 5/1/2013
Gary Drouillard, DL2 (ACB, ALB)

Gary is enjoying a post-career afterlife in South Surrey, BC. His greatest professional achievement was pioneering a 10-year mission to make it possible for Canadians to use their cellphones around the world.

Today, Gary recognizes that his past public-speaking performances could have been done so much better had he taken some Toastmaster training earlier in his career. Alas, it’s never too late to learn how to do things better for the next opportunity.

Gary is also a member of a weekly club, and  has served in various club officer roles. He sees Professional Edge as such a rich treat, that if consumed more often than once a month, could lead to an overwhelming overdose of public-speaking bliss. The caliber of Professional Edge presentations, along with the insightful and uplifting evaluations, are a catalyst spurring one on to greater heights.

Charter Member, TM Member since: 6/1/2005
Haddy Abra, DTM

Haddy believes that the quality of life is determined by how effectively we learn to communicate – with others, with ourselves, and with the God of our understanding.  As a shy, introverted boy, this was not always easy.  He broke out of his shell as a salesman and went on to become a charter member of the B.C. Association of Clinical Counsellors.  With one foot planted in the world of counselling, he put the other in the world of natural health where he became a successful Doctor of Naturopathy and the President of the Canadian Coalition of Wholistic Health Organizations.  His first public speaking engagements were more than thirty years ago when he gave talks on behalf of the Health Action Network Society.  He has also taught at night school.

Joining Toastmasters really helped him to fine tune what he was already doing.  Although he was an experienced speaker, he quickly discovered he had a lot to learn.  He joined Surrey Toastmasters in January of 2006, Speakers Advantage in 2007 and became a charter member of The Professional Edge.  He has been on the executive of all three clubs in various capacities. Becoming a Distinguished Toastmaster twice in his first five years, he has completed all 15 of the advanced manuals, has been an  Outstanding Member three times, has twice been recognized as the Toastmaster of the Year in Surrey Toastmasters, was the District 21 Area Governor of the Year for 2007-2008 and served as Division F Governor.  With more than two hundred Toastmasters speeches under his belt, he remains very active.

A long-time practitioner of meditation, he is fascinated with the human mind and its capabilities.  Now semi-retired, he employs hypnosis and Neuro-Linguistic Programming as tools in helping others.

TM MEMBER SINCE: 4/1/2003
Karen Van Delft, CL

Upon joining the Professional Edge, I discovered other advanced toastmasters who are committed to growing their businesses and investing in themselves.  When we strive to grow, learn, and share our success stories and victories as well as our low points and lessons, we all benefit.

Joining this professional team, I have found camaraderie and friendship amongst such a quality group of successful, self-starters and entrepreneurs.  Like Winston Churchill once said, “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.

One extremely valuable lesson I have learned is in listening.  Through listening we learn and are able to give encouraging, effective feedback to each other.  This club provides us opportunities to hone our listening skills and allow us to grow exponentially, especially our communication skills, skills which helps us in every field of our lives.

TM Member since: 3/1/2017
Lacey Elliott, PM1

TM Member since: 11/1/2016
Rhona Segarra

Rhona joined Professional Edge in 2016 because she wanted to become a more effective speaker. Rhona is passionate about people and enjoys any excuse for a gathering.  Born in South Africa, Rhona immigrated to Canada in 1977 with her parents and siblings. She is married to astronomy-loving, adventure-spirited Walt, and has a brilliant son David, who will be 30 this year. (Where did the time go? ) 

Rhona’s personal mission is to be the presence of peace, to share her love for life, and to be grateful for every day.