2013-2014 Leadership Team
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Jesse Welty
[wpcol_2third_end id=”” class=”” style=””]Jesse Welty – President / Treasurer
Although he is a Southern transplant in New England, Jesse spent much of his adult life living in Europe and Asia. In fact, it was in Japan that he first learned about Toastmasters International. Creating positive interaction between people from different cultures is a cause that Jesse cares deeply about. In his work life, he has collaborated with authors, publishers, educational institutions, and nonprofits with similar ideals. Read more
Jesse joined Boston Toastmasters as a means of professional development, since it has become clear that his career path will always involve language and communication. He has enjoyed public speaking in some form or another since childhood, but speaking to groups is now playing an ever-larger role his life. He is proud to have met his goal of completing his first 10 speeches in one year. This year, he is working in the Toastmasters Advanced Manuals for Interpretive Reading and Technical Presentations.
His goals as a Toastmaster are to improve his speech writing and to add more flexibility to his speaking style. He believes that everyone deserves a supportive and encouraging environment in which to improve his or her communication skills. As this year’s club president, Jesse aims create that environment for his club’s members.
Contact: [email protected]
Contact: [email protected]
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Leigh Forbush
[wpcol_2third_end id=”” class=”” style=””]Leigh Forbush – Vice President of Education
Leigh has been a dedicated Boston Toastmaster member for over 19 months and recently received her CC. She first became involved in Toastmasters to develop her public speaking skills and has particularly enjoyed meeting fellow members and fostering new friendships. Leigh is currently developing her management and informative speech skill set, and is directing the new Boston Toastmasters mentoring program. Read more
Professionally, Leigh works with vulnerable immigrant populations and is currently pursuing her Masters in International Public Health at Boston University. She has
worked in a variety of education and community health settings,
including as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Dominican Republic. Leigh enjoys adventures and laughing. She hopes to see you at the next Toastmasters meeting.
Contact: [email protected]
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[wpcol_2third_end id=”” class=”” style=”display: none;”]Brian Jones – Vice President of Membership
Brian joined toastmasters in August 2012. Since then, Brian has successfully completed the CC. In addition, Brian competed in the in the 2013 Toastmasters International Table Topics competition. During this competition, Brian claimed 1st place for the club and area 46. Brian looks forward to further competitions. In addition, he plans to start the advanced books this spring. Read more
Brian T. Jones currently holds a Master’s degree in Philosophy (2009) and another in Mental Health Counseling (2012). He currently practices psychodynamic psychotherapy at MassBay Community College, Framingham Campus. Brian is a contributing author to the Dx Summit online journal with a focus on psychological wellbeing and diagnostics. In addition, he teaches Philosophy and Psychology at MassBay (Wellesley). His current clinical interests involve psychosocial factors of stress, health, and wellbeing with a focus on ecological systems as it relates to mental imaging
Brian currently conducts research concerning social perceptions of homelessness and homeless issues. Brian continues to present his work with the homeless in several academic conferences around the country and published journals. Brian’s work includes: “Social Ecology of Homelessness: Exploring the Dynamics of Engagement among Homeless Street Adults” and “Social Justice Beyond the Margins: Psychology as a Means of Promoting Inclusivity of Homeless Populations”, among other works.
Contact: [email protected]
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JP Amolat
[wpcol_2third_end id=”” class=”” style=””]JP Amolat – Vice President of Public Relations
JP Amolat has been a member of Boston Toastmasters for a year and is responsible for the club’s social media outreach on Facebook and Twitter and other public relations events and activities. Before he became an officer, he enjoyed helping the club organize its summer and winter group social events and now as an officer plans to find even more ways for the club’s growing membership to collaborate and learn from each other. He enjoys the professional and ethnic diversity of the club and found those qualities most appealing in choosing a home club in the Boston area. He believes that the diversity of the club is what sets this club apart from many of the other clubs because of the unique experiences people bring from all walks of life and different cultures. Read more
Professionally, JP is a tech entrepreneur and is currently the CEO of a Boston-headquartered app development company that specializes in location-based social media apps. He has an MBA in finance and has worked as an industry analyst for many venture capital firms in Boston, New York and Silicon Valley. He enjoys mentoring business students and other young entrepreneurs in the Boston area as he brings more than 14 years of industry experience in finance, music, luxury goods and apparel, social shopping and iPhone / Android development. He has been an entrepreneur since a young age and believes that Toastmasters can only further his goals as a motivational speaker to help other aspiring young entrepreneurs reach their goals of launching their own start-up companies.
Outside of work, he enjoys photography, surfing and swimming, playing golf and volleyball, and is a member of a local volleyball league. JP’s passion is design, and he also enjoys DJing EDM (electronic dance music) in Boston and LA. Having grown up in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, JP still enjoys traveling, but he is proud to call Boston his home.
Contact: [email protected]
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Edward Kelleher
[wpcol_2third_end id=”” class=”” style=””]Edward Kelleher – Secretary
Ed is Boston Toastmasters’ former President, former VP of Education, current raconteur and general adviser. He has graciously accepted the role of Secretary this year. He did not write this biography. Anyone who knows Ed would know that he is not the sort of person to refer to himself as ‘gracious’ or otherwise toot his own horn.
Contact: [email protected]
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Kiera Miner
[wpcol_2third_end id=”” class=”” style=””]Kiera Miner – Sergeant-at-Arms / Immediate Past President
Kiera was the 2012-2013 Boston Toastmasters President. When she joined Boston Toastmasters, to foster her skill and confidence in her public speaking abilities, she never expected to be president. She found this experience immensely rewarding. It has always been her dream to speak before and motivate others. Boston Toastmasters allows her a great opportunity to hone her craft in front of an audience while at the same time helping other members to develop as better public speakers. She loves inspiring people to find the confidence and comfort needed to speak in front of an audience. Read more
When she is not participating in Boston Toastmasters, Kiera is managing the Law Offices of Jeffrey Glassman in Boston, where she gets to practice her people skills on a daily basis. She really enjoys working with different people and helping them face and solve daily challenges. After thirteen years she still learns something new everyday.
Kiera is passionate about the environment and in her remaining free time she is the Project Manager for RainforestMaker, which is a non profit organization designed to motivate others to “replant what they use.” She took on this role when RainforestMaker began doing more local projects in the Boston area. It is her goal to get others involved and inspire more tree planting and beautification projects in and around Boston.
“Even though I have discovered that I am good at working with people, I am an introvert. Everyone who knows me would say ‘No way,’ but it is true. Finding myself always working with people helps me to move away from my introversion and make meaningful connections with others. Aside from people, I enjoy reading, writing, running, traveling, riding my motorcycle, spending time with friends and maintaining a loving and rewarding relationship with my fiancé and best friend. I always remind myself, life is good.”
Contact: [email protected]
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Photo credits: Ashley Collins, Jesse Welty
View the previous year’s leadership team here.
