"I have known Kris Nelson for several years in Toastmasters and have always encouraged her to take on more advanced leadership positions. I’m so glad that she has stepped up to offer her many talents to the District and fully support her in her quest."
John C. Rich, DTM - Past International Director
"Kris Nelson is a committed and caring Toastmaster who brings integrity to our organization.
She has the interpersonal skills and experience in all aspects of the program
that will be needed to lead our new District 123 into the future."
Ross Mackay, DTM - Past International Director
"Well before the Durham College TM club was even chartered, Kris Nelson was there supporting me by answering questions, providing information, and running info sessions for employees interested in becoming members. She worked with me step-by-step through the chartering process and helped me to promote our club effectively.
Since its inception, DC Success Masters has greatly benefited from the mentorship Kris has provided to both its members and the club as a whole. Kris has gone above and beyond to mentor individual members and the executive team in a variety of areas including education and pathways, running efficient meetings, and personal growth. She has encouraged and contributed to the evolution of our club and I can honestly say that we wouldn’t be where we are today or achieved what we have thus far if it wasn’t for her leadership, motivation, and support. I have no doubt that Kris would be an asset to the Toastmasters leadership in the role of District Director and would contribute in many ways to the success of the Toastmasters clubs in our district."
Holly Stringer
"It is an honour to give testimony for Kris Nelson in her pursuit as District Director for District 123 for the 2021/2022 Toastmaster year. She is a dedicated, energetic, and generous individual who has worked hard as she travels her Toastmaster path. Among Kris’s qualities there are two for which I shall speak - inclusivity and connection.
Kris and I connected during a workshop by Roman Smolak where I was a contributing presenter, sharing my story for an interactive exercise. My story includes the vast challenges I have with complex PTSD and finding my voice to address systemic abuses. Kris was so moved by my share and the workshop design model (story-based workshops), she would contact both Roman and myself to develop a workshop for her Division E.
Kris models inclusivity within her compassion and empathy towards me by providing guidance, opportunity and support regardless of the challenges. She also ensured her geographically challenged division enjoyed opportunities for training. You can be confident to elect Kris for District Director of District 123."
Marilyn Garshowitz
"Kris Nelson is a fantastic Toastmaster and has exceptional leadership ability that I can personally vouch for. She was there when I needed someone on the “last leg” of my Toastmaster journey to acquire my DTM. Before Ms. Nelsons Mentor/Leadership, I was told by someone I trusted that I was too late to acquire my DTM and that I should just think about attempting it through Pathways. I contacted Kris asking for her guidance and help. She did both. She gave me the help and the encouragement I needed and never said “No” when I contacted her. She was there helping me get a Club Coach position, do my Leadership workshop, fill out all the necessary paperwork that needed to be sent to TI .
I’m not a quitter and neither is Kris. Together, we made it to the finish line before June 30,2020 and I was able to realize my dream of being a Distinguished Toastmaster along with the Triple Crown , Club Coach and I became a member of the Club I was coaching. ( Oshawa #1). Thank-you Kris Nelson for believing in me when at times, I wasn’t content with myself. Every Toastmaster will do well in our District with Kris Nelson leading our Team and steering us in the correct direction."
Dorothy Sanderson, DTM
"Kris Nelson leads with integrity and nurtures relationships through generosity and commitment. I met Kris while we were both competing for a role of a Division Director and I subsequently worked under Kris’s leadership on Division Director’s team. We worked together successfully thought the year and built a great relationship that fostered myself and others to reach our Toastmasters goals - and we did, despite the challenges of the impact of Covid-19! Kris has an empowering and engaging approach to relationship building, that together with being responsive and dependable translates into leadership that inspires results and growth in others. I greatly enjoyed working with Kris and I am looking forward to having that opportunity again. I strongly recommend Kris Nelson as next year’s District Director. "
Julita Jaworski, DTM
"I have known Kris Nelson for a number of years, and even in a Toastmasters world full of unique and talented people, Kris stands out. Her capacity to achieve things is absolutely exceptional; giving 100% is not enough for Kris, and I still can’t understand how someone can be comfortable consistently operating “at 120%, 130%, somewhere around there.
Many toastmasters proudly list their currently-held offices in email signatures, but I have never met anyone else who felt it necessary to apologize for their signature’s sheer number of simultaneous offices. One would think that this division of attention would affect her quality of work, either within those offices or as a support to fellow members, but as previously mentioned, Kris has more than the proverbial 100% that mere mortals are limited to.
I have watched Kris overcome trepidation, personal grief, and an unspeakable injury among other things. All the while, she has remained supremely kind and trustworthy, both as a leader at any level, and as a person. At no point have I seen any trace of ivory tower mentality.
Always compassionate and true, to see her run for District Director seems less an ambition and more an inevitable next step."
Corey Knecht, DTM
