Cobber Alumna Receives Honors

Cobber Connections: Public speaking and leadership skills awarded

Linda (Hoag) Dorn ’90 recently received the highest honor Toastmasters International bestows, the Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) award, and was elected to one of the highest positions in a Toastmasters District – club growth director – where she will help lead more than 1,800 Toastmasters throughout Minnesota.

Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. Headquartered in Englewood, Colo., the organization's membership exceeds 364,000 in more than 16,200 clubs in 145 countries. Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people from diverse backgrounds become more confident speakers, communicators, and leaders.

The DTM award recognizes a superior level of achievement in both communication and leadership, and is awarded to less than 1% of all members. This year, Dorn was also selected as the Division Director of the Year and received the Phoenix Award for excellence in leadership as a Club Coach.

As club growth director, Dorn is responsible for all aspects of district club-building and club-retention efforts, as well as creating an overall marketing strategy for the district. She takes great joy in sharing the life-changing benefits with future Toastmasters.

Dorn, a stewardship specialist at Carleton College, Northfield, Minn., joined the Northfield Community Toastmasters Club in January 2017. Since that time, she has served in various club officer roles, as an area director, division director, as a club coach, and a pathways guide.

Dorn belongs to three Toastmasters clubs, Northfield Community Toastmasters; Community Spirit Toastmasters in Burnsville, Minn.; and Lakeville Toastmasters.

“Toastmasters has provided me with a positive and supportive environment in which I could practice and improve my public speaking and leadership skills,” said Dorn. “In my new role, I have the honor of paying that forward by introducing new members to Toastmasters, leading teams who are exploring new leadership roles, and building new clubs.”