2022 George Keenan Award Recipient:
Johanne Von Zuben, DTM
A member since 2007, Johanne Von Zuben has been instrumental within the district working with her fellow members on achieving success. Johanne is honoured to accept the 2022 George Keenan Award.
Within eight months of joining Toastmasters at TD, she was elected club president. Johanne’s penchant for district leadership roles began in 2012 when she was appointed Area Governor for two areas and then elected Division Governor in 2013. Johanne continued to tackle more challenging district roles, culminating as District Director for the 2016-17 term.
Johanne enthusiastically supports district initiatives. Whether it’s to deliver top-notch Club Officer Training sessions, to support contests at various levels, or to deliver Youth Leadership Programs, Johanne works tirelessly to help others develop their leadership and communication skills.
For the last 14 years, Johanne has fully committed herself to helping District 60 clubs. From starting new clubs and suggesting ways to improve the cohesiveness of club and district meetings, Johanne is grateful to make a positive and lasting contribution to District 60. Johanne lives the district mission: We build new clubs and support all clubs in achieving excellence.
Johanne is proud to be a member of Bay Bloor Speakers, a club that she helped charter and nurture from its humble beginnings. She is also an involved and active member of an advanced club, TGIF Advanced Toastmasters. If you don’t find Johanne at a club meeting or contest, you can always pull up a seat and chat with her at the next conference.
Johanne continues to support District 60 in a multitude of ways to express her gratefulness to the organization that helped transform her from a shy and uncertain speaker to a confident and impactful leader!
George Keenan
George Keenan was a dedicated Toastmaster who served Toastmasters International and District 60 for many years, particularly as Parliamentarian and Credentials Chair, and as District Governor in 1984-85. He was one of the most recognized Toastmasters in District 60 due in large part to his stature and his distinctive black hat which he always wore. In 1995, to commemorate his 80th birthday and his 35th year in Toastmasters, his wife Judy, in coordination with the District Leadership Team, established an award in his name.
The George Keenan Award is given each year to an active Toastmaster in District 60 who continues to serve and promote the Toastmasters organization within the district and externally. The Selection Committee, consisting of past recipients who continue to be active in District 60, meets to consider all eligible nominations, selecting a recipient who embodies the Toastmasters values and continues to serve Toastmasters in District 60.
Award Recipients:
| 2022 Johanne Von Zuben
2021 Elton Brown |
2008 Bill Bienia 2007 Judy Suke 2006 Eric Matto 2005 Michiel Bagchus 2004 Kai Rambow 2003 Heather Loveridge 2002 Raghbir Dhillon 2001 Pauline Duncan-Thrasher 2000 Ralph Williamson 1999 Doug Barclay 1998 Bob Porter 1997 Vince DaCosta 1996 Harold Usher 1995 George Keenan |
