Club Growth Team
Club Growth Team
The District Club Growth (DCG) Team aims to expand and strengthen Clubs across the District.
Led by the District Club Growth Director, the primary role of the DCG Team is
to support the formation of new Clubs, assist in growing membership, and provide
resources to ensure the health and sustainability of existing Clubs.
By working closely with District leaders and Club officers, the DCG Team creates opportunities for leadership development,
fosters community engagement, and ensures that every Club offers a positive, enriching Toastmasters experience for its members.
Léon van der Ploeg
Club Growth Director
Léon has been an entrepreneur for more than 30 years. he joined Toastmasters to develop his communication skills. In part through his leadership roles in TM, he focuses on supporting others in growth opportunities by serving as a mentor and coach and aspires to be an example of what you can achieve in your life.
“When the direction is clear, there is less discussion
and more enjoyment of the view.”
Home: Netherlands
Club: SpreekMeesters
City: Blokzijl
Email: leonvanderploeg@gmail.com
Grace Karijomedjo
Assistant Club Growth Director
Grace is a dedicated learning and development consultant and educator. Outside of her career, she enjoys traveling to new countries and savoring local cuisines.
She joined Toastmasters in 2021 and held several club officer roles. As an Assistant Club Growth Director, Grace is focused on inspiring new members and supporting clubs in achieving strong growth and a vibrant learning environment.
“Do what you want; people will always have something to say.”
Home: Netherlands
Club: Amstelveen Toastmasters
City: Amsterdam
Email: linkgk2020@gmail.com
Florence Goubet
Club Extension Chair (Belgium)
Originally from France, Florence Goubet has worked for BASF in Ghent, Belgium, for 20 years. She joined Toastmasters in 2021 to develop her communication skills and has served in several club officer roles (Secretary, VPM). In January 2025, she chartered BASF IC Sparks, where she is the Club President.
“Engaging activities and interactive challenges can turn learning into an enjoyable experience.”
Home: Belgium
Club: BASF IC Sparks
City: Ghent
Email: florence.goubet@basf.com
Irene Anggreeni
Club Extension Chair (Corporate Clubs)
Irene is a wellness leadership coach, strategic consultant and mental health advocate, known for her dedication in empowering leaders and their teams towards sustainable success. A lifelong learner, she graduated PhD in Industrial Design and Master in Dance Movement Therapy before becoming a coach. Originally from Indonesia, Irene now calls Rotterdam home, where she lives with her husband and their cat. In her free time, she enjoys Argentinian tango and swimming.
“Put your own oxygen mask on first;
self-care serves the people you support”
Home: Netherlands
Club: UPS Toastmasters Club
City: Rotterdam
Email: irenevanjava@gmail.com
Arjan Gerritsen
Club Growth Public Relations Chair
Arjan Joined Toastmasters since May 2024. I started to get a clear message for my life coaching for people to help deal with their fears. I discoverd that there are a lot of opportunities to grow as a leader in Toastmasters. Now I am part of 3 clubs with different roles. On district level I help te promote Toastmasters for relevant info and events, but also help out struggling club to succeed again.
“What I love in Toastmasters is that there is a supportive energetic community who helps each other succeed..”
Home: Netherlands
Club: Den Bosch, Vliegende Hollanders Online, Tyne Online
City: Oss
Email: arjanbg@gmail.com
Joana Nguyen
Internal Stakeholder Manager
Joana joined Toastmasters in November 2024 after being inspired by the leaders she met at the 100-Year Anniversary event. Motivated to grow, she quickly stepped up as a volunteer and became an active contributor to her club Paris Etoile, District 59 Club Growth Direction, Contests, DOT events, and Open Houses.
Driven by a belief in lifelong learning, Joana brings this mindset to her work, to Toastmasters, and to everyday life, always seeking new ways to progress and help others grow as well.
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
Home: France
Club: Paris Etoile
City: Paris
Email: joana.ng@outlook.com
Rima Sammouri
Club Quality Chair
Rima joined the SHAPE International Toastmasters Club in Mons Belgium in Oct. 2008. She’s been serving Club Officer roles ever since.
During Covid, Rima joined online clubs in Lebanon, Irak, Luxembourg and Liège to make the most of Toastmasters benefits and experience.
She was Area Director for B3 2023-2024 and Division B Director in 2024-2025.
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is never wasted.”
Home: Belgium
Club: Shape Int. Toastmasters
City: Soignies
Email: rima.sammouri@gmail.com
Aditya Damodaran
Club Extension Chair (Luxembourg)
Aditya joined Toastmasters in 2017, during a past life as a researcher, in order to improve his communication skills and to learn how to simplify and present complex topics to diverse audiences. He currently works in cybersecurity consulting.
“The hardest assumption to challenge is the one you don’t even know you are making.”
Home: Luxembourg
Club: Casemates Communicators Luxembourg
City: Esch
Email: tm.ce@adityadamodaran.com
Pascale Leroy
Club Extension Chair (France)
Pascale joined Toastmasters to improve her public speaking skills, and she also learned the subtle art of leadership. She is the founder of Toastmasters Paris Bilingue club, which took its first steps during Covid. She is very persevering, and finds solutions where others don’t see them. Area Director (22/23), Division A Director (23/24 and 24/25). She wants to grow the France community and therefore develops clubs throughout France, starting with the north. In her professional life, she is finance director.
“Be yourself, everyone else is already take.”
Home: France
Club: Saint Nazaire
City: Paris
Email: pascale.thiebaut.4@gmail.com
Astrid Teunissen-Bloch
Club Retention Chair
Astrid joined Deventer Toastmasters in 2018 to because of the enthusiasm of her husband who already was a member of NOA in Elst. She was invited as a guest and got to be a Toastmasters addict ever since. She became a club officer in July 2019 and never stopped.
The Covid period created new opportunities and she became a member and club officer of Baranca Toastmasters Aruba. She also visited a lot of clubs online in and outside District 59 which grew her network.
During her membership Astrid had several leadership roles like area director G2 in 2021/2022, Program Quality Director in 2022/2023 and District Director from July 2023-October 2023. Her current role is Club Retention Chair.
Acting in roles at all available levels has given her a lot of experience to guide members, clubs, areas, divisions and the District. For her it’s a great journey that creates opportunities to develop a large width of speaker skills, leadership skills and also makes sure to grow self-confidence.
She really enjoys to assist members and clubs to grow their quality and strengths and she knows how to get the people into action mode. The leadership roles have grown her network and knowledge about the organization of Toastmasters Worldwide.
Astrid is a (board)member of Deventer Toastmasters (2018), English Deventer Toastmasters (2025) and co-founder of Vliegende Hollanders ONLINE Toastmasters (prospect club)
“Toastmasters is an amazing learning rollercoaster that never ends.”
Home: Netherlands.
Club: Deventer.
City: Deventer.
Email: fantastrid@live.com
