Testimonials

Karen convinced me to dream bigger

Karen Knight is a mentor, a teacher, and most importantly, a deeply empathetic and loving person.

Through her commitment, hard-work, and dedication, she not only convinced me to dream bigger but convinced everyone around me as well.

They say you are the average of the five people you surround yourself with; my only complaint is that there aren’t four more Karen Knights in this world.

~ Yasir Khan

Her motivational skills can convince the hardest heart to volunteer

Karen Knight will be an outstanding International Director for Region 1 of Toastmasters International.

I have know Karen since I became an Area Director years ago. She is refreshingly enthusiastic, very hard working and diligent. Her motivational skills can convince the hardest heart to volunteer and she is encouraging, really an all round skilled Leader.

I always feel better when Karen walks into the meeting room.

~ Audrey Pope

Karen is the type of leader that makes everyone on her team a better performer

Karen Knight was among the top Division Governors with whom I worked while serving as District Governor.

She was very decisive and took action quickly when needed. She is the type of leader that makes everyone on her team a better performer.

~ Doug Thiessen

Really strict and annoying

She likes bossing people around so she’ll probably be good at this job.

~ Eric (son + advanced leadership project)

Karen guided me through the learning process with support and utmost confidence in my abilities

I have only warm memories of working with Karen on the District 21 team. At the time, she was the District Director, and I was the Finance Manager.

I was overwhelmed with my role, and she guided me through the learning process with support and utmost confidence in my abilities.

As a leader, she promoted actions that would result in the long-term success of the District, so I could always trust that her heart was in the right place, and that she took her role seriously. Overall, Karen is an absolute pleasure to work with!

~ Inga Kavtaradze

Karen’s respect for cultural values around the world makes her stand-out as a global leader

I have witnessed brilliant interactions between Karen Knight and leaders around the globe.

Her awareness of global culture has given her the insight she needs to guide & lead us to even greater success and vibrant growth.

Karen’s respect for cultural values around the world makes her stand-out as a global leader.

~ Tom Hobbs, The Man In The Hat & Global Traveler.

Always adhering to the Toastmasters core values of integrity, respect, service, excellence

A few years ago, I remember Karen Knight envisioning her future as an International Director.

Over the years, I’ve seen Karen lead with confidence – from Club President through to District 21 Director. She served all those roles with a strong, competent and friendly style – and of course always adhering to the Toastmasters core values of integrity, respect, service, excellence.

The future has arrived, and I fully endorse Karen Knight, DTM for International Director, Region 1, 2019-2021.

~ Raymond Ho, DTM
1999/2000 President’s Distinguished Division A Governor
District 21

Karen has the passion, ability, and foresight to guide our organization forward

I had the pleasure of serving alongside Karen Knight as District Directors in Region 1.

Karen was dedicated to serving the member and was an effective leader. She has the passion, ability, and foresight to guide our organization forward.

~ Angela Ritchey, Past District Director

Karen has become one of the greatest mentors in my life, motivating me to new heights as a toastmaster, in my career, and in my personal relationships.

I was very fortunate to have Karen Knight be part of my very first toastmasters experience.

Since then, Karen has become one of the greatest mentors in my life, motivating me to new heights as a toastmaster, in my career, and in my personal relationships.

Her dedication to development and overall positive leadership provide an example of what makes a true Toastmaster.

~ Aaron Madaisky

Karen is a dedicated leader with a servant’s heart

Karen Knight is an amazing Toastmaster with a passion for the organization.

She is a dedicated leader with a servant’s heart.

~ Jesse Oakley III

A very supportive and sincere leader

I have known Karen Knight for almost a decade in District 21 Toastmasters.

Karen has demonstrated to be a very supportive and sincere leader throughout her many roles she has taken throughout the district.

She certainly would be an excellent international Director for Region 1.

~ Fred Jones
Youth Leadership Program Coordinator – District 21

Karen Knight is a fantastic leader and an example of what a Toastmaster should strive to become

Karen Knight is a fantastic leader and an example of what a Toastmaster should strive to become. Her dedication to Toastmasters is evident through her years of service, from District down to club level, Karen is always there with a fantastic attitude and a smile on her face, ready to embrace all new challenges that come her way.

The experience Karen provides to those around her is invaluable, as the way she speaks and how she phrases her sentences, helps shapes and inspires those present to become better speakers.

Even outside of club meeting times, Karen strives to ensure every member becomes the best speaker they can, by mentoring and guiding them with a kind, compassionate and precise approach.

~ Stuart Caird

Karen’s integrity is beyond reproach

Why would Karen Knight be an excellent International Director?

Core Values… her Integrity is beyond reproach – Respect with others in debate or simply understanding other people challenges and using a calm demeanor when needed – Service… her Service to Toastmasters International as a member… as a District Leader have been exemplary – Commitment to Excellence… when given a task… she may live by our Core Values but is tenacious getting the job done well.

~ Gene Vickers, Past District Director

A wonderfully generous and kind soul

Karen is a wonderfully generous and kind soul. She never hesitates to help others.

~ Stacey Phelps

Karen created an environment of participation, cooperation, excitement and hunger for success.

Karen Knight was the District Director for 2015 / 2016. I had the pleasure of working with her in the capacity of District Parliamentarian and representing my own club as President. My growth in Toastmasters was palpable during that term and her guidance and support helped me greatly improve my own leadership abilities at the club and district levels. She was clear wth her vision for the term and led the District Leadership Team towards a common objective.

Her energy, support and vision transferred down through the Divisions, the Areas, all the way through to the Club levels, which created an environment of participation, cooperation, excitement and hunger for success. Her ability to spot and develop untapped talent in individuals was inspiring and she always encouraged us to step above our comfort zone, leaving us to develop our own talents; chiming in only when necessary for guidance and support. We never forgot the value of Toastmasters as an educational program.

The 2015 / 2016 term was too short, and the entire team was left wanting more opportunities to work together.

I look forward to the opportunity to work with her again.

~ Michael Chenier

Karen provides consistent supportive leadership

I have known Karen Knight for one year. In this time she has played a vital role in my success in Toastmasters.

Karen provides consistent supportive leadership, and encourages personal growth in all Toastmasters members.

She was instrumental in encouraging me to consider membership in Toastmasters.

~ Cindy Wiebe

Her great leadership helped her take a club that had only 2 members to one of the strongest clubs in the district

Karen Knight has been a huge positive influence in our area. Her great leadership helped her take a club that had only 2 members to one of the strongest clubs in the district.

Leading by example has been Karen’s largest strength by never asking anyone to do what she wouldn’t do herself.

She has used both tried and true methods as well as out of the box ideas to grow awareness of toastmasters not only for her club but also for her area, division and district. She has been an inspiration to all that have met her.

Thank you for all you do Karen!

~ Denis Lessard
Past Division Director

Inspiring nudges and a straight shooter style

Thank you, Karen, for your inspiring nudges. I love your straight shooter style of coaching. You’re the sharpest in the West!

~ Suzanne Viau

Upbeat, positive, and proactive

Karen was Team Lead when I served as a Helping Hands volunteer at the TI Convention in Vancouver last year.

She was upbeat, positive, and proactive. She made sure that we were briefed on our roles, and updated us on any changes.

This year, the roles were reversed. I served as Stores Team Lead and Karen was on my team. She showed her resourcefulness when we ran out of Pathways charts, climbing into the back store room to unearth stocks.

With Karen on the floor, I knew the TI Store was in very capable hands and enjoyed attending some convention events.

~ Michelle Alba-Lim, past District Director

Karen is a strategic thinker with a positive vision

Karen is an excellent candidate for TI’s Board of Directors.

She is not only a strategic thinker with a positive vision and outlook for Toastmasters International, she is bright, caring and understands the role of the Directors and Board in developing strategies and delivering the growth the organization needs to deliver the promise of Toastmasters.

~ Kevin Doyle, Past International Director

A great example of a leader

Karen is a great example of a leader for me. I remember when I first came to the High Country Achievers club, I was really scared of public speaking. Then Karen evaluated my speech, and her response was really on point and it endorsed me to come for the second time.

So from then I’m a Toastmaster. To find right words and endorse people is a trait of a leader and I believe that Karen Knight has it.

~ Aiur Badmatcyrenov

Karen asked: “When are you going to be a leader in this fantastic organization?”

I’m sitting here at my desk and I’m remembering all the wonderful things Karen Knight has done while I’ve been a Toastmaster.

Yes they are all amazing roles and jobs that this lady has done, some very fulfilling and some would make you say why? Then she would explain why and you’re quickly reminded why Karen Knight is Simply Karen Knight.

Karen is a Lady filled with Compassion for her fellow Toastmaster. She wants to see the best in everything you can do and Help you in the things you should do with the proper guidance and direction.

Karen isn’t a person that says I can’t do that or that horrible word…No! She is a hunter and gatherer and will have a team in place ready to deliver an impossible task and turn it into a Successful possibility.

When I first met Karen 12 Years ago she was the District 21’s Lieutenant Governor of Marketing and she asked me one question, “When are you going to be a leader in this fantastic Organization.”

I took that as a challenge. I got as far as Club Growth Director last year. Health problems amounting to be to many has slowed me down but I have seen Karen Knight once again Spring up to new Challenge in her Life in running for International Director for Region One and that has given me the strength to stand behind her and support her decision once again.

If you want Class, if you want Honest, Moral, Sincere leadership leading you to your own victory then Vote for Karen Knight. You owe it to yourself to be great and Karen Knight will be there helping you achieve all you can.

~ Joe Guenette, former District 21 Club Growth Director

I can’t believe how great Karen is at mentoring with her insight and thoughtful feedback

I met Karen when I attended my first D21 conference. While I was so hesitant and insecure in that new environment, she found me and started a conversation. I instantly felt welcomed and warm.

Later I learned that she was the District Director that year. After a few conversations with her during the conference, something clicked. Fast forward 2 years later, I become Division Director and she becomes my mentor.

I can’t believe how great she is at mentoring – her insight, thoughtful feedback and the way she communicated care all build a deep sense trust between us and most importantly, she always makes herself available to me, listening to my concerns and offer feedback.

In my opinion, leadership is about supporting those in our charge. Karen is doing an exemplary job bringing that meaning of leadership to my life.

~ Muyang (Mike) Zhong