District Leadership

I love Toastmasters. Toastmasters has given me confidence to be a better public speaker and leader. Without Toastmasters I would not be where I am professionally and personally. Toastmasters taught me to be better — to clearly articulate my points of view, share my passion, inform, motivate and mentor others both individually and as teams to keep growing, become better speakers, leaders and people. As such I want to give back, to help others to gain self-confidence by setting and achieving goals in their Toastmaster journey. I share my vision – ” ‘To be better’ (than the day before).”

I serve in leadership roles in District 16 to help build a culture where every member can continue to grow, participate and has support at each level to meet or exceed their goals. Serving in leadership provides opportunities to lead by example, encourage people to follow their dreams, and demonstrate how hard work, collaboration, planning and executing well can help us achieve collective goals together that are greater than just ourselves.

Chandra Nandikolla is from Tulsa, works for Bank of Oklahoma Financial. He is passionate and interested in technology to make an impact on the business that we do. I have been married happily to his hometown sweetheart, Gayathri, for 14 years. They have 2 children, Pranav and Samhita, ages 10 and 7 respectively.

Besides Toastmasters, he loves traveling, cruising, Music, Cooking, Chess, tennis, and playing with kids. He earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Bangalore University and a master’s degree in computer science from NJIT. He is a graduate of The Professional MBA Price School of Business at the University of Oklahoma and has been a member of the Toastmasters program since 2011. Chandra also serves on the board of trustees for the Tulsa Hindu Temple and serves as a treasurer.

I love Toastmasters. I was born and raised in Oklahoma City. I am married to Theresa L. Ross, and we have two children, TC Ross (31) and Destiny Ross (26). We also have two grandchildren. Kai L Colston (6) and Kinzley T Ross (3). I am employed with the Oklahoma City Federation of Classified Employees; with confidence from toastmasters, I changed my employment. Toastmasters continue to be my support system encouraging me to do the best job possible.

Toastmasters is where I go to improve my communication and leadership skills with friends who are passionate about improving theirs. This becomes a win-win situation for both of us. It is an awesome feeling knowing I am working every day to be a better version of myself.

This ever-changing version of myself is improving, and I have the opportunity to share what’s going in with you and anyone I come in contact with. One of my greatest achievements in toastmasters is caring for others. It is a place where we compete, and I believe we all win because we all gain important nuggets for our lives, whether we win first place or not. At the same time, the participants deliver a message that can change lives. I am honored to serve as the Club Growth Director for District 16. (FY-2023).