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.
Amol Palve
Club Growth Director
Amol is the founder of IndustrySpan Consulting.
Originally from India and living in the Netherlands
for nine years, he enjoys connecting people, sharing knowledge, and growing together.
In addition to Toastmasters, he is also part of the
TEDx Eindhoven Organizing Committee.
“Be the change you want to see in the world!”
Home: Netherlands
Club: Lighttown Speakers
City: Eindhoven
Email: amolpalve.tm@gmail.com
Léon van der Ploeg
Assistant 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
Cinzia Berrittella
(New) Club Quality Chair
Italian born and bred, volcanologist by study, geek by nature and data expert by trade, Cinzia moved to the Netherlands in 2006 as a Ph.D. student and has lived busily ever since.
Cinzia has a talent for solving complex problems, giving structure to organizational strategies and architectural designs, governing data in digital transformations and AI initiatives. She is very proud of her professional keynotes because – even though they concern data – the audience is still awake at the end!
“Never take kindness for granted,
and never mistake it for weakness.”
Home: Amsterdam Early Bird Toastmasters
Club: Lighttown Speakers
City: Amstelveen
Email: c.berrittella.tm@gmail.com
Irene Anggreeni
Club Extension Chair
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
Juan Manuel Gonzalez Huesca
Club Growth Public Relations Chair
Juan is a seasoned professional in Artificial Intelligence
who is always looking to create value with data-driven solutions.
He is on a lifetime journey to maximize his full potential
and be the best version of himself to make
a positive impact in the world.
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”
Home: Netherlands
Club: Lighttown Speakers
City: Eindhoven
Email: juanmghuesca@gmail.com
Marina Elena Tataram
Club Extension Chair
Born in Bucharest, ex lecturer, researcher and translator, Marina works in Luxembourg for the Publications Office of the European Union. Other interests include her friends and family (4 nieces and 4 nephews), choir singing, amateur acting, various non-profits, at least four Toastmaster clubs of which three club committees, EasySpeak support for District 59, and club growth.
“Let’s make things better”
Home: Luxembourg
Club: Black Forest Toastmasters of Brussels
City: Luxembourg
Email: m.tataram@gmail.com
Natascha Jacobsz
Club Retention Chair
Originally from South Africa, Natascha has spent the majority of her career on stage. First as a television journalist, and since moving to the Netherlands in 2015, as a professional storytelling coach. With a passion for people, conversation facilitation and the power of the spoken word, she helps corporates, political leaders, TEDx speakers, fellow Toastmasters and other changemakers alike, to find, hone and share their own powerful and authentic narratives.
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
Home: Netherlands
Club: Amsterdam Early Bird Toastmasters
City: Amstelveen
Email: NataschaJ.TM@gmail.com
Nilesh Parmeshwar Palve
Internal Stakeholder Manager
Nilesh Palve is an avid reader and works as a demand planner for Medtronic.
In his free time, he enjoys traveling to new places, meeting new people,
and listening to their stories. He joined Toastmasters to connect with
like-minded individuals and develop his leadership skills.
“You only fail when you stop trying.”
Home: Netherlands
Club: Lighttown Speakers
City: Eindhoven
Email: nileshpalve97@gmail.com
Arnout Nederpelt
Club Growth Advisor
“I refuse to accept a world that is not inclusive
of neurodivergents like myself.”
Home: Netherlands
Club: ASML Toastmasters
City: Nuenen
Email: arnout.nederpelt@mensa.nl
Gilles Bacquet
Club Growth Advisor
Gilles has a double master in Engineering with a speciality in Production & Supply Chain as an executive MBA. With more than 20 years of experience in consulting as Subject Matter Expert and product owner, he joined Toastmasters to enhance his communication skills, but focuses today serving the District Trio. Gilles obtained his DTM in 2023.
“May the force be with you.”
Home: France
Club: Toulouse Toastmasters Communication
City: Blagnac
Email: gilles.bacquet.tm@gmail.com
Kate Parvis
Club Growth Advisor
A decade-long Toastmaster in Paris, France, American-born Kate has lived in France for 40 years. After earning her masters in Japanese and international commerce at the French National Institute of Oriental Languages, she was a conference interpreter and translator before devoting herself to running her real estate holdings developed with her French husband. When not traveling with her husband, she performs amateur standup comedy in French and English. Kate was a Pathways Guide and has held almost every club board position. She hopes to earn her DTM in 2025.
“In life, you have to make choices.
You can own a white cat or wear black, but not both.”
Home: Bagnolet
Club: Agora 75 Club
City: France
Email: parvisk123@gmail.com
Milena Loga
Club Growth Advisor
Milena is originally from Romania. She came to the Netherlands for a short stay, fell in love with the country and stayed. In 2014, Milena found the courage to join a Toastmasters Club in her company, McDermott (former CB&I), hoping to gain confidence and leadership skills. Milena has been a Club officer since the chartering of her club. Former Area Director, DTM and Pathways Advisor for District 59, she is on a mission to spread knowledge about Pathways and EasySpeak. She has been involved in the chartering of two Corporate Clubs.
“I make connections and give everyone all the help they need.”
Home: Netherlands
Club: McDermott TM The Hague
City: The Hague
Email: mloga.toastmaster@gmail.com
