Club Officers

A high-functioning club cannot run without a team of dedicated leaders. Executive Committee officers are elected by the members of the club for six-month terms. Our club officers for July 1 - December 31 2024 are:

President and Mentorship Director: Alexander Denk, DTM

Alexander joined Toastmasters in 2009. An entrepreneur and businessman, Alexander is a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) speaker with Toastmasters International, holding the highest honors. Professionally, he began his American film career by doubling and doing stunts for international action star Arnold Schwarzenegger. He has also been an award-winning top chef, earning a Master's Degree in nutrition and cooking.

As Club President, Alexander presides over Club meetings and the Executive Committee, guides the Club in carrying out its mission and insures that all Club activities are in accordance with Toastmasters International guidelines. He also attends and votes in District Business meetings. The president sets the tone for the entire club through preparation, conducting well-run meetings and providing leadership whenever required.

The President, along with the entire executive committee, shares the responsibilities to deliver a positive member experience, achieve goals, drive membership growth and look for future leaders.

Come to Alexander with any questions/concerns/comments about your individual Toastmasters goals, your Club experience, getting more involved or just to check in!

VP of Education: Dari Mackenzie, DTM

Dari is a Distinguished Toastmaster who joined 90210 in 2008. She’s a curious creative who's acted for Federico Fellini; made music with Lou Reed, Steve Winwood, Jerry Lee Lewis, and many more; and created her sold-out One Woman ‘Some of My Parts’ which grew out of her thesis project for a Master's Program in Spiritual psychology. Acts of Service is her love language. Dari loves her family, her 90210 community, and coaching Speakers in both 90210 and Privately.

As VP of Education, Dari is committed to supporting members to become skilled speakers and storytellers, effective evaluators, and laudable leaders. Her responsibilities include scheduling Member's speeches and roles; educating and supporting the member journey through Pathways and Basecamp programs; and tracking member progress.

Come to Dari to schedule a speech; and clarify questions about the educational programs and FreeToastHost (FTH), as well as working with and on the Toastmasters International website. Let’s have FUN!

VP of Public Relations: Cyrus Kashfian PI1

Cyrus Kashfian is a commercial real estate entrepreneur in Los Angeles. He received a Master of Real Estate Development from the University of Southern California and is the proud father to two lovely children. Cyrus joined Toastmasters in 2023 to improve his pitching and effective communication skills.

As VP of PR, Cyrus coordinates active public relations and publicity programs for the club. This includes managing the website, updating Facebook & Instagram, and developing strategic relationships with other local organizations.

Come to Cyrus to discuss press opportunities for the club, suggest guest speaker possibilities, field questions from news media, or offer suggestions about the website and/or our presence on social media channels.

VP of Membership: Catherine Cheng, ACB/CL

Catherine works in supply chain for a large cosmetics brand by day and makes cookies, dumplings and other yummy creations for her catering business by night. She first joined Toastmasters 90210 in 2009. This is her third round as Vice President of Membership for 90210, after serving in many other leadership roles both at 90210 and other local clubs, including 2 terms each as President, VP of Membership and VP of Education.

As VP of Membership, Catherine’s job is to ensure the health of our club membership at all stages. This includes coordinating club visits from visiting guests, then coordinating the membership registration process for each guest who decides to join our esteemed club and community as a member (SPOILER: they almost always do! Come see why!), then ensuring that that member is supported at all stages of their Toastmasters journey - whether they are brand new to Toastmasters or even to public speaking in general, or if they're seasoned Toastmasters veterans with years of speaking environment and everything in between. Making sure each member knows they are part of something special at Toastmasters 90210, and that it's special because of what each member brings to the club, is a job Catherine takes very seriously.

Come to Catherine to learn more about joining the club and to receive a new member application.

Secretary: Shawn Imai DL1

Shawn has been a member of Toastmasters 90210 for 10+ years, having served in many officer capacities during that time. He had to take a leave of absence when he moved to Tokyo for work but has now returned to LA and is excited to be a part of the next chapter of the club. Aside from being a CPA by trade, he can also be consulted for advice on good izakaya to visit when in Japan

As Secretary, Shawn is responsible for maintaining all club records, managing club files, handling club correspondence, and taking minutes at each club and executive committee meeting.

Come to Shawn with updates to your membership information or changes to your Toastmasters designation.

Treasurer: Rodney Zhu PI1

Rodney is a Subcontract Administrator at Blue Origin. He joined Toastmasters in 2023 to improve his speaking and negotiating with suppliers. He also wants to improve his ability to think and respond quickly on his feet. Lastly, Rodney aims to improve his presentation skills, especially in front of company leadership.

As Club Treasurer, Rodney manages the club's finances, which includes planning club expenses, preparing a budget, collecting and submitting membership-renewal dues to Toastmasters World Headquarters, and filing necessary tax documents.

Come to Rodney as a new member to pay your membership dues and as a returning member to renew your biannual club dues.

Sergeant-at-Arms: Ronald Cheng VC2

Ronald is a Manufacturing Engineer at The Marvin Group. He strives to become a more confident, fluid, and articulate speaker and a better listener. He enjoys long-distance running and hiking. Through these activities, he aims to inspire people to test their limits, explore, better understand, and strengthen physical and mental endurance. As a huge astronomy fan, he also enjoys road trips out to see stars and the Milky Way. Astronomy frees and liberates his mind from daily stress while also emphasizing humility.

As Sergeant-at-Arms, Ronald is responsible for preparing the classroom before each meeting, opening and closing every meeting, and escorting new members in and out of the classroom during new member inductions and speech contests.

Come to Ronald for help in setting up your presentation, with questions regarding our meeting room, or if you need a new name tag made.

Club Founder Ann Hastings, DTM, PID

Ann Hastings retired in the year 2000 after 40 years working in Corporate America. Her last position as the Law Department Administrator in a Fortune 500 company included the preparation of a $10M budget, purchasing equipment, Human Resources Administrator and managing a staff of 65 employees.

Ann served as an instructor for UCLA Extension working with young professionals, leading them through the fear of public speaking. She also sits on the Board of the HRD Management Company, a real estate enterprise with properties in California and Texas.

Ann joined Toastmasters International in January, 1991. She served as a member of the board of directors for Toastmasters International from 2005 – 2007. Ann is the founder of Toastmasters 90210. The club was chartered in December of 1999. We recently celebrated our 20th anniversary.

Her public speaking career encompasses training, coaching and presenting at various corporations and associations. These include Raytheon, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Magic Johnson Enterprises, the Association of Legal Administrators, the Soroptimist Organization and the Girls Club of Los Angeles.

Ann has lived in West Los Angeles and Santa Monica for most of her life. She attended Marymount High School, the University of Southern California and Sawyers Business School. She also has a real estate license. Ann is a widow and has one adult son, Bradford.