EXPERIENCE

Shirley E. Daley, DTM

Proven leader and communicator with a passion to serve others in all aspects of her career as a Toastmaster, business leader and community builder.

Let’s take a look at a few highlights of my amazing journey which has prepared me to serve on the Toastmasters International Board of Directors:

Toastmasters International Experience

As the District Director, I collaborated with the District Executive Committee in developing communication and training policies to suit cultural context based on the uniqueness of our district with 29 sovereign nations speaking 5 different languages.

I led the District Trio in formulating and implementing the District 81 Success Plan 2010-2011 and gave oversight to the team in budgeting and spending prudently in order to realize our goals in the DSP.

I was a member of the Region Advisor Committee that developed the District Strategies Guide for the District Success Plan in 2023.

Professional Experience

With dual careers in the educational and financial services sectors spanning 40 years, I have the advantage of a wide breadth of experience at the managerial level. I have not only led various strategic work groups but have collaborated with diversified management teams to prepare and execute strategic plans for a range of businesses. This has allowed me to interact with boards of national corporations and educational institutions as well as not for profit organizations.

I bring over 40 years of experience in both corporate governance and strategic leadership, having served on several boards and held managerial roles in the finance and not for profit sectors.

My key strengths include a strong background in strategic planning, where I have successfully led initiatives that enhanced organizational growth and streamlined operations. I have a proven record of financial oversight, having managed multi-million-dollar budgets and driven efficient cost-management strategies. its associated responsibilities, highlighting notable achievements.

Volunteer/Community Experience

I am the current President of the Jamaica Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (JAIFA) having served on the Board of Directors for the last 5 years.

As a member, I made a significant contribution to the association’s strategic planning process. Now, being the President of the association, as part of my key role, I am currently leading the team in the development of the Association’s 2-5 Year Strategic Success Plan incorporating education, legislation, and members’ welfare.

I served as Chair of the Advisory Committee for the Master of Science Workforce Training and Education at the University of Technology, Jamaica with responsibility for reviewing the study program to ensure its optimal value and relevance to the academic community and wider society.

I work as a ministry leader, voluntarily mentoring/coaching youth leaders in Churches and the disadvantaged in the wider Community – helping to enhance their interpersonal communication and leadership skills.

The experience through volunteering has strengthened my knowledge base, ability to focus, boosted my confidence as my contribution has influenced strategic direction and policy decisions.

Additional Experience

My strong personal and professional communication and leadership skills underscore the ability to function as a workshop facilitator, guest speaker and master of ceremonies among other roles on the local and international stage.

Fluency in English, Spanish and French gives me an opportunity to help enable cultural adaptability, which augurs well in taking Toastmasters into the future.

Writer/Author – Produced and published the book, La France La Jamaique Arrive for 1998 World Cup in France.

Thoughts and Tips on Leadership

The leadership guru, John Maxwell reminds us that, “Everything rises and falls with leadership.”

Consider these time-tested tips:

  1. Think about how achieving your personal goals while leading will impact those around you – Big picture!

  2. Reflect on your experience in leading and determine your dominant leadership style

  3. Show your team that you are not afraid of bad decisions; speak positively about making subsequent decisions and how they might play out more effectively moving forward.

Take a pause, breathe, but don’t wait too long to plan your next move and decide again. (from Toasmaster Magazine, February 2020: Decisions, Decisions)