An electifying orator is toasting her success after she was appointed to a leading role within a national speaking organisation - Toastmasters International.
Suffolk entrepeneur Teresa Dukes will be responsible for inspiring and leading over 225 speaking clubs in the UK and Ireland, as district governor. Ms Dukes, who is based in Ipswich, was elected to the top office within Toastmasters International at its Annual Business Meeting in Sligo, Ireland.
"This is the pinnacle of my career within Toastmasters, to be honest," said Ms Dukes, who is American-born but settled in Suffolk after arriving here with her American Airforce husband in 1987. She joined Ipswich Electifiers in 1999 and started a sister club, Speak Easy @ Martlesham, in 2004, after the original club became so big a second club was needed. Both clubs now have more than 25 members, and Ms Dukes, 49, remains an active member of the Martlesham group.
She now runs her own firm, Dukes Consultancy, specialising in effective communication, leadership and speaking skills.