Page 7 - March 2020

Carmil Ritchey, DTM
Not Just About Leadership

and Communication

Phyllis Harmon, DTM

Carmil Ritchey, DTM—Division E Director, answsers
questions posed by the editor. In this getting-to-

know-you article, Carmil shares highlights from her
Toastmasters journey.

Why did you join Toastmasters?

I joined Toastmasters originally in the early 1990s
as a charter member of a corporate club for Farmers
Insurance Group in Vancouver, Washington. Unlike
most people, I enjoyed public speaking in high school

and college. So, I was excited to be a part of this new
opportunity.
The communication and leadership skills I learned
helped me move into a middle management position

within the firm. It also helped me as I served as the
Washington State Director of the National Association
of Insurance Women and on the Board of Catholic
Community Services.

As I made career changes, at times relocating, I didn’t
always maintain my Toastmasters membership. But
I always came back because I found that if you don’t
practice a skill, you lose it.

VOICES! | MARCH 2020 7