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Region VII will be honored with a visit from Toastmaster International Immediate Past President Dr. Dilip Abayasekara, DTM.
Dilip Abayasekara has been a Toastmaster for 20 years and is a professional speaker, trainer and speech coach.
After working as an industrial scientist for 12 years, he finally surrendered to his avocation connecting with others through the power of the spoken word.
Dr. Abayasekara, will give address Region VII with a keynote at dinner on Saturday and at a General Session on Friday afternoon.
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Joyce R. Williams is a native of South Philadelphia. Educated in the Philadelphia School System, Joyce graduated from South Philadelphia High School and furthered her education at Cheyney State College and Berlitz School of Languages where she majored in Spanish/Secondary Education. Later in life, she pursued a BA degree from Rosemont College while working full time for Independence Blue Cross.
A tireless community advocate, Joyce spent most of her professional career in the Healthcare Industry developing strategies and health prevention programs to bridge the gap between corporate America and the grass root community. Currently, Joyce is the Manager of Community Outreach and Education for Independence Blue Cross. Through her expertise and knowledge of managed care, Joyce has assisted with the development of new health care plans in the following states: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Texas and Rhode Island.
A member of IBC's Blue Crew Advisory Board, Joyce was recognized for her many volunteer and civic activities both professionally and personally. Joyce was appointed to the Metropolitan Career Center Board of Directors. The Metropolitan Career Center provides training, individual support, and programs to help unemployed and underemployed men and women in Philadelphia. Nearly 2,000 families are expected to complete the center's programs over the next three years. She was also named Chair of the Evening of Honors Auction Committee for the Arthritis Foundation. The Arthritis Foundation is a nationwide, not-for-profit organization that leads efforts to prevent, control and cure arthritis and related diseases. The Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the foundation, headquartered in Philadelphia, serves over 20 counties.
Prior to joining Independence Blue Cross, Ms. Williams, was the Director of Community Relations and Marketing for a managed care insurance provider. With the introduction of a new health plan for low- income families in the state of New Jersey, Joyce embraced the challenge by developing education forums to teach families the benefits of preventive medicine.
Among her many civic activities, Ms. Williams serves/participates with the following organizations: Board Member for the Urban League of Philadelphia, Former Conveyor for the Urban League Leadership Alumni, Board Member for Concerned Black, Served as Community Service Director for TeenShop, Inc., Board Member for the Metropolitan Career, Serves as the Auction Chair for the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Pennsylvania. 2006-2007 Auction Chair for the Arthritis Foundation, Founder of the Chat, Chew and Review Women’s Book Club and Co-founder of the C.A.S.H. (Children Accustomed to Saving Habitually) Program, recipient of the 2006 Volunteer of the Year Award from the Urban League of Philadelphia and nominated by the Women’s Resource Center for changing the lives of women and young girls. In her spare time, she volunteers for MANNA, the Ronald McDonald House, the Camden Rescue Mission, and Philadelphia Reads. |
