2024-2025 Communication & Leadership Award
What is the Communication and Leadership Award?
The Communication and Leadership Award is a prestigious honor presented by Toastmasters International districts. It recognizes a non-Toastmaster — someone outside of the organization — who has demonstrated outstanding communication and leadership skills in their community, industry, or profession.
Recipients of this award are typically individuals who inspire others, lead initiatives that make a significant impact, and communicate effectively to bring about positive change. The award highlights the values that Toastmasters champions: the importance of clear communication and strong leadership in making a difference in the world.
Each Toastmasters district selects its own honoree, often presenting the award at a major event like a district conference or special ceremony.
Communication & Leadership Award Recipient
Meet Lindsey Meister
Lindsey Meister is the Senior Events Manager at GROWMARK, Inc., an agricultural cooperative headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois. She plays a key role within the company’s Event Management and Travel Operations team, where she is responsible for planning and executing events that support GROWMARK’s mission and brand presence in the agricultural sector. Lindsey has been involved in several professional organizations, including the National Grain & Feed Association, Cooperative Communicators Association, and the National Agri-Marketing Association. Lindsey has her bachelor's degree in marketing from Southern Illinois University and is pursuing her MBA at Illinois State University and will graduate this May.
In addition to her professional responsibilities, Lindsey is actively involved in the local community. She is a member of Bloomington-Normal Sunrise Rotary and will serve as the incoming President for 2025-2026. She serves as a Chamber Ambassador for the McLean County Chamber of Commerce, representing GROWMARK and fostering connections within the business community. Lindsey enjoys volunteering for many organizations in the community, such as The Baby Fold, Home Sweet Home Ministries, Midwest Foodbank, Miracle League, Youth Build, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Lindsey has also served the City of Bloomington as a Liquor Commissioner since 2017.
Lindsey was awarded the State of Illinois Senate Recognition for the Shoop Shift Leadership Award for making a difference in her organization. She was also nominated for McLean County’s Women of Distinction Award in 2014 and most recently a finalist for the Athena Award in McLean County in 2024.
Lindsey is passionate about bringing people together, both personally and professionally. She believes in the importance of having strong community ties to leverage her skills and resources to drive positive change. She aims to inspire and influence others to support our community's future through service above self. Kindness, integrity, and professionalism are the cornerstones of her personality, and she strives to embody those principles in all facets of her life. Her combined efforts in event management and community involvement highlight her commitment to both professional excellence and civic engagement.