Meet Our Speakers!

Helaina is an accomplished insurance executive with more than 30 years of industry experience. Based in Atlanta, Helaina currently serves as a Global Broker Relationship Leader with Munich Re, where she has responsibilities for leading key distribution channel partnerships focused on the successful development and execution of business strategies leading to mutual success for Munich Re and partner firms.

Over her career, Helaina has held leadership roles with Willis Towers Watson as a Global Client Advocate, with AIG where she served as a Vice President and Executive Director of Client Engagement for the AIG U.S. South Zone, and as a Claim Manager with St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company. She has proven success coordinating the execution of Fortune 500 client engagements and broker partnership strategies.

Helaina is actively involved in community groups and is a highly sought after resource given her extensive insurance experience, advocacy for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and her experience in leadership training and professional development. Helaina is a member and serves as the President of the Atlanta Association of Insurance Professionals, NAAIA Atlanta, previously serving this organization as Vice President and as co-lead for the HYPE (Helping Young Professionals Excel) program. She is an active supporter of the Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association (WSIA), serving as a speaker and scholarship committee resource, in addition to previously serving on its WSIA Diversity Talent Outreach Committee.

In addition to her industry activities, Helaina serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Make-A-Wish Georgia, Inc., member of the Atlanta Business League and UNCF. She is a graduate of Leadership Buckhead in Atlanta and currently serves as the co-lead for its Alumni Relations Committee. She is a member of the National Black MBA Association, and a member of the United Way of Greater Atlanta, African-American Partnership. Helaina has been a facilitator with INROADS, has served as a member of the Georgia 2021 Statewide Human Trafficking Task Force, and has volunteered with The Posse Foundation in Atlanta.

Helaina is originally from New Orleans, LA, and a graduate of Loyola University, in New Orleans.

Ryan currently serves as the Director, Talent and Leadership Development for Tractor Supply Company’s Store Support Center, Distribution Centers, and Petsense stores. He is responsible for designing, delivering, and evaluating impactful programs to support Team Members and leaders across the various business entities. Ryan holds a Master of Arts in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from the University of West Florida and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of the Philippines. Prior to Tractor, Ryan worked in the healthcare industry and has 10 years of progressive experience in leadership development, employee engagement and experience, and coaching. He’s been with Toastmasters since 2011 and received his Distinguished Toastmasters recognition in 2021.

Candice (Can-deece) Elizabeth Sams is a transformation
strategist and founder of the Unruly Reinvention movement,
helping leaders turn disruption into clarity, confidence, and
forward momentum. At the 2026 Toastmasters Conference, she
will deliver the keynote Unruly Reinvention: Turning Setbacks
into a Launchpad for Your Next Chapter, challenging attendees
to own their excellence by intentionally designing what comes
next.

With more than 20 years of Fortune 500 leadership experience at
Tractor Supply Company, Dematic, and Ford Motor Company,
Candice has built and scaled enterprise programs that delivered
measurable impact. Her work includes surpassing multi-year
strategic goals ahead of schedule and creating equitable pathways for businesses and people. She is known for turning complex organizational challenges into executable strategies while keeping human connection at the center of transformation.

Today, Candice is co-founder of OC Project Solutions, a consulting firm focused on strategic project management and change execution, and the creator of IamCandiceElizabeth.com, a leadership platform for bold, purpose-driven reinvention. Her work bridges corporate strategy with personal transformation, drawing from her own journey through career pivots, leadership transitions, and profound loss. These experiences bring both authority and authenticity to every stage she steps onto.
A sought-after speaker known for her presence, vulnerability, and ability to connect strategy with story, Candice empowers audiences to stop shrinking in moments of change and start communicating with the
courage their next chapter demands. Her keynotes blend practical frameworks with emotional resonance, equipping leaders to navigate uncertainty and step into their limitless potential. Candice holds an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management, graduating magna cum laude, a BS in International Business from the University of Wisconsin Stout, and a Certificate in Women’s Entrepreneurship from Cornell University. In 2024, DiversityPlus Magazine honored her as one of the Top 25 Women in Power Impacting Diversity.

Sylvia Cintron is a dynamic leader, strategist, and speaker who exemplifies breaking the mold and leading without limits. With more than 25 years of experience in Communication, Marketing, and Public Relations, Sylvia has guided organizations and leaders in building powerful narratives, strengthening influence, and driving meaningful results.

As a proud Latina and woman in leadership, Sylvia’s journey reflects resilience, courage, and a commitment to redefining excellence while creating pathways for others to rise. She is known for leading with authenticity, challenging traditional norms, and proving that leadership has no single look, voice, or path.

Central to her leadership philosophy is Sylvia’s impactful 4Ms Framework, a results-driven approach designed to empower individuals and teams:

• Management – Leading with clarity, structure, and strategic intention.
• Mentor – Developing others by sharing knowledge, opening doors, and lifting the next generation of leaders.
• Motivate – Inspiring action through purpose, passion, and connection.
• Measure – Defining success through accountability, outcomes, and continuous improvement.
• Bonus: Message – Communicating with authenticity and influence to ensure vision and impact are clearly understood.

Beyond her professional career, Sylvia is deeply committed to community impact and service. She has actively engaged with and supported organizations such as Chattanooga Room in the Inn, Chattanooga Ballet, the International Chamber of Commerce, and the Arts and Education Council, using her expertise to strengthen communities, elevate the arts, and expand access to education. As a multicultural ambassador, she champions inclusion, cultural understanding, and global connection.

As the closing speaker for the Toastmasters International District 63 Annual Conference, Sylvia will inspire attendees to fully embody the conference theme, “Limitless: Own Your Excellence.” Her message will encourage leaders to own their voice, honor their journey, and step forward with confidence—knowing that true excellence begins when we lead without limits.