For many people, being interviewed can be stressful. But that's not the case for Margaret Page.

As one of five final candidates vying for the position of second vice president of Toastmasters International, the Lakeland College alumna relished the opportunity to be interviewed and not just by one person. In fact, Page was interviewed by 140 people in panels of three or four.

“There were hundreds of people asking me questions in a short period of time, but when you can get eyeball to eyeball with somebody, I feel the communication is so much deeper, richer and real. I loved it,” says Page, Class of 1996 accounting and 1997 business management.

The interviews were part of the election process held at the 87th annual Toastmasters convention in 2018. Following multiple days of interviews and giving a two-minute speech on camera, international representatives from Toastmasters cast their vote for Page.

“We owe it to those who came before us to leave the organization in a better place for those who come next. This speaks of Lakeland College as well, when you have a long history I think there's a deeper responsibility,” says Page, a Toastmaster member since 2003. In 2012-2013, she served as District 21 Governor in British Columbia where she was responsible for 6,000 members, 295 clubs and a district leadership team of 110 people. Page was also recently a member of the Toastmasters International board of directors.

Prior to throwing her hat into the ring for second vice president, Page reached out to 500 different Toastmasters members from around the world to learn what they wanted from the renowned organization.

"I felt if they were to elect me to lead them my responsibility as a candidate was to really understand them. It was fascinating to hear their hopes and dreams, and desires for the future and what Toastmasters meant to them,” says Page, noting Toastmasters' membership totals 360,000 worldwide.

“It's time for the organization to build partnerships and alliances with other organizations around the globe to continue to grow our methodology."

Being elected second vice president of this international non-profit educational organization is one of many professional accomplishments for Page. With more than 30 years of success as an entrepreneur and business leader, Page has founded several specialized companies, including Beyond the Page Coaching, Etiquette Page and Page the Coach. She's also a published author, professional speaker and popular radio, television, and social media personality.

Page attributes her work ethic to her love of learning, which she says was sparked when she studied at Lakeland. “I came to the college as a mature student, but I was finally ready to learn. Now the more hours I can spend learning, the better I like it,” says Lakeland's 2013 Distinguished Alumna.  

“I owe Lakeland for that; they really opened my eyes to the value of learning."