25 Years of Purpose, One Mantra: Do It Well
When Rene told me she was turning 25, I froze for a moment, my mouth slightly open in disbelief. Twenty-five? No, that couldn’t be. Not with the way she carries herself — measured, graceful, and thoughtful in speech. She moves through rooms and responsibilities with the kind of maturity you don’t expect from someone in their mid-twenties. I had to chuckle. She had fooled me, and I suspect I wasn’t the only one.
But that’s Rene Mettle-Nunoo for you. Steady, focused, and quietly powerful.
She was just 20 when she joined Toastmasters in October 2020, entering not with fanfare or flash but with calm determination. From the start, she seemed to understand something that takes many of us years to grasp. Anything worth doing is worth doing well. That’s her mantra, and she lives by it. True to form, Rene threw herself into the work, not just speeches and evaluations but the hard, often overlooked parts of leadership too.
Over the years, she has worn many hats. Club Secretary. Treasurer. Vice President Education. Vice President Membership. President. And not just once, but across multiple clubs: Me Hemaa, CS Relentless, Toastmasters R Us. Today, she stands tall as Area Director for Area 11, Division C.
What’s remarkable about Rene isn’t just the list of titles. It’s how she has held them with grace in chaos, patience with people, and a quiet resilience that’s hard to teach. Volunteer leadership can be exhausting. You call and no one answers. You plan and people cancel. But Rene? She shows up. She tries again. She listens. She learns. And she leads.
There’s something deeply reassuring about a person who doesn’t flinch in the face of difficulty. She doesn’t chase applause, but her consistency commands respect. She doesn’t need to be loud to be heard. Her presence alone speaks volumes.
And then there’s her infectious smile. Rene’s laugh, hearty and sincere, fills any space with warmth. It’s impossible not to feel uplifted by her energy. If you need a dose of humour or some encouragement, just check her WhatsApp status—it’s a blend of inspiration and wit that never fails to brighten your day.
At just 25, she already feels like an old soul. And yet, she’s only just begun.
Her toastmasters’ story is a blueprint for anyone looking to develop their leadership skills, improve their communication, and truly make an impact.
Happy birthday Rene. May your path continue to be lit by purpose, and may we all learn to lead with heart, just like you do.
