#287: Corporate Club Success: Gaining Executive Support is a Key – Lance Kotler

[31:36] What does it take to build a thriving Corporate Toastmasters club within a business—and turn it into a catalyst for professional growth and company culture? In this episode, Greg Gazin chats with Lance Kotler, a Vice President at BNY Mellon and Vice President of Membership for the BNY Mellon Toastmasters Club in New York City. Lance, one of five members featured in a recent Toastmaster magazine article, shares  his experiences in how his club helped organize a global open house that drew more than 2,000 attendees—including the company’s CEO. He shares how his CEO embraces Toastmasters and how he spoke openly about his vulnerability on his public speaking journey.Lance also discusses how gaining executive awareness and sponsorship can transform a club’s visibility and impact, and how Toastmasters continues to bring people together across all levels of an organization.He further opens up about his own personal journey—how joining Toastmasters soon after starting at BNY Mellon helped him grow as a communicator, connect with leaders across the company, and develop skills that directly benefit his career.Listen now and discover:What makes corporate clubs unique—and how they differ from community clubsHow executive support can elevate a club’s visibility and successWays to grow and sustain membership in a busy workplaceHow Toastmasters builds collaboration, connection, and confidence at workThe personal and professional lessons Lance has gained from his Toastmasters experienceRead more in “Corporate Clubs Get Creative – Gaining Executive Support Is a Key to Success,” by Emily Sachs, DTM, in the October 2025 issue of Toastmaster magazine.About Lance KotlerLance Kotler is a Vice President at BNY Mellon in the Treasury Services group, working with some of the company’s largest energy and utility clients in payments, cash management, and trade finance. He’s been with the organization for three and a half years and a Toastmaster since joining the bank, serving as Vice President of Membership for the past two and a half years.A graduate of Johns Hopkins University, Lance earned majors in International Studies, Economics, and Political Science, with minors in Financial Economics, Spanish, and History.He lives in New York City, NY and can be reached at  lkot1004 at gmail.com.Additional Resources:You can also read in the same issue another article by Emily Sachs where she features corporate club expert PIP Pat Johnson where she offers a wealth of insights on corp clubsWait there’s more…You can listen to Pat Johnson on The Toastmasters Podcast episode 148 in an extended interview where she deep dives into…the topic and shares about her book, Handbook for Building & Sustaining Vibrant Toastmaster Programs in Corporations.