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

The Toastmasters Podcast with Greg Gazin

The Toastmasters Podcast is like a radio talk show featuring interviews with Toastmasters usually featured in the Toastmaster magazine. The purpose of the podcast is to amplify the magazine - to dig deeper or to put a voice to a face or written wordBut unlike a radio show, a podcast is on the Internet, and available, for free, to anyone in the world with an Internet connection, and a connected device capable of playing audio. 260+ episodes are at ToastmastersPodcast.comThe Toastmasters Podcast is co-produced by Toastmasters International and Archieboy Holdings, LLC, for our global audience of Toastmasters and those interested in public speaking and leadership.

[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 clubs
• How executive support can elevate a club’s visibility and success
• Ways to grow and sustain membership in a busy workplace
• How Toastmasters builds collaboration, connection, and confidence at work
• The personal and professional lessons Lance has gained from his Toastmasters experience

Read 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 Kotler

Lance 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 clubs

Wait 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.