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RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Calif., Sept. 10, 2014 — Mohammed Murad of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is the new International President of Toastmasters International, the world’s leading organization devoted to communication and leadership skills development. Murad assumed the one-year term during the organization’s 83^rd annual International Convention, held Aug. 20-23 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Access Murad’s photo here.

Murad is is an entrepreneur and Managing Director of three companies. Along with extensive experience in global marketing and branding, Murad has more than 28 years of experience at the director and chief executive officer levels in emergency medical services management, human resource development and strategic planning for organizations.

Murad says Toastmasters will always be important in his life. “I am excited by the opportunity to give back to the organization that has given me so much.”

Toastmasters International has 109 clubs in United Arab Emirates. Murad credits the organization for aiding his transformation from a police officer to the first Arab International President in the history of the 90-year-old organization. “Toastmasters has greatly improved my communication and leadership skills,” Murad says. “During my term as International President, I look forward to watching the continued growth of our members and clubs both in Dubai and throughout the world.”

Murad holds an MBA and a Master of Quality Management degree from the University of Wollongong in New South Wales, Australia. He is also a graduate of the City of Dubai’s Leadership Development Program, and has received training at Harvard, London Business School and the Singapore School of Government.

A dedicated Toastmaster since 1996, Murad has held a number of high-profile leadership positions within the organization, and has attained the Distinguished Toastmaster designation—the highest level of educational achievement in the organization.

As International President, Murad is the highest ranked officer on the Toastmasters Board of Directors. He joins the following newly elected officers on the Toastmasters International 2014-15 Executive Committee:

• Jim Kokocki of New Brunswick, Canada—International President-elect
• Mike Storkey of Queensland, Australia—First Vice President
• Balraj Arunasalam of Western Province, Sri Lanka—Second Vice President

For more information about Toastmasters, visit http://mediacenter.toastmasters.org.

About Toastmasters International

Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of meeting locations. Headquartered in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, the organization’s membership exceeds 313,000 in more than 14,650 clubs in 126 countries. Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people of all backgrounds become more confident in front of an audience. For information about local Toastmasters clubs, visit www.toastmasters.org. Follow @Toastmasters on Twitter.