Steven Drapkin, a member of the Meadowlands Chamber of Commerce, as well as a co-chair of the Chamber’s Emerging Leaders Network was recently named as the 2026 Toastmaster of the Year for Toastmasters District 83. Toastmasters is an organization that works to enhance the communication and leadership skills of its guests to help them grow.
“Steven’s innovation, creativity, and commitment to excellence have been instrumental in advancing District 83’s communications and public relations initiatives,” said Pamela Johnson, Immediate Past District 83 Director, who selected Drapkin jointly with District Director Kadian Grant. “His leadership and fresh perspective continue to drive positive engagement and strengthen relationships throughout the community.”
Steven Drapkin runs Drap Media, a brand strategy practice that helps companies on positioning, messaging and visual identity. Drapkin’s first encounter with the Meadowlands Chamber came when he emailed the organization to invite its members to a Toastmasters open house. That would eventually lead to a Chamber membership, a larger network and a position as a co-chair on the Chamber’s Emerging Leaders Network. Tigran Mikayelyan, founder of SkyPivot, and Easton Brenner, financial advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, are co-chairs alongside Drapkin on the Emerging Leaders Network.
Drapkin joined Toastmasters in June 2024, at just 18 years old, and was appointed District 83 Public Relations Manager just a year later. Throughout his time in that role, Drapkin has led the design and launch of a new District 83 website, delivered over 20 training sessions for club Vice Presidents of Public Relations, earning the District Star Trainer Award, among many other impressive achievements.
Another role that Drapkin holds is as president of Speak and Lead Toastmasters in Rutherford, which has grown from 22 to 33 members since he overtook the club’s public relations in July 2024. The skills that Drapkin was able to learn at District 83, from public speaking to leadership, are the same ones that are meant to be strengthened through the Emerging Leaders Network.