Leaders in the Wild: Ed Hagstrom

June 8, 2026

As a reminder, our "Leaders in the Wild" initiative is all about shining a spotlight on those who lead from wherever they are. While we often recognize formal titles, this campaign celebrates the consistent, impactful actions that happen in the "wild"—the everyday moments where members step up, support others, and drive our Toastmasters community forward without needing a podium to do so.

“I realized that the most important thing in life isn’t about what I get out of it, but what I give. My focus is on what I can help others achieve, and what our club earns together.” - Ed

When Ed started his Toastmasters journey in 2002 at AT&T Wireless, his goals were entirely personal. As an hourly employee, he spent a year just trying to get into a management-only club, even trading his comfortable day shift for a 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM night shift for an entire year just to attend.

That sacrifice lit a spark, but his move to Costco turned it into a fire. In 2015, Ed turned a long corporate commute roadblock into a massive opportunity by founding Costco Techmasters.

While he originally joined to boost his resume, Ed never expected to find a family. Years later, when his six-year-old son was diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer, his Techmasters family rallied around him, organizing fundraisers, visiting the hospital, and serving as his absolute bedrock.

Driven by this deep culture of support, Costco Techmasters has dominated over the past decade. The club has achieved President’s and Select Distinguished status multiple times, culminating in Smedley Distinguished honors this year.

More importantly, Ed’s "give-back" philosophy has turned Techmasters into an executive incubator, successfully helping at least six peers upskill into IT Managers and three advance to Directors.

From flipping his work schedule for personal ambition in 2002, to building a thriving powerhouse that elevates everyone around him, Ed proves that true leadership is measured by the success we build together.

Congratulations on being our newest Leader in the Wild, Ed!

Anu Jokinen

District Director, 2025-2026