Meet Our Executive

Greg Levett – Project Manager

Vice President Education 

Wayne Christensen – Author

Vice President Education

Wayne joined Toastmasters a long time ago, when he was a young copywriter in an advertising agency and suffered from extreme nerves when presenting creative concepts to clients.Wayne credits what he learned Toastmasters with helping him build one of New Zealand’s most successful advertising agencies. His suggestion to improve your presentation skills: “Don’t wait trying to find the confidence. Just find the courage to have a go.You’ll learn that the more you do, the easier it gets. You’re not stuck where you are, unless you decide to be.” Wayne stays involved, he says, “Because, like the gym, you get no benefit unless you keep going.”

Vice President Membership

Emma Ferris – Stress & Resilience Coach

Vice President Public Relations

Emma’s journey to concur her fear of speaking started when she was 12. After struggling with a speech impediment she learned the power of her voice through Speech & Drama training. From then on she was hooked. Emma’s lofty dream of being an international speaker required her to take her skills to the next level which is why she joined up with Queenstown Toastmaster in 2016.

Toastmaster has been a pivotal place where Emma has grown her skills which have tranferred over into her online business, public speaking and coaching. Starting out as a breathing coach and Physiotherapist she has been able to lauch her business The Breath Effect and now runs retreats around the world, runs online courses and coaching and business leadership trainings.

Emma has now launched a true crime podcast called Conning The Con and has just launched her new wellbeing podcast, The Bravery Academy. 

Emma says “Toastmasters isn’t just a public speaking gym. First and foremost it is an inclusive, safe community that makes you feel connected”.

Thijs Hubber – Accountant

Treasurer

Sargeant at Arms

Lorenzo Ritani – Project Manager

Secretary

I am a construction project manager based in Queenstown and am an avid outdoor enthusiast. I joined to become more comfortable at work delivering verbal information, charring meetings, giving presentations. Ive been with QT toastmasters coming up 2 years. I want to be like Paddy, the current past president, who can commands a room and delivers information to everyone in the room with ease.

Paddy Turnhout – Personal Trainer & Coach

Immediate Past President

From travelling different parts of the world to tiki touring around New Zealand in a van I have always loved public speaking but never known how to improve. When moving to Queenstown early 2021 I was told about toastmasters and since then I have learnt much more than just how to feel comfortable on stage. With this great community I have made friends, mentors and networked with a variety of different people which I don’t think would have happened otherwise. 8 months in and I can’t wait to be around longer.