Love to Speak

One of my favourite quotes is “There is no telling how many miles you will have to run while chasing a dream” – Shelley K. Wall.   At the age of 17, about to embark on life outside of school, I was involved in a motorcycle accident.  I shattered my bones; I shattered my ambitions and I shattered my ability to run after anything or so I thought.

Today, I feel privileged to say that I am an award-winning speaker, business adviser and mentor.  In 2008, I began my Toastmasters journey.  I have contested six Toastmasters New Zealand Speaking Finals in Impromptu, Humorous and International Speech contests, attaining two 3rd places and winning the coveted International Speech Contest in 2012. This enabled me to represent Toastmasters New Zealand in the 2012 Toastmasters International Semi-Finals of the World Championship of Public Speaking in Orlando, Florida, USA.

Other significant Toastmasters New Zealand roles have included being selected to be an International Speech Contest Chairman, Contest Judge and Evaluation Contest “Test Speaker” for New Zealand Finals. I was also asked to MC the Toastmasters New Zealand District 72 Conference held over 3 days in May 2019 in Dunedin. 

As part of my commercial business activity, I offer speaking and presentation training to business teams and individuals (private and business).  

In 2019 I self-published two books – Sophie’s Speech and How to Save the World – One Question at a Time.    Check out the shop for those books. 

In 2020, after nearly 4 decades in such diverse industries as banking, insurance, stadia and pathology I have decided to become a business adviser.  I love business, always have.  To be a good adviser I believe you need to understand and relate to the executive and street-smart business owners.  To support this, I also act as a mentor through Business Mentors NZ and provide services through the Regional Business Partner Network.