Board Officers
Every year, Mercury club members elect our board to a one-year term beginning July 1. If you’re already a member, why not consider running for office? Every year brings exciting new opportunities to support and develop our club.
Eva Goellner – Immediate Past President
Lucio Buffalmano – President
Lucio likes trying new things and becoming a better person. He gave Mercury a shot on a quest to improve public speaking. You can imagine Lucio’s pleasure in finding out Mercury is much more than “just” public speaking. Mercury is live entertainment, live art, and it’s being part of that art. The people at Mercury are a family of bright, fascinating people. Lucio writes on social skills and social dynamics and he swears he is not as douchy as the picture here suggests.
Eva Goellner – Sergent at Arms
As an interpreter I spend a great deal of my time thinking about the right word – expressing the thoughts of others. I love the Toastmasters because they give me a chance to explore my own thoughts! In my spare time I love running, reading and roaming the great Brandenburg plains with my dog.
Stephanie Haight – Secretary
Dora Ivanova – VP Membership
Lars Siegert – VP Education
At Mercury Toastmasters Berlin I found a fun and safe place to work on my communication and leadership skills. As a consultant and business development manager conveying my thoughts and concepts effectively is a key to a successful collaboration with clients and colleagues. Beyond that, I met wonderful people with the curiosity and lifelong learning attitude I appreciate.
Sebastian Thomsen – Treasurer
I’m an entrepreneurial-minded engineer, passionate about circular economy, product and business development. Proper communication skills are essential for conveying ideas and gaining support from team members, suppliers, clients, investors and other stakeholders (including my wife :)). Mercury provides a fun, feedback-oriented, inspirational and safe environment helping me become not just a better speaker, but also a better version of myself.
Introducing More of Our Club Members
Mounia Benbouchta
I’m a big fan of Mercury Toastmasters. Since my very first visit, I felt it’s what I’m looking for: an enriching learning experience, in a supportive atmosphere, shared with great like-minded people. I’m passionate about helping people to develop successful start-ups. Also, I’m a big Berlin fan and travel junkie! 😉
Mahi Sall
I joined Toastmasters to sharpen my communication & leadership skills. Mercury TM club is my home base. Here I found the perfect lab and the positive crowd to help me move towards my goal. TM is also about being part of a worldwide community of like-minded people striving for excellence. A journey worth living!
Prateek Bhurkay
Greetings, people! I am a *VERY* happy member of Mercury Toastmasters Berlin since August 2014! I am a student living in Cottbus, which means I have to travel around 2.5 hours one way by train for Mercury Toastmasters meetings…. WORTH IT! Once I joined this club, there was no looking back. I took off and really got into it! My personal motto is: “Onward and upward!”. My second favourite motto is “Come to Toastmasters! Good things happen here!”
Ronald Czachara
As an entrepreneur and in private I love to learn and to grow. For me, Toastmasters is about speaking, it is about listening and it is so much more. It is an inspiring place where you can improve your communication skills together in a team of exciting people from around the world – and it is fun too …. 😉
Beate Keydel
I am a business coach, mediator and trainer… and an enthusiastic member of Toastmasters. It is a wonderful place to improve speaking and communication skills. And it is so much fun to exchange ideas with my fellow Toastmasters.
Matt Koppenheffer
By day I’m a business executive, but by night I’m Batman! … er… wait, no, I’m a Mercurian! (which is even better). Toastmasters offers a great structure for becoming a better and more confident speaker and leader, and Mercury takes that to the next level with an amazing group of ultra-talented and helpful members. Personally and professionally I’ve benefited immensely from being part of Mercury.
Hanjo Lu
Being sales person in IT for work and passionate sports person in my spare time, requires me to constantly step out of my comfort zone to improve skills (which isn’t always easy, but rewarding). Speaking in public, expressing thoughts and exciting the audience has been one, which I always wanted to work on. Seeing people at toastmasters mastering that skill, and having heard from, how they started have inspired me to follow that path and join the community.
Renko Pauwels
I’m a Belgian marketing professional who’s passionate about entrepreneurship, media and communication. I joined Mercury Toastmasters to boost my public speaking and leaderships skills. I also found like-minded speakers who inspire me. A great excuse to turn off my computer and reconnect with the real world.
Wendy Wallace Husser
A “sun bunny” from snowy Denver, Colorado I now live in the hipster playground of Berlin and coach people to boost their English and communication skills. Oh the Places You’ll Go! – a children’s book by Dr. Seuss – best describes my Toastmasters experience. It’s been a sparkly adventure of laughs and learning.
Yasha Wallin
Once a timid public speaker, I am now an empowered (albeit still slightly terrified) public speaker, thanks to an amazing year in Mercury Toastmasters. Hailing from California, I am an editor working with various brands and often called upon to present my ideas. Through Mercury, I’ve found the skills and strength to do so. When I’m not giving speeches about life and love I can be found running around Mitte, traveling as often as possible, and supporting Mercury as VP of Membership.
Jenny Luise Wittmer
As a Marketing professional from Berlin who has worked in Tokyo, I love the diversity of members at Mercury Toastmasters. The club meetings are full of positive energy and inspiring speeches. There are many opportunities to speak up, receive feedback and learn fast – a good way to improve both public speaking and leadership skills while having a great time.
