Vote now in our Trustee election 2025
It's Trustee election time again, where you, our members, choose who you want to join the STAMMA Board of Trustees. Read about each of the candidates here.
Each year, up to two Trustees step down from the Board and we elect two new ones to help guide our charity over the next few years. This year, a whopping 11 people have put themselves forward as candidates.
If you are a STAMMA member, you should have received an email from 'Election Runner' with details on how to vote. Check it hasn't gone to your junk folder. If you haven't received it, drop us a line at hello@stamma.org and we'll get back to you.
Get voting now and have your say!
The deadline is Tuesday 12th August at 5pm. The two successful candidates will be confirmed at our AGM on Saturday 22nd November.
Note: you can only vote if you have already signed up as a member. Not a member yet? Unfortunately you can't vote this time, but do sign up as a member (for free) so you can vote in next year's election.
Candidate profiles
Learn more about the Trustee election candidates and what they aim to bring to STAMMA below.
Brian Mister
Tell us about yourself & what difference you hope to make as a Trustee
I am an Ex-CID officer and ex-sales & marketing director, and have received an MBE for my work with the disabled community, with over 25 years of experience.
I was a founding member and Chairman of the Essex Coalition of Disabled People, Chairman of Chelmsford CVS, Vice Chair at Dementia Adventure, Chair at Independent Living Transport Group, member of the Eastern Regional Hate Crime Scrutiny committee, and board member of Health Watch Essex. I've also delivered rights, equality & diversity training for health, social care, commercial and local authorities.
Throughout my career I have worked extensively within Health and Social Care, representing service users, and I am well versed and believe in the Social Model of Disability.
I've also had extensive involvement in HR and finance committees, I've worked on many NHS and social care developments and understand the importance of charity responsibilities, as well as law and regulations.
I really enjoy public speaking and since being with STAMMA as a volunteer, I believe passionately in our vision and principles.
Why do you want to be a Trustee?
I want to get back into being a Trustee. I stepped away from previous trusteeships when my late wife became ill. I am more than happy to explain this.
I've stammered from the age of 4. Becoming a police officer, then sales & marketing director, had its challenges and now I want to support people and families where stammering is an issue.
STAMMA has taught me a lot about how I feel about stammering in a very positive way! I also belong to the Stammering & Spirituality Safe Space group, extending my understanding around stammering.
So, with my experience of the third sector, and with professional management skills, a lot of people experience, plus a passion to give back, I believe I could help make a difference.
Chris Thebe
Tell us about yourself & what difference you hope to make as a Trustee
I am a Senior Software QA Manager with over 25 years of experience in Software Development, mainly in Software Testing. My expertise includes data analytics and quality assurance skills, as well as extensive management and leadership skills.
I have a team of 30+ employees in multiple locations across the world, from North America to India. These challenges ensure I have to be very organised.
I am a lifelong expert in the multifaceted challenges faced by individuals who stammer in the workplace and am involved in creating a paper for the British Computer Society about stammering and the profession. I also actively encourage seeking opportunities to be an advocate for people who stammer. This demonstrates a strong capacity for public engagement and advocacy, relevant to the inside and outside the workplace.
I have had extensive personal experience with speech therapy throughout my life. This provides a valuable user perspective on support methods and the lived experience of stammering, informing discussions on therapy and individual needs.
Why do you want to be a Trustee?
I believe charities like STAMMA should be protected at all costs. As a person who has had a life-long stammer, I know life can be a lonely place if people haven't got a place to reach out to.
I am deeply passionate about helping people who stammer succeed in their lives and I have previously volunteered on the STAMMA helpdesk, and working with STAMMA Members, I realised just how important the charity is. I would have loved having all the services that STAMMA offer at my fingertips at the end of the telephone when I was younger.
I view this role of Trustee as a natural progression of my current voluntary work at Trimble, where I have been involved in multiple initiatives of education and advocacy in its diversity, equity and inclusion programme, where I lead the Neurodiversity Employee Network.
Finally, I believe that people who stammer 'should be judged by the words they say, not how they say them,' and I am committed to changing societal attitudes and increasing awareness about stammering. As a Trustee, I believe I can leverage my expertise in workplace challenges and my advocacy experience to directly support services and campaigns, ensuring diverse voices are heard and valued.
Ethan George
Tell us about yourself & what difference you hope to make as a Trustee
There are two skills I would bring to being a board member: human resources experience and lobbying experience.
HR: For two years, I volunteered as a union representative. This meant solving a range of HR issues, which required an understanding of employment and anti-discrimination law. As a board member, I would use these skills to lead on STAMMA's employment-related campaigns, raising awareness in the workplace and ensuring people who stammer have the support necessary to do their jobs effectively.
Lobbying: I currently work for a public body which aims to improve laws on a national scale. In this role, I regularly engage with large organisations in the public and private sector, persuading them why reform is needed in a particular area and building consensus around proposals for change.
With this experience, I can help STAMMA make its voice heard to powerful institutions like government, employers and trade unions.
Why do you want to be a Trustee?
As someone who has stammered since childhood and is a young professional at the start of their career, I bring a distinct perspective on the difficulties faced by young people who stammer who are trying to succeed in today's job market.
Because of this, my goals as a Trustee would be focused on employment issues, ensuring people who stammer get appropriate adaptations for job interviews and are treated with respect in the workplace.
I would also be committed to ensure a diverse range of voices are heard when decisions are made, which is the best way of guaranteeing the organisation remains relevant and effectively meets the needs of underrepresented groups.
Harry Glossop
Tell us about yourself & what difference you hope to make as a Trustee
I have extensive experience in data, analytics and marketing consulting - giving me a few key areas that I hope to use as part of STAMMA. Firstly, my business consulting experience and MBA will help me make sure the strategy of the charity is aligned with our actions.
Secondly, my experience in data means I can critically engage with data protection, website optimisation, compliance with legislation such as GDPR, and how we use data to keep in touch with members and grow awareness. Thirdly, I am an experienced marketeer with knowledge of planning, executing and measuring marketing campaigns, as well as organising call centres, so I can work to make sure we are spending our marketing money effectively.
Finally, I have implemented AI solutions in my work and believe I am in a good position to find opportunities for the charity to make the most of AI in organising itself, seeking donations, and making a difference to people impacted by stammering.
Why do you want to be a Trustee?
Having a stammer led me to develop my presentation and public speaking skills, which have now become strengths of my career. I would hope to use this opportunity to help others by using the skills to alleviate a stammer as strengths for their future.
My skills and experience allow me to critically engage with operations, marketing and digital data, all of which will be critical for STAMMA to make the most of the opportunities and exposure available to it and to help as many people as possible.
Analytics is typically used to help organisations increase revenue, but I would very much like to use my experience to make a positive difference through STAMMA.
John Russell
Tell us about yourself & what difference you hope to make as a Trustee
I believe I am a strong team player and believe in strong teamwork to achieve objectives. I have experience of working in/with teams in my previous role as a Mental Health Support Worker. In my current volunteer roles for STAMMA and with the Church, it is important to work in teams to achieve objectives and goals.
I have had extensive speech & language therapy over the years, and have a broad knowledge of strategies and techniques for improving one's perspective on speech.
I have also had a lot of experience of fundraising for the charity, organising store and railway station collections, etc, as well as doing skydives. I can see myself in an advisory role coaching and supporting other STAMMA Trustees.
Why do you want to be a Trustee?
I want to become a Trustee of this organisation, as STAMMA has a very strong self-help philosophy of supporting and empowering people who stammer to play an active role in the Association, as well as promoting awareness and educating the public about stammering and eliminating stigma, where possible.
Through coaching, listening and working as a team member, I believe I can enhance this process even further.
Liam Brockhus
Tell us about yourself & what difference you hope to make as a Trustee
I have worked within the criminal justice system in the UK and Australia for over a decade, both in frontline roles and most recently within government policy within the prison and probation system.
I am a highly effective communicator, both in written reports and when presenting on complex topics. I am passionate about improving outcomes for people who stammer, and doing this through improving the community experience amongst those who stammer, and improving understanding amongst the broader community.
Having been a part of the Central London Stammer Group for over a year, I know the importance of building a community of people who stammer and sharing experiences, as well as where there are gaps in how people who stammer are treated in the community.
I want to help the work of STAMMA and look forward to the opportunity to become a Trustee.
Why do you want to be a Trustee?
I am passionate about advocacy and improving the outcomes for people who stammer. I believe that strengthening the stammering community and expanding the understanding of the experiences of people who stammer is crucial to this.
Lukasz Orpel
Tell us about yourself & what difference you hope to make as a Trustee
I have been working in HR for the past 3.5 years and currently work as an HR Advisor, supporting people, helping develop policies, and helping to create fair and inclusive workplaces.
I understand the importance of good governance, clear processes and accountability - especially in organisations that aim to support and represent others. This year, I started a stammering group in Edinburgh, creating a space where people who stammer can connect and feel heard.
As someone who stammers, I bring lived experience, empathy and a strong belief in STAMMA's mission. I would love to use both my personal and professional experience to help guide STAMMA's future and support its continued growth.
Why do you want to be a Trustee?
I want to be a Trustee to give back to the stammering community and help make support more accessible. Attending an NHS group gave me the confidence to start a local stammering group in Edinburgh, and when I was setting it up, STAMMA were really helpful and encouraging.
That experience showed me how valuable it is to have a national organisation supporting grassroots efforts like mine. I believe in STAMMA's mission to create a world that makes space for stammering, and I would love to play a part in helping shape its future, so more people feel supported and heard.
Marios Alexandrou
Tell us about yourself & what difference you hope to make as a Trustee
I bring over 35 years of leadership, governance and operational experience. As a Service Manager at London Underground, I led teams through daily operations and major incidents, ensuring safety, efficiency and resilience.
I also managed large-scale projects like the Victoria Line signalling upgrade, enhancing service performance and reliability. My governance experience includes serving as a Trustee and Interim President of the TSSA Trade Union, where I led during a time of crisis, driving cultural reform, transparency and strategic change.
I have a strong background in stakeholder engagement, policy development and financial oversight. Combined with my personal journey and voluntary work at STAMMA, I offer both professional insight and lived experience. I'm passionate about promoting inclusion, improving awareness of the law around stammering, and ensuring good governance and sustainability for the future.
Why do you want to be a Trustee?
My reason for wanting to become a trustee with STAMMA is deeply personal. As someone who has lived with a stammer and experienced years of speech therapy — including residential courses — I understand the challenges and stigma that people who stammer often face.
STAMMA has been a source of support and community for me and I want to give back by helping shape its future. I'm currently training to be a volunteer, which has deepened my connection to the organisation and its mission.
With my leadership and governance experience from the London Underground and the TSSA Trade Union, I believe I can make a meaningful contribution. I'm passionate about raising awareness, promoting equality, and ensuring that the voices of people who stammer are heard and respected. Being a Trustee would allow me to use my skills and experience to support a cause that truly matters to me.
Miles Garner
Tell us about yourself & what difference you hope to make as a Trustee
I've worked for big corporates, limited companies and PLCs throughout my career in senior and boardroom positions. In my current role, I am responsible for strategy planning, sales and PR activities. I've managed teams from 2 to 55 people, so have HR and people skills which I can bring to STAMMA. I have a lot of experience in public speaking and have given many TV and radio interviews over the years.
Why do you want to be a Trustee?
I've battled with the challenges of stammering all my life, and tried to help fellow people who stammer over the years. I want to help people who stammer more, especially young people, and through my 43-year career, really feel I have a lot to give to the charity.
Nick Pearce
Tell us about yourself & what difference you hope to make as a Trustee
I have stammered since I was a child. I now manage my stammer but it is there and remains part of me.
Through my positive outlook, perseverance and stretching of comfort boundaries, I have been fortunate to attain and enjoy successful Finance Director roles in the investment management industry.
I have actively supported Guide Dogs as a puppy raiser and volunteer. Through successful fundraising and networking efforts over many years, I have actively supported fundraising for many charities.
I recognise the need to learn how STAMMA works to best serve its members but am confident my experience of Board meetings, people management, business change and corporate governance, together with my willingness to listen and learn, will help me to make a positive contribution.
I am familiar with speech therapy and people may remember me from City Lit, McGuire Progamme and Starfish Project courses and Toastmasters in the past.
Why do you want to be a Trustee?
My stammer has shaped my life, providing unique opportunities and challenges. Whilst actively seeking to pursue opportunities and experiences open to me, my stammer created challenges to overcome in work and social situations.
My journey has been fortunate with a successful career and a wide circle of friends but I know the challenges in being accepted when the words won't come. Seeing the notice for election of STAMMA Trustees, I knew this was the opportunity I had been waiting for since I retired.
Echoing STAMMA's values, I believe in collaboration, openness and recognising diverse voices to seek to create a world that makes space for stammering. STAMMA can further develop as a community hub for members, where people feel safe and supported in their chosen speech journey. It would be a privilege to contribute to shaping that inclusive future by serving as a Trustee to help STAMMA and its members.
Olga Oryema
Tell us about yourself & what difference you hope to make as a Trustee
My skills and experience in Healthcare Policy Development came from my time as a Role 4 PPV Expert Advisor for NHS England. On a national level, I shared feedback which fed into policy development, monitoring and delivery. I regularly evaluated data such as operating procedures, contracts, audits from the different forums within NHS England as well as internally from the Delivery Group.
In my role, I demonstrated my ability to interpret legislation and national policy guidance for local implementation within healthcare services.
I can also bring my lived experience of being in NHS speech & language therapy as a child and as an adult to the Board. I will use my lived experience to provide clear advice, support and guidance to a wide range of people including the NHS, people who stammer, carers, members of the public, senior managers and external organisations.
Why do you want to be a Trustee?
My work as People Participation Lead For Autism involves advocating for someone's Autism. When I needed help advocating for my stammer, I had STAMMA. I also accessed support from the Michael Palin Centre for Stammering and City Lit Speech Therapy Team. Stammering is just one aspect of peoples' lives but can sometimes be a very big aspect that cannot be ignored.
Advocacy throughout the different life stages of someone's stammer is something I witnessed was possible during STAMMAFest 2024 and is what I then set out to do. Not just for myself but for others also.
Stammering children may grow up to be stammering adults and stammering adults will continue to go through the transitions of life. Free and accessible support needs to be out there for everyone who stammers.
I want to be a Trustee within STAMMA to truly advocate for others throughout the various stages of life.
Related Links
Become a member
It's free
Join the movement to change how people understand and react to stammering.
Campaign. Fundraise. Connect. Meet. Vote. Talk.
