Hello, I'm DK - creative producer and speaker coach - justadandak.com.

Hi, I’m DK. A  creative producer  crafting delicious learning experiences & a  speaker coach  helping leaders deliver impressive presentations.

In between, am a  speaker-for-hire  as well.

I don’t do mundane!

Just a smattering of good folks with whom I’ve collaborated with in the past few years:

What some people say about working with me:

Emma McLean, Engagement Lead, Accenture The Dock (Dublin)

DK delivered a brilliant session for my team, giving us all accessible, understandable and effective advice on how to present engagingly. The training worked for those with extensive presenting experience as well as those with little exposure to public speaking. It was also very practical and encouraged us to embed our learning by doing. Highly recommended!

Emma McLean, Engagement Lead,

Accenture - The Dock (Dublin)

Jonathan Steel

DK facilitated a learning experience for leaders in the Portland Oregon office with a group of architects focused on school design. He was able to provide really insightful guidance and constructive feedback in a very human-centric way that brought the group together, gave them confidence, and allowed us to significantly improve our performance in interviews and presentations. I would highly recommend engaging DK to support your growth and learning aspirations relative to all aspects of your public facing enterprise.

Jonathan Steel Director, Learning+ Global Lead

Arcadis

Will Davis

Hello from Cairo! (I’m on a regional workshop tour.) Showed a group in Tunis the TEDxWellington Trust wrap-up video last night. New teams from Ghomrassen and the University of Manouba both started sharing how they could scale that to their budget – ideas about playing with expectations, changing up the normal event experience in Tunisia, making their smaller event size seem purposeful and exciting. Your team has impact in wide, wild ways. Thank you!

Will Davis, Applications Manager for TEDx,

TED

Dale Ritchie

DK is an amazing presenter and a gifted storyteller. He mesmerized our creative minds at McKenzie College with two workshops and helped us to reach beyond our current thinking to see what “could be”. DK gave our students the gift of his time and knowledge so generously, that I’m sure he has made an impact on many young people by encouraging them to be “remarkable”. DK filled us with practical applications of how to present and speak in public and how to communicate creatively in sharing our work and talents. These valuable lessons are most appreciated, and I’d highly recommend engaging with DK whenever possible.

Dale Ritchie, President,

McKenzie College

Kim Koeman Global Director, Social Innovation at Steelcase

We recently had the opportunity to learn from DK as we launched the Better Futures Catalyst program, a facilitated public speaking initiative at Steelcase. This program brought together a cohort of employees from around the world to enhance our presentation skills by focusing on our people and planet efforts. DK created a bespoke hybrid program, guiding us in developing compelling stories and boosting our confidence in public speaking—both in-person and virtually. Our final presentations showcased remarkable growth, with each of us effectively weaving our unique experiences into an engaging narrative. We are so grateful to DK for his authentic approach, for creating a safe space for us to learn together and from each other, and for the number of resources he shared throughout the journey. Highly recommend!

Kim Koeman, Global Director of Social Innovation

Steelcase

Tiana Rakete, Senior Events Advisor, Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency

As part of Wellington’s business leveraging during the DHL New Zealand Lion Series, we collaborated with DK to create a unique experience melding together the worlds of sport and tech, drawing out ideas from Wellington businesses to tackle the challenge of how to improve the sports fan experience. DK and his colleague Emilie facilitated The Tech Ruck with seamless professionalism, a positive outlook and a real can-do attitude within extremely tight project deadlines. Working with DK was a great experience and I would do so again.

Tiana Rakete, Senior Events Advisor,

Wellington NZ

Vicki Jackways, Head of Marketing, Park Road Post Production

We contracted DK to run several sessions with members of our leadership team and other staff who are required to present ideas, solutions, explanations and work flow information to clients and audiences. The sessions were so insightful and the feedback was extremely positive, even the most cynical were surprised at what they could achieve and change the way one approaches preparation and off the cuff speaking. A highly productive and useful experience and one we will repeat.

Vicki Jackways, Head of Marketing,

Park Road Post Production

Matthew Davies, Digital Marketing Lead Sport Wales

Engaging, smooth and professional. DK delivered his ‘Presenting Engagingly Online’ session to some of the sport sector in Wales. He keeps you locked in with his presentation, exhibiting exactly what he’s preaching with all the best tips and tricks for online delivery in the age of working from home. A top man who I highly recommend. Diolch, DK!

Matthew Davies, Digital Marketing Lead,

Sport Wales

Janelle Fenwick, CEO, Teulo

Love how DK can hear my creative ideas and vision, then bring them to life. I have huge trust and respect for DK and really enjoy working with him, as he completely understands what I want to achieve with Teulo. Thank you!

Janelle Fenwick, CEO,

Teulo

Phil Sage, Senior Director : Global Product Acquisition & Inventor Relations, Hasbro

DK crafted and facilitated a two-day off-site for a cross-departmental group of folks to explore the digital and social media opportunities / consequences of a new initiative. He steered the discussion and activities superbly, sensitive to the levels of literacies whilst igniting the latent talent in the room to a great set of outcomes.

Phil Sage, Senior Director : Global Product Acquisition & Inventor Relations,

Hasbro

Linda Oliver, Result 9 Manager, Ministry of Business, Innovations & Employment

DK says that “Public speaking is a skill that needs to be nurtured.” Coming at me was a number of high profile speaking events – and very little time to prepare, and I was out of practice. DK was my saviour! Over a few weeks I went from bumbling idiot to well – less so! And even received praise on a job well done. DK helped frame the conversation, refine some skills and introduce some new ones. Just what I needed. Thanks DK.

Linda Oliver, Result 9 Manager,

Ministry of Business, Innovations & Employment

Arturo Arrarte, Head of Growth – APAC Slack

I was fortunate to have DK’s coaching on preparing for an industry event presentation. DK brings a refreshing approach to workshopping the structure, content and style for delivering a memorable presentation. He’s very much focused on engaging with your audience and is great to have involved early in your process.

Arturo Arrarte, Head of Growth - APAC

Slack

Kimberley Gilmour, Chief People Officer, Uneeq

I have had the great pleasure of inviting DK to work with our team for 2 enjoyable and valuable sessions so far: an in-person (those were the days!) public speaking and storytelling workshop; and a virtual Presenting Engagingly Online session. These were both very highly rated by our team and we’re looking forward to having DK come and share more magic with us to help us continue to hone our skills and confidence. On top of that, DK is one of the kindest, most compassionate and generous people I know. He builds an environment of trust, confidence and care, role modelling respectful feedback and gently supporting people to build confidence and strength with public speaking, storytelling and presenting. I cannot recommend DK highly enough.

Kimberley Gilmour, Chief People Officer,

Uneeq

Ann Lockhart, CEO, Queenstown Chamber of Commerce

DK recently spoke to 120 members at the Chamber Innovation Workshop, where he gave an outstanding presentation around ‘Building Creative Leadership.’ DK is a charismatic and inspiring speaker who communicated his lessons in an insightful, balanced and humorous manner that fully engages with his audience. I would highly recommend DK as a presenter.

Ann Lockhart, CEO,

Queenstown Chamber of Commerce

Bronwyn Kingdom, Group Manager Human Resources, Land Information NZ (LINZ)

DK’s approach sets the environment for creative thinking and exploring new and different ways of tackling organisational challenges. We brought all of our people leaders together to make the most of a positive organisational survey result and focus on what we might do to accelerate our progress. DK helped us think outside the norm, creating and facilitating a session that was engaging, had everyone up and working differently than usual, and brought out new options for our people to start working with.

Bronwyn Kingdom, Group Manager Human Resources,

Land Information NZ (LINZ)

June Kinloch, Lead, Digital Products The HIVE at IBI Group

I recently had DK run the ‘presenting engagingly online’ session at a virtual conference I was managing for our organization. We had many great speakers, but based on the feedback (and my opinion too!) DK’s was the highlight. The session included tangible take aways that I use daily while presenting and was fun and energetic. Coordinating the session with DK was a breeze (even with the time difference), and he tailored his approach to fit the group I was working with. Could not recommend enough!

June Kinloch, Lead, Digital Products,

The HIVE at IBI Group

Mark Woodard, Director of Corporate Services/CFO, PHARMAC NZ

When in lockdown, at Pharmac we asked DK to deliver a zoom presentation on ‘presenting engagingly online.’ Our objective was to give staff an opportunity to connect virtually after we had all shifted to working from home and we had few opportunities for a shared experience. We used DK’s prepared session to shift from presenting in this new medium (zoom) to how we adapt generally, with shifting mediums as a metaphor for the broader pressure on all of us to adapt and change in response to our external environment. The latter part was progressed via a moderated Q&A session. Staff really enjoyed the session – both parts – and I consider DK’s role as catalyst to have been really helpful.

Mark Woodard, Director of Corporate Services/CFO,

PHARMAC NZ

Stephen Blyth, Organiser NetSquared Wellington

When I asked DK to share some insights about what he learned from running TEDXWellington at our community unconference, his answer was a very quick yes. His opening words really set everyone up for the day in terms of creating an atmosphere where people were willing to freely share. The well chosen stories gave people confidence to take a leap into the unknown. From there, many participants, probably two thirds, took the opportunity to join a impromptu session DK ran. It was a delight to have DK involved in our day, something I hope we are able to do again.

Stephen Blyth, Organiser,

NetSquared Wellington

Melissa Clark Reynolds, Company Director

Even experienced professional speakers need help sometimes! Recently I had a showcase event for 200 conference organisers. I was so nervous, because I wanted to do such a good job (and have them book me, and my agent love me more). DK worked with me on my message, story, slide deck. He helped me get the cadence and rhythm of my talk just right (and I nailed it). His coaching made all the difference, and the bookings have been pouring in.

Melissa Clark Reynolds, Company Director

Clive Spink, Chief Executive Officer, Pukeko Pictures

DK has provided great coaching in developing my story for a number of key presentations. He has a great ability to connect and focus on the delivery and would wholeheartedly recommendation him.

Clive Spink, Chief Executive Officer,

Pukeko Pictures

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