2026 YoungTEC Board members

Check out this fab video of the 2022 Board members

Narissa Phipps – First Light Travel (Chair)

Upon completion of her Psychology degree in the UK, Narissa embarked on a round the world trip landing in New Zealand for the first time in 2014. Falling in love with the endless natural beauty and kiwi culture she now proudly calls New Zealand home.

Narissa joined the inbound industry in 2016 as a New Zealand Travel Specialist and instantly got hooked. Having worked her way up to be a Team Leader, Manager and now CEO, she is living proof of the awesome growth opportunities that the industry has to offer.

New to the YoungTEC Board in 2023, Narissa is excited to combine her passion for the industry and helping young people grow.

Sonny Mckenzie – Hobbiton (Vice Chair)

Sonny learned from an early age the value of cultural diversity and the boundless opportunities that await those who embrace the unknown.

For nearly a decade, Sonny has called Hobbiton home, weaving tales of Middle-earth’s enchanting landscapes and guiding eager visitors through the Shire. It’s here, that Sonny’s passion for meeting and interacting with people has flourished. From sharing experiences with curious traveller’s to coordinating seamless experiences for guests from around the globe, Sonny has found joy in every interaction, building connections that transcend multiple languages and cultures.

In the last 18 months, Sonny’s role has evolved into that of a Tour Operation Coordinator, where he works as part of a team that aims to ensure each visitor’s journey through Hobbiton is nothing short of magical and memorable. Sonny’s desire to share his wealth of knowledge and experience with the next generation of tourism leaders has helped him with mentoring and educating. Whether through workshops, seminars, or hands-on training, Sonny hopes to inspire and encourage people and given them the tools they need to succeed in an ever-evolving industry.

As part of his tourism career. He previously worked with Southern Discoveries, showcasing the awe-inspiring beauty of Milford Sound, offering a glimpse into a different aspect of the tourism industry, further enriching his understanding of the diverse landscapes and experiences that our backyard has to offer.

Additionally, Sonny had the privilege of being part of the North Asia Cape Japan and South Korea Study Tour, where he travelled with five other emerging tourism leaders to learn, explore and forge lasting connections.
Sonny is excited for the year ahead and what it holds and can’t wait to share more of his passion and stories in the future to come.

Amy Gibson – Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Amy grew up in the UK and New Zealand was a regular topic of conversation in her household. Her father is a Kiwi and they would regularly travel “home” to visit family and friends. Amy fell in love with the country and moved here permanently in 2019. In many ways, the tourism industry was her introduction to the people, culture and stories of Aotearoa.

Her first tourism role in New Zealand was at Wētā Workshop and covered customer service, group and event bookings and trade sales. Following a stint at WellingtonNZ, Amy joined the commercial team at Te Papa museum in late 2024 and now overseas sales opportunities across tours and events. ‘I’m so grateful for the opportunity to share the same history and culture that captivated me all those years ago, with our manuhiri daily- it’s so rewarding to see our visitors embrace and love Aotearoa the same way I do.’

YoungTEC was instrumental to Amy finding her feet in the industry. She’s been an active member of YoungTEC since 2019 and has a deep appreciation the role it plays in supporting the next generation of tourism talent.

Amy’s experience as someone who has been a tourist, and now a local working in the tourism industry, gives her a unique insight into the needs of both the consumer and the supplier. She’s passionate about driving both perspectives.

Elected in 2024 as YoungTEC Board member, her focus is on building confidence in young professionals, encouraging them to take advantage of the support available and assist them to form lasting career connections.

 

Cam Mitchell – RealNZ – Cardrona x Treble Cone

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Adrian Ashmore – Tohu Experiences

It all went downhill at ZORB Rotorua in 2008 – my first industry job. My early years were split between Kaitiaki Adventures as a Kaituna river photographer, studying Adventure Tourism at Waiariki, and shifts operating Freefall Extreme at Agroventures.

I then settled into the Multiday Adventures whānau, working across Mountain Bike Rotorua, Crankworx Rotorua, and MDA Experiences – roles from bike cleaner to Sport Operations Manager to Event directing, some of the first mountain bike events at Skyline Rotorua post 2006 MTB World champs and pre Crankworx.

Today, I’m the Operations Manager at Tohu Experiences (formerly MDA Experiences). I work with a great team delivering international conferences, bespoke private tours, large international school programmes, event delivery and the occasional underground karaoke industry function (if you know, you know). I manage suppliers, compliance and H&S, and lead sales, and partner relationships and everything in-between.

Being on the YoungTEC Board is a natural next step in my career. The elevation into governance with wider social connections and the ability to contribute on a larger scale to our industry is important to me. I believe the experience I can bring will be beneficial in helping the YoungTEC Board develop our industry further I bring operational experience – cool, calm, and collected with logistics; end-to-end delivery; and a cross-industry perspective spanning adventure, major events, business events, and cultural tourism.

Marie Clarys – Intrepid Travel DMC New Zealand

Kia ora! I’m Marie, a passionate and people-focused tourism professional with over seven years of experience in Aotearoa’s travel industry. I currently lead the Reservations team at Intrepid Travel, where I focus on empowering our crew to thrive through coaching, process improvement, and a whole lot of good vibes (yes, music is always on!).

I believe in the power of connection, collaboration, and community. I want to help shape the future of our industry by supporting the next generation of tourism leaders — creating spaces where they feel seen, supported, and inspired to grow, just as I’ve been lucky enough to experience myself as a YoungTEC member over the past seven years.

What I bring to the Board is a mix of strategic thinking and people-first leadership. I’ve got experience in operations, supplier relationships, and team development, and I’m not afraid of the hard conversations that come with real growth. I’ve led teams through change, coached through challenges, and helped build a culture of trust and accountability.

I’m also deeply committed to our industry’s kaupapa — making travel a force for good. Whether it’s through mentoring, event planning, or driving engagement, I’m excited to bring my energy, creativity, and collaborative spirit to YoungTEC.

Alice Orr – Escape Aviation

I’m proud to call Taupō home. At age 26, I am entering my 12th year being immersed in New Zealand’s Tourism industry, a journey that began at 14 as a part-time “life-jacket hanger-up-er-a” at Hukafalls Jet. I quickly fell in love with the people, the pace, and the purpose of Tourism and by 16 I had left school to take on a full-time role with the company. From there, I studied Adventure Tourism Management in Queenstown, spent time in Cairns, Australia as a Customer Service Manager for an Adventure Company and eventually returned home to Taupō, this time behind the wheel as a jet boat driver. Since then, my career has evolved into one grounded in storytelling, connection, and leadership.

Today, I’m the Sales & Marketing Manager for Escape Aviation, my family business. More than just a bubble in the sky, we connect travellers to the heart of New Zealand’s Central North Island through bespoke helicopter and fixed-wing journeys, from heli-biking and heli-hiking to luxury wilderness stays and curated dining experiences across 80,000 hectares of privately owned backcountry few will ever see.

I’ve also worked with Destination Great Lake Taupō, proudly promoting the region I love. Beyond my day-to-day role, I am an independent marriage celebrant – a role that mirrors what I love most about Tourism, helping guide people through one of the most significant milestones of their lives whether that be their wedding day or a trip to New Zealand they have spent years saving for.

I’m passionate about inspiring others to see Tourism as a purposeful, lifelong career. I founded the Taupō Tourism Crew in collaboration with Love Taupō, a group of 35 young Taupo professionals who meet monthly to connect, learn, and grow. I often talk to our local high school students about careers in Tourism. When I get asked what my favourite part of my job is, my answer’s been the same since I was 18. “I get to do cool stuff, in cool places, with cool people, and that’s Tourism.”

Emma Clarke – Ngāi Tahu Tourism

I’m a passionate tourism professional who has known since my university days studying tourism and marketing management that this was the career for me. I’m currently a Marketing Advisor at Ngāi Tahu Tourism, leading the marketing for two iconic visitor experiences – the All Blacks Experience in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Dark Sky Project in Takapō – while being based in Ōtautahi Christchurch.

My career has allowed me to work alongside incredible operators and industry partners across the country, strengthening my belief that tourism is one of New Zealand’s most inspiring and rewarding career paths. I’ve built a strong foundation in marketing strategy, campaign development, and stakeholder engagement, but what drives me most is connection – bringing people together, sharing knowledge, and creating experiences that truly matter.

Being part of the YoungTEC Mentorship Programme, reinforced the value of strong industry connections and inspired me to contribute more actively to the next generation of leaders. I’m eager to give back by supporting the Mentorship Programme, growing membership and regional connectivity in Ōtautahi and beyond, and contributing energy and fresh thinking to YoungTEC events and initiatives. I’m proud to represent our industry’s emerging voices and help continue building a strong, supportive and innovative tourism community for the future.

Letetia Cheetham – Wellington Cable Car

A self-confessed tourism enthusiast, creative thinker, and proud Wellingtonian for the past ten years (originally from the mighty Manawatū!). By day, and sometimes night, I’m the Sales and Marketing Executive at the iconic Wellington Cable Car, where I get to blend strategy with storytelling. I like to think of myself as a marketer fuelled by caffeine, creativity and connection. From crafting campaigns and events to building partnerships with trade and the local community, my role keeps me right in the heart of the tourism scene.

As Wellington’s Regional Coordinator for Young TEC, I’ve loved helping organise and deliver events that connect members, spark learning, and encourage us all to explore our own backyard. Now I’m ready to take that one step further by joining the Young TEC Board, where I can bring my creativity, energy and fresh ideas to a national level.

Tourism is all about people and place, and I’m deeply passionate about both. While we all know the challenges our sector faces, I believe we can flip these into opportunities. I’m all about showcasing Aotearoa New Zealand in all its magic, empowering young professionals, and keeping our industry as vibrant as the landscapes we represent.

My peers often describe me as “the glue” because I love bringing people together. As a Young TEC Board member, I aim to do just that: helping others grow their careers, strengthen their networks, and build their personal brand together. Let’s get excited about the opportunities ahead and what the future of tourism can look like, together.