Senior Positions:
United Purpose, Deputy CEO, 2017 - 2022
Open University, Assistant Director (External Strategy), 2014 -2017
National Union of Students, Wales Director, 2011 - 2014
Higher Education Funding Council (HEFCE), Senior Policy Officer, 2009 - 2011
Qualifications:
Feminist Leadership, We are Feminist Leaders, certificate, 2022
Diploma Professional Public Relations, CIPR, 2018
MA Higher and Professional Education (Distinction), The Institute of Education, University of London, 2009
BSc (Hons) Social Policy and Political Science, 2:1, University of Bristol, 2002
My Story
I was born and raised in South Wales. After graduating I moved to New York City to work in tech recruitment. Although I loved the city, I didn’t love the industry. I knew I needed a career with more heart in it. So after a year I returned home and began my career in the not-for-profit sector.
Before becoming an organisational development consultant, I was Deputy CEO of the international development agency United Purpose, at its peak a £40 million turnover organisation working in 19 countries, with 550 staff. We worked with very poor communities in Africa, Asia and South America – helping people get out of, and stay out of, absolute poverty. I oversaw HR, safeguarding, communications, programmes, and UK fundraising. It was a big job, tough and challenging in multiple complex territories, with numerous funders, and various legal regulations. I put out many fires whilst travelling to far flung places. Here’s a short blog I wrote about working with a global team during the pandemic.
Meeting with United Purpose healthcare workers at the Rohingya refugee camp, Bangladesh, 2018.
Before joining United Purpose, I was Assistant Director (External Strategy) for the Open University. I managed many of the senior external relationships and partnerships between the university in Wales and key stakeholders, including politicians, funders, regulators, and other universities. It was a committee-heavy role and I am more action-orientated. That said, the impact the university has had on the UK is phenomenal. One of the most powerful moments of my career was participating in a prison based graduation; judgement was left at the door whilst we celebrated hard work, achievement, and brighter futures.
Open University graduation ceremony 2014 (I’m middle chair, left hand side).
Presenting Healthcare Worker of the Year on behalf of the Open University at the Nurse of the Year awards, 2015.
I spent 8 years at the National Union of Students, the most senior role being Director of Wales. Here is where my views on social justice were truly forged. We campaigned for better education and a better world. For poorer students, women, the LGBT community, Black students, students with disabilities, student parents, international students, and for the Welsh Language. We made real and tangible wins and the legacy can be found in numerous government legislation and policy, as well as exceptional student union development. I’m proud of those days.
2014 Wales Reclaim the Night march organised by NUS Wales.
Holding a meteorite from the Open University's science department. It's older than the earth! And very heavy.
I have worked in exceptional organisations, and for exceptional CEOs and managers. I have also experienced the doldrums of this. I do believe we learn best through experience, and I have bags of it.
Pooling my knowledge, skills, and experience into work that makes people and organisations be the best they can be is a real privilege for me. I get to do what I enjoy, and what I know I am good at.
And I get to do this whilst living on the edge of ancient woodland halfway up the Swansea valley. I’m no longer travelling the globe, and it’s a world away from New York City and the campaigns of NUS, but I love it just as much.