I grew up in South Wales. After university I moved to New York City to work in tech recruitment. I loved the city but not the industry, and I soon realised I wanted a career with more heart. After a year I returned home and began my career in the not-for-profit sector.

Most recently I was Deputy CEO of United Purpose, a £40 million international development organisation working across 19 countries with 550 staff. I was responsible for HR, safeguarding, communications, programmes and UK fundraising. It was a complex role with many funders, challenging legal environments and sensitive people issues to navigate. Here’s a short blog I wrote about working with the global team during the pandemic.

Before that I was Assistant Director (External Strategy) at the Open University, managing senior partnerships and stakeholder relationships with politicians, funders, regulators and other universities across Wales. One of the most powerful moments in my career was attending a prison-based graduation - sharing in that celebration showed me the impact education can have on people’s lives, even in the most difficult circumstances.

I spent eight years at the National Union of Students, directing campaigns for education, equality and justice. We achieved real policy changes and strengthened student unions across the country.

I have worked in exceptional organisations alongside inspiring leaders. I have also experienced the grind of slow change and resistant systems. Those moments have taught me as much as the successes. I bring all of that learning into my consulting work, helping people and organisations be the best they can be.

Now I live on the edge of an ancient woodland in the Swansea Valley. It is very different from New York or from the campaigns of earlier years. I do not travel the globe as much these days, but I love this work just as much.