I have been a charity professional for 25 years specialising in grant making, place-based philanthropy, community leadership and the development of community foundations including working with UKCF community foundation’s national network and the European Community Foundation Initiative. There are currently 48 community foundations across the UK and 2000 across the globe.

I convened Northamptonshire’s first countywide food poverty network and am currently working alongside UK community foundations on better supporting rural philanthropy and rural community needs within places. I focus on working with colleagues to bring our strategic plan to life; ensuring the role of the Foundation remains informed, relevant and impactful across our communities and working alongside our donors.

During that time I have also co-designed and tutored on a Foundation Degree for Managing Voluntary and Community Organisation for the University of Leicester’s Lifelong Learning Centre, carried out community and social research and charity consultancy work.

I hold an MA in Social Anthropology and am driven by a natural curiosity and love for people, communities and all things cultural. I have lived in the county for 25 years and love its green spaces.

I have found that leadership comes in different guises and settings; back in 2014 alongside Northamptonshire Sport I helped establish the Abington Park Jogger’s group, supporting local residents through a walk to run programme and coaching and inspiring non-runners to complete their first 5k run. I gain immense satisfaction when I see some of those very same people still running and witnessing its positive impact on their health and wellbeing.