Our People

As a member of the Greenhill YMCA team, I find myself wearing many hats, which keeps each day feeling refreshingly different. From supporting volunteer recruitment to managing our bookings, I’m deeply involved in various aspects of our operations.

But what truly drives me is my passion for promoting Global Youth Work and building strong community partnerships. I also champion the value of outdoor learning and its profound impact on young minds. Whether I’m connecting with like-minded individuals or diving into marketing efforts to showcase the incredible opportunities at Greenhill YMCA, I’m thrilled to contribute to an organization that makes each day meaningful and impactful for young people.

What’s special about the Rank Network is the opportunity to learn from diverse and brilliant individuals, each hailing from unique backgrounds. It’s incredibly inspiring to witness the amazing work that everyone contributes to the network. Whether it’s tackling complex challenges or innovating in their respective fields, every member brings something valuable to the table.

What keeps me motivated and inspired within the Rank Network is not just the what or the how of our work, but the why – the shared dedication to making a positive impact in our communities and beyond.

I’ve worked in the EVAWG (Ending violence against women and girls) sector since 2003, and currently work as CEO for HARV Outreach and Paladin NSAS, in the last 5 years worked in collaboration to develop the Emily Davison Centre the first VAWG hub and home to 6 specialist services including the first domestic abuse service specifically for the Trans+ community, Loving Me.

I hold an MA in Voluntary Sector Management from Edge Hill University and am passionate about community development, capacity building and reshaping the voluntary sector to become more sustainable.

For me, the Rank Network is unique as it brings together organisations whose main link is Rank and this enables the ability and willingness to share and support each other in a way I have never experienced before. Rank’s Network is full of inspiring individuals who are dedicated to working together to support the sector.

I’m the Founder and CEO of SELFA Children’s Charity based in North Yorkshire, an organisation supports over 500 children and young people every year. Over the last two decades I have campaigned on a range of issues including access to services for families living in rural communities and children and young people’s mental health. This is deeply rooted in my own experience as a parent of a child with mental health support needs and emotionally based school avoidance.

I’m originally from Belfast and after studying Business and Finance at Ulster University, I moved to Yorkshire to work for the national charity Mencap and then moved into the public sector before setting up SELFA in 2007. I’m an ILM qualified Coach and Mentor from Leeds Beckett University, a West Yorkshire NHS Health Equity Fellow and a Media Spokesperson for the Sound Delivery Network.

The Rank Network is one of those really unique spaces that brings together leaders from all walks of life and builds on strengths through creating meaningful and lasting relationships. It’s my go-to when I need advice, guidance or reassurance – somewhere where everyone is equal, regardless of where they are on their leadership journey. I’ve learnt so much from experienced and new members alike, and I am very proud to be part of a network that has such a great impact across the UK.

I’ve worked at the Jack Petchey Foundation since 2017 and became CEO in 2022. Prior to that, I was Director of Link Age Southwark, a community volunteering charity supporting older people.

I have worked for over 20 years in policy, advocacy, leadership and grant-making roles in the third sector, across the UK, Europe, East Africa and beyond. I have has been adviser, trustee and employee of grant makers including Comic Relief, the Samworth Foundation and Paul Hamlyn Foundation. I have a degree in Social Anthropology from Cambridge University and a Masters in Gender and Develoment. Other charities I have worked for include the Refugee Council for over 8 years and Mind. I am a Trustee of Lewisham Local and chair the London Funders Children and Young People’s Network.

I passionately believe that connections between individuals and organisations are essential for effecting positive social change. The Rank Network is a fantastic resource of people committed to making our communities better places for everyone to thrive in. It’s full of incredibly talented and passionate people who are working towards the same end goal for our communities. By connecting so many inspiring individuals, we strengthen our chance of tackling social challenges and building a bright future for us all.

I’m currently the Head of Business Development at WOMEN’STEC, a charity supporting women and girls to consider careers in sectors where women are underrepresented. I joined WOMEN’STEC in 2018 as Business Development Officer through Rank’s Time to Shine programme. Before this, I worked as a third sector consultant with charities, sports clubs, government, and councils.

At university, I achieved a First Class Hons in BSc Sports and Exercise Science. In 2020, with support from the Rank Foundation, I achieved a Distinction in MSc in Business Development and Innovation. My research study examined the impact of the pandemic on third sector organisations and developed a framework for organisational resilience. In 2020, I also joined the Rank Leaders Action Group.

I love learning, and particularly, learning from others. The Rank Network has a vast range of inspiring individuals from organisations all across the UK who hold valuable knowledge and experiences that we can all learn from. What is special about this network of like-minded, social leaders, is that everyone is so open to knowledge sharing and collaborating and so I feel that I have a friendly, supportive network that can be called upon if advice or support is needed. What’s more is, the opportunities that come through knowledge sharing can help drive innovation and creativity in the social sector, and the Rank Network is certainly leading the way with this. For me, as a leader working in Northern Ireland, it is also very valuable to hear from the experiences of leaders across every corner of the UK.