Development Team Expand Laura Quinn Senior Development Manager Laura brings a background in fundraising from trusts and foundations at organisations including Christian Aid, Womankind Worldwide and the Women's Prison Association in New York. She holds a Masters in Nonprofit Management and an undergraduate degree in International Relations. Laura is also a graphic designer for charities and mission based businesses. Helen Carter Development Officer Before joining WLZ Helen interned for the Human Rights Advocacy organisation ABColombia as a Communications and Research Intern. She has a BA in History with Spanish from UCL, and during her studies has taken an interest in improving community cohesion in urban spaces. She is passionate about improving education and opportunities for young people and has delivered workshops to young adults in London, Mexico, Honduras, and Chile.
Finance and Resources Team Expand Lily Assefa HR Officer After completing her MBA in Marketing, Lily worked as a Business Analyst and later on as a Product Manager for First Rate Travel Services (a joint venture between Bank of Ireland and The Post Office). After taking few years to look after her son, she worked for the National Institute for African Studies as Programme Manager/Administrator. Mariana Ferreira Office Manager and Executive Assistant Mariana is an experienced executive assistant and management professional. She has worked in management roles in the private and in the non-for-profit sectors in Brazil, Portugal and UK. Most recently, she worked as the Executive Assistant for the CEO and Board of Directors of a community foundation that tackles poverty in the East End of London. Mariana has a Management degree from Surrey University and is qualified PRINCE II project manager. Sam Kendall HR and Finance Manager Sam is a qualified solicitor with over 15 years’ experience in private practice. She joined WLZ after a career change into Finance and HR. She currently works part-time for WLZ while completing an Advanced Diploma in Accounting.
Impact Team Expand Alex Bransgrove Impact Officer Alex joined WLZ to support the administration and analysis of data concerning our partner charities. A Human Geography graduate from the University of Sheffield, he has previously worked to provide administrative and teaching support at a non-profit organisation delivering enterprise educational programmes. Bridget Suthersan Data and Systems Manager Prior to joining West London Zone, Bridget worked in the charity and academic sectors in Sydney, Australia, and completed her PhD in social policy in 2013. Bridget is responsible for the data management and outcomes tracking system at West London Zone. Ursula Hankinson Head of Impact Ursula has a background in impact evaluation in the international development sector, working across gender, adolescence and health programmes. Ursula most currently worked at Girl Effect evaluating programmes in Ethiopia and Rwanda. Ursula has a masters in Development Studies from LSE. Zoe Mathys Impact Officer Zoe joined WLZ after working in the Australian disability sector conducting evaluation and research. She has also interned in Government focussing on strengthening community health service provision for children and young people. Zoe holds a Master of Public Health and Bachelor of Science from the University of Melbourne, Australia.
Link Work Team Expand Abbie Westman Link Worker at Newman Catholic College Alex Brooke Link Worker Manager and Link Worker at Ark Franklin Primary Academy While working in a career in high-level International Event Management, Alex also worked as a mentor for young offenders providing weekly support to stop offending behaviour and raise self-esteem. She also has worked on various ‘Black Self Development’ projects in prisons, supporting adults and young people in their learning and rehabilitation. Alexs Wallace Link Worker at Ark Swift Primary Academy Alexs graduated with a BSc in Education with Special Educational Needs where she focused on the benefits of early therapeutic intervention. She has a real passion for developing and designing creative approaches to inclusive education. After graduating, she worked as a children's and families' worker in South West London. Following that, she spent her time in both secondary and primary educational systems, as well as in an educational consultancy, where she specialised in 1-1 and small group work for children with a range of special educational needs. Alexs also works for Connections in Mind as an Executive Functions Adventure Coach. Amy Spooner Link Worker at Kensington Aldridge Academy Amy has a degree in Sociology and Criminology. She began working in primary schools and moved on to working with children with emotional and behavioural needs in school environments. Alongside this, she was an Early Help Intervention Worker, supporting vulnerable teenagers. Most recently, she worked as a Children and Families worked for women's refuges in Kensington and Chelsea. Bethany Chisholm Link Worker at Westminster Academy Whilst studying Criminology with Substance Misuse Intervention Strategy at the University of Brighton, Bethany gained experience in facilitating group in a local service to promote well-being and recovery. After graduating, Bethany began working with young people in a life skills centre. The focus of this work was to nurture young peoples' interests and help to develop their self-confidence. Beth Smith Link Worker at Old Oak Primary School and Flora Gardens Early Years Beth studied Human, Social and Political Sciences at the University of Cambridge. She then worked as a Primary Teaching Assistant in North London. She also has experience volunteering with refugees, women and children. Chris Brown Head of Link Work Chris is a qualified teacher who has specialised in supporting young people with social and emotional difficulties in both mainstream and alternative provision. Before joining WLZ, Chris was Assistant Principal, Head of Post-16 education at City Gateway College and has previously worked in a range of management roles within the school system and for third sector organisations. Danielle Meredith Link Worker Manager and Link Worker at Kensington Aldridge Academy After graduating from Cambridge University with a BA in Geography, Danielle began working with young people in various contexts. She has led summer programmes with the National Citizen Service and spent time working at an alternative provision based in Tower Hamlets. In addition to her work with young people, she has an interest in social enterprise and co-founded a social enterprise which seeks to support women in prison though cooking. Eleanor Brown Link Worker Manager and Link Worker at Ark Bentworth and Ark Conway Primary Academies Eleanor graduated from the University of Bristol with a degree in Childhood Studies. Her experience volunteering for a local domestic abuse charity in Bristol lead her to work for Refuge as a Children’s Support Worker before joining West London Zone. Ella Peterman Link Worker at Flora Gardens Primary School Ella studied Drama at the University of Manchester. In her final year she focused on Applied Theatre, working with those affected by the criminal justice system and homelessness. After graduating, she founded a drama company which used drama as a tool to encourage emotional and social well-being. She also completed the Teach First programme, teaching in schools across Birmingham and London. Elodie Cox Link Worker at West London Free Secondary School Elodie graduated from the University of Bristol with a Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience and then went on to complete a Master's degree in Psychology of Education. She has a particular interest in well-being and mental health in schools and has worked to enhance this for young people across a number of secondary schools, a children's hospital, a youth charity and in university halls of residence. Outside of work she is a keen artist, loves the outdoors and enjoys running. Farial Missi Link Worker Manager Farial has been working with WLZ since the beginning of Pilot. In that time she has been awarded the LEAP Confronting Conflict Inspirational Adult award, and LBHF School Ambassadors and Sports awards. Farial has also completed the Place2Be child counselling qualification. Frankie Wakefield Link Worker at St Andrew and St Francis Primary Frankie graduated from the University of Sussex with a BA in Social Work. She worked with The Prince's Trust and with the Hastings Duty team, where she became passionate about the benefits of long term support work with children and young people. For the past few years, Frankie has worked in a graphic design studio. Imogen Johnson Link Worker at St Mary’s Primary School Imogen completed an undergraduate degree in Spanish and Psychology at Newcastle University. She taught English on her year abroad and then trained as a teacher through the Teach First programme. She taught languages at a secondary school in London where she was Head of Spanish for a year. Imogen has recently completed an MSc in Psychology. Joyce Papparlardo Link Worker at St Thomas' Primary and St Clements and St James Primary Schools Juanita Harah Link Worker at St John XXIII Catholic Primary Scool After completing her BA in Criminology, she has built up several years of experience mentoring young offenders and providing behavioural support in a primary school. In addition to being a WLZ Link worker, as a qualified therapist, Juanita spends a day a week working with the leading national children’s mental health charity, Place2Be. Liona Elliott Link Worker at Ark Swift Primary Academy and St John XXIII Catholic Primary School Liona previously worked as an Early Years practitioner for Shepherds Bush Families Project. She went on to study Early Childhood studies at Roehampton University. During her degree she focused on how mindfulness could benefit both children's and mothers' mental health, exploring in particular how it can alleviate the symptoms of postnatal depression. Louise Simmons Link Worker at Barlby Primary School Louise studied Politics at the University of Glasgow, during this time she was involved in the Olive Tree Initiative, an experiential education programme focused on conflict resolution in the Middle East. Following this, she spent a year as a Teaching Assistant in Wood Green. She then spent a year in the role of an Aspiring Teacher in Islington, doing whole class teaching and supporting the students' social and emotional needs. Maddy Ford Link Worker Manager and Link Worker at William Morris Sixth Form College Maddy studied Civil Engineering at the University of Leeds and went on to work as an engineer on a number of large construction projects in the UK. After deciding that people were more interesting than pipes, Maddy volunteered for 6 months at IPODERAC, a home for boys aged 4-14 in Mexico. On her return to the UK, Maddy completed Year Here, a post graduate course in social enterprise. Matilda Mitchell Link Worker Manager and Early Years Link Worker at Old Oak Primary School and Wendell Park Primary School Matilda studied Politics and International Relations at the University of Bath, where she completed her dissertation on piracy in Somalia. She then trained as a teacher through the Teach First programme and taught in a primary school in Bristol for two years. Matilda then went on to teach in Qatar, before moving back to the UK to start work at West London Zone. Matt Read Link Worker Manager Matt studied History at the University of Birmingham and has been in young adult facing roles with companies such as Youth2Youth, The Princes Trust and The Challenge Network. Most recently, Matt has worked as a Lead Coach on the Spear Employment programme, supporting young adults overcome disadvantage in the shape of mental health, educational and attitudinal barriers and supporting them into further education and employment. Mia O'Connell Link Worker at King Solomon Academy Mia studied German and Mandarin at the University of Birmingham before training as a teacher. She completed a PGCE at the University of Nottingham, where she wrote a dissertation on students who speak English as an Additional Language. Mia then went on to teach at a secondary school in Essex before moving to West London Zone. Nikki Dolby Link Worker at Wendell Park Primary School Rachael Olubayo Link Worker at Phoenix Academy Rachael lives in West London and completed a degree in Sociology and Social Policy at University of Nottingham. During this time, she volunteered as an IntoUniversity mentor, meeting bi-weekly with a student to raise academic attainment and aspirations, and as an Academic Support Volunteer supporting students in a classroom environment. Rachael also worked within the SEN department as a Learning Support Assistant at a school in North London. Before joining WLZ, she worked at the ClementJames Centre in North Kensington, delivering a programme of Academic Support, Mentoring and specialised study days/weeks to young people in the area. Rachel Elton Link Worker at Sacred Heart High School Rachel completed a post graduate diploma in Youth and Community Work at The University of East London. Since then she has worked for different local authorities as a youth worker before moving in to the third sector. She has worked on various youth projects across London and this year lead a team of young volunteers in Uganda. Robyn Cufley Link Worker at Ark Brunel Primary Academy Robyn completed an undergraduate degree in psychology at the University of Warwick. After university, Robyn worked in a refuge supporting women and children fleeing domestic abuse. Robyn also has experience volunteering for Citizens Advice and MIND. Rua Crozier Early Years Link Worker at Wendell Park Primary School Rua has been working with children and families in a variety of settings for over 10 years. She has worked as a Family Support Worker in both children’s centres and in the third sector, in particular working with refugee, asylum seeking and vulnerable migrant families. She has also completed a BA Hons in Combined Education Studies at the University of East London. Sarah Walsh Link Worker at Ark Burlington Danes Academy Early Years and Primary Sarah completed a degree in Primary Education in Canterbury and went on to teach in primary schools, specifically within the Early Years Foundation Stage. After several years, she decided to take her teaching abroad and worked as a TEFL teacher and as a volunteer in an orphanage. Sophia Grimaldi Link Worker at Ark Conway Primary Academy Sophia has trained as a Psychotherapeutic Child Counsellor at The Institute for Arts in Therapy & Education. She is trained to use the arts/play materials to help children to communicate and process their thoughts and feelings. Before joining WLZ, Sophia worked therapeutically with children through placements in schools and the charitable sector. She has also worked as a Teaching Assistant and Learning Support Assistant to support children suffering from complex needs. Yasmin Murphy Link Worker at Ark Burlington Danes Secondary Academy
Partnerships Team Expand Jenny Hoyle Head of Partnerships Before joining WLZ Jenny worked for 10 years in Children and Young People’s services with a specific focus on delivering and commissioning early intervention and prevention services. She has a depth of experience of working in and with voluntary sectors partners and working across the voluntary, private and public sectors to improve outcomes for local communities. Jenny is passionate about creating positive change for children and young people in West London. Martha Stafford Partnerships Manager Before joining WLZ, Martha worked for six years as a Children’s and Young People’s Commissioner in London, most recently as a Senior Children’s Commissioner at Camden Clinical Commissioning Group, setting up and implementing partnership working amongst providers of children’s services. Martha has also completed a post-graduate diploma in journalism and holds an undergraduate degree in English Literature from Sussex University. Rosie Scott Partnerships Manager Rosie's background is in Operations and HR Management and she has worked in organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors. Before joining WLZ she managed the operations for an outdoor education charity that delivered in partnership with schools, the local community and with HM Prison Wandsworth.
Senior Management Team Expand Alexia Phillips Finance and Resources Director Alexia is a qualified accountant with a Masters in Charity Finance and NGO Management. Prior to joining West London Zone, Alexia worked in senior leadership positions for a number of children’s charities, and has considerable experience in managing finance, HR and operations. She recently undertook consultancy work on improving finance operations for Terres des Hommes UK and Amnesty International. Anna Cogger Development Director Anna joined WLZ to lead our fundraising, marketing and communications. She has a Masters in Voluntary Sector Management and has spent her career working in high value fundraising at NSPCC, Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace. Most recently she led a fundraising communications team at Macmillan Cancer Support. Joe Prendiville Chief Operating Officer Joe has extensive experience of managing and delivering education programmes to disadvantaged and marginalised people. He worked in senior leadership at a youth charity in East London for five years through a period of significant organisational growth, leading their education and training programmes. Most recently he worked as Principal of their Alternative Provision Free School. Louisa Mitchell Chief Executive Officer Louisa joined WLZ to design the plan and implement the pilot project in White City in 2015-16. She became Chief Executive in September 2016. She has extensive experience in social policy research and advocacy and in managing charities in London and Hong Kong. Prior to that, she was an investment banker.