Valerie Wilson

Founder & Partnership Coordinator

Val has over 30 years’ experience in leadership roles in education and international development with a focus on capacity building, strategic development and project management.

Val supported teachers in the community to set up a Learning and Resource centre and registered Ndhiwa Community Empowerment and Development Project as a CBO in 2003. She remains actively involved as Twende Pamoja Treasurer.

Lynda Evans

Chair of Trustees

Lynda was the former Head of Geography at Walbottle Campus and then Gosforth Academy before changing careers to lead the teacher training team at Newcastle College, then becoming the Assistant Principal of Newcastle Sixth Form College.

Lynda’s involvement with Team Kenya over the last 10 years has included working as a volunteer on the joint Team Kenya/Twende Pamoja values project and acting as Board Secretary.

Lizzie Everett

Operations Manager

Lizzie has a background in marketing, management and business development, working in industries such as education, engineering and veterinary services. Lizzie also oversees the running of a pet-care business and has two young children.

Lizzie joined Team Kenya in July 2023 to lead the Marketing, Communications and Fundraising team before taking on the role of Operations Manager in Autumn 2024.

Frithiof Wilhelmsen

Trustee

Frit is Norwegian, based in Zurich, where he works for the Macquarie group’s maritime finance team. Frit holds a Masters of Public Administration and international Affairs from Columbia University and a BA from King’s College London.

Frit joined Team Kenya as Trustee in December 2021. He is a member of the charity’s Finance Sub Committee and dedicates his time to providing financial planning and governance support to the Twende Pamoja team.

Helen Hodgson

Trustee

Helen works at the National Audit Office as a Director of Value for Money Audit. She has extensive experience as a public sector auditor, including auditing the work of the former Department for International Development (DfID) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

Helen joined Team Kenya as a trustee in September 2023. Helen has spent time in Kenya and is passionate about supporting the ground-breaking education projects that support women and girls.

Neil Haddow

Trustee

Neil has an Economics degree from the University of Edinburgh and is a CFA charter holder. He is based in Edinburgh and works in financial services. Latterly, he has spent 3 years working in Corporate Finance across sub-Saharan Africa.

Neil joined Team Kenya as a Trustee in July 2023. He is a member of the finance sub committee and assists with forecasting and governance.

Victoria Webber

Trustee

Vic is Director at J & Y Webber Services Ltd, trading as Bluebird Care. She is a prominent business woman in Lincolnshire and is passionate about equal rights and female empowerment.

Her connection to Team Kenya came about in 2023 through a chance encounter with Val. On hearing about the work Team Kenya does, Vic was immediately keen to join the Board and be an active member of the charity, particularly within marketing and communications

Olawale Ageh

Finance Manager

Olawale Ageh is a seasoned accounting professional over 17 years experience, dedicated to driving results through financial reporting, internal control and audit, enhancing organisational efficiency, and ensuring firm compliance with both regulatory requirements and internal policies. His expertise encompasses conducting risk-based audits, the strategic design and meticulous oversight of Control environment and initiatives, and the successful prevention of losses across diverse business units, alongside implementing process improvements.

Steve Braysher

Chair of Sustainability Steering Group

Steve has been a commissioned officer in the Royal Air Force, worked in financial services and taught geography for in excess of thirty years. He holds a degree in Geography and Economics and spent 3 years undertaking post-graduate research into public transport policy.

Leading a number of school visits to Kenya was the catalyst for him to first volunteer with Team Kenya in 2013. He has a particular interest in climate change and sustainability and is now chair of the Sustainability Steering Group.

Jacky Quincey

Grants & Education Project Advisor

Jacky has over 30 years’ experience in education, starting her career as a teacher in East Africa and finishing as Deputy Head in a Northumberland High School. She volunteered at our projects in Ndhiwa and has been supporting our grants fundraising for several years.

Until April 2022 Jacky was a trustee – she has since changed roles and to act as an Adviser for Twende Pampja’s Education Programme Area.

Terry Courtney

Treasurer

Terry is a qualified accountant and worked in industry, in particular manufacturing and engineering, over 40 years for various companies, most recently as Finance Director of an engineering business where he was responsible for all finance and most commercial activities. Terry is now retired from full-time work but holds a non-executive directorship with a local design and manufacturing company and is a trustee of two charities in Newcastle and Darlington.

Jane Downes

Volunteer

Jane boasts a BA Hons in Environmental Studies, and a Business Administration and Management (BA) degree. Whilst working on the Isle of Man for an international finance company and two international accountancy firms, she was also a student and member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators.

Jane began volunteering for Team Kenya in the summer of 2024, helping with internal policy, strategy, fundraising, marketing research content, and communications.

Olivia Lazzari

Volunteer | Social Media Manager

Olivia is a training administrator for an independent training provider and focused on marketing for the company. She has specialised in social media since 2020 and worked with multiple different influencers.

Olivia joined the marketing team in July 2024 and works with us as our social media manager and influencer coordinator to keep our social media alive and present.

Chantel Gray

Volunteer | Digital Marketing Manager

Chantel is a Digital Marketing Specialist with expertise in SEO and Digital Strategies. She works for a renewable energy company managing websites and digital marketing strategies across several European countries.

Chantel joined the marketing team in June 2024 and supports with the website strategy and management, technical and content SEO, and digital content.