Jodie Wickers is stepping down as the CEO of Khulisa this month, with Michael Buraimoh taking over as Interim CEO.
Jodie has been with Khulisa for four and a half years, serving as CEO for the last two and a half. Her decision to step down comes after a serious spinal cord injury in December, following an incident at the gym that led to a rare condition known as cauda equina syndrome. While her passion for Khulisa remains unwavering, Jodie has made the incredibly difficult choice to prioritise her health and recovery.
“Resigning from Khulisa has been a heartbreaking decision for me as I love the Charity and the impact that we have. But, with the nature of my spinal injury, rest and rehabilitation in the early stages is vital to my recovery, and so I need to prioritise this at this time. It has been a tremendous privilege to lead Khulisa over the last few years and I am so proud of all that we’ve achieved. I’m confident that the exceptional team will continue to work tirelessly every day to deliver our mission of supporting young people affected by trauma and adversity. I will continue to cheer them on from afar” - Jodie Wickers
Jodie’s leadership has left a lasting legacy at Khulisa. Under her leadership, the organisation has grown significantly, including achieving the milestone of becoming a million-pound income charity and developing our new and more intensive delivery model. Chair of the board, Laurie Martin, says:
“On behalf of the Board, team at Khulisa, our funders, partners and the young people we support, I thank Jodie for her leadership, vision and unwavering commitment over her distinguished career with us. Jodie is an exceptionally talented leader who has had a tremendous impact during her time here”.
In this period of transition, we are pleased to welcome Michael Buraimoh as Interim CEO. Michael joined Khulisa eight months ago as Director of Operations and brings with him extensive leadership experience from the charity sector. His strong operational expertise makes him well-placed to guide the team forward.
“It has been a privilege to work with Jodie, and I am saddened by her departure from Khulisa. Her passion for the charity’s mission and her unwavering dedication have been truly inspiring. Jodie’s achievements over the years – not least leading Khulisa to the significant milestone of becoming a million-pound income charity and the creation of a flagship therapeutic programme supporting young people’s wellbeing – have laid a strong foundation for continued organisational growth and scalable impact in the months and years ahead.” - Michael Buraimoh, Interim CEO
Though this is a bittersweet moment for Khulisa, we remain focused on our mission in supporting young people affected by trauma to thrive. We thank Jodie for everything she has contributed and extend our deepest wishes for her continued recovery.