Our People

Prior to stepping up to this role, Jodie was the Director of Programmes and Partnerships at Khulisa for 2.5 years, where she built the delivery team and quadrupled our partnerships with schools. Before joining Khulisa, she held senior leadership positions in organisations offering a variety of therapeutic services to young people in care. Most notably, pioneering the development of a therapeutic unit for young women. The unit, the first of its kind in the UK, advocated for choice-based approaches in managing psychiatric and complex risks. (Yvonne House).

Importantly for Khulisa, Jodie also has lived experience of exclusion from school, has worked in Alternative Provision and has delivered therapeutic services as a frontline practitioner for over 10 years.

Jodie has trained as a Youth Worker and Criminologist and has a Masters from the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust in Psychodynamic and Systemic Leadership and Consultancy. She is passionate about taking a relational approach to both individual and systemic change and creating platforms and spaces that are inclusive and where those with lived experiences can have their voice heard (and feel comfortable whilst sharing it).

Jodie chairs Khulisa’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee. She
is a passionate advocate for neurodiversity and LGBTQ+ inclusion and sits on the Management Committee at Haringey Learning Partnership ( a multi-site alternative provision for young people with complex needs).

Jodie spends her free time weightlifting, playing AFL (badly) and walking her dog.

Tony joined Khulisa in August 2022 as an experienced charity accountant, having spent 14 years working in two large charities. These were Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity or GOSHCC (where he qualified with ACCA) and Wateraid where he led the UK finance operations team.

Tony enjoys working in teams to deliver high quality management information and his career objectives are to develop himself, colleagues and the organisations he works for. A significant career highlight was acting as finance lead for the implementation of Salesforce at GOSHCC. On this he worked with agile project teams from Deloitte and Qbase to update and digitalise finance processes, build strong system integrations and develop new reporting tools for staff.

Away from work he is a keen (fantasy) footballer and enjoys reading and long country walks. He also loves spending time with his wife and three children.

Tom has spent the bulk of his career working with young people from under-resourced backgrounds to tackle the access gap in university participation, first with IntoUniversity, where he worked as an Education Worker in their Oxford South East centre, before leading the IntoUniversity Bow centre throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Tom joined The Access Project in 2022 to lead their Programme Design & Quality work. More recently, Tom has led the implementation of The Access Project’s five-year growth strategy as their Head of Strategy & Insights. Tom has also supported The Access Project to become a more inclusive and nurturing workplace in his roles as Senior Manager Sponsor for the Programme Diversity & Inclusion working group and as a Mental Health First Aider.

Tom has an active volunteering life outside of work as both a governor at a primary school in Tower Hamlets, and a trustee for Island House Community Centre on the Isle of Dogs. Tom has supported teachers and teaching assistants to implement the school’s behaviour and wellbeing strategy since 2022, and supported Island House to launch its inaugural Impact Report in 2024; showcasing the incredible work the charity had achieved for local people in the previous calendar year.

Tom follows most sports, and will try (poorly) even more. His other interests include reading, creative writing and cooking.

Porsha's love for working with children and young people blossomed at a young age, inspired by her mother's dedication to supporting youth in their community.

With over 15 years of experience in Education, Youth Work, Social Care, and Substance Misuse sectors, Porsha has passionately served children, young people, and families.

Porsha's hard work has been widely recognised through numerous award nominations, including prestigious accolades such as the Golden Lion, ANV Coram, Croydon Business Excellence Award, and Children & Young People Now.

She is deeply committed to amplifying youth voices, having led initiatives such as the British Youth Council and the Children in Care Council for the borough with the largest population of care-experienced youth in London.

Motivated by this dedication, Porsha has founded her own Supported Living Accommodation for young people in care.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Porsha finds joy in hosting events for friends, cooking, traveling and vlogging.

Nora is passionate about connecting people with the causes they care about and driving funds towards programmes that create real change in the world. Having worked in fundraising for over 15 years, for a variety of causes, including Charities Aid Foundation, ICYE UK, Plan UK, Women for Women International and Scope she has developed a wide range of skills and approaches to engaging supporters. Nora specialises in high net worth relationship building, major donor, corporate, trusts and foundation and joint ventures between private and public funding.

Her communications experience includes, brand identity, cause related marketing, and audience insight.

She has a MSc in Development Studies from SOAS, a BA in History and enjoys regular personal development opportunities through networks such as the Lucidity Network. She sits on the fundraising committee and is an active PTA member for her children’s primary school.

Nora joined Khulisa in September 2020 after a year abroad travelling with her family in Central and South America. She enjoys time with her family, reading, swimming and travelling.

Derellanne is from Dublin, Ireland and has lived in the UK since January 2011. Her therapeutic background is in Humanistic counselling and over the past decade she has worked with Young People in Schools, PRU’s, residentials, and psychiatric inpatient units. Derellanne’s previous role was managing a team working with care leavers in semi-independent residential and community placements. She is passionate about working with Young People and being creative to ignite change.

Outside of work Derellanne plays for an AFL team (Australian Football), loves to cook new cuisines and listen to music.

Tasha joined Khulisa in April 2021 and has over 10 years experience working with young people across the country from all different walks of life, from Prisons to schools, to the community and residentials. Most recently Tasha has worked closely supporting Children in care and young care leavers to improve their well-being, helping them to achieve their full potential, through 1:1 young person-centered coaching and support, group workshops or training of professionals.

Tasha has a degree in Psychology and a masters in youth and community work and is passionate about helping to solicit change in our most vulnerable young people, always using trauma informed, person centered, strength-based models.

When she's not working, you will find Tasha eating something, in her studio creating resin pieces, on an airplane somewhere or researching where next to go!

Briony joined Khulisa in late 2021 as an Associate Facilitator and became a Programme Manager in July 2022. Briony has an Undergraduate degree in Drama and Theatre Studies and is also a qualified Dramatherapist, having graduated from Derby University in 2021. During her MA studies, Briony spent time researching the impact of trauma on an individual’s sense of self during adolescence, and how the use of story and metaphor can support the possibility of rediscovery and healing where biological disruption has been present.

Prior to her studies, Briony worked within residential settings with children, young people and adults. Briony has also worked within schools and refuges as part of her University placements and most recently has provided 1-1 and group interventions for children and young people who have been affected by cancer, bereavement and life limiting conditions.

Outside of work, Briony loves going to the theatre, musicals being a firm favourite. She also enjoys meeting with friends, weekends away and any excuse to go to the beach!

Sheila has worked with young people for over 15 years, designing and delivering drama based Personal Health and Social Education (PHSE) workshops from mainstream schools to referral units throughout London, tackling subject matters such as, sex education, anti-bullying, knife crime, drugs and alcohol abuse and much more.

As a therapist, Sheila has worked within the NHS; forensic mental health and Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit, providing one-to-one and group therapy to patients with a variety of psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, bipolar and dissociative order, self-harm, suicidal ideations, and psychosis.

Since the beginning of the year, she has been a therapist and continues to work with ‘Just For Kids Law’, a UK charity that work with children and young people to ensure their legal rights are respected and promoted.

Sheila runs a befriending group four times a year for families who have lost their babies through stillbirth and neonatal death. This group has been running for 10 years, for families to come together to share their experiences, and support one another through loss and
grief.

Trained at the University of Roehampton as a dramatherapist, Sheila works creatively with story-making, music, movement, and art, which enables her clients to explore and work through their issues if words are too difficult.

Sheila is a member of The British Association of Dramatherapists, (BADth) and is registered and regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

When Sheila is not working, you will find her either reading a book or watching a film and relaxing with her family.

Tiah has an Undergraduate degree from in Psychology and Education Studies and has an MSc in Psychology of Education. Between her studies, Tiah moved to Sevilla for 9 months where she worked as a Language Assistant and developed her interest in working with a young people with various needs and using creative ways to bring language learning to life!

Before joining Khulisa, Tiah worked at a various language summer schools as an activities manager and worked as a tutor. Most recently, Tiah worked with a widening participation charity based in South East London. Programmes with the young people aimed to introduce young people to the different routes into and opportunities related to further education and careers, in the hope of helping them to develop the
skills and confidence to achieve their different aspirations. In addition to enjoying supporting young people with their academic attainment, Tiah became drawn to exploring the ways in which, social, behavioural and emotional factors rooted outside of the classroom impacted students’ performance and presence in their classrooms.

Outside of work, Tiah enjoys spending time with friends and family, cooking as much as she can for anyone who is willing to taste her creations and exploring different hobbies to tap into her creativity.

As Khulisa's Trusts Fundraising Manager, Isabel works across our grants and corporate partnerships. Before joining Khulisa, Isabel worked in development in social care and education charities with a particular focus on access, engagement and participation. Isabel has also worked as a prison and mental health law paralegal, working directly with young and vulnerable people often excluded from accessing education and struggling to re-integrate.

She specialises in grant-based fundraising, and is particularly passionate about building partnerships with funders and public sector institutions to ensure brilliant, comprehensive services for young and vulnerable people.

Isabel holds a GDL in Law from the University of Law, prior to which she studied Ancient and Modern History (BA) at the University of Oxford and Russian Studies (MA) at the School of Slavonic and Eastern European Studies.

When not working, Isabel enjoys open air swimming and attempting to make passable piroshki dumplings - usually unsuccessfully.

With a BA Hons in Politics and International Relations and an MSc in Global Politics, I have always been driven by a deep understanding of complex global systems and the desire to create impactful solutions. Over the past decade, I have successfully navigated the entrepreneurial landscape, founding and managing two businesses that have forged partnerships with prestigious brands such as Selfridges, Holland & Barrett, Adidas, and Soho House.

My entrepreneurial journey has equipped me with a robust background in operations, honed through years of hands-on experience in managing diverse projects and teams. I thrive on the challenges that come with optimising processes, enhancing efficiency, and driving business growth. My passion for operations is rooted in a commitment to excellence and a strategic mindset that seeks continuous improvement.

As the Operations Manager at Khulisa, I bring a wealth of experience and a proven track record of successfully managing complex operational frameworks. In this role, I have developed a keen eye for detail and a strategic approach to problem-solving, ensuring that all processes run smoothly and efficiently.

As Khulisa’s Data and Insight Coordinator, Aisling plays a key role in translating data into meaningful insights, ensuring Khulisa’s programmes remain evidence-led and impactful. She works closely with teams across the organisation to evaluate the impact of their work and support data-driven decision-making.

With a background in social research and monitoring and evaluation, Aisling previously worked as a project manager and researcher for a multinational consulting group, delivering insights and evaluating schemes for clients across the public and private sectors. She holds a BA in Sociology and is passionate about using data to tell compelling stories, advocate for change, and maximise impact for young people.

Outside of work, Aisling enjoys walks with her dog and is always on the lookout for a great film.

Varangi Jobanputra is a highly experienced Finance Officer and Accounts Assistant. She has a
proven track record in accounting and finance procedures and policies, demonstrating her ability
to plan and prioritize workloads effectively.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Varangi is a dedicated homemaker, responsible
mother of two children, and a supportive wife. She excels in balancing her career and family life,
demonstrating her commitment to both her professional and personal responsibilities.
Varangi holds a Master Degree in Accounting and Finance and a Diploma in Business
Management with an e-commerce focus. Her educational foundation complements her practical
experience, making her a well-rounded professional.

Flora joined Khulisa in September 2024 following the completion of her MSc in Clinical Psychology at Newcastle University.

Flora is passionate about combining her mental health expertise with her enthusiasm for social media and communications. She likes to find creative ways to communicate with others digitally and can happily spend hours on end designing posts and print materials on Canva.

In her spare time, Flora loves to travel, cook and spend time with her friends. Originally from the Lake District, she also loves walking, swimming, and paddleboarding, so long as it isn’t raining (which unfortunately is rare up north). Finally, and most importantly, Flora regularly enjoys playing with her boyfriend’s 4 amazing (and very very cute) dogs – 3 Chihuahuas and a golden Labrador.

Laurie worked for an education non-profit and as a child protection social worker, before joining the civil service. He has held a variety of policy and strategy roles in central government in the Cabinet Office and Department for Education - including as Head of Strategic Policy, where he advised Ministers and Secretaries of State on shaping and delivering their strategic priorities across schools, skills and families policy.

After a decade in the public and third sector, Laurie moved into management consultancy, advising senior executives on improving public services, across central and local government, and the health system. The national scale of rising social and emotional needs was underscored for him during a project he led with local authorities to identify opportunities to improve outcomes in special educational needs systems.

He brings a valuable blend of frontline experience, social policy expertise, and a track record of translating strategy into delivery. This is particularly important for us in this strategic cycle as we look to increase our impact and influence. He steps in with the full support of the board of Trustees and of our experienced Deputy Chair, Dami Solebo who offers continuity having been with us for nearly 4 years.

Dami is the CEO of The Clement James Centre, a community organisation in West London supporting young people and adults through education, employment and wellbeing programmes. Dami was previously a director of Finding Rhythms, a charity delivering creative interventions in prisons and community settings and worked with Voyage Youth, an organisation providing mentoring and education support to young BAME people at risk of social exclusion. Dami is involved with a number of educational and social enterprises and has worked in an advisory capacity with Comic Relief and the Youth Endowment Fund. He also brings skills and experience from his career in the financial sector to the governance and finance of the charity.

Darlene brings crucial marketing, fundraising and strategic leadership skills to the Khulisa Board. She has worked with a number of charities such as Shelter, UNICEF and Mind, gaining further appreciation of the benefits that therapeutic methodologies and trauma-informed environments provide to a rising number of young people.

In her current role at EFG Private Bank, Darlene has gained crucial insights into effective leadership and
strategic planning. There Darlene supported thier employee wellbeing initiatives and launched the ‘EFG Purpose’, providing further experience in leadership, communication and strengthening culture. Darlene's upbringing in West London provided her with a deep understanding of the challenges that face young
people and the importance of providing focused resources and solutions.

Nick is the Director of Funding and Community at Purposeful Ventures (which spun out of Arc Ventures who set up Arc Schools), having joined in 2024 from the charity Impetus, where he was lead of the education sector which encompassed a portfolio of 15 charities. Prior to this, Nick worked in social impact investing, and was a partner in Oliver Wyman’s Financial Services practice for 10 years, as well as co-leading the firm’s social impact practice. Nick worked closely with us whilst developing our strategy and was our Investment Director at Impetus in Jodie’s first year as CEO where they developed a strong high-challenge and high-support relationship. He has particular expertise in school sales, as does one of our other trustees Bernadette Keane, together they are key to our programmes and innovation committee

Amy is a Managing Consultant at inlumi, a digital transformation boutique consultancy for the Finance function. Prior to joining inlumi, she joined the Financial Services audit practice at KPMG at the age of 18, where she qualified as an ICAEW ACA accountant.

She has more than a decade of experience specialising Finance and Finance strategy, helping clients transform their Finance function to achieve their strategic objectives.

Amy spends her time outside of working trying to master a new yoga pose, (trying to) learn Spanish and Dutch or reading another Gabor Mate book.

Joely joined Khulisa part time in December 2018 as Khulisa's Youth Engagement Advisor. As part of her role Joely ensures young people's voices are being heard and to encourage participants to engage and get the most out of Khulisa's programmes. She believes that many young people are being failed and not taken seriously by the education system and that all young people should be able to express themselves.

Joely first got involved with Khulisa as a student at Wac Arts College in 2017 when she attended a Khulisa taster day. Seeing how Khulisa breaks down people's resistance to life made Joely want to be more involved. Following this she helped design and develop the #lookbeyondthelabel campaign and has been an advocate for Khulisa's work ever since.

Joely is passionate about photography, sports, travelling and socialising and hopes to use her experience and skills to work with children who have been in similar situations to her (both education-wise and life-wise) to help them achieve their goals.