The Team

THE TEAM

Ambassadors

judy ling wong cbe

Judy was director of Black Environment Network (BEN) and is a pioneer of multicultural participation in built and natural environment policy and was a founding trustee of Greater London National Park City.

Caroline lucas

Former MP for Brighton Pavilion, former leader and co-leader, Caroline Lucas is a shining example of what women in power can do for the environment. She has supported Wen for 10 years.

MARIA ADEBOWALE-SCHWARTE

Maria is a city and urban place strategist. She advocates for inclusive and collaborative placemaking that creates thriving neighbourhoods and better lives.

karen joash

Karen is a Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital site, holds multiple roles shaping maternal and reproductive health globally.

Trustees

monique johnson, CO-chair

Monique oversees Social Purpose transformation for the University of Arts London (UAL), Europe’s largest higher education institute dedicated to the study of fashion, art, design and the performing arts. Social Purpose at UAL is concerned with empowering creative communities, building an inclusive society, stabilising the climate whilst regenerating our environment and ensuring more equitable prosperity and well-being.

DR. AMIERA SAWAS, HEAD OF RESEARCH AND POLICY, FOSSIL FUEL NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY INITIATIVE (1)

DR AMIERA SAWAS, CO-CHAIR

Amiera is Head of Research and Policy at Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative. She is a feminist researcher and advocate who works at the intersections of climate change, gender justice, public participation and the social contract. As a person of Syrian and Irish heritage, with close links to Pakistan, she has lived life with an acute awareness of the impacts of colonial histories.

Tallulah Staple, TREASURER

Tallulah is Chief Operating Officer for Dialogue Earth, an international NGO reporting on environmental issues. She has a BA in International Development and Economics from SOAS. Previous roles have seen her working closely with communities, schools and charities across London and especially Tower Hamlets.

MOMTAZ AJID

Momtaz is the founder of a Leaders in Community (LiC), a youth charity based in Tower Hamlets. She has 15 years’ experience of working in the charity sector, empowering young people in leadership and governance. Momtaz has a Masters in Communication and Society from Goldsmiths University.

Suna Ramadan

Suna has over 6 years’ experience of fundraising in the charity sector, securing 5 and 6 figure bids. In her current role, she is Fundraising Manager at West London charity, The Octavia Foundation, overseeing several fundraising streams. She developed her interest in charity income generation after university when she started volunteering at a grassroots youth empowerment charity in Tower Hamlets.

BETH CHRISTIE

Beth is the Director of Scotland’s United Nations University-recognised Regional Centre of Expertise in Education for Sustainable Development (Learning for Sustainability Scotland) and a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at the University of Edinburgh. Her interdisciplinary research, teaching and advocacy is broadly located at the intersection of sustainability education, social movement learning, social and environmental justice, and critical pedagogical practices.

staff

ZARINA AHMAD, CO-DIRECTOR

Zarina is an expert in equalities and climate change, increasing participation of under-represented groups in environmentalism. She was named as one of the top 30 influential women contributing to the environment and sustainability by BBC Woman’s Hour.

Kate Metcalf, Co-Director

Kate has over 20 years’ experience developing community and international networks within international development and environmental organisations with a focus on gender and social justice. Kate leads Wen’s Feminist Green New Deal project aiming to ensure that women, racialised and marginalised groups are central to the green economy.

Roshini Thamotheram, head of movements & CLIMATE SISTERS PROGRAMME MANAGER

Roshini is an feminist researcher, educator, facilitator, and organiser passionate about justice in all its forms. With an MA in Race and Social Justice, she works to advance intersectional approaches, connecting people, ideas, and movements for change.

MERAY DINER, CLIMATE SISTERS PROGRAMME MANAGER – scotland

Meray joined Wen as a former Climate Sister and brings over a decade of experience in the arts and cultural sector, with a strong focus on amplifying underrepresented voices in climate change and social justice. As a filmmaker, her work explores the relationship between human activity, land, environment, and water, studying themes such as conflict, identity, and borders through a feminist lens.

TITILAYO FARUKUOYE, CLIMATE SISTERS PROJECT Coordinator – scotland

Titilayo is a writer, educator and community facilitator based in Glasgow. They are enthusiastic about centering systemically marginalised people, community care and non hierarchical collaboration to tackle the climate crisis and global injustice. When not with Wen, Titilayo co-directs the Scottish BPOC Writers Network, leads anti-racism change in Scottish Education or kicks a football.

Anisa Saleh, CLIMATE SISTERS PROGRAMME MANAGER – Manchester/NW

Anisa is a coach, facilitator and consultant working at the intersection of environmental justice, arts, culture and social impact. Rooted in anti-oppressive practice and nature-based leadership, she brings over a decade of experience supporting individuals and organisations to embed equity, care and inclusion into their work. Anisa offers a perspective shaped by community-centred practice, social justice and liberatory structures.

RIA PHATARPHEKAR-KARMARKAR, CLIMATE SISTERS PROJECT COORDINATOR – MANCHESTER/NW

Ria is an Applied Theatre Practitioner who works collaboratively with young people and communities to create meaningful, joyful work that amplifies underrepresented voices. Outside of Wen, Ria works with Odd Arts, facilitating workshops in schools, communities, and prisons to support people in overcoming social injustices.

IVIÉ ITOJE, GREEN BABY PROGRAMME MANAGER AND CLIMATE SISTERS MANAGER

Ivié is passionate about intersectional feminism, sustainability, and holistic health solutions. With a background in law, advocacy, the performing arts, and body image work, she leads the Green Baby Project, promoting non-toxic and accessible baby care solutions for healthier families and a healthier planet.

Helen Lynn, SENIOR CONSULTANT AND RESEARCH FELLOW (FEMINIST TOXIC FREE FUTURES)

Helen has spent her career building feminist health campaigns including founding the Alliance for Cancer Prevention and From Pink to Prevention. She has worked at national, European and International levels on issues linking gender, health and the environment. Helen also heads up Wen’s Environmenstrual Campaign.

MARIE MORICE, FEMINIST TOXIC FREE FUTURES POLICY CAMPAIGNER

Marie has over 25 years’ experience leading climate, sustainability, and gender equity initiatives at organisations including the UN and WWF. At Wen, Marie drives policy and campaign work on toxic chemicals, with a focus on protecting women’s health and advancing feminist approaches to environmental policy.

NNENNA ONWUKA, FEMINIST CLIMATE JUSTICE POLICY CAMPAIGNER

Nnenna has a background in advocating for girls’ education and feminist climate justice, as well as researching the impact of deforestation on human rights. She holds an MSc in Human Rights.

Alice Walker - from Real Nappies for London (RNfL)

alice walker, rnfl PROJECT MANAGER

Alice joined Real Nappies for London in October 2010. She is keen to help more boroughs reduce single-use nappy waste and is happy to discuss bespoke incentives and rewards including helping parents promote real nappies in their boroughs.

SHABINA ALI, RNFL OFFICER

Shabina is passionate about reducing environmental impact by educating and supporting families in adopting eco-friendly alternatives. With over 20 years as a voluntary community organiser, she has developed multi-arts projects to assist home-educated children and marginalized communities.

ELLE MCALL, JUST FACT PROGRAMME MANAGER

Elle is passionate about inclusive climate action, and believes in the unique power of food to bring people together. She has worked in the charity sector 7 years, managing a wide range of environmental projects.

ZOE MILES, LOCAL FOOD PARTNERSHIP MANAGER

Zoe (they/them) loves their job of coordinating Tower Hamlets Food Partnership, a super dynamic and ever growing collaborative network working together to transform our local food system. With a background in union organising, facilitation, horticulture, education and arts, Zoe aims to bring intersectional feminist principles of redistributing power throughout their work in Wen.

SAJNA MIAH, FOOD RESEARCHER & LIMBOROUGH HUB COORDINATOR

Sajna is a researcher on our Food Stories Tower Hamlets project. She has 25 years’ experience working with different communities in Tower Hamlets, including 10 years working for Tower Hamlet’s Women’s Aid as a Bangladeshi Women’s Domestic Violence outreach worker. Alongside Wen, she volunteers at a food bank that run by East End Homes.

SHAZNA HASSAIN, FOOD RESEARCHER

Shazna is a researcher on our Food Stories Tower Hamlets project. She has 26 years’ experience of the Tower Hamlets community in various organisations in paid and voluntary positions. In addition to Wen, she works in a local school during lunchtimes and volunteers for a community cycling group. She grows her own cultural vegetables and loves researching food cultures with communities.

BERNADETTE-KENNEDY in a garden standing next to sunflowers

Bernadette Kennedy, Soil Sisters Therapeutic LEAD

Bernadette combines her background working in mental health and homelessness services with her passion for gardening to reclaim and transform neglected spaces into community gardens.

REBECCA EVANS-MERRITT, HEAD OF ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Rebecca has a Fine Arts background and has worked in Production and Education. She loves living in Tower Hamlets and enjoying all the pockets of green amongst the city.

KATHARINE WESTWOOD, OPERATIONS MANAGER

Katharine is an operations specialist and is passionate about creating spaces where individuals can show up as their authentic selves. Katharine enjoys running and getting lost outdoors..

Brian Dexter, Finance Coordinator

Brian has 20+ years working in financial leadership while also volunteering tirelessly in his east London community for grassroots responses to poverty and distress. He has three grown up children.

Faysal Ahmed, IT Coordinator

Faysal studied Engineering with specialisation in Computer Network at Brunel University before joining Wen in 2008.

Heidi Ringshaw, head of Communications AND engagement

Heidi leads on Wen’s strategic communications, campaigns, content, and supporter engagement. With a background in marketing and events, she brings a creative and holistic approach to her work. Heidi is passionate about telling stories that inspire action and help build a fairer, greener future.

KATE BEARD, MEDIA & COMMS CONSULTANT

Kate is a strategic communications consultant with over 20 years’ experience in PR and campaigns for charities and the women’s sector. She’s passionate about using communications to drive social change and specialises in strategy development, campaigning, media relations, storytelling, and content creation. As a trusted partner, Kate works closely with Wen to help amplify women’s voices and drive impact.

Wen advisors

sherilyn macgregor, feminist climate justice advisor

Sherilyn is a professor at the University of Manchester with expertise in ecofeminism, environmental justice and community-based research. She is co-author of the ‘Towards a feminist green new deal for the UK’ policy brief and the ‘Roadmap for a feminist green new deal’ commissioned by Wen and the Women’s Budget Group in 2020/21.