Our People

Jo qualified as a chartered accountant in the 1980s and has had a diverse career within the profession (audit, litigation support, dispute resolution and corporate finance) and in the commercial and charity sectors (advisory, compliance and ethics, finance and risk management). Jo lived in Hong Kong for ten years and has worked internationally, but now enjoys being based in the United Kingdom. Jo’s aim is to ensure that 38 Degrees has a strong financial base to work from and is able to invest fully in achieving our campaigning goals. Jo looks after our finance function as well as risk and governance.

Jo has been actively involved in supporting various causes in the past, but is now looking forward to working with an organisation that can really make a difference. In her spare time she enjoys theatre, her allotment and singing in a jazz ensemble.

Uche is a professional accountant with extensive experience working in the charity sector at organisations with a focus on providing services for clients with mental health issues and learning difficulties. At 38 Degrees, his role involves working with budget managers to provide insight and aid decision-making based on the financial reports.

Uche is interested in current affairs and politics, and has a masters degree in International Taxation where he wrote a thesis paper on Base Erosion Profit shifting (BEPS). He is passionate about fairness and equity and believes that a fair taxation system is not only important for good governance but for creating the principle of everyone paying equitable taxes.

In his spare time Uche enjoys international travel, learning about different cultures, photography, practising his Spanish, playing chess, dance, and watching sport.

Jemmar comes from a Youth Campaigning background, working both as a youth campaigner and facilitating the social justice education of other young people. This work has predominantly been conducted through The Advocacy Academy of which they are an alum. She is a 2019 Diana Award Holder for her years of youth campaigning.

As a writer, she has written for gal-dem, Black Ballad, and LAPP The Brand. She is an activist passionate about tackling issues of colourism, misogynoir, and gender inequality through an intersectional lens. Jemmar has credits in documentary filmmaking. Jemmar has contributed to four documentaries to date, one about her having won a 2018 Children’s BAFTA and a 2020 Little Wings Festival Award.

Outside of 38 Degrees, Jemmar is working on social justice campaigns of which she has lived experience of and continues to write articles which embrace her driving mantra that the personal is political. They are passionate about campaigns, painting, drawing and everything to do with the Caribbean.

Emil manages video content at 38 Degrees, where he combines his passion for storytelling with a belief in the transformative power of social media to empower individuals and create meaningful change. With extensive experience as a content strategist, he has grown people-powered movements, supported trade union organising, and shaped impactful political campaigns. Outside of work he can be found surfing waves, tending to tomatoes, or nose deep in a book.

Before joining 38 Degrees, Foyez has worked on a range of campaigns from mental health to the Rohingya crisis. He is passionate about people-powered campaigning.

Outside of 38 Degrees, Foyez loves to plan his next big trip, sit in a coffee shop with a book or hopelessly manage his fantasy football team.

Tim was born in London, has lived up North (Cheshire), has lived down South (Sussex), and now lives in ‘Bristle’. He enjoys computers and tech, and likes to use them for doing good – connecting people, building communities and making the world friendlier. So he likes working at 38 Degrees! When not playing with computers, Tim likes to be at museums, the theatre, listening to live music or spending time with friends and family.

Amoke Bowman Boyles has a background in healthcare and communications. She has dedicated her career to improving the well-being of individuals and communities. From her early days working in healthcare, she discovered the power of effective communication in promoting positive change.

Amoke has transitioned into the world of campaigning, where she uses her communication skills to champion important causes. When she’s not actively engaged in advocacy work, you can find her playing with the Mangrove steel band.

Grace looks after Campaigns By You, the part of 38 Degrees where people can set up petitions on issues close to their heart. Before joining 38 Degrees, she worked in the campaigning sector in Ireland and the UK across environmental, economic, and human rights issues. Outside of work, Grace can be found trying to meet her ambitious reading goals, talking about Taylor Swift, and eating crisps.

Anna looks after our grassroots fundraising at 38 Degrees. Before joining the team, she spent several years working on digital engagement, online fundraising and corporate campaigning on issues from palm oil deforestation to workers’ rights.

Anna loves hummus, the Real Housewives, and her cat Pasha.

Nic spends his days transforming caffeine and biscuits into code. As a Senior Campaign Technologist, he works to build and support the tools that enable Campaigners to do their amazing work. Before joining 38 Degrees he has worked as a lead engineer at a fintech startup, and as part of the engineering team at a top UK University.

Outside of 38 Degrees Nic can be found hiking, bouldering, playing guitar, discovering cake and drinking Yorkshire tea.

Leyton now lives near Cardiff but grew up in Lower Cwmtwrch, fifteen miles from Swansea.  His first language is Cymraeg and he is a dab hand with a golf club.

He’s led the the inception and development of three SaaS products, the most recent was the subject of an acquisition by one of the world’s leading edTech companies and is a keen advocate of user centric, design driven product development.

Rochelle works as part of the Community Support & Insight team, working to give our supporters a political platform. Rochelle is passionate about human rights and social justice. Beyond 38 Degrees, she enjoys travelling and experiencing the beauty in the world. As well as, being out in nature, going out to eat, and binge watching shows.

Sophie is all about sharing people’s stories in innovative ways as part of imagining and creating a fairer world rooted in collective values. Since training as a journalist in Cardiff, Sophie has worked across the human rights field on campaigns including press freedom globally, women’s rights in the Pacific and Asia, and climate action. She enjoys writing, reading, and running in beautiful places. Fun fact: Sophie has read writing by women from every country in the world!

Flo has a background in environmental sustainability and has previously worked on campaigns for sustainable housing and sustainable supply chains. She has a MSc in Environmental Governance and experience working in a variety of third sector settings. When not at work, she likes walking in the Peak District, eating cake and going to the beach as much as the British weather allows.

Itzel comes from a Digital Comms background, working on sustainability and social justice campaigns. At 38 Degrees, Itzel will create online content aiming to reach more supporters and help our campaigns succeed. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, listening to true crime podcasts, and rock climbing.

Hannah came to 38 Degrees from regional news, most recently having worked as Chief Reporter for The Chronicle, in Newcastle, and is passionate about helping people to have their voices heard. Outside of 38 Degrees, Hannah is a BACP-registered counsellor, who cares deeply about supporting individuals with their mental health. In any remaining spare time, they enjoy crafting, cooking and attempting to try every single restaurant in the North East.

Niazy’s job at 38 Degrees involves looking at data about our campaigns and helping the team understand our supporters better. Before 38 Degrees, Niazy worked managing projects and teams in various roles in the charity sector, mostly with LGBTQ+ communities. Outside of 38 Degrees, Niazy spends her time dancing in queer spaces, making clothes, and improving her coding.

Matthew is a lifelong campaigner for social justice and progressive causes, including for trade unions, trade justice campaigns, for the UK’s leading antifascist group, and for centre-left political parties and candidates in several countries. In 2012, Matthew led Digital Rapid Response for President Obama’s re-election campaign, based in Chicago.

In addition to campaigning work, Matthew is an avid support of Norwich City, and of the Washington Nationals, writing and recording on football and baseball regularly. He lives in north-west England with his family.

Veronica previously worked in politics and in regional and local government, before moving to the charity sector. She has worked in communications and public affairs for a number of leading charities, campaigning passionately on issues from saving Sure Start children’s centres to improving care for people living with dementia.

Outside of work Veronica enjoys running in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside, searching out delicious cake, and riding the emotional rollercoaster that comes with being a Leeds United fan.

Mari is the Operations and Projects Coordinator for 38 Degrees and is very passionate about politics, particularly as it relates to intersectional feminism and equality. Prior to this, she was working in the Mental Health sector. She has a Masters in Creative Writing and is a published poet. She has previously run creative writing workshops for positive mental wellbeing. In her spare time, Mari loves reading and writing, cooking for friends and eating!

Having trained in Journalism, Natasha spent several years whizzing around with a camera gathering compelling stories for TV documentaries. Determined to achieve real change for all those without a voice, she jumped across to the charity sector. Natasha then worked with adults with learning disabilities, empowered people around the world affected by multiple sclerosis, and campaigned to end factory farming to protect animals, people, and the planet. Now, she’s enjoying her biggest and best challenge yet: leading impactful, inspiring campaigns at 38 Degrees.

When she’s off the clock, Natasha loves getting out into nature, travelling, trekking, watching movies, attempting yoga, failing at tennis, playing computer games (badly), and indulging in a good Netflix binge.

Nathan is a Data Analyst. His background is in database management and business insight in the charity sector. At 38 Degrees, he crunches numbers, makes pretty charts and generally helps the team to understand our supporters.

In his spare time he enjoys climbing (above a big soft crash mat), listening to podcasts and taking his dog for playdates in the park.

Amana is the first permanent People and Operations Director at 38 Degrees. Amana has worked across a number of sectors including legal, human rights, education, environmental, and INGOs in interim and permanent roles since 1998. Amana has managed, set up and directed HR functions in the UK and Europe, Asia, Middle East and Africa and is passionate about diversity, inclusion, equality and equity.

In her spare time Amana enjoys cooking, reading and travelling, learning about local culture and food.

Tom is a Campaigner at 38 Degrees and is particularly passionate about environmental, animal and human rights issues.

Prior to joining the team, he worked in campaigns and communications roles in the charity sector and Parliament. When he’s not campaigning, you can find Tom in a rowing boat at his nearest stretch of water or with his nose in a textbook attempting to learn Spanish.

Before joining 38 Degrees Jonathan worked on several political and charity campaigns. He cares about education, human rights and increasing access to campaigning for marginalised and underrepresented communities. He is currently completing a Masters in Global Affairs at King’s College. Outside of work, Jonathan enjoys quizzes, watching American sports, writing (sometimes) and looking after his dog, Summer.

Siobhan leads some 38 Degrees campaigns and looks after the organisation’s content and marketing team. Prior to joining 38 Degrees, Siobhan ran campaigns and provided strategic guidance to politicians, governments and charities in the US, Europe, and Africa. She is passionate about civil rights, pasta, and her dog, Riley.

Hailing from Hobart, Tasmania Kate has lived in the UK for the best part of 4 years. She previously worked in the social enterprise sector where she helped run campaigns to promote businesses with a social purpose. Outside of work she loves practicing yoga, brushing up on conversational Spanish and finding new places in London to go wild swimming.

Ian is a life long tech geek with experience in working on everything from software for film studios to online activism. When not moving around electrons to make things happen he likes making things out of wood, and moving himself down mountains quickly, usually whilst going ‘wheeeee’.

Matt’s previous experience includes working as a journalist, and supporting university students to get involved in campaigns focused on educational and social issues.

Outside of work he enjoys trying his hand at creative writing and playing music, as well as heading to the cinema and testing out all of the brunch places.

A recent Politics and International Relations graduate, Michael has a passion for all things political. Michael previously worked with members of Parliament and the Electoral Commission to publish a book, aimed at encouraging young people to vote in 2010 general elections. He has also campaigned on issues related to widening participation and social justice.

Outside of work, Michael is a keen traveller, photographer and blogger. He enjoys nothing more than getting lost in a random city in some far-flung region of the world. He’s also a big fan of Afro-beats and Dancehall music.

Anna is our Executive Assistant, working closely with the Board, CEO and Senior Leadership Team, as well as supporting the Operations team. Prior to 38 Degrees, Anna worked in classical music as an Artist Manager. Music has always played a big part in her life: outside of the office, Anna loves to sing and is a longstanding member of London-based chamber choir, Canticum. She is also cricket-mad and loves participating in team sports generally!

Cindy is a Software Engineer who is originally from New York City. Having dabbled in code sporadically while pursuing a different career back in New York, she finally decided to take the leap into the world of code after relocating to London. When not writing code, Cindy can be found exploring her other interests which include cooking, travelling, and trying to convince her husband to get her a french bulldog.

David is a 38 Degrees Campaigns by You (CBY) campaigner from Essex and is passionate about the national health service and equality.  Outside of work David regularly attends sporting events and music gigs, actively gets involved in anti racism and environmental issues and spends far to much of his time trying to justify another slice of pizza.

Ellie oversees work to ensure 38 Degrees strategy empowers millions of people, who look like the country we are trying to change, to make the UK a fairer, more respectful and sustainable place to live.

Before joining the team, she led campaigns for children’s charities and was an advisor in Parliament.

Ellie loves travel, food and American politics.

Robin is a campaigner with a background in technology and design. Day to day runs the Campaigns by You part of our website. He directs campaigns teams and the develops new technology and ensure the CBY team is helping members across the country win campaigns locally and nationally.

Robin comes from the best place in the UK, Essex. Prior to joining the team he used to be the creative manager for an independent cinema and has been actively involved in a range of campaigns areas. Most famously he once tried to drive a tank into an arms fair, and challenged the government to a game of cricket on Parliament Square. He’s also an awesome skateboarder.

Becca moved to London from a small town in Newfoundland, Canada a few years ago. She works to make sure everyone who’s part of 38 Degrees has the best experience possible.

Beyond 38 Degrees, she loves to travel, cook, read, and look at other peoples’ dogs in parks.

Megan has been at 38 Degrees for four years now! Before that she used to tour manage bands. In her spare time Megan enjoys reading, singing, hanging out with her dog, and trying to convince people to listen to the Hamilton soundtrack.

Currently the Development Director at openDemocracy, Rudaba has over 20 years of experience in promoting and advocating for social justice. Her career spans welfare-to-work, youth empowerment, ageing population strategy, economic development, widening participation in higher education, racial justice and independent investigative journalism.

Rudaba specialises in strategic income generation for the not-for-profit sector in the UK, focusing on the core socio-political issues of our time, bringing them to the heart of how and why organisations fundraise for a sustainable future and connecting them to a range of stakeholders in order that they are tackled through meaningful and powerful partnerships.

Prior to starting her career, Rudaba read Arabic with Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at Durham University. Speaking 6 languages and having lived in Dhaka, Helsinki, Belfast, Damascus and London, her international background formed the bedrock for her passion for social justice and the intersection between foreign affairs and domestic socio-economic development.

Liz is an equity, diversity and inclusion consultant across the charity and sports sectors.

She is an educator, collaborator and activist at heart, who first found her feet in Climate Justice after graduating in Zoology. Her journey into the charity sector began with radical youth work, working in all kinds of educational environments to support young people in harnessing the power of social justice.

Passionate about safeguarding, she spent time managing a youth project in London, working with survivors of exploitation, whilst also supporting policy makers and community leaders to operate with a trauma informed praxis.

As a charity leader, Liz was previously Director of Programmes at The Advocacy Academy, the UK’s only Social Justice Leadership programme, where she supported young activists to launch campaigns focusing on decolonising the curriculum, police brutality, anti-racism and air pollution, to name just a few. Most recently she held the role of Director of Programmes at Stonewall, Europe’s biggest LGBTQ+ Human Rights organisation.

She can be found on all social media at @lizmaryward usually talking about her first love, football.

Clare Kandola is a sustainability-in-media specialist, co-founder and partner at Futuretivity, a consultancy delivering sustainability for businesses. She has over 20 years’ experience working in film and TV internationally, with a decade working in sustainability, Circular and Sharing Economies.

As CEO of media consultancy Vidya Collective, Clare supported content providers create social value, develop audiences and achieve commercial viability. She has led research and strategy initiatives across Africa, working with TV and OTT providers to support sector growth and impact.

She was NED for The People Who Share, a social enterprise focused on Circular and Sharing Economy principles for business, communities and civic organisations. Clare’s background is in development and commercial management of broadcast and OTT, working externally and within leadership teams of content owners, aggregators and platforms. She has worked with brands including Amazon and Lovefilm, held executive commercial positions with Bloomberg and Freesat, with earlier roles at Discovery and Turner Broadcasting in London.

Andy has over 30 years’ experience of working on environmental issues. He previously worked for the Department of the Environment and the Environment Agency advising ministers and senior officials. His roles covered policy, science and operational delivery and included posts as Head of Environmental Strategy and Head of Research. Andy worked on development and delivery of Brexit, the Environment Act and the 25 Year Environment Plan. He volunteers for the British Red Cross as an emergency responder, most recently supporting Afghan and Ukrainian refugees. Andy has a PhD in ecology from the University of Southampton.

David is a strategist, technologist, and campaigner with extensive experience cultivating digital-first movements.

Originally from the southern US, over the past 15 years they have worked and lived in Washington, D.C., Brussels, Oxford, and London.

David’s experience draws from utilising tech in new ways to catalyse grassroots power in corporate boardrooms and halls of government.

They currently lead research, development, and innovation at SumOfUs, an organisation that mobilises millions of workers, shareholders, and consumers to hold corporations to account.

David studied sociology, politics, and gender studies, completing graduate degrees at American University and Worcester College, Oxford, focusing on how and why certain ideas propagate online.

Tom is a director at political and corporate communications consultancy WPI Strategy, and previously spent ten years working for the Labour Party as a political adviser. He was head of policy for Labour’s then-Deputy Leader Tom Watson from 2016-18, and before that he was the party’s head of research and then head of briefing and rebuttal, where his job included preparing party leaders for Prime Minister’s Questions. Tom is the co-author of the book Punch & Judy Politics: An Insiders’ Guide to PMQs, and has frequently appeared in the media as a commentator on politics. He has also worked for charities in the health and disability sectors, and has a PhD in ethics and philosophy of religion from the University of Durham.

Ellie’s career has focused around the nexus of technology and social impact. She is the Assistant Director for Innovation and Improvement Programmes at the Health Foundation, where she is responsible for the strategic development and operational delivery of a portfolio of funded programmes to improve health and care services.

Before joining the Health Foundation, Ellie co-founded and co-led Pivotal Act, a programme housed within technology companies Pivotal and VMware, dedicated to working with nonprofits to collaboratively create digital products that address social issues and drive impact. She established Pivotal Act while working as a consultant product manager.

She has tackled the challenge of building and using technology to improve society from many different angles, including at the World Bank, the US Department of Energy, startups and at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Ellie is passionate about supporting teams to take an outcomes focused, systems-led, and ethical approach to create impact, always in partnership with the communities we are designing for.

Devin has spent over 20 years working in the field of international development, with a specific focus on democracy assistance. Devin has served as Director of Programmes at Westminster Foundation for Democracy for the last 5+ years, and has a passion for parliaments, political parties, civil society, women’s political leadership, civic tech, and environmental democracy. He has worked and lived in Indonesia, Afghanistan, Romania, Haiti, El Salvador, the U.K., and the U.S., and can be found tweeting on democracy-related issues @devin_wfd on Twitter.

Sarah currently leads social impact strategy at Movember, where she works on campaigns and initiatives that challenge masculine norms in order to promote men’s health.

Prior to this, Sarah worked at leading agency Purpose, where she supported and built social movements on issues from global health, to climate change, and children’s play, working with partners such as the Gates Foundation, IKEA Foundation, and LEGO Foundation.

Before Purpose, Sarah led the strategy for Asia and the US at NGO Girl Effect, where she developed a specialism in youth-led programming and media that drive change.

Sarah began her career as a strategist at the UK’s leading creative advertising agency AMVBBDO. During her time in advertising, Sarah produced campaigns that won creative and strategic awards, from the APG, Marketing Society and IPA.

Prior to this, Sarah studied Sociology at Bristol University, Columbia University, and completed her master’s degree in Gender and Sociology at the London School of Economics

Richard has more than 30 years of experience in financial and general management leadership in commercial and not for profit entities. He has worked as a COO, CFO and Director/ Trustee in number of organisations in the UK, USA and Africa. Since stepping down from full time employment in 2017, Richard has joined the board of Doteveryone as their Treasurer, mentored senior finance professionals and consulted on strategy and financial management.

Buki is a Qualified Accountant and Management Consultant with over 17 years experience advising Senior Executives on how to improve the operational performance of their organisations. She is a Director at Baringa Partners LLP, a mid-sized full service Consulting firm, where she acts as Head of Finance Transformation Practice for Insurance clients and People Lead for the Insurance sector. She is also the Treasurer and a member of the Parochial Church Council at St John the Baptist Church. Buki is both a mentor and a coach; she is passionate about diversity as well as developing and empowering people of all personalities and backgrounds in the workplace.

Social business and development adviser. Grant director at the Roddick Foundation, previous head of global franchising for the Body Shop International.