I’ve always held the belief that if you’re going to give back, do something you love and care about.

I grew up in South Africa in a family that wasn’t particularly political, but as I got older, I became increasingly aware of the deep inequalities around me. A turning point came in 1976. I was thirteen years old when the Soweto riots broke out. A person my age lost their life standing up for what they believed in! It forced me to look beyond my own world and become conscious of the realities so many people were facing.

I went to university and then to business school and built a career in brand management with multinational companies. It was a time in my life when I wanted to give back to those who didn’t have the same educational opportunities as I did. I volunteered with an organisation that helped children living in the townships around Johannesburg prepare for school, and I taught literacy to domestic workers.

In 1998, my husband John was offered a role in the UK, and we moved to London with our two young sons. Once we were settled, I was keen to give back in this new place we called home, but I initially found it difficult to identify where and how to get involved. In South Africa, inequality was highly visible. At that time in the UK, it was less obvious.

We joined a synagogue, and through it, I became part of several groups, including the social action team. It was very hands-on — collecting clothes, organising meals, and supporting people directly. One of the things I still do is drive the minibus to bring people to synagogue. Together with a “co-pilot”, we make sure everyone gets on safely, chatting along the way, and listening to their stories brings home the joy of giving and connection.

With my background in business, marketing, and strategy, I felt that I could combine my professional skills with causes I care deeply about by becoming a trustee. Today, I’m Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees at Citizens UK, Chair of the Board at the New Israel Fund, and former Chair of Alyth Synagogue and a trustee of the Progressive Jewish Movement.

Being a trustee carries a lot of responsibility. Trustees support and guide the professionals who do the day-to-day work, while having oversight of strategy, finances, and governance. The role is a careful balance between having responsibilities and also allowing space for the work to be done. Being a trustee requires patience, listening skills, people management, and trust. But it’s a role where you can really make a difference.

Citizens UK, where I am Vice Chair of the Board, mobilises people on the ground to effect change in their local communities, as well as running national campaigns. One of our most impactful initiatives is the Living Wage Foundation, which works to push employers to pay all their employees a living wage that is higher than the rate set by the Government. Employers sign up to be “Living Wage Employers”, ensuring more people can afford to live.

Locally, Citizens UK has chapters across the country, which bring people together to address issues that matter to their community — whether that’s campaigning for a safer zebra crossing outside a school or securing more mental health workers in hospitals. It’s all about people power.

What brings me great satisfaction in my work with Citizens UK is building trust across differences. While people may not agree on everything, there is always a common cause around which people can mobilise, such as advocating for more street lamps or supporting a refugee family settling into the area. Citizens UK works very hard on building this trust, enabling people to come together and make change happen.

Today, there is a lot more trustee training than when I started out. Now, the charity commission has amazing resources, as do the NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations) and ACEVO (Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations). Trustee boards need trustees with a range of skills and who are able to question and be a sounding board for the organisation, and a Chair who builds trust and fosters collaboration. I think that boards today are better balanced in terms of gender, but I would like to see more women stepping into finance and Board Chair roles.

Bringing younger people into trustee roles is so important for the future of the Charity sector. Across the boards I sit on, I make a conscious effort to create space for younger voices who bring fresh perspectives, new skills, and different ways of thinking.

I am a people person, and watching boards grow — both collectively and individually — is extremely rewarding. Board work can be messy and complex; very little is black and white. But navigating the messiness together, learning from one another, and creating impact make it all worthwhile.

Across all my trustee roles, while the organisations and missions may differ, the purpose is the same: to create positive change and improve people’s lives.

Circle Square Member Quick Fire Q&A

What 3 words best describe you? I feel that I am courageous (maybe a euphemism for ‘candid’), I strive to be “compassionate” and I’m dependable.

If you could offer your younger self one piece of advice, what would that be? Be true to who you are – it’s not always comfortable or easy, but it’s how we build trust and deep connections in the world.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement? Having a family that cares deeply about one another and the world around us.

Which person (dead or alive) would you most like to invite to dinner? Brené Brown. Her unfiltered wisdom and leadership lessons are steeped in extensive research, all beautifully bound by her unique understanding of how we positively encounter courage, vulnerability and empathy in our life, love and leadership.

How has age strengthened your advantage? If you’re asking how (and if) age gives me an advantage, I hope so. I hope that some of what I’ve experienced so far informs how I respond to all that life throws at us. I am definitely more patient, and I’ll never stop being curious. Asking questions opens doors and opens minds.

What inspired you to join Circle Square? I joined Circle Square at the very beginning when Noam and Nick came to speak to us about the seeds of an idea they had for a community of over 50s. Circle Square has evolved over the years as the offer has grown, but the heart of Circle Square remains the same – the idea that in mid-life our sense of who we are has more depth and breadth, and that it’s a time to amplify and share our experience and collective wisdom to make life the best it can be for us and those around us too.