After my master’s degree in Theology and Sociology, I started working for a grant making foundation.

It wasn’t until my CEO took me under her wing and encouraged me to become the foundation’s company secretary and recognised my skills in governance that I started to realise I might have stumbled upon a career.

I took the chance of some time away from work during my first maternity leave to study for my Certificate in Charity Law and Governance with CGI and I have been pursuing the path for greater understanding of excellence in governance ever since.

I’ve been Kent Community Foundation’s Company Secretary for over five years and am passionate about not only outstanding governance but organisational culture, behavioural governance, equality and ethics. I never pass off the opportunity for a conference or webinar and love the chance to be a student again. I work not only as secretary to the board but have oversight of many operational areas of our charity, such as relationships with our investment managers, financial processes, IT, data and HR and policies. The variety of my role is one of my favourite things about it.

I have been incredibly lucky to have worked for inspiring female leaders who have shown me the power of female leadership; to not be shy or apologetic and to be assertive, but above all empathic. The trust and respect I have been shown from those above me has given me real confidence in my ability and ambition to achieve more.