Turning purpose into progress

Lisa Pearce

Chief Executive Officer

Sam Matthews

Head of Delivery

Sam Matthews joined Pilotlight in November 2021. She has worked in the charity sector throughout her career, starting in South Africa leading a community-based HIV/AIDS education programme. After moving to the UK in the late 90’s she continued her career in the HIV sector. She joined Charities Evaluation Services where she co-authored the lead quality standards PQASSO and supported charities seeking accreditation. More recently she has worked with Leap Confronting Conflict as their director of delivery. At home she is a mother of two teenagers and a passionate gardener. She is also a Trustee of an organisation called Birth Companions – the charity works to improve the lives of women and babies who experience inequality and disadvantage. It works within the criminal justice system, social care and immigration services.

Mel Whitney-Long

Head of Operations

Mel joined Pilotlight in February 2019. Mel’s career was in International Development, working mainly on women’s and girls’ empowerment issues through health and education programmes in Asia and Africa. She holds a Master’s degree in Violence, Conflict & Development and has lived in Rwanda, Laos and Sierra Leone. Mel is a trustee of the Rahela Trust, an organisation which provides scholarships and mentoring support to disadvantaged and vulnerable female students in Afghanistan.

Tom Leavesley-Matthews

Head of Partnerships

Tom joined Pilotlight in August 2019 as a Regional Partnerships Manager, responsible for developing a strategic presence for the organisation in the Midlands. In September 2021, Tom was appointed Head of Partnerships and leads the team responsible for our managing corporate partnerships and individual members. Prior to joining Pilotlight, Tom had a varied career spanning the public, private and voluntary sectors. As well as founding a successful HR consultancy, he led an internationally acclaimed project to develop new quality standards for services supporting male victims/survivors of sexual violence. Outside of Pilotlight, Tom is a proud adoptive father, enjoys running and spending time with his family.

Suzanne Smith

Senior Business Development Manager

In July 2023, Suzanne joined Pilotlight as Senior Business Development Manager. She is responsible for securing anchor and strategic partner businesses. Suzanne’s career has been focused on solving problems.  Prior to joining Pilotlight, she started her career as a senior solicitor. More recently at London’s Air Ambulance Charity, she successfully secured strategic corporate partnerships and chaired the Innovation Taskforce. Outside of work, Suzanne enjoys spending time with her family and reading.

Iain McNicol

Senior Charity Partnerships Manager

Iain joined Pilotlight in 2022. He has over thirty years’ experience working in the charity sector. He has delivered and managed services supporting people with their mental health, substance use, offending, domestic abuse and homelessness. He has developed social enterprises generating income through trading as well as securing public sector contracts. Experienced in co-design, he is a passionate believer in placing the experience and voice of beneficiaries at the heart of service development. He has worked in patient-led charities to improve NHS service delivery. By engaging with healthcare professionals, he has built partnerships and collaborations that have led to improved patient journeys with enhanced care pathways. Working with the pharmaceutical industry he has managed focus groups and led patient engagement campaigns influencing strategy and policy. He has held senior roles working with trustees and stakeholders across the public and private sectors.

Joe Flack

Senior Corporate Partnerships Manager

Joe joined Pilotlight in January 2022, having worked previously managing partnerships at Street League, Volunteering Matters and Groundwork, amongst others. Joe completed his masters in Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability in 2016 and is currently completing a Project Management Diploma. Outside of work Joe enjoys running, badminton and trying to get some sleep when his 16 month old allows!

Hagit Amsterdam

Learning and Leadership Development Manager

Hagit joined Pilotlight in January 2021. She brings extensive international experience in leading projects and teams, developing strategic partnerships, entrepreneurship and mindfulness facilitation and coaching. She has a Master's in Occupational and Organisational Psychology, where she focused on values-led leadership in business.

Diana Squires

Programme Manager

Diana is a creative facilitator of positive social change with 16 years’ experience in strategic programme design and delivery. Her work in Canada and the UK has focused on the third sector, with select experience supporting private-sector CSR initiatives and innovation strategies for start-ups. As a skilled facilitator, she has led DEI focus groups, design thinking workshops, and panel interviews. As a service designer, her people-first approach has supported a breadth of projects ranging from a mining company’s international employee engagement programme to an AI-based tool that facilitates creative thinking in professional sport. Her extensive leadership experience at arts organisations and academic institutions enabled her to design and lead a UK-wide research project into pandemic-proven strategies for resilience and innovation in the cultural sector. Diana holds an MSc in Innovation, Creativity and Leadership from London’s Bayes Business School and complements her role at Pilotlight by supporting third-sector organisations as a board member, consultant, and public speaker.

Harry Goulding

Programme Manager

Harry joined Pilotlight in July 2022 after eight years working in NGOs across Southeast Asia. He has a Master’s in International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies, and has been involved in diverse project areas ranging from child protection, livelihoods, anti-trafficking, and education. Through his engagement with frontline teams, Harry discovered that he thrives when supporting partners to connect and learn from each other, increasing the impact for people in need. An avid reader and music consumer, Harry will always be interested to know what you’re currently reading and listening to.

Emily Snape

Impact Lead

Emily joined Pilotlight in January 2022 as Operations Executive. Prior to Pilotlight, Emily has had a diverse background leading operational development within the commercial, consultancy and non-profit sectors. She has direct experience supporting programmes engaged in youth and or/women’s empowerment both in the UK as well as Tanzania. She holds a Masters in Development Administration and Planning.

Libby Morgan

Systems and Technology Manager

Libby joined Pilotlight in October 2023. She has previously worked for international development organisations in operations, supporting the fundraising and programme delivery teams to maximise and streamline impact. She is passionate about working collaboratively to achieve positive change for both individuals and organisations around the world. Outside of work, Libby enjoys road cycling, cooking and countryside walks.

Tiene Akpabio

Corporate Partnerships and Events Manager

Tiene joined Pilotlight in March 2025, bringing extensive experience in sales, account management, and corporate partnerships from the hospitality and travel industry. With a passion for relationship building and problem-solving, Tiene thrives on identifying new opportunities and creating tailored solutions that deliver real value. She is particularly motivated by the challenge of building partnerships that foster meaningful impact, making her transition to the charitable sector a natural step. Excited by Pilotlight’s unique approach to bridging corporate expertise with the non-profit sector, she is eager to apply her skills in stakeholder engagement, event management, and strategic planning to support charities achieve long-term success. Outside of work, Tiene loves dancing, exploring cuisines, researching and getting creative with DIY projects, including crafting, clothes-making, and formulating homemade body butters and oils.

Shakil Karim

Scaling Impact Manager

Shakil is an Impact Facilitator specialising in the measurement and scaling of social impact across the private, public, and civil society sectors. With over nine years of advocacy experience, Shakil has spearheaded critical issues such as climate change, human rights, and social justice. Notably, he has led advocacy teams at UN Conferences on Climate Change and scaled a sustainability department for an International NGO. At the heart of Shakil's mission lies a commitment to advancing social justice by serving as a bridge to unite diverse stakeholders and propel policy initiatives toward a future that is both sustainable and ethically just. Beyond his work, Shakil writes science fiction, teaches youth groups on planetary science, and dedicates his time as the Board Chair of an environmental coalition.

Grace Ellis

Partnerships Manager

Grace joined Pilotlight in December 2022 and has a history of delivering positive impact in the third sector. Her experience prior to Pilotlight focused on performance and relationship management in the youth sector, with an emphasis on optimising youth participation via the delivery and recruitment network. She completed a Master’s in Social Research Methods and is passionate about helping non-profit organisations thrive in a changing world. Outside of work, Grace enjoys road cycling and running and is currently training for the London Marathon.

Selina Cottee

Charity Partnerships Manager

Selina joined Pilotlight in April 2024, having previously worked for an international academic conference organisation whilst living in Japan. Selina is eager to bring her private sector experience into her first role in the third sector, where she is looking forward to helping make a meaningful difference. Outside of work, Selina enjoys playing piano, reading and cooking.

Sam Lewis

Service Operations Manager

Sam is passionate about delivering meaningful change for charities. Before joining Pilotlight, Sam worked for a content marketing agency in the agricultural sector servicing many high-profile clients and helping to strengthen the project delivery process. A lover of wildlife, Sam has volunteered for conservation charities and a non-profit wildlife film festival in the United States. Outside of work Sam enjoys exercising many of the creative media skills he gained throughout his degree at the University of Leeds, pursuing his interests in photography, illustration, and graphic design.

Matias Ilivitzky

Project Manager

Matias joined Pilotlight in October 2023, moving to London from Buenos Aires, Argentina. With a PhD in Social Sciences and professional experience in academia and international development, he is looking forward to learning more about and contributing to the growth of the charity sector in the UK. In his free time, he enjoys movies, plays, books, and exhibitions, as well as travelling and discovering new places, people, cultures, and foods.

Katie Colchester

Project Manager

Katie joined Pilotlight in 2023 after having worked as a senior investment analyst specialising in responsible investment, with a focus in recent years on environmental and social impact. Following an extended maternity leave, she decided to move into the third sector and utilise her skills in consultancy, project management and analysis to work with charities and social enterprises, connecting partners with different skill sets and backgrounds to learn from one another and work towards increasing the reach and impact charities can have. Katie has a Master’s degree in Economics, financial qualifications such as the CFA, and she is also a One Young World Ambassador. She spends most of her spare time running around after her two young children and enjoys a good book when she can!

Robert Roots

Project Manager

Robert joined Pilotlight in October 2023. His career includes extensive international humanitarian and development work, alongside domestic experience in the National Health Service and local government. He has worked across a range of thematic areas including disaster management, resilience and public health, and has also been a charity trustee. He draws upon experience from a range of management and advisory roles, and from his project management, evaluation and accountability work. Away from work, Robert likes films, sport, travel and music.

Amir Sadeghi

Operations Executive

Amir joined Pilotlight’s Operations Team in March 2025, bringing experience in operations management across various sectors in the UK and the Middle East. He holds a degree in Politics and International Relations with a specialization in Quantitative Research, equipping him with a structured and analytical approach to problem-solving. Passionate about the non-profit sector, Amir is driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact within the industry. Outside of work, he is an avid gym-goer and Mixed Martial Arts enthusiast. He also enjoys actively engaging in his local community.

Ellie Watts

Partnerships Executive

Ellie joined Pilotlight’s Partnerships team in July 2024, bringing with her experience in sales from an energy brokerage in Sydney, Australia. Having grown up across Egypt, Norway, and the UK, and earning a degree in Human Geography from Loughborough University, she has developed a deep curiosity about the connections between people and their environments.

Passionate about driving positive change in the third sector, Ellie is eager to support non-profit organizations as they navigate an increasingly complex and demanding world.

Outside of work, she loves traveling, cooking, and staying active—whether at the gym or on the slopes as an avid skier and snowboarder.

Alison Forrestal

Chair of Trustees

Alison became Chair of Trustees at Pilotlight in January 2025. She brings over 25 years of experience in leadership roles at Diageo, Amazon and Immediate Media, with specific expertise in developing customer-led innovation and growth strategies. Alison is also Chair of Kudos Innovations and is a trustee at Blue Cross and a non-executive Director at Learning with Experts.

Mei Li Powell

Co-Vice Chair of Trustees

Mei Li has had a global career in financial services spanning several decades at Citi, Euroclear and the RBS Group. She led medical research charity, The Borne Foundation, for six years and is on the Board of Directors of business ethics consultancy, Good Corporation. She is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Euroclear Foundation in Brussels. Mei Li is the Treasurer of Pilotlight and chairs Pilotlight’s Finance & Risk Committee. She is also Co-Vice Chair of Pilotlight’s Board of Trustees.

Amanda Rothwell

Trustee

Amanda is an experienced engagement manager and successful digital transformation leader. She has over 20 years’ experience leading multiple international technology-driven transformation and implementation programmes and services for clients. Amanda has a passion for developing talent, supporting our leaders of the future, and has a keen focus on influencing the UK and global agenda on women’s economic empowerment in the technology industry. Amanda regularly volunteers and has been involved in the Prince’s Trust charity as part of their Get Started entrepreneurial team building projects, as a Business Advisor and Partner with the Young Enterprise charity delivering the Company, Start-Up, and Learn to Earn Programmes to students, and is a Crisis Volunteer for Shout 85258, the digital mental health text support charity.

Angela Halliday

Trustee

Angela has worked across both the private and third sectors throughout her career. She has continually focused on creating better lives for individuals across the communities she operates. In each of the roles she has held in business development, operations, strategy and policy, she has always been driven by making a difference! In her current role as Director, Social Impact UK&I for Sodexo, Angela provides support to her organisation, partners, colleagues and clients in how they can demonstrate the wider societal, economic and environmental impacts they can create – all of which leads to having a tangible, positive impact on individuals, communities and planet. In particular, she is an avid supporter of creating capacity, capability and competitiveness for the charity sector, recognising the importance of working alongside this sector in creating meaningful, social impact for all.

Finia Kuhlmann

Trustee

Finia is an Assistant Professor at HEC Paris. Her research area is performance measurement in the charity sector, with a specific interest in social care organisations and social impact. She was awarded her PhD for a thesis titled 'Accounting for Vulnerability' at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Finia is also a trustee of SAPERE, a philosophy and education charity.

Katherine Mathieson

Trustee

Katherine joined the British Science Association (BSA) in 2009 and became Chief Executive in 2016. In 2022, Katherine moved to become Chief Executive of the Royal Institution. Katherine holds post-graduate qualifications in Science Communication, Information Sciences, and Voluntary Sector Management. She is a Trustee for the Young Scientists’ Journal and the Enthuse Trust, and a long-standing volunteer for Guiding.

Nicola Pye

Trustee

Nicola Pye is a leadership coach and talent strategy consultant, as The Leadership Coach & People Person she is on a mission to make work better, one brave conversation at a time. She specialises in coaching leaders, leadership teams and future leaders, empowering them to drive positive change for themselves, their business, their colleagues, and society. She predominantly works with leaders and leadership teams of socially purposeful businesses and charities as well as bringing her coaching skills to work pro-bono with charities such as Alzheimer’s & Dementia Support Services and Social Business Trust. Nicola’s extensive experience as Global Talent Director and previously in leadership development roles at EY, one of the ‘big 4’ professional services firms gives her passion for social purpose and leadership development a unique commercial perspective.

Anna Moulton

Trustee

Anna brings with her a wealth of knowledge, including most recently her experience as Global Chief HR Officer for Dentsu - a Japanese media and marketing company which operates in 140 countries.  

She is also an EMCC accredited coach and works with a broad group of individuals supporting them in achieving their professional goals. 

David Wilkinson

Trustee

David’s career has been spent helping businesses to realise their financial and growth objectives in his role as an audit partner at EY. He was also Head of EY’s UK Entrepreneurial Services team, founder of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards and UK IPO Leader.  

Gareth Simpson

Trustee

Gareth is a marketing expert with a 30-year career spanning industry giants such as Procter & Gamble, Heinz, and Leo Burnett.   

Over the past seven years, he has channelled his expertise into the non-profit sector, providing business planning and marketing strategy consultancy to charities through organisations such as Pilotlight, Help to Grow, and Cranfield Trust.

Iana Petkova

Trustee

Iana is a seasoned business and marketing leader with cross-industry experience from organisations including Lehman Brothers, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Amazon and Canva.  

She specialises in building strong governance, embedding data-driven ways of working, and driving practical innovation that supports rapid scaling and long-term impact.

Kate Cramer

Trustee

Kate is an experienced commercial leader and advisor in financial services and consulting. Her career spans Client Strategy, Operations, Consulting & Leadership at JPMorgan, Barclays and Aon. 

She has worked extensively to develop effective People & Data strategies and is committed to navigating people, systems and process challenges with compassion and integrity.