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Meet the Team

Tamsin Baxter

Tamsin Baxter HeadshotDirector of Development

Tamsin leads our fantastic team of fundraisers, who in turn take extra special care of our network of fantastic supporters, volunteers and ambassadors. Tamsin has worked in Fundraising for over 15 years and for the last 12 years has dedicated her career to raising funds for the disability sector. Prior to GLFB, Tamsin led the Fundraising function at Scope and was part of the award-winning corporate partnerships teams at the British Heart Foundation and the NSPCC Childline.  In her spare time, Tamsin juggles life as a mum of three young children so fresh air, good food and a good night’s sleep is a must.

Rebecca Clarke

Rebecca Clarke photographHead of Events and Community Fundraising

Rebecca heads up our events and community fundraising team, leading our high-profile special events, challenge event teams, thousands of community collection boxes and everything in between. Rebecca has led events for charities and not-for-profit organisations for the last 10 years and loves the buzz of event day. Prior to joining the Vision Foundation Rebecca managed the special events for Women for Women International and Sparks. Outside of work Rebecca enjoys travelling, exploring new places and countries. She also loves baking and can usually be relied upon to have a cake or two on the go!

Olivia Curno

Olivia headshot portraitChief Executive

Born and raised in south London, Olivia is driven by the belief that everyone should be able to enjoy the vibrant cultural, social, and economic riches of the city she loves. As Chief Executive at the Vision Foundation, she is responsible for the strategic direction of the organisation, supporting the teams to raise significant funds and make significant noise, and ensuring that everything we do has the greatest possible impact for London’s partially sighted and blind people. Olivia was previously the Director of Fundraising at children’s mental health charity Place2Be and Head of Fundraising and Communications at autism research charity Autistica. She has volunteered widely in the sector internationally and at home, and is currently a Trustee of UK poverty charity Turn2us. Before joining the charitable sector Olivia was a researcher and lecturer in Evolutionary Biology.

Mark Ellis

Mark Ellis Headshot

Head of Communications

Mark manages all aspects of our communications activity from engaging with the media, managing digital channels and overseeing the production of multimedia and print materials. Mark has worked across charity communications and broadcast media for more than 20 years with a focus on fighting inequalities in society. Prior to joining the Vision Foundation Mark oversaw the comms functions for Save the Children’s UK Programmes work and lead newsrooms for the BBC and LBC. Outside of the office Mark prides himself on his sourdough bread and enjoys singing with men.

Khafsa Ghulam

Khafsa GhulamGrants and Partnerships Officer

Khafsa graduated with a degree in Psychology with Sociology from Nottingham Trent University and has worked extensively in the charity sector both in a voluntary and paid capacity. Prieviously Khafsa worked as a disability Benefits Advisor for Citizens Advice and at RNIB co-ordinating engagement strategies for young people. A previous trustee and Chair for Sight Concern Bedfordshire Khafsa has also volunteered as a mentor for young people for Look UK. In her spare time Khafsa plays VI Tennis and has a keen interest in access technology and the rights of blind and partially sighted people to be treated equally.

Dimple Ichharam

Dimple Ichharam photoTrusts Fundraising Manager

Dimple has worked in fundraising for over a decade, specialising in Charitable Trusts and Foundations. She has a BA in English Language and Communication from King’s College University of London and certificate in Fundraising Management from the Institute of Fundraising. Prior to joining the Vision Foundation Dimple managed the Trusts function at the children’s charity Starlight Children’s Foundation. Outside of the office, Dimple can be found in a hot yoga class or making soap.

Lorraine Lee

Lorraine Lee HeadshotRetail Service Manager

Lorraine manages our retail operation comprising twelve charity shops across London, a collections service and online shop. Lorraine’s working life has always been in retail, previously owning and managing three clothing shops and a pet store. Lorraine was prompted to join the Vision Foundation when her mother was diagnosed with macular degeneration and she slowly watched her lose her sight. Lorraine has been with the charity since 1996 growing the retail side of the organisation from a small team of just 8 volunteers to more than a hundred with a healthy financial return. In her spare time Lorraine loves spending time with her grandchildren.

Joyce Materego

Joyce Materego photoDirector of Finance and Resources

Joyce is the steward of our finances and resources, including our people, premises and IT infrastructure. She has more than 15 years’ post ACCA qualification experience gained in the charity sector, media and book publishing industry. Prior to joining the Vision Foundation, Joyce led the finance, resources and fundraising functions at Child Poverty Action Group(CPAG). Before CPAG, Joyce was a Finance Manager for FareShare, Charity Digital (formerly Tech Trust) and book publishers TASCHEN. She is also a trustee of Gingerbread and an active member of the Charity Finance Group. When not at work, Joyce enjoys collecting music, writing, public speaking, travelling, arts and crafts and cooking (and eating) good food, She is also a mum to two teenagers and step-mum to two young adults and one teenager.

 

Emma Mochan

Emma Mochan photoIndividual Giving Manager

Emma manages the Individual Giving function which includes Gifts in Wills, Appeals, regular giving and In Memory gifts. Her role ensures that supporters, both existing and potential, have a great experience donating to the Vision Foundation. Emma has previously worked for Marie Curie, ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, Sue Ryder and spent two years fundraising down under for the Mater Foundation in Brisbane, Australia. She gained a degree in Music from Nottingham University but her introduction to the charity world was during her time as a student fundraiser in Tanzania. Emma used to be a Samaritan and counts traveling and keeping fit as her favourite past times.

Jess Muckleston

Jess Muckleston photoFundraising Assistant

Connect with Jess on LinkedIn

Jess provides support across all areas of the fundraising team, with particular focus on challenge events. Prior to joining the Vision Foundation, Jess completed a bachelor’s degree at the University of Winchester, specialising in English Literature. Alongside her degree, Jess worked closely with the Trusts and Individual Giving teams at Brendoncare, where she took on the role of Fundraising Assistant. In her spare time, Jess enjoys competitive swimming and has a keen interest in travelling and exploring new places with friends.

Michelle Sclater

Michelle Sclater photoFinance Manager

Hailing from New Zealand, Michelle has spent the past three years working and living in London. Prior to the Vision Foundation, Michelle worked in finance in the IT and Web Marketing industries for 8+ years, and is enjoying her move into the charity sector and working within our close-knit team. Outside of work you can find Michelle travelling Europe on the weekends, singing in a choir (or in the shower) and drinking anything craft beer.

Monica Smith

Monica Smith photoCentenary Appeal Manager

Connect with Monica on Linkedin

Monica has been working as a charity fundraiser for the last 13 years. Prior to joining the Vision Foundation, Monica worked at Variety, the Children’s Charity, as their Trusts and Legacies Manager and at Gingerbread, as their Trusts and Grants Manager. She is also a trustee and treasurer of Metro Blind Sport. Monica is leading the development of a £1 million Major Appeal to mark the Vision Foundation’s centenary anniversary in 2021. Monica, who is severely sight impaired, has 3 children, who have all flown the nest, and enjoys many sports – tandem cycling, sailing, swimming and blind tennis through Metro which she absolutely loves. She wants to excel in everything she does, challenge perceptions about what people believe blind people can do and be a role model for other visually impaired people.