About Me
“ I'm not lost for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.”
―A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh
Originally graduating as an engineer, and after gaining experience in the UK, I decided to broaden my horizons by working abroad. This international experience not only enriched my professional skills but also provided me with a deeper understanding of different cultures and work environments.
Initially volunteering with VSO in Namibia for 2 years, I then stayed overseas for the next 12 years, living and working in a variety of contexts including Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Sudan and South Sudan.
When I completed my last full-time overseas mission I was offered a psychological debriefing, which started my personal therapy journey. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of my emotional healing and self-discovery process and led to my present position as a psychotherapist and counsellor.
Back in the UK, working within the humanitarian sector to improve staff safety and security, I quickly realised that staff well-being and mental health are an integral part of effective security risk management. My experience in the humanitarian sector, security risk management and senior leadership alongside my psychological journey, has created a passion to build effective and empowering mental and physical safety for all.
From 2011 to 2023 I was Executive Director of the Global Interagency Security Forum (GISF, previously EISF), developing the world’s leading platform for global engagement on security risk management in the humanitarian and broader aid sector. The original research and guides of GISF have set the standard for good practice in the sector, most recently for a person-centred approach and equitable working with partners.
I am on the UNWFP (United Nations World Health Programme) Security Advisory Board (SECAB), the board provides strategic guidance and support to WFP’s security team. I am also a Member of the Security Institute (MSyl).
Most recently I have become a founding member of the Duty of Care Alliance. This is a group of mixed experts working to raise awareness and improve Duty of Care in the aid sector. I am also a Trustee of Proper Support Trust, founded by Steve Dennis, to seek better accountability for aid workers.
• Registered Member of BACP
• Diploma in Transactional Analysis Counselling (Berne Institute)
• Certificate in Trauma Focused Therapy (Link Centre)
• BEng Mechanical Engineering (Portsmouth University)
• UNSMS Security Certification Programme (UNDSS, UN BaseNaqoura, Lebanon.
• Winner of the 2020 Women in Security Contribution to industry award.
• Recognised in the Top 25 of IFSEC Global’s Security & Fire Influencers 2022 for Security – Thought Leadership / Association Figures / Academics.