Our people

Nicole Caranzo joined us in March 2023. Nicole studied Philosophy at the University of York and previously worked in a Higher Education Access programme and at an Arts charity.

Nicole Jean-Louis joined us in January 2024. Nicole has an undergraduate degree in Education Studies and a masters in Education (Policy and International Development) from the University of Bristol. They have previous experience in widening participation and community outreach.

Nikhita Kataria joined us in August 2022. Nikhita has a degree in Applied Social Sciences from the University of York. Previously, she was a Student Ambassador and mentored at a charity supporting deaf young people.

Nilufer Kheraj spent her career at Slaughter and May where she was a partner for 27 years. She retired in May 2021. Whilst at the firm, she had a wide corporate, commercial and financing practice which included private and public mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, IPOs, financings, equity and debt capital markets transactions and corporate governance.

Oliver Haarmann is our Chair of Trustees. He is a Founding Partner at Searchlight Capital Partners, a private investment firm. Previously, he served as a Partner at Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. Ltd. (KKR) for 12 years. Before this, he worked for various firms in the investment industry in the United States and Europe. He received an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School in 1996 and has a dual B.A. in History and International Relations from Brown University.

Michael Obasanya joined us in July 2026. Michael has an undergraduate degree in International Relations from the University of Birmingham and a Masters in Cultural Studies from Goldsmiths University. Michael has experience running creative workshops as well as digital fundraising.

Pasha Michaelsen is Vice-Chair of Trustees. She helps organisations design and deliver social justice strategies in the areas of migration and education. She was head of operations for Refugee Education UK, which supports refugee and asylum-seeking young people to build more hopeful futures through education and is vice-chair of Praxis, which provides holistic support to migrants across London. Previously, Pasha was a finance solicitor.

Patrick McDonnell joined us in May 2026. Patrick has a degree in Modern Languages from the University of Nottingham and previously worked as a support worker with a charity supporting children with Special Educational Needs.

Penny Tysoe joined us in June 2025 and is our Chief Development Officer. Bringing over 19 years of leadership experience in fundraising, communications and strategic development within the charity sector, Penny leads the charity's fundraising and communications functions and is a member of the Senior Management Team, playing a key role to help lead the delivery of the charity's broader strategy and vision. Previously, Penny was Fundraising and Communications Director at EDT and Industrial Cadets. During her career Penny has held leadership roles in marketing, business development and programme delivery, including playing a key role in the national expansion of Industrial Cadets.

Phoebe Mumby joined us in September 2023. Phoebe has a degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Oxford. Previously, she volunteered at the charity ExVac, which began as a student-run charity at Exeter College.

Phoebe Spence joined us in July 2025. Phoebe has a degree in History from the University of Liverpool. She previously worked in charity fundrasing as a Trusts and Foundations Assistant and volunteered at IntoUniversity North Liverpool.

Piero Freestone joined us in September 2023. Piero has a degree in Sport and Exercise Science from the University of Lincoln. Previously, he worked as a Sports and Summer Camp Coach at Premier Education.