Our staff make City Year UK happen! They share our commitment to tackling educational inequality and giving young people the skills they'll need in their future lives.
Programme Team
Ryan is City Year UK’s Associate Programme Manager in London, where he leads his team of Impact Officers to thrive in their work as they support their City Year Mentors. Ryan believes in the power of young people to make a difference and is committed to creating a positive impact through his work and actions.
Who is your hero?
My hero is Johnny Cash, a man who used his fame to campaign for important causes like Native American rights and prison reform. Although he had many demons and made numerous mistakes, his example shows how we all have the ability to overcome our flaws and be a force for good in the world.
What is the most powerful book you have ever read?
Based on a true story of a horrific murder of a family in Kansas, "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote is a mesmerising, in-depth character study which humanises the two young men who committed the reprehensible act.
What is your best career advice?
Don’t trust your gut; it is often wrong. Instead, do as much research as you can into career options and rank your options according to the most important criteria to you. Pursue your top options, and revise your plan every six months to keep on track.
Sally is City Year UK's Associate Programme Manager for Greater Manchester and the West Midlands. Sally has worked in Primary Education for many years before joining City Year UK in August 2022, and hopes to utilise this experience to develop and coach the City Year Mentors to enable them to offer the very best support to young learners across the region.
Who is your hero?
My hero is Malala Yousafzai. As a mother of young women, she inspires me and reminds me not to take education for granted. I would like for my daughters (and for the young people that we reach) to recognise the power in education, and to appreciate and value the opportunities that lie ahead of them.
What is the most powerful book you have ever read?
One of the most powerful books that I enjoyed reading to pupils was "Holes" by Louis Sachar as it provoked powerful and challenging discussions around diversity and prejudice.
What is your best career advice?
Go for it! Be the change and make it happen. You are responsible for your own growth, you can drive self improvement and improvement in others.
Kimboshane is a City Year UK Impact Officer, based in London. Kimboshane has over 10 years of experience working with children and young people, with a background in secondary education where she worked as a Deputy Head of Year. Kimboshane believes in providing a stimulating environment for children and young people to uncover their strengths and thrive.
Who is your hero?
I don’t have one, however, there are many people that I appreciate for various reasons and aim to apply any knowledge they have imparted on to me.
What is the most powerful book you have ever read?
“Daring Greatly” by Brené Brown. This book discusses the power of vulnerability in all aspects of life and the strength it holds.
What is your best career advice?
Dip your toes in anything that feels right, it is better to make a decision based on experience rather than assumption. Don’t be a wisher, be a doer!
Mia is a City Year UK Impact Officer based in Coventry. She joined City Year in November 2022. Mia has worked across different sectors of youth work over the last nine years, from a summer camp in New York to working with young people through her own animal therapy centre. Mia enjoys seeing her volunteers make a difference to inner-city schools and is proud to manage two teams of amazing City Year Mentors.
Who is your hero?
My hero is Carrie Hope Fletcher.
What is the most powerful book you have ever read?
The most powerful book I have read is “Wonder” by R. J. Palacio.
What is your best career advice?
If you want something bad enough, you can make it happen.
Sunndas is an Impact Officer for City Year UK in the West Midlands. With over eight years' experience in the education sector, she is a qualified Mathematics teacher who has taught across primary, SEN and secondary settings. She leads and develops a team of mentors, providing coaching, guidance and support to maximise their impact while working closely with schools to help young people overcome barriers, grow in confidence and fulfil their potential.
Who is your hero?
My hero is Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). His teachings of compassion, generosity and service to others inspire me every day. He taught us to leave people in a better place than when we found them, and I strive to carry that mindset into both my work and everyday life.
What is the most powerful book you have ever read?
The Qur'an. Its teachings on charity, compassion and serving humanity remind me that even the smallest act of kindness can have a lifelong impact. It inspires me to give back to my community, support those around me and make a positive difference wherever I can.
What is your best career advice?
Never be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. The greatest opportunities for growth often come from the challenges you never expected to overcome. Every new experience teaches you something valuable and helps shape the person and professional you become.
Hope is an Impact and Programme Officer for City Year UK and is based in Greater Manchester. She studied Psychology at the University of Manchester, during which she completed a placement year with City Year UK, serving as a City Year Mentor. Hope is incredibly passionate about social justice, and is dedicated to fighting for equality and empowering others.
Who is your hero?
My hero is Emma Watson. I am so inspired by her passion and work towards equality, and she uses her platform to advocate for social change which I think is incredibly powerful.
What is the most powerful book you have ever read?
The most powerful book I’ve ever read is "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak - this book changed my life. It is written so beautifully and really gives you a different perspective on the world. I couldn’t recommend enough.
What is your best career advice?
My best career advice would be to take every opportunity and go out of your comfort zone! It will give you so much experience and skills and will definitely shape your interests.
Lucia is an Impact Officer based in Greater Manchester. After completing her UK Year of Service as a School Service Leader with City Year in 2024, she is proud to have returned to City Year as an Impact Officer. She hopes to use her experience as a Learning Support Assistant and mentoring students in her previous role at City Year to guide her teams of Volunteer Mentors.
Who is your hero?
My hero is my mum for her strength and determination, her dedication to everything she does, and her endless wisdom and guidance.
What is the most powerful book you have ever read?
The most powerful book I have ever read is 1984 by George Orwell because it was the first book that sparked my love for reading!
What is your best career advice?
My best career advice is to take a risk because you are capable of more than you think!
Jennifer has over 25 years teaching experience with children and young people in primary, secondary and college settings. Her roles have ranged from teaching the primary curriculum to health education and employability. Her role with City Year is as an Impact Officer and she is proud to serve in Birmingham.
Who is your hero?
My parents and their generation - they rose above the storms of prejudice, isolation and opposition determined to give the next generation opportunities to rise, flourish and ‘mek dem proud’.
What is the most powerful book you have ever read?
The Bible - deep, profound, enriching and practical.
What is your best career advice?
Go for opportunities that challenge and take you out of your comfort zone.
Katrina is a City Year Impact Officer and she is based in London. Katrina joined City Year in November 2025 and has spent the last decade working within the Special Education Needs and Disabilities sector, within education and London Local Authorities. Prior to joining City Year Katrina was an Executive Head, leading a group of Specialist SEND provisions. Katrina is also a Culture Shift Coach, supporting leaders who are carrying the silent weight of leadership.
Katrina believes that safety is the foundation for growth whether in school, at work or within the family home.
Who is your hero?
I do not have a hero but a value I live by is ‘be honest, get clear and move differently’. In a nutshell, self-awareness without action is not enough, it’s about how you apply what you have learned.
What is the most powerful book you have ever read?
I’m currently writing my own book and so it would be rude not to say that it’s the most powerful book (manuscript) that I have read. It depicts a ten year journey navigating the SEND system as a working parent of a neurodivergent child and the impact this journey had on his education.
What is your best career advice?
A career is a journey, so have a destination in mind but be prepared for the bumps along the way. Also be mindful that there may be more than one destination.
Kae is an Impact Officer for City Year UK and is based in London. Kae has over 20 years of experience working in Primary Education in the North East of London. She has a love of Physical Education and worked for many years providing training and outreach support to schools in this subject. She is a firm believer that schools should be a safe, welcoming environment where pupils, and adults alike, can grow, flourish and challenge each other to be the best version of themselves.
Who is your hero?
I don’t have a hero, however there have been many people who have left a lasting impression on me and helped shape me into the person I am today.
What is the most powerful book you have ever read?
My most powerful book is 'Jonathan Livingston Seagull'. The book teaches us to continue to strive for our dreams and not to follow the flock. Stop seeing limitations and anything can be possible.
What is your best career advice?
Keep your work at work. A work life balance is important.
Izzi is an Impact Officer based in London, who joined the City Year UK team in August 2025. Having obtained both her Bachelors and Masters in Theatre and Performance from Queen Mary, University of London, Izzi has worked in theatre and education for over a decade. Izzi is passionate about social justice and equality in and outside of the classroom. Her work focuses on promoting holistic approaches to education and making the creative arts an essential part of learning.
Who is your hero?
Picking just one from a wealth of inspirational figures is hard but I’ll say Jane Austen. She pursued her dreams and talent despite society being entirely against her doing so and despite only being appreciated as a fantastic author posthumously. Her timeless works have rarely been out of print for over 200 years. I like a woman who defies expectations!
What is the most powerful book you have ever read?
I read To Kill a Mockingbird when I was 13 and it had a profound impact on how I viewed not only literature but also the world in general, both past and present. I’m a voracious reader and I truly believe that books have the power to influence minds and change the world.
What is your best career advice?
Don’t be afraid to keep learning! We learn far more from the things we get ‘wrong’ than the things we get right. Learning is a lifelong journey.
Jenny is an Impact Officer who is committed to supporting children and young people. She volunteered as a City Year Mentor in 2019/20, while completing her degree in Psychology and Business, later returning to City Year as a School Service Leader. Now, Jenny is proud to be an Impact Officer and to manage a team of passionate mentors in the West Midlands.
Who is your hero?
My sister has always been the person who gives me strength to do things I'm afraid of.
What is the most powerful book you have ever read?
"This is How You Lose the Time War" by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone. It's written in a unique way that could have easily seemed like a gimmick, but that feels so natural for this story and characters. I loved this book, and would recommend it to anyone.
What is your best career advice?
Find a purpose in your work that always guides your actions.
Thembeka is a City Year UK Impact Officer and he is based in Birmingham. Since Primary school, Thembeka has never left education, and that has always felt like the right decision for him. Growing up in the streets of Sparkhill in Birmingham, to the suburbs of Selly Oak, he has always been an individual who has wanted to contribute to the positive impact of people within his community with commitment and care. Having started out as a mentor for City Year UK to teaching the children from his old secondary school, Thembeka has always been involved with making key decisions for the betterment of children within each respective position and proximity.
Who is your hero?
My hero is Kendrick Lamar. His enthralling and emotional journey of escape from a vicious and vindictive gang culture in Compton California, to becoming a leading vocalist in the current victorious era of Hip Hop music, his unique, genre bending approach has always provoked intelligent and intellectual discussions in important facets of my life such as Race, Culture and Politics and more importantly within my line of work of education.
What is the most powerful book you have ever read?
The most powerful book I have ever read has to be Animal Farm by George Orwell. His damning social commentary and critique about societal ills and propaganda within Western society contains universal themes about how covert messages in today’s world seen in everyday media still condition us as well as guidance of how to navigate these modern societal pressures.
What is your best career advice?
Life rule Number 39-Be happy
Volunteer Recruitment & School Partnerships
Lucy is a Senior Partnership Officer, splitting her role between managing partnerships with schools and corporate partners. She is committed to helping young people grow in their self esteem, stand out and shine. Lucy had a career in advertising and then pivoted to being in the third sector. Before being at City Year UK, Lucy worked at Coram Beanstalk for many years, supporting children in primary schools across London to foster a love of reading and making their voices heard.
Who is your hero?
My Dad who died when I was young. He was really funny, modest, kind, driven and had a strict moral code but he had a real sparkle and was dearly loved by everyone.
What is the most powerful book you have ever read?
Difficult one! It might be a bit of a cliche to recommend it but for me it has to be "Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone". I bought this book when it first appeared and I LOVED it. I became entranced by Hogwarts, their magical world and all the characters. I have then re-read them with my children who became equally spellbound and so I was able to enjoy them all over again. Therefore, these books will always have a special place in my heart.
What is your best career advice?
Things generally have a way of working out! Remain true to your values and beliefs and take opportunities to grow. And don’t be hard on yourself.
Courtney is a Sociology graduate with experience supporting and mentoring SEND and SEMH students within secondary schools, alongside a background in volunteer recruitment across the charity sector. Passionate about equality, diversity, and creating positive opportunities for young people and communities, she is excited to work for an organisation where she can combine her skills in support, engagement, and relationship-building to make a meaningful and lasting impact.
Who is your hero?
I wouldn’t say I have one specific hero, but I admire different qualities in different people - especially those who show resilience, kindness and integrity.
What is the most powerful book you have ever read?
'Atomic Habits' by James Clear
What is your best career advice?
Comfort keeps you safe, but discomfort is usually where progress starts. The fastest way to grow is to keep saying yes to things you’re not fully ready for.
Bethany is the Regional Senior Recruitment Officer for the West Midlands and Greater Manchester. A qualified primary school teacher with a PGCE, Bethany's background in education drives her dedication to tackling educational inequality and supporting the development of young people in underserved communities.
Who is your hero?
My sibling has always been my hero, for their unwavering authenticity and dedication to being a voice for others. Their courage and integrity inspire me every day.
What is the most powerful book you have ever read?
‘Humans’ by Brandon Stanton contains some of the most powerful stories I’ve read. The raw, real-life stories and intimate photographs in this collection from ‘Humans of New York’ captivate and move me, showcasing the depth of human experience from all around the world.
What is your best career advice?
My best career advice is to stay curious and never stop learning. Embrace changes in direction, as they are not setbacks but opportunities to apply your existing knowledge in new ways. View every challenge as a chance for growth and development
External Relations
As Development Manager at City Year UK, Lisa is responsible for securing and managing strategic partnerships with corporate partners to fund our programmes supporting pupils in underserved communities. Lisa brings a wealth of experience within corporate fundraising, having account managed and secured many five and six figure partnerships at well-loved UK charities, such as Mental Health UK, Samaritans and Carers UK.
Who is your hero?
My hero is my teenage son. He faced significant challenges early on, including his parents’ divorce, a change of schools, and the impact of the pandemic on his mental health and education. However, since starting secondary school, he has truly thrived. His drive, focus and determination have put him on track to achieve the grades needed to pursue his ambition of studying medicine at university. He has also completed his Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Awards and volunteers as a Scout Leader.
What is the most powerful book you have ever read?
I’m a big fan of autobiographies, and one of the most powerful I’ve read is Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela. After 27 years of imprisonment, he emerged with remarkable forgiveness and hope. His resilience in the face of such adversity is awe- inspiring.
What is your best career advice?
I would give this advice: Focus on skills and not just grades. Someone with decent grades who also has life skills such as good communication, problem solving and teamwork will be more attractive to a future employer than a straight A’s student with none of those.
A multifaceted creative professional with 18+ years of marketing, digital and advertising experience spanning the arts & culture, education and commercial sectors, Ruxandra is currently leading the marketing and communications strategy at City Year UK. Working closely with all teams across London, Greater Manchester and West Midlands, Ruxandra manages a variety of major marketing campaigns and initiatives, with a particular focus on strengthening the brand and generating high-quality leads, contributing significantly to supporting profile-raising and income growth. Outside of work, she is also a photographer and writes fiction.
Who is your hero?
I don’t have a hero as such, but there are a handful of people that I look up to or am inspired by, at the top being my mum who is the most selfless and resilient person I know and my daughter who is constantly teaching me something new about myself and life in general.
What is the most powerful book you have ever read?
Hard to choose just one… “Steppenwolf” by Hermann Hesse and Marilynne Robinson’s trilogy "Gilead" / "Home" / "Lila" - I read them at completely different times (late teens / late twenties), but they stuck with me as, in essence, they all explore what it is that fills our life with meaning.
What is your best career advice?
Don’t settle for comfortable, settle for something that you love doing. Getting there (or finding out what that is) can feel disheartening at times, but do not shy away from taking risks and keep exploring your options.
Central Services
Education is Sofia's passion. The knowledge and skills she has acquired from her years as a primary school teacher have helped her support her team of volunteers with the work they do with children. As Associate Impact and Data Manager, she feels she can help make a difference to our upcoming generations.
Who is your hero?
Ludovico Einaudi - I admire his extraordinary talent.
What is the most powerful book you have ever read?
"The Bookseller Of Kabul" by Asne Seierstad - a fascinating story which really puts our own lives into perspective.
What is your best career advice?
Keep your doors open and don’t be afraid to explore your options and try new paths.
Mariyam is the Associate Finance and Operations Manager at City Year UK. She worked at a five-star hotel for five years before joining City Year UK in 2017 as Operation Coordinator as well as Finance Officer. Having a rich experience in customer service, this role enabled her to work hand-in-hand with staff, volunteers and external customers which she is very passionate about.
Who is your hero?
Anita Smith - founder of the Bansang Hospital Appeal. The Bansang Hospital Appeal is an award-winning charity dedicated to improving healthcare delivery in a remote region of The Gambia. Since 1992, its founder Anita Smith (MBE MRG) has dedicated her life to reversing its once terminal decline.
What is the most powerful book you have ever read?
The Quran which is a source of guidance.
What is your best career advice?
Never give up on your dreams, do not let anyone tell you what you can and can’t do. Like they say, the only disability in life is a bad attitude.
