Meet the team

Chief Executive Officer
Katie has been working within the education and charity sector for 15 years. She started out in educational publishing before moving into partnerships and sales operations, developing her experience with youth programmes at organisations including The Challenge and Artis Foundation.

Chief Operating Officer
Natasha has experience in education and the creative industries. She completed the Teach First Leadership and Development program to address educational disadvantages and was a KS3 curriculum lead, mentoring trainee teachers. Additionally, Natasha gained experience at a creative agency working on accounts like Sky and Penguin Books. In her current role, she acts as Managing Director and leads Programs and Impact for the charity.

Head of Marketing
Miles has worked in advertising for several years working for a range of digital and social agencies on brands such as BT, Nike and Marmite. Before joining Creative Mentor Network he mentored on the Break The Wall programme, and has been part of a number of diversity programmes within the advertising sector.

Finance and Governance Director
Ian has worked in the creative industries for 25 years, with experience in the music, production and agency sectors. Most recently, he was Group CFO at the Cubo Communications Group through a period when the group was expanding through acquisition. Ian also runs one of the UK’s leading cycling teams for 16-18-year-olds, giving talented young riders the opportunity to race across Europe.

Senior Programme Manager
Luca has been working in the charity sector for over four years. She began her career working on the world’s largest youth drama festival before becoming Programmes Manager at a women’s empowerment organisation, which involved running multiple mentoring cohorts. She is driven to support those from underrepresented backgrounds to overcome social barriers and access what they need to truly thrive.

Outreach Manager
Frena has been working within the education and creative sector for the last 13 years. Starting out in the freelancing world providing arts programmes to marginalised and vulnerable young people, developing her experience within early careers programmes, including working on 7 consecutive BFI Academies. She has a forceful passion to ensure those from underrepresented backgrounds have a chance in building the career they desire.

Social Media & Marketing Executive
Christian has a diverse background in the creative industry, showcasing a passion for exploring and experimenting with various forms of digital media to engage with different communities. Previously, was a mentee through Creative Mentor Network.

Treasurer

CFO at Grayling

Partnerships Trustee

Global Head of Portfolio & Audience Development at the LEGO Group

Youth Trustee

Youth worker

Legal Trustee

Senior Head of Legal at Farfetch

Safeguarding Trustee

Business Engagement & Marketing Manager at the Business & IP Centre - British Library National Network

Trustee

Chief Operating Officer

DE&I Trustee

Head of HR UK for Sleep.8

Tele Lawal made history by becoming the youngest and first-ever black-elected female on Havering Council, serving a public office term from 2018-2022. Passionate for diversity she has led social campaigns focusing on race relations. As a change maker who is proud of her heritage – Tele is building her business, an experimental e-commerce platform for young creatives in Africa to tackle youth unemployment. This is while she is leading change projects for Transport for London.

I am a secondary school teacher, writer and radio host living in London. I love talking about the best (and worst) alternative music, and I was a mentee on the Amazon Prime Video Bright Sparks programme. I currently volunteer as a producer at Reprezent Radio; present a show, Cold Cuts, on Voices Radio; and am in the process of self-recording and producing a podcast, Fast Action Beats, all about songs less than two minutes long. I have bylines – mostly about music – in Big Issue, The Quietus, and New Statesman, among other publications.

Leonie Buahin is a multi-talented creative specialising in producing short films, advertisements, and music videos and provides valuable insights into creative discussions as a director or a cinematographer. Based in London, she draws inspiration from illustrations and poetry. Her exceptional skills and unwavering dedication have earned her collaborations with prominent brands such as Guap, adidas, Dell, Nike, and Weiden + Kennedy.

Just a creative in a technical industry. Time Will Tell.

I am ecstatic to be part of Creative Mentor Network’s Youth Board 2024! I have always had great respect towards socially-driven projects, and am in awe of the impact so many of them have both locally and nationally. As a young filmmaker myself (currently studying Production Management and English Language and Literature!) I was heavily drawn towards Creative Mentor Network and found the mentorship I received very enriching. I am happy to know my experience and perspective can go even further in ensuring Creative Mentor Network is able to achieve its mission of supporting creatives of all socioeconomic backgrounds.

Hello, my name is Chislon (kiss-lon). With a degree in Art History I am passionate about all things creative. I'm excited to be joining as a Youth Board Member with Creative Mentor Network this year. My first experience with Creative Mentor Network was in 2018 on Break the Wall. In 2023, I joined the Prime Video Bright Sparks'. Having said that, I'm ready to take on this new opportunity, I hope to make it a positive experience for the organisation and everyone else.

Nikki Adebiyi is a writer, keynote speaker, consultant, coach and social entrepreneur. With a profound commitment to social justice and mental health, Nikki channels her passion into bridging gaps and fostering inclusivity. As Founder of Bounce Black, she leads a pioneering social enterprise advocating for the workplace and wellbeing needs of Black professionals. Nikki is also the Founder of Good Vibes Good Trouble, a forward-thinking conscious fashion brand. As an alumna of Creative Mentor Network’s Soho House mentoring programme, Nikki is dedicated to ensuring young people of diverse backgrounds have access to transformative opportunities to lean into their creativity and broaden their horizons.

Hello, my name is Jürgen Forster, and I am based in Brighton. I want to live in a world where we think about waste differently. I am obsessed with this unique and difficult challenge. Currently, my starting point is on fashion waste programmes. I believe that with creativity, miracles are possible.

Originally from the Wirral, now currently based in West Yorkshire. I have a background in photography, and I love all forms of visual media. I am eager for change in the creative industries, with more opportunities, employment and inclusivity for the working class.

Salve Salvana is a Philippines-born, London-based videographer and creative producer. Drawing inspiration from their childhood and diverse professional experiences, as well as their innate curiosity, Salve approaches storytelling with a human-centric perspective. They candidly capture everyday moments and bring community stories to the forefront.

Graduating amidst the pandemic heightened Salve's awareness of the importance of human connection and documenting moments of togetherness.

An avid advocate of mentoring, they are proud alumni of Creative Mentor Network and currently a QMentor.

A recent Warwick Graduate in Sociology and Criminology, Fikayo is an all round creative. Fikayo’s creative journey started age eight when she began acting lessons. Over the years, Fikayo has been able to use the foundational skills built from her acting experience and transfer them to other parts of the creative industry such as producing, presenting and working in the Media Industry at companies such as Publicis Media.

Currently, Fikayo is working to produce more content for her production company MonoCreate Productions as well as start content creation on social media. As a creative based in Manchester, she also aims to bring more representation to the innovative creatives that exist in Manchester.

I'm a passionate content creator with a love for storytelling. Hosting my podcast and conducting street Q&A sessions fuel my dream of becoming a seasoned presenter. Achievements like launching my podcast and engaging with diverse audiences fill me with pride. I'm committed to amplifying voices and fostering connection through authentic storytelling in the creative industry.

JVINCENT is a multi-talented artist and DJ from the vibrant community of Walthamstow. Through his diverse range of creative expressions, from customized rug tufting and illustrations to painting and hand-poke tattooing, he channels his passion into uplifting artforms. As a DJ, JVINCENT shares his love for eclectic beats and basslines with audiences on stations like Mode Radio London and Brixton Radio. JVINCENT has been featured in Huck Magazine, sharing his thoughtful perspectives on rebuilding community through group sports like basketball in a post-covid world. He has recently opened a creative studio space, @786studios786, as a hub for creative exploration and empowerment. He is dedicated to elevating his community and empowering youth in London to find their creative voices.

obi is a multidisciplinary creative blending the worlds of music and tech. Within music, I am a pop-rap artist and having done a sold out show in 2023, I look to release more music + videos 2024. As for tech, I am the founder of Lyric Library, an app that allows musicians to store and easily retrieve lyrics to songs they have written.

With a background in influencer marketing and talent management, I am super passionate about fostering diversity within the creative media marketing space as I've always noticed a lack of, so I strive for inclusivity across digital campaigns. I joined the CMN mentorship programme in 2022, paired with my phenomenal mentor, who encouraged me (and still does) to connect and build relationships within the media industry. Outside of this, I love reality TV such as The Real Housewives, Married to Medicine, Traitors, etc. I hope to restart creating content, presenting/ hosting, and fingers crossed for my long-pending podcast.

I find my artistic voice as both a painter and fabric sculptor. My practice celebrates the interplay between colour, form and texture; exploring both their hybridisation and opposition.

Much like my personal practice I find my professional employment to be a blend of specialisms. I have gained experience in set dressing, prop making/buying, scenic painting and exhibition curating. All of which use a multitude of similar skills that often inform one another.

I am keen to continue developing my current skills in subsequent roles, particularly in the film and television industry, and am actively seeking opportunities that teach me the creative direction skills needed to take on more managerial positions in the future.

I am a Fashion and Dress History graduate from Oxfordshire exploring poetry, spoken word, freestyle, painting, sketching, dance and musical expression through violin. My passion is to be different and not do what I'm supposed to do, which sometimes does not end well. However, for the most part it has allowed me to think outside the box and carve my own path in life. I am at a turning point right now and have to decide which path to follow so I am trying to get involved in anything creative in order to help me hone in my interests and create a career for myself that I am passionate about.

I'm Tim Andres, a British-born Filipino and multidisciplinary designer. I design from print to motion to digital and my day-to-day juggles between different disciplines of design, I like it... it keeps me on my toes.

In my spare time, you can find me jamming out on the electric guitar, being a coffee snob, sweating out all the fried chicken I've probably consumed last night and catching up with friends. You can find me on Instagram @tim.andres & design on @tim.designed and my work here. Always down for a coffee!

As an Associate Consultant with a specialism in Research Communications, Emma takes a huge amount of pride in authentic storytelling and the representation of minority voices, which has seen her work with some of the world's biggest organisations, including Spotify, Mother London, NHS and GCHQ. Having completed the FaceBook Creative Shop programme with Creative Mentor Network, she enjoys dedicating time to supporting young creatives breaking into the industry. Outside of work, Emma is passionate about unpacking women's health-related issues and is a self-confessed crisps connoisseur.

Alex is passionate about making the creative industry an inclusive place for diverse talent to thrive. He is a co-founder of Common Good Company and brings together his experience and love for the creative industry with his expertise as a certified coach to support its existing and emerging talent.

Alice is a highly experienced, senior HR professional, a MA in HRM and CIPD accredited, with over 15+ years’ experience. Alice established her own HR consultancy – Peony & Magnolia in 2019 and in 2020, launched Espresso, an HR magazine aimed at helping business leaders and business owners gain insight into HR issues.

She volunteers her time supporting Inspiring Girls’ projects, is an Enterprise Advisor at a SEN school and is a Trustee of a Domestic Abuse charity.

Althea Blake, known as The Corporate Doctor, is a leadership coach with 20+ years of experience across the private, public and third sectors. A Certified NLP Practitioner, she excels in coaching executives to develop talent in high-pressure environments. Founder of ROOTS POD Academy, a nonprofit supporting young changemakers, she also serves on a creative academy board and the Mayor of London’s Digital Taskforce, promoting women in tech and pathways for future leaders. Her coaching is impactful and results-driven.

Chandrika has over a decade of experience working with young people, teaching in schools as Head of English, Media and Sociology. She is currently working with trainee teachers as a Development Lead with Teach First. Alongside this she is studying a masters in counselling and psychotherapy as well as being a toddler mum. She has a sociology background and is always keen for a debate and to learn something new.

Claire-Louise has over two decades of experience in learning and talent development.

She is a recognised expert in the field of learning and performance.

An ICF Coach and emerging leadership development facilitator, Claire-Louise specialised in Coaching, Culture and EDI.

Clare started her career in HR, and quickly found a passion for Learning and Development. She worked for a humanitarian organisation for 10 years, and then moved into Leadership Development at Oxford University.

More recently, her interests and specialism has focused on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. She runs her own EDI consultancy, coaches managers and leaders and facilitates workshops.

As an EMCC accredited coach at practitioner level, Emily offers tailored coaching and mentoring to professionals in the creative industries. She is also the co-founder of Common Good Company, a coaching consultancy helping creative agencies support and retain their talent. Emily has always been passionate about supporting the next generation of talent and is proud to be a part of Creative Mentor Network.

Holly is a creative careers specialist with over fifteen years experience supporting people to work out their next steps, build their confidence and feel ready to take their next steps in the creative workforce.

She has helped hundreds of young people take their next steps in employment. Holly is now the face behind Career Forward, supporting both creative employers and individuals in creative jobs.

Holly is a qualified career guidance practitioner with a Postgrad Diploma in Career Guidance and QCG Level 7 and a member of the Career Development Institute.

James was the founding Principal of Wac Arts College, the first alternative provision free school in England specializing in performing arts and creative media production and has worked in every phase and sector of the education world in schools across London and the UK.

James has considerable experience in the charity and third sectors and has worked in alternative education for many years, offering specialized education and therapeutic support for excluded learners. James runs dpat Education Consultancy, a business involved in education consultancy, youth work, music production, and DJing.

Jenny began in education as a Teach First teacher, before moving into Leadership Development, training student teachers for Teach First, and later developing teacher trainers in coaching and leadership. She now works as a Senior Lecturer for the UCL Institute of Education, training incoming teachers in pedagogy.

Jess is a coach and agency director, with over a decade’s experience leading and developing client services and agency teams in a range of creative agencies. Jess holds a diploma in transformational coaching and alongside her 121 coaching practice, she also mentors young people at the start of their careers.

Jodie has over 25 years of experience in HR, Learning and Development and Behaviour Change Consulting. She’s worked across a wide range of commercial and not-for-profit sectors. The red thread of her career is her passion for learning and applying psychology; helping others to get more from life and and to give more to others.

Jodie is a Professional Coach (ICF) and a Fellow of the CIPD. Alongside her coaching practice, she’s also a Solution Strategy Director for Mindgym (a psychology based behaviour change consultancy) supporting global organisations to create inclusive, high performing cultures.

Justine is a Professional Certified Coach and educator with 25+ years experience across Marketing, Communications and Product Development - supporting junior team members through to exec and founder collaborations.

As a true advocate for continuous personal and professional development, she never stops learning and is currently studying a degree in psychotherapeutic counselling, taking her work to an even deeper level.

Keji has over 16 years of experience working with young people from less advantaged backgrounds and is passionate about creating real and sustainable opportunities for young people. She is the founder of youth development agency HUDL, and previously worked with the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust and the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services.

Lesley Kemp is an ICF (PCC) professional certified coach. Lesley has completed the Advanced Diploma in Executive Coaching with the AOEC (Academy of Executive Coaching). She is also trained in the use of systemic coaching practices through Coaching

Constellations Company and studied group coaching & facilitation at the University of Oxford.

Her ethos is that coaching and mentoring should be accessible for all.

Omar works in management consulting allowing him to utilise the latest technology to solve business problems across a multitude of industries. During this time he has led inclusion and diversity campaigns across the UK in the consulting sector. He has helped build a social mobility charity which has allowed him to bring his passion for social mobility and experience coaching young people to support underrepresented talent. In addition, he holds a masters in mechanical engineering from the University of Bath.

Phil has had a 26-year creative career growing brands such as Heathrow Express and bringing back GWR as a force of positive good on Britain’s railway.

Phil has his own coaching practice, has a diploma in Executive Coaching and is a Neuro-Linguistic Programming Practitioner.

Shazma is an ICF accredited executive coach with extensive experience in women’s leadership development. She qualified as a barrister and spent her earlier career in regulating and bringing about culture change in the financial services industry. Her career and life experience shape her motivation to create fair and equitable opportunities for all. Shazma values diversity in all its forms and is fascinated by the influencers of culture and human behaviour. She embraces difference and considers it an opportunity for learning and growth, as such, she brings an intersectional approach to her work.

Simon is an engagement and research associate at the Centre for Education and Youth, exploring how the education and youth sectors foster (and hinder) access to the creative industries for young people from underserved backgrounds.

His has experience in teaching, youth and community work, tutoring, supporting SEND pupils and mentoring students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

More recently, he pivoted into creative content and cultural strategy for brands in the music industry, with an ongoing mission to highlight the stories and contributions of marginalised people within culture and the arts.

Yansé started her career as a secondary teacher of French and Spanish. She has since taken on numerous roles in curriculum leadership, leadership development, and initial teacher training across schools, the third sector, and as an independent consultant locally and internationally.