Strengthening our trustee leadership

As we move towards our final years, we’re pleased to share some changes to our trustee board, including welcoming Sharmila Kar as a new Trustee and introducing a shared Co-Chair model.

These changes introduce a broader range of experience, perspectives and connections, strengthening our governance and leadership as we continue our work towards 2028.

Welcoming Sharmila

Sharmila brings an extensive background in equality, inclusion, organisational development, people and social justice, as well as a strong commitment to creating more equitable and inclusive organisations and communities.

Sharmila is Joint Director of Equality and Engagement for NHS Manchester Integrated Care Partnership and Manchester City Council. She’s previously held senior equality, workforce and organisational development roles with Manchester Health and Care Commissioning, the NHS Northwest Race Equity Assembly, the Equality and Human Rights Commission, the Disability Rights Commission and Nacro.

She’s also contributed her expertise through board and advisory roles, including with Amnesty International UK, the LGBT Foundation and the GMCA’s Race Equality Panel. She’s currently a Trustee of Saheli, supporting women and children from global majority communities, and sits on the board of Queerwell, an LGBTQ+ mental health charity.

Born and raised in India and now living in Manchester, Sharmila combines professional expertise with a valuable personal perspective.

Sharing the role of Chair

We’re also moving to a shared Co-Chair model, with Tess Page and Nadia Ali stepping up to jointly lead our trustee board.

Sharing the Chair’s responsibilities gives us greater capacity and coverage, while allowing complementary perspectives to shape our strategic direction.

Tess brings strong strategic, financial and governance experience. An Actuary by profession, she advises institutional investors on investment strategy and risk management and sits on the Diversity Project’s Advisory Council and the Advisory Group of Pensions for Purpose. She’s passionate about improving outcomes for women and girls.

Nadia brings vast grassroots experience and a deep understanding of the communities we work alongside. As Network Lead for Stockport Women & Girls and General Manager of Heaton Norris Community Centre, she’s developed inclusive spaces and activities serving diverse and marginalised communities. Through Make a Difference, she also delivers cultural, recreational and support-focused activities across Greater Manchester.

Sherree becomes Treasurer

Alongside these changes, Sherree Schaefer will become our Treasurer. Sherree is a seasoned executive and non-executive director with a background spanning human resources, organisational development, corporate social responsibility and leadership. She previously served as Chief People & Culture Officer at Pay.UK and is currently Chair of Board of Trustees for I AM Celebrating Autism in Greater Manchester, as well as working as an Executive Coach at 10Eighty.

Her experience in organisational leadership, governance and culture-building will be a real asset as we continue to develop our charity and plan for the years ahead.

Looking towards 2028

These changes come at an important point in our journey. As we enter the last two years of our ten-year initiative, taking us to the centenary of equal franchise, we’re thinking not only about what we want to achieve by 2028, but also about how we capture the learning, relationships, evidence and momentum that have been built over the past decade.

Strengthening and broadening our trustee leadership is part of that process. These different areas of expertise, community connections and perspectives will guide our charity through this next stage.

Our strengthened Board and shared leadership model is supporting our continued work towards a fairer, safer and more inclusive Greater Manchester for women and girls.