Mr Tim Pare -
Programme Director
As a graduate embarking on a Masters in Poverty Reduction and Development Management at the University of Birmingham (UK), Tim has a strong background in social service and education, as well as working within the charitable sector. Having taught English abroad in China, he has also worked in Primary Schools as a Learning Mentor, Secondary Schools as a Career Adviser and Further Education as a Senior Student Mentor.
Tim has also worked as an Educational Project Coordinator and has experience of running educational projects at a variety of locations for example, having successfully organised a Local Education Authority summer school scheme for 60 schools at 23 different locations for over 3,500 students on a budget of over £100,000. He values joint partnership working and is able to work flexibly to overcome difficulties in order to achieve results.
Tim holds an NVQ Level IV in Advice and Guidance, the highest qualification available in the UK within the Career Advice field. His most recent role was managing the busiest Employment Advice service in West London where he consulted for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea on the government strategy for "Employability and Worklessness". His role included establishing a wide range of programmes for 400 unemployed adults a month, as well as delivering a range of workshops and seminars for the long-term unemployed to increase confidence and employability, and working closely with employers to ensure the professional development of existing staff.
Dr Yasmene Shah - Trustee
Holding a PhD in Neuropharmacology, Yasmene has worked for the University of Nottingham, UK, as a Scientific Research Fellow, where she taught research techniques to both undergraduate and postgraduate students. She has also lectured to Senior Academics and Clinicians at a number of National and International conferences about her research and has a number of peer-reviewed articles published. More recently, Yasmene has worked for a number of Healthcare Communication Agencies, writing explanatory materials for both patients and healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, dentists etc). She has in-depth knowledge of a wide-range of therapeutic areas including heart disease, cancer, mental health, virology (Hepatitis and HIV/AIDs) and nutrition. Her most recent work includes writing both healthcare promotional literature for osteoarthritis and colorectal cancer, and HIV/AIDs training programmes for the British National Health Service.
Ms Rachel Hall - Trustee
Currently working as the Head of HR Shared Services for the British Aviation Authority, Rachel specialises in project management and employment law. As such, she is an important member of the board in terms of fundraising, strategy and also in ensuring that the charity always acts within the required legal framework when employing workers.
Sandie has been a Primary School Head teacher for over twenty years as well as having worked as an Advisory Teacher for Shropshire Education Authority. She has experience of starting a school from scratch and taking it into the top 100 schools in the country, gaining recognition from the Ministry for Education in the process. She is retiring in July 2009 and intends to spend time helping to develop the Tea Leaf Trust's programmes in Sri Lanka to ensure the highest educational value is gained from the projects.
Mr John Pare - Trustee
A qualified solicitor in the UK with over thirty-five years experience in private general practice law, John has also worked as a Guidance Counsellor for eighteen years and been a School Governor. John, has the responsibility for ensuring that the strict legal requirements of the charity commission are adhered to, and that the Tea Leaf Trust offers transparency, best value and ethical practice in all of its programmes.
Mrs Jeyani Gnanapragasam - Trustee
With her family originating for Jaffna, Sri Lanka, and holding a BSc in Physiology from King's College, London, and a Masters in Science Communication from Imperial College, London, Jeyani currently works as an Account Director in medical public relations. Jeyani is passionate about working towards a peaceful and cohesive society in the tea-growing regions of Sri Lanka.
Mr Sean Mort - Trustee
A Graphic Designer, Sean has a creative flair for turning ideas into beautiful designs and has been responsible for branding a number of successful companies in the UK. He has worked tirelessly to produce clear and professional fundraising campaigns for the Tea Leaf Trust.