Leeds Women’s Aid welcomes five new trustees to its board this October: Holli Kellet, Ridwana Wallace-Laher, Sue Kerslake, Sam Millar and Shruthi Venkatachalam.
The board of trustees helps to develop Leeds Women’s Aid’s strategic direction, ensuring financial stability and providing governance in line with law and regulations. The new cohort of trustees joins seven existing trustees with a wide variety of expertise and specialisms.
Nik Peasgood, Chief Executive of Leeds Women’s Aid says:
“We are delighted to have five passionate and highly-skilled trustees join our fantastic board. Each trustee brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will deliver huge benefits to Leeds Women’s Aid, helping us to continue to innovate and grow in line with our mission.
We are looking forward to working closely with the board as we develop our new strategy and plan for the future of our life-saving organisation.”
Find out more about Leeds Women’s Aid’s new trustees below:
Holli Kellet – Fundraising Specialism
Holli has 17 years’ fundraising experience and currently leads Morrisons’ charity programme. She has delivered award-winning corporate partnerships with charities including Young Lives vs Cancer, Alzheimer’s Society, Royal British Legion, and Marie Curie, raising over £26 million in three years.
Ridwana Wallace-Laher – Humanitarian and Third Sector Specialism
Ridwana is a humanitarian leader with over 20 years’ senior experience in the charity sector. Formerly CEO of Penny Appeal, she was the first Muslim woman to lead a major British charity. Born and raised in Bradford, she is passionate about equality, empowerment, and building resilient communities.
Sue Kerslake – Finance Specialism
Sue is a highly experienced finance professional with over 25 years in senior third sector roles. Recently retired from LWA, she brings strong Board experience, including direct work with LWA’s Board, and expertise in finance, strategy, business transformation, and housing management.
Sam Millar – Public Service and Violence Against Women & Girls Specialism
Sam has recently retired from a distinguished career in public service, spanning both the armed forces and policing. Most recently, she led the national police response to violence against women and girls, directing the taskforce established in 2021 to deliver cultural and operational change and embed stronger victim support across policing.
Shruthi Venkatachalam – Equity and Violence Against Women & Girls Specialism
Shruthi is a social researcher and qualified social worker with a PhD in Social Policy from the University of Bristol. Shruthi has published research focusing on violence and abuse against disabled women, shaped by a commitment to equality, justice, and survivor-centred support. she is dedicated to promoting safety, empowerment, and respect for women and children.