Welcoming our new Chair and Trustees

The Foundation thanks outgoing Chair Jessica Learmond-Criqui, whose guidance has proved invaluable throughout her 4 years in-post, for her service and commitment to the Foundation and its mission.

In these times of uncertainty and limited personal interaction due to the global pandemic, hiring a new chair is challenging. The more we are very pleased to be able to draw from our ranks and appoint current Trustee Dr Terheggen. A standing member of the board, he brings to the role an in-depth understanding of the Foundation and two decades of experience in the non-profit sector. Since receiving his PhD in physics from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, Dr Terheggen has worked to address social and environmental challenges, as senior strategy consultant at McKinsey & Company, as Global Head Philanthropy Services at UBS, COO of the Asia Philanthropy Circle in Singapore and Managing Director of the EDGE Certified Foundation.

His experience of working with both donors and beneficiaries will be instrumental in further building the momentum of the Foundation’s recently launched 100,000 Women Campaign, which will see us support an additional 100,000 Women over the next three years, and raise £10million in order to do so.

On being appointed, Mathias said: ‘I am deeply honoured to continue serving this great organisation and pioneer in the field of women’s economic empowerment. It is my personal belief that in these times of crisis and economic hardship, empowering women to take care of themselves, their families and their communities is more vital than ever. And it will contribute to a more just and more prosperous post-Coronavirus society!’

In addition, the Foundation gladly welcomes two new members to the board: Tanya Joseph and Olga Miler. Former journalist Tanya is the architect of This Girl Can, a remarkable behaviour change campaign encouraging more women and girls get active, and award-winning innovator Olga is the Co-Founder of SmartPurse Financial Toolkit for Women, the knowledge and networking platform.

Our CEO, Helen McEachern, comments:

‘Having joined our board nearly two years ago Dr Mathias Terheggen is welcomed as our new Chair to steer the organisation during a turbulent time as we adapt our work to the realities of COVID-19 and future challenges. He brings both his passion for diversity and a tremendous amount of knowledge and expertise.

I am delighted we have been able to attract two new incredibly experienced new members to our board.  Tanya Joseph brings a wealth of experience in women’s rights and UK charity governance from the Fawcett Society and Liberty.  As well as her external affairs experience in government and across sectors.  Olga Miler was the mastermind behind UBS’s successful women’s finance education programme and has extensive marketing experience.  We are thrilled to have them both as new trustees.’