Team Board of Trustees Global Imagination Board Ambassadors

  • Carrie Anne Philbin MBE - Director of Learning

    Carrie Anne Philbin MBE is an award-winning educator, computing teacher, author, YouTuber, and podcast host who is passionate about Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education and how imagination and creativity are interwoven within these and other subjects. In 2020, she was awarded an MBE for services to STEM education. Carrie Anne strives to support students, parents, and educators around the world in creative and critical thinking learning experiences.  Alongside her work in formal education in the UK, Carrie Anne also hosts a Computer Science series on popular educational YouTube channel Crash Course and creates technology tutorials on her own channel the Geek Gurl Diaries. 

  • Catherine Lambert - Head of Marketing and Communications

    Catherine has worked in marketing across the creative industries for over 15 years. After initially working as Global Brand Manager for Swedish retail systems and services provider, Gunnebo AB, she joined the South Korean government agency KOCCA in 2005 to head up its marketing and brand development, brokering broadcast, licensing partnerships and co-production agreements across Europe. Moving into live theatre, Catherine worked with various arts organisations to lead their strategic marketing and audience development such as Stratford Circus, Iris Theatre and Battersea Arts Centre – for touring work including at the Edinburgh Festival. Catherine has been a speaker at the Children’s Media Conference, Korean / UK Drama Festival and Seoul International Animation Festival (SICAF).

  • Damian Griffiths - Director of Finance and Enterprise

    Since qualifying as a Chartered Accountant at the London office of EY, Damian spent over 10 years as a director of innovation firm, New Solutions. Following this, he engaged with a number of growing businesses in the creative and consulting sectors, taking a particular interest in organisations with a purpose beyond profit.

  • Emma Callow - Creative & Content Lead

    Emma has worked extensively with under-privileged children and young people, many with special needs, using the arts, creativity and therapeutic communication to promote well-being and personal development. She has helped deliver Pop Up Parks events, coaches individuals and groups, and has won an innovation award for her work with students at Kingston College.

  • Fran Meana - Educational Consultant and Project Lead

    An experienced designer and educator, Fran has worked extensively with educational and cultural institutions, using art and new technologies to promote creativity and collaboration. He champions an audience-focused approach to ensure children, young people, families, schools and communities can actively participate in and enjoy innovative education projects that support creative learning and growth.

  • James Brown - Production Manager

    James has worked with SEND children and their families across a variety of initiatives and organisations for several years. He has a background working with children with additional needs through experiential therapies and sensory play. His expertise helps the iOi team ensure that SEND children are able to have their strengths recognised and nurtured. Alongside his work with children and families, James makes excellent use of a background in property development to meticulously manage events, keep the Imagination Lab running smoothly and ensure our tech is tip top.

  • Jana Manuelpillai - Facilitator

    Jana has a Masters in museology specialising in museum learning and spent much of his early career in gallery education within the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art and the Mall Galleries -where he initiated their first education programme targeting schools in disenfranchised areas of London. He has recently provided consultancy to the Estorick Collection, Ben Uri Museum, Westminster Abbey and Action Space, a charity for artists with disabilities.

  • Jennifer Luk - Projects Development Lead

    Jen has over 15 years of experience designing, delivering and project managing innovative projects for families and young people, with a particular passion for supporting disadvantaged families and ensuring their voices are at the centre of design. Prior to starting at the iOi, she managed the Bookstart programme for the largest national children’s reading charity, BookTrust.

  • Jess Joyson - Programmes Lead

    Joining us from Teach First, Jess has ample experience in child and adult education. Prior to Teach First, Jess was a secondary school teacher and a learning assistant in a cultural organisation. She champions educational equality both in and out of the classroom, and is currently studying for her Masters in Leadership in Education at UCL Institute of Education.

  • Kimberley Mitchell - Director of Development

    As Director of Development, Kimberley oversees the iOi’s income generation and strategic partnership development. With over 15 years of fundraising experience, she started her fundraising career at Cancer Research UK before roles at Camden’s Roundhouse, Action for Child, and the Terrence Higgins Trust.

    Most recently she spent a decade at Stonewall, Europe’s leading LGBTQ+ equalities charity, where she led teams across Special Events, Corporate Partnerships and Individual Philanthropy. During her time there she launched TeamPride – a group of world leading brands including the Premier League, Adidas, Barclays, and Unilever – to support the Rainbow Laces Campaign, resulting in raising over £1 million together with the campaign becoming a yearly fixture in the UK’s sporting world.

  • Maia Abayomi - Digital and Marketing Officer

    After graduating from King’s College London University in 2021, Maia began working in education as a Teacher and Pastoral Assistant. Alongside her work in education, Maia has volunteered as a Digital Marketing officer in the charity sector. She joins us utilising her skills and experiences in education and digital marketing to push forward the goals and ethos of the Institute of Imagination.

  • Martin Allen Morales - CEO

    Martin brings over 20 years of successful leadership experience across various sectors, including technology, media, food, events, the arts, and education. He started his career in the arts working at independent music companies. Then at Apple he helped launch iTunes Europe before heading up Disney’s EMEA regional arm. As an entrepreneur he launched sustainable food company Ceviche and Andina before co-founding a circular economy consultancy. Additionally, through various leadership supportive roles, Martin has steered charities and social enterprises including children’s education charity Amantani and currently serves on the boards of social finance organisation Big Issue Invest, grant giving charity Global Radio’s Make Some Noise, and sustainability benchmarking organisation Future-Fit Foundation.

  • Max August - Fundraising Officer

    Following his graduation in 2021, Max worked at Citizen’s Advice, assessing and advising client issues. His role later expanded to research into the delays of Personal Independence Payment entitlements in his home county. After a period in financial technology recruitment, Max is now utilising his experience within the FinTech sector, and commitment to social impact to support the Institute of Imagination’s goals for our major fundraising campaign.

  • Nileema Yesmin - Programmes & Content Manager

    Nileema has been working across arts and culture, in Heritage, Research and Film and TV. She loves engaging diverse audiences and bringing them together for shared learning experiences and knowledge exchange that supports creative learning and growth. She is excited to contribute towards Newham’s evolution as a hub of diversity, creativity and innovation. As a native and local, she is delighted to bring her experiences and imagination Home to Newham.

  • Sally Bateson - Fundraising Consultant

    Sally is a fundraising specialist who has spent the last 20 years working with a wide range of charities to strengthen and grow their income. She’s held the top leadership fundraising roles at East End Community Foundation, The Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, Duchess of York’s charity Children in Crisis. She spent eight years as a Managing Consultant at Compton Fundraising Consultants where she worked with clients to review and develop their fundraising strategies and worked on several large fundraising campaigns.

  • Sarah Coia - HR Consultant

    Sarah has 20 year’s experience in advising charities, social enterprises, owner-managed businesses, SMEs and blue chip clients on HR policies and procedures. She supports us in all our HR needs, helps us to keep abreast of constantly evolving HR legislation and advised us on integrating good practice into our day to day operations.

  • Tanisha Reid - Bookkeeper

    Tanisha has worked in finance teams across different industries over the past 10 years. Recently, she has been working within the creative industries with emerging businesses and is now supporting the iOi delivery team and Finance Director. She is originally from Newham and is excited to be a part of a team dedicated to contributing to the evolution of the future of Newham.

  • Tom Doust - Executive Director

    A social innovator, Tom Doust has spent his 23 year career designing and delivering creative multi-stakeholder programmes with children, young people, families, schools and communities across the education, design and cultural sectors. He is founder of the social action charity Envision and led a national education programme with the Sorrell Foundation. In 2013 he was a Clore Fellow with Nesta. In 2015 he was winner of the Knee High Design Challenge supported by Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Innovation Charity, working with the Design Council. Tom is passionate about the power of imagination and creativity, something he spoke on in his 2018 TEDx talk titled ‘The Art of Mind-Wandering’.