Katherine Shaw
Chief Executive
Katherine joined us as CEO in July 2024 and brings a wealth of knowledge and service delivery experience, together with a passion for supporting vulnerable and seldom-heard communities to speak up for their needs. She has over 25 years’ of leadership experience in both the commercial and charity sectors, with previous roles including National Operations Director at Kids and Head of Service with The Shaw Trust.
“I am thrilled to be CEO for The Advocacy Project. I am regularly impressed by the quality and impact of the work the charity does, and also by the passion and expertise of the staff and service users I have met so far. I am really looking forward to working with everyone to realise the potential of The Advocacy Project and take this fantastic charity forward.”
Click here for an accessible document about our CEO.
Freya Marshall
Head of Business Development and Fundraising
Freya joined The Advocacy Project in January 2023 after 9 years of heading up an international NGO focused on community development and advocacy in India. She is passionate about social justice and supporting vulnerable communities to speak up for their needs, as well as making sure people’s voices are heard. Freya has over 18 years’ experience of developing positive as well as innovative fundraising partnerships for organisations.
“I am proud to work for an organisation that gives people the confidence and support they need to understand their rights and speak up for their needs. It’s important to me that we work to provide platforms for seldom-heard groups to connect and work in partnership with decision makers to create services that work for everyone. Every day I’m able to support this process by ensuring more people are aware of the work we do and are able to support us in achieving our goals.”
Sezin Adiguzel
Head of Service Delivery
Sezin joined The Advocacy Project in January 2023. A qualified advocate specialising in Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty safeguards, Sezin is also a qualified positive psychologist. She has many years’ experience managing advocacy projects and has used these skills to help us develop and improve the quality of our services.
“I am very passionate about empowering people to make positive changes in their lives and fighting for injustice in every area of my life. I am particularly passionate fighting against the stigma towards mental health. Working within the advocacy charity sector has given me a unique opportunity to champion the rights of marginalized communities and speak up to address systemic issues within the care and mental health sector. Advocacy aligns with my values of empathy, justice and commitment to the greater good.”
Emilia Halupka
Head of Finance
Since joining The Advocacy Project in October 2022, Emilia Halupka, our Head of Finance, has played a crucial role in strengthening the financial health of our organisation. With over 15 years’ experience in finance, a strong background in the nonprofit sector, and holding both a CIMA qualification and a master’s degree in finance, Emilia brings expertise in risk management, profitability enhancement and cost-reduction strategies.
“I’m proud to work with an organisation that helps people overcome obstacles and constraints and take control of their lives. In our charity, we ensure our resources are used effectively to support those in need, making a real difference to their well-being”