Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your role as Head of International Governance and Institutional Relationships at SJI
I’d be delighted to, hello everyone! I’m one of the newer faces here at the International Office. I joined earlier this year after moving back to London following eight years overseas, and after taking some time out to have my son, who’s now two and a half. I can’t quite believe how quickly that’s gone!
At its core, my role is about strengthening and supporting the relationship between the International Office and each of our Establishments around the world. I focus on helping to structure, monitor and nurture those relationships so we have a shared understanding of expectations, priorities and ways of working. Ultimately, my aim is to help create an environment where our global St John family feels supported, connected and empowered to deliver meaningful impact.
My background spans journalism, communications and international partnerships. I was most recently at the UN Development Programme in Beijing, and before that I worked as a journalist in India. I’m really enjoying bringing those experiences into my role at SJI and getting to know the organisation and the people who make it what it is.
Can you share a bit about your career journey and what led you to this role?
My career has definitely had a few twists and turns, but each chapter has shaped how I approach my work today. After graduating from university, I began my professional life in a corporate communications consultancy, advising major firms on their public relations strategies. I really enjoyed the fast pace and responsibility that come with working in that environment and fully expected to build my career there.
That plan changed when my husband was offered a role in Mumbai. What began as an adventure soon became a defining period of my life. We married in Jaipur a year later and, professionally, it prompted a complete rethink. While in India, I pivoted into journalism, joining a start-up that combined data journalism with on-the-ground reporting. It was an intense and formative experience, often travelling by myself to remote parts of the country, organising my own reporting logistics and relying heavily on the generosity and openness of local communities.
Through this work, I reported on issues ranging from labour rights and gendered access to education to environmental degradation and public health. Again, I thought I had found my calling and was preparing to apply for master’s programmes in journalism when another move, this time to Beijing, shifted things again.
Given the constraints of working as a foreign journalist in China, I went back to the drawing board and thought about how to reinvent myself. I joined the UNDP within the Communications, Innovation and Partnerships team and gained first-hand experience of how large, global organisations operate, often balancing local identity with a unified mission. That experience has proven invaluable in my current role at SJI, working with 44 Establishments worldwide. So it’s this blend of communications, governance awareness, field experience and partnership-building that has ultimately led me here.
What have been your main priorities and focus areas since joining SJI?
Ensuring the smooth rollout of the Relationship Agreement process has been at the top of my to-do list. It’s a great project to be part of, as the agreement is much more than a governance tool; it is a tangible expression of the open, collaborative and forward-looking culture that SJI is building.
Alongside this, I’ve been focused on listening and learning. It’s very important that I understand the diversity of our Establishments, meet colleagues across departments and regions, and build a strong foundation of trust and shared understanding that will underpin this role in the long term.
What initially drew you to SJI, and what cotinues to inspire you about the organisation?
I was first drawn to SJI by the strength of the Order’s humanitarian ethos and its focus on practical, community-led health interventions. During my time as a journalist in India, I saw firsthand how access to healthcare, particularly for women and children, can transform lives. One of the first articles I wrote looked into maternal malnutrition in Dharavi, the world’s largest informal settlement, and it left a lasting impression on me. It was therefore deeply inspiring to learn about the Order’s plans to expand its Mother and Baby programme across Africa and, in time, around the world.
What continues to inspire me at SJI is the people. So many volunteers and local staff have dedicated years to their Establishments, and you can really see the St John values in action. It’s hugely rewarding to play a part in supporting that commitment by helping teams stay connected, aligned and working well together across the organisation.
If you could pick one “highlight moment” from your time at SJI so far, what would it be?
I’ve only been here for three months, but there have already been so many memorable moments. One particular highlight recently has been supporting the work of the Small Grants Fund. The recent Assessor Training, in particular, has been really enjoyable and a fantastic opportunity to meet colleagues working at the operational level, something I don’t usually get to do in my role, and to see up close the depth of expertise, dedication and insight that exists across our network. It was also a moment when I realised just how much I’ve already learned about the organisation in a relatively short time, and how much more there is to learn.
Outside of work, what’s one hobby or activity that helps you recharge and stay inspired?
Cooking and hosting friends and family is my favourite way to recharge. After spending the last eight years living overseas, it feels incredibly special to once again share regular, meaningful time with the people I love most. I’m also at a stage of life where many of my friends are starting families, and as cheesy as it may sound, the idea of helping to make the world a better place for these children is genuinely inspiring.
Looking ahead, what are you most excited about for SJI in the coming years?
I feel very fortunate to have joined SJI at a moment of real growth and transformation. There is a palpable sense that the organisation is modernising, becoming more connected and increasingly confident in how it collaborates across regions.
I’m particularly encouraged by the growing sense of partnership between SJI and Establishments, and the way we’re becoming more connected globally. In a world that often feels quite fragmented, organisations like St John, which are rooted in shared values and collaboration, really matter. I’m excited to play a small part in where we’re heading next.
