After nine fantastic years at the Eden Project, an education charity that reconnects people with nature, Jessie Wheeler was ready for a new challenge. With a background in system administration and product management, Jessie designed and implemented solutions to support colleagues across the organisation in delivering its strategic aims.
That experience has now brought Jessie to St John International, where she has taken on the role of Fundraising Manager. Over the past three months, Jessie says it has been a privilege to learn more about the global work the St John family delivers, and she is grateful to community members for such a warm welcome.
Could you introduce yourself and share a little about your journey with St John, including what brought you to your current role as Fundraising Manager at St John International?
I spent nine fantastic years at the Eden Project, an education charity that reconnects people with nature. My work focused on system administration and product management, designing and implementing solutions to support colleagues across the organisation in delivering our strategic aims. After nearly a decade, I was ready for a new challenge and an opportunity to apply my skills in a different setting. Over the past three months, it has been a privilege to learn more about the global work the St John family delivers, and I am grateful for such a warm welcome.
What inspired you to move into fundraising, and what do you find most rewarding about helping organisations achieve their goals through the support of donors and partners?
I am passionate about working in the third sector. This sector often plugs the gaps in society where resources and budgets do not stretch. These constraints result in a sector filled with creative and resourceful individuals working collaboratively to solve problems, and I enjoy contributing to this independent and spirited community. It is an honour to inspire supporters and partners with stories of our successes and challenges, and the ultimate reward is knowing that every penny raised is going to make a difference.
As Fundraising Manager, what does your role involve, and what are your main priorities in supporting St John International and its mission?
My work is focused on increasing supporter engagement, securing sustainable income from fundraising activity and building partnerships to support the St John community in delivering on our global mission. As a team, we’re working to embed robust fundraising practices and processes at St John International. A personal focus is on developing our legacy programme. I’m also lucky to serve as Secretary of our Fundraising Committee. The committee is a formidable collective, dedicated to raising our profile, generating partnerships and bringing the global St John story to a wider audience.
Fundraising is built on relationships, storytelling, and shared purpose. What do you think makes fundraising successful, particularly within an international organisation like SJI?
Our community members are connected by a shared vision, and their dedication and enthusiasm are infectious. That commitment motivates supporters because it shows the purpose behind our work. Our global presence also gives us broad appeal, with many different stories to tell. Whether someone is an individual donor, a corporate partner, or a trust or foundation, there is something within the St John story that they can connect with and find inspiring.
What opportunities do you see for developing fundraising at St John International, and what excites you most about the future?
St John is a reassuring presence and a trusted brand, yet our wider story and heritage remain unfamiliar to many people. I am particularly excited to find opportunities and partnerships that will amplify our voice and celebrate our work. I am also keen to explore how we engage the next generation of supporters, helping them understand the relevance and impact of St John today.
What advice would you give to someone starting a career in fundraising or looking to build a successful career in this field?
I think the key to success is believing in the mission you are fundraising for. Integrity and authenticity are essential when sharing that story with funders. Fundraising is challenging, so it also requires a conscientious work ethic, strong communication skills, and the ability to build relationships and work well in a team. Some of the most rewarding moments come from sharing the experience of overcoming a challenge, resolving an issue, meeting a deadline, or securing funding with colleagues. A modern charity committed to leading globally in first aid and community healthcare is a story many people can believe in.
When you’re not fundraising or supporting St John International, what’s something you enjoy spending time on that brings you joy?
I enjoy rowing at my club, Castle Dore in Golant. Learning to row is an ambition I’ve held since childhood. Our stretch of the River Fowey is stunning. I love the smell of sweet estuarine mud on a low tide, the mohawked egrets, noble herons and the silent flight of a cormorant skimming the water. My love of my adopted county, Cornwall, is effusive. There is nothing finer than returning home with wind-blushed cheeks and salty skin after spending a day on the beach.
