Committee members

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Emily Casson
Emily Casson
Chair

Digital Marketing and Fundraising Manager at The Salvation Army. Emily is a multi-award-winning fundraiser, digital expert, and speaker. She was named one of Fundraising Magazine’s Top 25 fundraisers under 35 in 2018. She joined the committee in 2015, becoming Chair in 2017 and is passionate about developing the fundraising sector in the North East, upskilling fundraisers and building a diverse community. She also sat on the Chartered Institute of Fundraising’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion panel, is current Chair of Chair’s at the Institute and has acted as a trustee and consultant to various charities.

Catriona Taylor
Catriona Taylor
Vice Chair

Charity Manager at Child Growth Foundation, Catriona also provides consultancy and support in the charity sector and is trustee of a regional LGBTQIA+ arts organisation. Catriona joined the Chartered Institute of Fundraising North East committee in 2015, becoming Vice Chair in 2018. On the committee, she's involved in our events, training and comms, and is part of the North East Fundraising Conference team.

Kate Wood
Kate Wood
Treasurer

Kate has been a fundraiser for almost 20 years, starting off in national charities like Centrepoint, The Prostate Cancer Charity and Hospice UK (among others). Kate's background is in individual giving, community and events. After completing the Certificate in Fundraising and volunteering at Fundraising Convention, Kate decided to get more involved with the Chartered Institute.

Ellen Drummond
Ellen Drummond
Events, training and sponsorship

Regional Director at Charity People. Ellen has been recruiting fundraisers into the charity sector since 2007. After 7 years in London she moved home to Newcastle in 2012 and began supporting the North East’s finest fundraisers and charities.

Ashley Elliott
Ashley Elliott
EDI and Bursaries

Business Development Manager at Alderson Fundraising. Ashley joined the charity sector in 2011 where she was thrown straight in the deep end and took a small, unknown local charity and helped turn it into a very successful organisation. In her current role, she works with a range of charities to help maximise income generation.

Katie Searles
Katie Searles

Partnerships Manager at Save the Children. Katie's career in the third sector began after graduating from university, working for a number of small charities. She worked for Marie Curie for five years, starting in community fundraising and moving into corporate fundraising. She now works for Save the Children as Partnerships Manager, working with their community team and developing partnerships with companies across the UK.

Lisa Saxton
Lisa Saxton

Charity Manager at Bright Red. For many years Lisa ran a fitness business and studio until a few years ago when Lisa decided to change career. Lisa was approached about working for Bright Red and joined as the Fundraising Manager progressing to Head of Fundraising and subsequently Charity Manager.

Wendy McGauley
Wendy McGauley

Engagement Lead for the RNLI. Wendy has over 20 years’ experience in fundraising, volunteer management and community engagement at the British Heart Foundation, Leonard Cheshire and St Clare’s. Wendy wanted to join the committee to be part of an inspiring group of peers who strive to enable fellow fundraisers to be the best they can be.

Bradley French
Bradley French
Events and Communications

Brad currently works as Head of Innovation at Donr, and previously was a Development Manager at Team Kenya, a Newcastle-based organisation promoting gender equality and preventing violence towards girls and women in rural Kenya. Brad became a part of the North East Committee in 2019 and has since focused on the organisation of events.

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