Julie Dawson, Chief Operating Officer

A marketing professional with over 20 years experience in the technology sector, Julie managed B2B marketing and strategy teams for leading IT services company, Computer Science Corporation and Barclays. The entrepreneurial streak drove Julie to work across Europe setting up operations for early stage ventures Madge Networks and Civista. One of the rare breed of multi-lingual Brits, speaking 5 languages, Julie is in her element delivering pan-european projects. After working as a consultant to eBay, Julie founded the first auction management company in the UK, to enable brands, artists and charities to use eBay for promotional marketing, running online auction campaigns. Julie read BA Hons Modern Languages in the UK, International Business Studies at ESCP (Paris), did an Executive MBA at the London Business School and holds the CIM Diploma. Julie is a trustee of Youthnet and a local Scouts group.

Lea Garrett, Head of Marketing

Lea graduated from the University of Texas with a BA (Hons) and continued her education in community development in New York. Lea has nine years of experience in print and digital marketing for international multimedia publishing and design firms, most of which has been focused on online and mobile product development. In her spare time Lea enjoys trips to the Lake District, practising yoga, baking and volunteering for her favourite neighbourhood charities like SkyWay. With a passion for community activism, Lea has happily joined the Localgiving.com team to raise awareness of the importance of community engagement.

Michel Bartz, Head of Technology

Michel has a Bsc in Software Engineering as well as a Bsc in Communication and Internet Marketing, and over five years experience in very challenging industries such as e-commerce, mobile applications and digital signage. As a developer, web architect and manager, Michel is very exited to work at Localgiving.com and to be given the opportunity to make a difference by helping charities grow their presence online. When not on a computer, you’ll find Michel playing guitar, going to hear live music or mountain biking.

Jackie Brennan, Programme Manager

Jackie graduated from University College Dublin with an MA in Geography before moving to London over ten years ago. Since then she has gained experience in marketing, communications and project management. More recently she brought her expertise to an international educational charity and prior to this founded a women in business network running events, workshops and mentoring programmes for female entrepreneurs. Jackie enjoys public speaking, is a member of Toastmasters International and is passionate about making a difference by encouraging people to give back to their communities.

Mandy Green, Press Manager and Content Editor

Mandy has worked in media in Los Angeles and London. From hit US TV shows in the 1970s to Classic FM radio in the 1990s, and the launch of DAB digital radio in the 2000s, Mandy has been communicating the messages of media for…well, a very long time! When she’s not busy banging the drum for Localgiving.com, Mandy enjoys playing golf and spending time with her labradoodle puppy Phoebe.

Paul de Freitas, Financial Controller

Paul graduated in 2010 from the University of Bath with a Bsc (Hons) in Sport & Exercise Science. He has experience overseas in conservation work, volunteering in North-East Brazil for Amainan in collaboration with Soundwood UK. In his free time, Paul enjoys travelling abroad, a Saturday hockey match and a trip to the cinema for Orange Wednesday. Paul loves being a part of the Localgiving.com mission and wants to help it to succeed in supporting local charities at home in the UK.

Janis Juhno, Web Developer

Janis has a BA degree in e-commerce and more than 5 years of working experience in various industries including both the private and public sectors. As a web developer, consultant, manager and entrepreneur, Janis has always been interested in innovative projects and ideas, and he believes Localgiving.com is a fantastic opportunity to help charities get online and to realise their missions.

Alvaro Nistal, Web Designer

Alvaro is a user interface designer and front-end developer with more than five years of freelance and commercial experience in digital, mobile and print design. He is proud to be a part of the Localgiving.com team and to help local charities to fund-raise. Out of the office, you can see Alvaro working on challenging web design projects.

Chris Dormer, Charity Engagement Manager

In 2009 Chris graduated from the University of Kent with a BA (Hons) in Politics & International Relations. Drawing on his experience working in grassroots community organisations both in the UK and abroad, Chris enjoys working with local charities through Localgiving.com. In his spare time you will find him playing football, reading and going to see live music.

Jill Carty, Supporter Marketing Executive

Jill graduated from the University of the Arts London in 2010 with a first class degree in Marketing & Advertising with Media and Cultural Studies. She enjoys travelling, visits to the theatre and holds a Trinity Certificate in Teaching English to Students of Other Languages (TESOL). Jill is very excited about the work of Localgiving.com and is proud to be a member of the team. Follow @Localgiving on Twitter

Michelle Brien, Charity Marketing Executive

Michelle recently graduated from the University of Sheffield with a BA in History and has previously worked as a HR Administrator and Public Affairs Intern for the national charity 4Children. Her previous experience includes voluntary work as a research assistant for the Bromley by Bow Centre and the Baytree Centre in Brixton which has inspired her to continue promoting grassroots activism and giving across the UK. Plymouth born and bred, Michelle likes to enjoy pasties by the sea whenever she can.

Alex Kirillov, Web Support Analyst

After graduating from the Queen Mary University of London in 2010 with a BSc in Computer Science, Alex found the perfect place to start his career at Localgiving.com. Alex is slowly learning to play the piano, enjoys writing and has a great interest in Japanese language and culture.

Lucy Wray, Charity Engagement Assistant

A shameless idealist, Lucy graduated in July 2011 from the University of East Anglia with hopes of ‘Making the World a Better Place’ with her BA (Hons) in International Development. A subsequent spell of volunteering both at home and abroad (most recently for London-based charity School
Home Support) proved to be eye-opening. Being able to witness first-hand how those on our doorsteps are sometimes those the most in need of help has reaffirmed the importance of giving locally for Lucy – making Localgiving.com the ideal place to start her career!

Vajiha Hameed, Charity Engagement Assistant

Vajiha graduated from The University Of Nottingham in 2011 with a BSc (Hons) in Mathematics. She spent her four years at University involved extensively in fundraising and event planning, volunteering and working with BBC Radio Sheffield, fuelling her love for the sector. The concept of giving locally was instilled in her from a young age when she would sell buns for local causes, and since then she has been a firm believer in the vital work local charities carry out. Vajiha is a keen photographer and artist, and places family before everything!

Louise Boyd, Finance Assistant

Louise graduated from Royal Holloway in 2009 with a BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science. With experience in both domiciliary care and working for her local council in housing and homelessness, she has seen how local charities support the most vulnerable people in our communities and knows how much support they need to be able to continue this vital work. When not at work you can usually find Louise with her nose stuck in a book or dancing in the kitchen while trying out new recipes from her extensive collection of cookery books.

Nick Dodd, Project Coordinator, North Yorkshire

Nick graduated from Lancaster University in 2010 with a degree in English Language. He secured an internship at The Young Foundation giving unemployed graduates the skills to find work. He worked at PR companies in Sheffield and Manchester, before joining the youth empowerment charity Envision in 2012, delivering the government’s National Citizen Service programme, and then coordinating the marketing, outreach and engagement of Inspiring Action – a project enabling young people to make a difference in their community. He enjoys playing piano, exercising and cinema.