Our team
We are proud of our small team with a wealth of experience and knowledge across the voluntary sector, in business and personally. We value diversity in its broadest sense and adopt a range of approaches to ensure multiple perspectives are reflected in the way we work and across our grant-making. Our dedicated staff bring diverse experiences, backgrounds and voices. Outside work, we are involved in a variety of philanthropic causes and volunteering in our communities and have very varied personal interests and lived experiences. In alphabetical order by first name, we hope you enjoy finding out a little more about us.
Sofia Wilson
Head of Projects
Sofia leads a portfolio of projects for the Foundation including commissioning key research, applicant surveys, writing our annual report and creating great case studies with our partners. Prior to the Foundation, She was a fundraising consultant with over 20 years in the voluntary sector advising a wide range of charities across the heritage, arts, welfare, youth, and health sectors.
Jean Anderson
Director (Interim)
Jean works closely with the Trustees providing leadership and oversight to the Foundation’s grant-making, especially Major Grants. She has led projects including the £30 million Wiesen Culture Fund and works with the Art Fund on the Wiesen Loan Programme.
Rachel Frank
Grants Manager
Rachel is responsible for assessing the Foundation raffle jackpot draws for our regular grants programme, enjoys learning more about the work we support and regularly liaises with our trustees.
Hussain Ahmed
Head of Operations
Hussain ensures that our systems and processes are highly efficient and effective. With experience across both commercial and charitable organisations, Hussain has over 20 years’ expertise in management consultancy and senior IT roles. Hussain fundraises for local and international charities and takes a keen interest in humanitarian affairs. He can often be found running, particularly after his two young children.
Jenny Allen
Operations Support Officer
Jen is responsible for managing our grant-making database and website. She processes all the grants we make, produces insight data for the team, and ensures our systems and processes work smoothly and efficiently for our applicants. Before joining the team, Jen was an administrator in the healthcare sector and she holds a master’s degree in criminology. Jen enjoys traveling, spending time with friends, and exploring London’s many green spaces.
Andrew Owen
Grants Manager
He manages enquiries to the Foundation, providing advice and support to our applicants. Andrew has experience of providing excellent customer service and administrative support in organizations such as the NHS and National Lottery Heritage Fund, the grant donation award, and the charity sector.
Elena Stephen
Grants Manager
Elena is responsible for assessing applications that come to us through our regular grants program, enjoys learning more about the work we support and regularly liaises with our trustees. She has spent her career working in the health and charity sectors as both a fundraiser and grant-maker, including with the NHS and National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Sherry Willis
Senior Grants Manager
She leads one of our flagship programmes, the Wiesen Charity Awards, in partnership with Pilotlight. Before joining the Foundation, Sherry worked as a Head of Trusts for over 20 years with a focus on supporting communities and health sectors.
Cheryl Jefferson
Accountant
A qualified Chartered Accountant, Mary is responsible for ensuring the Foundation adheres to its financial obligations and oversees our grant payment process. Originally from South Africa, Taryn has many years’ experience in the financial and technology sectors. She has spent time in Madagascar conducting diving surveys and her other interests include archaeology and astronomy.