The staff team
For any general enquiries please contact [email protected]
Aaron Campbell Student Engagement Officer About Aaron
Aaron is the Student Engagement Officer at Student Minds. He is passionate about empowering the voices of students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Before starting at Student Minds, Aaron completed a bachelors in Computing and Graphic Design as well as being a sabbatical officer (Welfare, Community and Diversity Officer at UEA). They also were the co-founder of Eradicate Hate and Black Students representative for the NUS Liberations Committee. Aaron keeps busy in their spare time with a combination of musical theatre, basketball, vlogging and supporting his local Church. 
Andrea Smart Head of Operations (Job Share) About Andrea
Andrea has overall responsibility for administration, financial management, HR, policy development and compliance for Student Minds, alongside Eleri as a job share. Andrea has worked for over 30 years in the charity sector, mainly in the arts, in a range of project and senior management roles. Outside of work, Andrea can often be found in a corner of an art gallery or standing at the back at live music events. 
Chastyn Webster Programme Manager (Sector Improvement) About Chastyn
Chastyn works as one of the Programme Managers for Sector Improvement focussing on programme activities and supporting the University Mental Health Charter programme and the wider Sector Improvement team. Chastyn earned her Masters in Public Health from the University of Glasgow in 2021 and has diverse experience in roles aimed at gender based violence prevention and mental health improvement across the UK and the US. In her free time, Chastyn finds joy by exploring the great outdoors, adventure-seeking, attending gigs around Glasgow, meeting new people and travelling. 
Emmy Kelsall Senior Communications Officer About Emmy
Emmy is the Senior Communications Officer who focuses on all of the Students Minds' social media accounts. She creates social media content and helps arrange for other students to make content about their own experiences and more! Before joining Student Minds, Emmy completed a Master's in Digital Marketing Communications and has always been passionate about helping with mental health. Outside work, you can find her drawing, buying more plants to support her plant addiction or cuddling her pets. 
Hannah Bowler Fundraising Officer About Hannah
Hannah supports the fundraising team in developing community fundraising, corporate partnerships, and individual giving, playing an active role in generating income and expanding the charity’s supporter base. She contributes to a range of fundraising activities and events by providing dedicated supporter care through regular communication, assisting fundraisers in reaching their targets, and helping to strengthen relationships with corporate partners. In her free time, Hannah enjoys hiking, reading, and caring for her many houseplants. 
Joseph Hartley Digital Product Manager About Joe
As Digital Product Manager, Joseph is helping to oversee and manage Student Minds' digital journey, transforming our digital capabilities to better support student mental health. He previously worked in charity recruitment, where his love for all things digital and data helped the agency to innovate and grow, more recently expanding these skills with training in software engineering. Outside of work, Joseph loves running and competing for his club Kent AC on the road, track and cross country, exploring various nooks of SE London with his two children, and going to gigs. 
Louise Tighe Finance and Operations Officer About Louise
Louise is the Finance and Operations Officer. This involves day to day finance activities and supporting the Finance Manager. As well as this, she undertakes operational support across the charity. Louise is currently completing her AAT qualification in Accounting and has previously worked for a criminal justice charity, where she was responsible for their bookkeeping and finance activities. In her spare time Louise likes to spend time with her daughter, cooking, attending gigs or walking her very excitable Labrador. 
Rosie Tressler OBE CEO About Rosie
Rosie leads the organisation, working closely with the staff team, trustees, student advisors, clinicians, professionals and our cross-sector partners to develop the charity’s direction, strategy and future opportunities. Rosie has been undertaking a Churchill Fellowship to explore preventative approaches to student mental health, and was awarded an OBE in 2019 for services to Mental Health in Higher Education. Prior to joining Student Minds in 2013 Rosie worked in a range of student facing organisations in roles involving campaigning, volunteer management, fundraising, and programme development. Outside of work Rosie enjoys being inspired by a book, play or film, often those with feminist vibes. Twitter: @rosietressler |
Alice Wilson Clinical Supervisor About Alice
Alice is our part-time Clinical Supervisor, working within the Student Minds team on a consultative basis to provide supervision and support to our staff and team of peer-supervisors. Alice completed a Psychology degree at the University of Birmingham back in 2003 and trained as a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist within the NHS in Oxford becoming fully accredited by the BABCP (British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies) in 2012. She now works at Birmingham City University as a Mental Health Adviser and CBT Therapist within Student Services. As part of her role she also sits on the University Mental Health Adviser Network (UMHAN) committee as Development Worker Supervisor. Alice has a particular interest in Mindfulness and Compassion Focused Therapy and tries to attend workshops and training on these regularly. 
Aphrael Spindloe Content Manager About Aphrael
Aphrael is the Content Manager for Student Minds’, having strategic oversight of content development and management across all Student Minds’ websites. This involves evaluating current content, and working with colleagues and external suppliers to ensure that all assets benefit university communities, empowering students through university life and beyond. Before joining Student Minds, Aphrael worked in both the charity sector and edtech industry, focusing primarily on how technology can be used in universities to support student mental health. Outside of work you will find Aphrael reading fictional novels, drinking copious amounts of tea and spending time with her fur babies; hamsters Taco and Sushi. 
Dominic Smithies Head of Influencing and Communications About Dominic
Dom joined Student Minds in 2017 after working as the Community and Wellbeing Sabbatical Officer at the University of York’s Students’ Union. Dom leads on our campaigning & influencing work as well as our co-production & volunteering activities. Dom also has strategic oversight of our student voice, policy, insights and communications functions. Outside of work Dom enjoys gaming, watching anime and picking things up and putting them down again in the gym. 
Francesca Coleman Head of Programmes About Francesca
Francesca is the Head of Programmes at Student Minds and leads our Sector Improvement, Student Space and Training delivery as well as being a member of the Senior Leadership Team. Her role works across the organisation and with external partners to ensure programmes are running smoothly and are achieving the best impact for student mental health. Francesca has previously been a trustee for a small regional charity and has over 15 years experience working in the not for profit sector in roles such as project management, partnership development and evaluation. She is passionate about how communities - whether through place, identity, interest or need, can play a role in creating a positive impact for individuals. Outside of work Francesca loves running, spending time with her young family and is happiest somewhere on the Yorkshire coast. 
Izzy Watkins Senior Programme Manager About Izzy
Izzy leads on the management and delivery of the Student Space programme, working with a range of sector bodies, service providers and specialist organisations, clinicians and student representatives to develop the digital product. Prior to joining Student Minds Izzy has worked in various roles within higher education: beginning as a students’ union sabbatical officer and most recently working within a university welfare team. Outside of work Izzy loves to create music, attend drag shows and explore the countryside with her sausage dog. 
Kate Mitchell Fundraising and Development Manager About Kate
Kate leads the development of our income generation strategy. She supports a diverse range of initiatives to generate income for the charity, working alongside our grant funders, community fundraisers and donors, and is passionate about ethical fundraising. She also plays a role in capturing our impact and communicating this to funders. In her free time, she enjoys reading contemporary fiction, painting and hiking. 
Naima Brandao Programme Support Officer About Naima
Naima is a dedicated Programme Support Officer on the Sector Improvement Team, specialising in logistics and finances for the University Mental Health Charter. She also plays a crucial role in managing the contract procedures to ensure seamless operations behind the scenes. Naima's journey includes graduating with a Law Degree from the University of Leicester and channeling her passion for student mental health through charity work and extensive volunteering efforts. Beyond her professional life, Naima enjoys a well-rounded lifestyle. She stays active by working out, contributes to her community through her church activities, enjoys moments with her family (often spent exploring different cuisines) and indulges in reading novels whenever she finds a moment to unwind. 
Shanelle Bateman Programme Liaison Officer About Shanelle
Shanelle is the Programme Liaison Officer for the Sector Improvement Team. She supports the team by managing the central charter inbox and acting as a connector for the team both internally and externally. She also supports the team with proofreading and copyediting, which she particularly enjoys. Shanelle came to Student Minds from an arts background and is a practising artist in her free time. She loves cats, music, well-curated galleries and, above all else, reading and learning. Outside of work she tries her hand at tennis, climbing (despite being terrified of heights) and loves to be out in nature. |
Amanda Lilliefeldt Programme Manager - Sector Improvement About Amanda
Amanda works in partnership with students, staff and organisations across the sector to deliver programmes which aim to enhance approaches to university mental health. Amanda loves binge-watching tv-series accompanied by a big mug of tea, experimenting with healthy-ish baking as well as campaigning for human rights issues. 
Charlie Kiley Student Space Programme Coordinator About Charlie
Charlie is the Programme Coordinator in our Student Spaces team. She oversees our University directory and provides ongoing support to the development of our student spaces. Prior to joining student minds Charlie worked in a number of Higher Education roles surrounding volunteer management, equity and inclusion, and student advocacy and representation. Outside of work Charlie enjoys baking and creative activities such as crochet, as well as creating educational resources and advocating about autism and ADHD. 
Eleri Dare-Edwards Head of Operations (Job Share) About Eleri
Eleri is responsible for the performance and delivery of the charity’s work. Eleri heads up our infrastructure functions, and has overall responsibility for and leads on organisational policies; risk management and compliance; and finance and funding, alongside Andrea as a job-share. Outside of work Eleri enjoys spending time with her two children, walking in nature, and playing netball. 
Grace Anderson Communications Lead About Grace
Grace leads on our communications activities, from overseeing our social media accounts to working creatively with the staff team to communicate new exciting projects and research. She is passionate about giving people a platform to share their mental health stories to ensure student's experiences are at the heart of our work. Grace is happiest when drinking tea, reading a good book or watching a documentary. 
James Nicholson Finance Manager About James
James leads our financial activities. The role includes the production of internal and external management information, including liaising with external partners and agencies. James has over 30 years in the charitable and Not for Profit sector.Outside of work James likes to attend concerts and can be often found with a camera in his hand. 
Katie Birdit Student Voice Assistant About Katie
Katie works across Student Minds' diverse teams to develop creative ways of engaging students, ensuring they have meaningful opportunities to get involved in our work. Currently a Harding PhD Scholar at the University of Cambridge in the Clinical Neurosciences Department, Katie has also collaborated with organizations like The Royal Institution, The London Transport Museum, and Cambridge Children's Hospital to amplify young people's voices and support outreach and engagement initiatives. When she's not working, Katie finds herself immersed within a good book, writing fiction, running, experimenting with new recipes, or roaming around art galleries. 
Niamh Nicholson Training Manager About Niamh
Niamh manages the Student Minds training function, focusing on leading the delivery and continuous improvement of the training offer whilst managing key relationships in the training network. Niamh joins after nearly 5 years working at Anxiety UK and has a background in biotech. Outside of work, Niamh enjoys the best of both worlds exploring the city life of Manchester, and taking regular escapes to the country in her campervan with husband and dog, Forest. At home you can find her in her favourite chair reading a book, attempting embroidery or painting her nails. 
Shonét Hockley Programme Manager (Sector Improvement) About Shonét
Shonét works in partnership with universities, students, and assessors to deliver and develop the University Mental Health Charter Award assessments. She also supports the Charter programme activities and wider Sector Improvement team to enhance approaches to mental health across the sector. Prior to StudentMinds, Shonét has worked in community projects, campaigns and education. Outside of work Shonét loves to be in nature and moving - especially by the sea or in the mountains - and enjoys creative activities, like cooking, writing, and singing. |
Amy Bartlett Executive Assistant (Maternity Cover) About Amy
Amy is the current Executive Assistant at Student Minds (providing maternity cover for Fay Kotwal, who will rejoin the team in June 2025). She works closely with our CEO, Senior Leadership Team, and Board of Trustees, to support core administrative and operational processes. Amy also works alongside People and Culture, participating and leading on projects which promote the wellbeing and professional development of our Student Minds staff team. Amy holds an MA in Socio-Cultural Anthropology from Durham University. Before joining Student Minds she worked as the Volunteer and Supporter Care Assistant for the charity Abortion Support Network. Now based in Leeds, Amy likes to spend her free time reading, hiking, and working on her creative projects (such as poetry and photography collections). 
Charlotte Mee Programme Coordinator (Programme and Hub) About Charlotte
Charlotte works as the Programme Coordinator within the Sector Improvement team, focussing on developing, promoting, and continuously improving the University Mental Health Charter Programme and our digital platform. Prior to joining, Charlotte worked in public and private sector roles after graduating with her Masters in Sociology. Outside of work, Charlotte can often be found with either a book or a pair of knitting needles in hand, usually waiting for a baked good to come out of the oven. 
Emily Millard Programme Coordinator (Award and CRM) About Emily
Emily works as a Programme Coordinator within the Sector Improvement team, focusing on supporting universities on their journey through the University Mental Health Charter Award process and developing our CRM system. Before joining Student Minds, Emily completed a Master’s in Educational Psychology, which instilled in her a passion for student mental health. In her free time, Emily enjoys stand-up paddle boarding, volunteering at her Cub Scout group and a variety of craft activities. 
Gareth Hughes Charter Content Development Lead and Psychoeducation Lead About Gareth
Gareth is the content development lead for the University Mental Health Charter and the Psychoeducation Lead for Student Space. Gareth works with our project teams to ensure that what we do is evidence informed and supports positive change for students and universities. Alongside his part-time work with Student Minds, Gareth is a psychotherapist and the Research Lead for Student Wellbeing at the University of Derby. 
James Watson Partnerships Manager About James
James works with our extensive and amazing network of corporate partners. Managing their needs and making sure we’re constantly spreading the word and supporting the work of Student Minds. James graduated from the University of Liverpool with a degree in Politics and Business. During this time, he worked on the advisory board for Pearson PLC and assisted in the managing of the University’s accommodation services. Since then, he has climbed the ranks working for a handful of international corporations and has recently made the move in the charity sector. In his spare time James can be found at an electronic music event, out on a hike or wandering around a National Trust Property on a wholesome Sunday. 
Leacsaidh Marlow Student Voice Assistant About Leacsaidh
Leacsaidh will be working closely with the Influencing and Communications team, as well as other Student Minds teams to better facilitate student engagement and ensure that student voice is put, and stays, at the forefront of policy change. She is currently in her third year studying MSci Natural Sciences at the University of Nottingham, specialising in cancer sciences. Leacsaidh is President of Natural Sciences Society and Editor in Chief of 'Impact', UoN's official student magazine, and is an aspiring scientific journalist with a keen interest in research policy and science communications. She was a co-convenor for the SMaRteN mental health research conference this year, and outside of that works on many projects around student engagement and support in her SU and university, having both led and facilitated university-wide projects and campaigns. Outside of work, Leacsaidh spends most of her time in bookshops, reading and writing articles, or going on coffee dates with friends. 
Nicola Frampton Influencing and Advocacy Lead About Nicola
Nicola joined Student Minds in February 2021 after two years at Durham SU as Policy Coordinator (Welfare). As Senior Influencing and Advocacy Lead, Nicola leads Student Minds’ listening work and ensures this is at the heart of the work we do. In her spare time, Nicola enjoys visiting the beach with her cockapoo, Jax, catching up with friends over a chai latte or enjoying a takeaway in front of the tv. |
