Meet the Global Connect Team
MAKING A DENT IN THE UNIVERSE!
Lydia Sparrow
Co-Founder, Consultant
Lydia is an experienced operations and leadership professional in the charity and non-profit sector. She has worked as a leader, manager and advisor both in the UK and programme set up, implementation and evaluation across the world. Through this work she developed a love for the development and flourishing of others, and is now a trained coach and mentor.
Paula Brennan
Co-Founder, Consultant
Paula works with leaders and teams to help them thrive in complexity. She partners with organisations to unlock potential, strengthen collaboration, and build resilience in fast-changing environments. Known for her calm presence and thoughtful insight, Paula delivers individual and team coaching, leadership development, and cross-cultural mentoring programmes.
Charlotte Balfour-Poole
Co-Founder, Consultant
Charlotte is a seasoned leadership expert, EMCC Senior Practitioner who partners with individuals, leaders and teams to navigate complexity and drive meaningful transformation. With a rich background in coaching, facilitation, and leadership, Charlotte leverages a range of methodologies to support individuals and teams in unlocking their full potential.
Lis Merrick
Co-Founder, Consultant
Following a successful career in Human Resources, Lis moved into a consultancy career in mentoring and coaching. She was EMCC UK President from 2015 to 2018 and was voted ‘Mentoring Person of the Year 2011/12’ by Coaching at Work magazine in the UK; in November 2021 they presented her with a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award for Contributions to Mentoring & Social Change’.
CHAMPIONING THE VISION
Global Connect Ambassadors
An Ambassador plays a key role in championing the Global Connect vision to connect purpose-led leaders through mentoring, coaching, and community. Ambassadors act as advocates for the value of meaningful connection and professional growth, helping to extend the reach and impact of Global Connect.
This is a voluntary role, designed to be flexible and integrated into the ambassador’s existing professional and personal networks. Ambassadors are encouraged to promote Global Connect where appropriate and authentic opportunities arise.
Dr. Mary Uhunoma Isibor
Dr. Mary Uhunoma Isibor is a historian, researcher, educator, and women’s empowerment advocate. She is a Postdoctoral Visiting Research Scholar at the Harriet Tubman Institute, York University, where her research focuses on the experiences, resilience, and economic contributions of African and Black women entrepreneurs in Canada and across the diaspora.
Her research led to the creation of the Black Women Enterprise Exchange (BWEE), a research-informed platform she founded to connect, empower, and amplify Black women entrepreneurs through knowledge exchange, mentorship, leadership development, and cross-border collaboration.
With over a decade of experience in higher education, research, and community engagement, Dr. Mary is passionate about translating scholarship into meaningful social impact and advancing inclusive leadership, women’s economic empowerment, and community development.
SUPPORTING THE DELIVERY
Global Connect Volunteers
The Global Connect Volunteer supports the delivery and development of Global Connect’s mentoring, coaching, and community initiatives. Volunteers contribute their time, skills, and experience to help create high-quality learning environments and meaningful connections for purpose-led leaders.
This is a voluntary and flexible role, designed to enable individuals to contribute in ways that align with their skills, availability, and interests.
Purpose of the Role
- Support the effective delivery of Global Connect programmes and activities.
- Contribute to the learning, engagement, and connection of programme participants.
- Strengthen the Global Connect community through practical and relational support.
Potential Roles
- Facilitator: Deliver webinars, workshops, or CPD sessions in areas of their expertise.
- Coordinator: Provide organisational and administrative support for programmes and events.
- Convener: Engage with participants in closed Global Connect groups (e.g. LinkedIn), contributing to discussion and shared learning.
- Moderator of online communities, helping to maintain a safe, professional, and engaging environment.
Expectations
- Act with integrity and in alignment with Global Connect values.
- Communicate professionally and respectfully with participants and team members.
- Use initiative while working collaboratively with the Global Connect team.
- Contribute reliably within agreed roles or activities.
- Ideally bring relevant experience in mentoring, coaching, facilitation, or community engagement (depending on the nature of the contribution).
- Recognise and escalate any safeguarding concerns or behaviour that falls short of Global Connect values.
What do Volunteers Gain?
- The opportunity to contribute to a global community of purpose-led leaders.
- Experience in facilitation, community engagement, or programme delivery.
- Connection with a network of mentors, coaches, and professionals.
- Access to Global Connect events and development opportunities.
- Recognition for their contribution as a Global Connect Volunteer.
READY TO APPLY?