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.
Purpose of the Role
- Represent and promote the Global Connect brand, vision, and values.
- Advocate for mentoring, coaching, and community as powerful tools for leadership development.
- Support the growth of a global network of purpose-led leaders.
Key Responsibilities
- Promote awareness of Global Connect programmes and activities through conversations, networks, and appropriate platforms.
- Encourage individuals to engage as mentors, mentees, or volunteers.
- Share the benefits and impact of participation in Global Connect initiatives.
- Support and participate in Global Connect events, such as the mentoring conferences and CPD activities.
- Foster connections between participants, helping to build a strong and engaged community, where this is applicable.
Expectations
- Act with integrity and align with the values of Global Connect.
- Use their professional judgement to identify appropriate opportunities to promote Global Connect.
- Maintain a positive and informed understanding of Global Connect programmes and activities.
- Ideally be an experienced mentor or coach and have a personal commitment to ongoing learning and development.
What do Ambassadors Gain?
- The opportunity to contribute to a global movement supporting purpose-led leadership.
- Connection to a network of mentors, coaches, and leaders.
- Access to Global Connect events and professional development opportunities.
- Recognition as a Global Connect Ambassador.
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.
Sangeetha Yogendran
Sangeetha Yogendran is an international lawyer with 15 years of experience in human rights, research, advocacy, and program management. Sangeetha has worked across NGOs, the UN, government and civil society, and managed several multi-country programmes, particularly in the Global South.
She has lived and worked in Singapore, Cambodia, Malaysia, Australia, Palestine, the Netherlands, and Belgium, and has been deployed to support humanitarian responses in Asia.
Sangeetha is a qualified Advocate & Solicitor in Singapore, is conducting doctoral research on victims’ rights and reparations at the UN Khmer Rouge Tribunal. She recently completed her postgraduate certification in Coaching and Mentoring with Coach Mentoring Ltd. and holds 3 Masters degrees from the University of Melbourne, the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies in Cambodia, and the University of Cambridge.
Kuno Roth
Kuno Roth is a human ecologist, learning expert, writer, and mostly an unrepentant optimist. Born in 1957, he began as a chemist, including earning a PhD, before deciding that the planet’s challenges required working with people rather than molecules. His career has spanned environmental education, mentoring, and coaching, with a focus on solar energy and practical knowledge transfer. He has supported partnerships across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
For 25 years, he led education projects at Greenpeace Switzerland, later heading Greenpeace International’s global mentoring programme. He is currently co-president of Solafrica and a mentor in the Women’s Solar Project. He is especially committed to young people and women in the Global South.
Kuno is also an author and poet, writing columns and poems. He lives in Bern, Switzerland, is married and in his free time, he cycles, hikes and meets friends.
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?