Our Team

Melissa Lawrence, Chief Executive

Melissa joined the Taylor Bennett Foundation December 2018. She has worked in the not-for-profit sector for over twenty years and is a passionate advocate for equality. 

Prior to joining the Foundation, Melissa worked for a social mobility charity, working with businesses in the financial, professional and related services sector to help them develop their corporate social responsibility, diversity and talent pipeline initiatives.

She is an established leader with a creative entrepreneurial spirit with the ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders. At the Foundation, Melissa's key focus is to shape the charity through awareness raising, leadership and strategic planning.

Melissa has been included in PRWeek's UK Power Book 2020 & 2021.

Debbie Nambo, Senior Programme Manager

Debbie joined the Taylor Bennett Foundation in December 2021 as the Senior Programme Manager for the Foundation's flagship Traineeship Programme. 
Debbie is an alumna of the Summer Stars programme which she completed in 2018. Through the Taylor Bennett Foundation's internship, Debbie secured a permanent position within the PR industry as an intern and since, progressed to a Senior Account Executive position before joining the Foundation as an employee. 
She is passionate about diversity and inclusion and the Taylor Bennett Foundations aim to encourage young people's career pursuit in the PR/communications industry. Debbie will be drawing from her experience over the past few years to help develop young talent. 

Gabrielle Thuesday, Senior Programme Manager

Joining the Foundation in 2022 as a Senior Programme Manager, Gabrielle leads on the Foundations' Summer Stars and PR Mentoring programmes. 
With previous project management experience spanning across the educational tech sector and more recently, within a social mobility charity, Gabrielle is experienced in devising and operationally delivering programmes of support to young people.  
A champion of Taylor Bennett Foundations' core mission and social mobility, Gabrielle is keen to deliver programmes that nurture talent and help diversify the PR & Communications industry. 

Nicole Yumpia, Administrator

Joining the Foundation in October 2021 as Business Administrator, Nicole is responsible for helping the Foundation with the smooth running of our existing programmes, new initiatives, social media and events.

Nicole has previous administrative experience contributing to the smooth running of an eCommerce store.  A large part of her role consisted of administration tasks, overseeing invoices and ensuring clients were satisfied from inception to delivery. 
Nicole has a strong passion for social mobility. 

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