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.

Natasha Ferguson, Programme Manager

Natasha joined the Foundation February 2021 and is the Programme Manager for the Summer Stars internship programme and PR Mentoring programme. Natasha is also a TBF alumni!

Natasha previously worked as a Communications Consultant and Diversity & Inclusion Manager at a global consultancy where she provided corporate reputation and public relations services for some of the world's largest companies and brands. Through her commitment to building an inclusive work environment, Natasha pitched and developed the EU office's first diversity and inclusion strategy. Natasha was also a strategic contributor to the European Union's Anti-Racism Action Plan.

As an advocate for ethnic minority equality and equity, Natasha's commitment to social activism is to see the growth of racial representation increase at all levels within the communications industry.  

Nyasha Bonde, Programme Manager

Nyasha first joined the foundation in October 2020 as a social media marketing intern, since then she has completed her Msc degree in Management and Marketing and has re-joined the foundation as an interim programme manager for the PR training programme. Having interned at various organisations during her time in academia, Nyasha has found a great love for PR and digital marketing and enjoys adapting her skill set in her daily work life. 

Nyasha takes interest in sustainability and in June completed a short course on sustainable entrepreneurship from a European business school (Kedge Business School) who are based in France. 

Nicole Yumpia, Administrator

Joining the Foundation in 2021 as Business Administrator, Nicole is responsible for helping the Foundation with the smooth delivery 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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