Our people
Cristina Wilkinson Salamea
Senior Research Manager
Cristina is a mixed-methods social researcher with an MSc in sociology from the University of Edinburgh. She has more than seven years’ experience working in research and evaluation in agency, charity and academic settings.
Adira Andlay
Senior Researcher
With a specialisation in co-design and citizen engagement, Adira leads a range of mixed-method research projects, from community-led social innovation to supporting peer research training. She has a multidisciplinary background in design research, social innovation and visual communication.
Gary Fawdrey
Senior Innovation Practitioner
Gary leads our grant management processes. He is an experienced project, programme and grant manager, specialising in social innovation. Prior to joining The Young Foundation, he supported social innovators and designed innovation funding programmes through roles with Elrha’s Humanitarian Innovation Fund and Nesta’s Challenge Works.
Leonie Taylor
Research Officer
Leonie joined The Young Foundation in 2023, and is passionate about using ethical research to address health inequalities. She is a social researcher with a background in migration studies and gender equity. Leonie’s international experience in Sierra Leone and Greece informs her research design.
Al Mathers
Director of Research
Having previously been Director of Research and Learning at the RSA, and Head of Research at Good Things Foundation, Al is passionate about The Young Foundation’s commitment to realising a fairer future with communities, and supporting evidence-driven social change.
Jacob Coburn
Knowledge Exchange Manager
Joining the Institute for Community Studies in 2023, Jacob leads work focused on supporting anchor institutions to develop deeper more integrated relationships, aimed at enabling greater knowledge-sharing and strategic thinking.
Jem Hai
Research Officer
Jem joined The Young Foundation in 2023 after having worked as a Research Assistant for a charity supporting children living in deprivation.
Philip Mullen
Senior Research Manager
Previously a Research Manager for Revolving Doors and Toynbee Hall, Philip is passionate about using research to address health inequalities and social justice. Managing peer research projects, he has supported diverse groups of people to co-design, conduct, analyse and present timely and ethical research to achieve real-world policy impact.
Ari Metos
Communications and Design Officer
Ari joined The Young Foundation in 2023, after managing events and engagement for a health
research learned society, and working as a creative producer with a London-based brand
agency.
Julie Munro
Financial Controller
Julie joined The Young Foundation in February 2023 after working in finance roles in the charity and education sectors for more than twenty years.
Kathryn Holland
Senior Innovation Practitioner
Kathryn has worked to design and deliver community-led crowdfunding programmes with Local Authorities across the UK. She enjoys applying creative approaches to community engagement and developing ways to build meaningful social connections within communities.
Ruth Stables
Innovation Practitioner
Ruth has a passion for working with people to create meaningful and positive change. Having previously worked as a Youth Engagement Performance Manager with the English Football League Trust, she brings more than eight years’ experience in youth development and social action.