Our people

Sarah Roberts

Chief Executive Officer

Sarah’s role is to help Practical Action have the maximum impact possible in terms of progress towards a world that works better for everyone. She leads an expert team who ensure that changes that enable people to lift themselves out of poverty are embedded into local, national and international policies and change processes.

Prior to joining Practical Action in 2020, Sarah spent 12 years as Executive Director of the Ethical Tea Partnership. She has additional experience leading sustainability consulting assignments for large companies and not-for-profit organisations and has worked extensively across Africa and Asia.

Much of Sarah’s work has focused on agricultural value chains and driving change at a sector and systems level. She holds an MBA and an MSc in Environmental Technology.

Akinyi Walender

Africa Director

Akinyi joined Practical Action in September 2022, bringing with her extensive experience in development and humanitarian leadership. As a dedicated, results-driven director, Akinyi uses her strong understanding of the global and regional contexts to develop high-impact strategic partnerships and funding relationships that enable us to deliver the biggest possible impacts across project locations and offices in the Africa region.

Akinyi further helps to drive our global strategy and is drawn to the relevance of our organisation’s work, especially as we address the climate crisis and sustainable food and agriculture for the future.

In 2023, Akinyi accepted the prestigious invitation to join the International Gender Champions (IGC) network, supporting the IGC Panel Parity Pledge and IGC Gender-Based Violence pledge to break down gender barriers and make gender equality a working reality across the globe.

Alicia Quezada

Latin America Director

Alicia is our Regional Director in Latin America since 2018, having previously been our Head of Consulting for seven years. Before joining Practical Action, she worked for Ciudadanos al Día promoting the Best Government Practices Prize in Peru.

Her areas of work are communications for development, climate change, governance and rural development. She has implemented research projects about media, childhood and gender in Peru and co-authored a number of publications in those topics.

She has a degree in Communications from the University of Lima (Peru) and a MSc in Development Management from The London School of Economics and Political Science (UK).

Ayan Banerjee

Asia Director

With over 25 years of diverse experience spanning strategy consulting, investment banking, and technology transformation, Ayan has developed a unique blend of expertise that bridges finance, tech, and societal impact. Over the past decade, he has focused on building impactful social sustainability programs across Asia, leveraging CXO roles to drive meaningful change.

A lifelong learner of applied technology, Ayan is passionate about using AI, FOSS, and innovative strategies to solve complex societal challenges. His leadership at Practical Action in Asia is centred on scaling transformative projects, taking them from concept to reality (“zero-to-one”) and expanding their reach (“one-to-n”). The philosophy of “Small is Beautiful” has been at the heart of his approach for many years, long before he joined PA —focusing on sustainable, localized solutions that have wider, even global relevance.

Ayan and his team are committed to developing scalable and replicable propositions for social good. This involves balancing productization with intentional context-driven adaptation, leveraging larger pattern recognition, and an iterative approach to impact delivery. He is always seeking collaborative partnerships with organizations and individuals who share the vision of co-creating social impact at scale.

Ayan holds a doctorate in ‘Social Finance’, and an MTech in Software Systems & Cyber Security.

Alex Bush

Interim Chief Operations Officer

With 30 years of experience in both operational and management roles, Alex brings a wealth of experience to the team.

Alex originally qualified as a chemical engineer, before taking up a voluntary teaching role in West Africa for a few years. Alex then completed a masters in development studies, and came into international development full time.

Alex now leads teams across people and culture, IT, governance and international operations, ensuring we deliver our vision and strategy for the long-term.

He ensures the right business systems and controls are in place, operating effectively, and are future-proofed, delivering the biggest impact where it matters most.

Rachel Hudson

Fundraising, Marketing and Communications Director

Rachel joined Practical Action in January 2016. She is responsible for the organisation’s public fundraising and building our profile and reputation.

Previously she was Director of Marketing & Communications for the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

Prior to that she has worked with DMS, a direct marketing agency with clients such as CAFOD, Send a Cow and National Trust, and in marketing roles with a range of other charities, and private sector companies.

Simon Hotchkin

Impact, Influence and Innovation Director

Simon joined Practical Action in October 2022, with over 20 years’ experience championing sustainable business practices in tropical agriculture, specifically tea and coffee. Simon is a Board member and Vice Chair of the Ethical Tea Partnership.

As our representative at the highest levels, Simon shapes our global strategic direction, identifying and embedding innovative approaches that can increase our long-term impact. He ensures we capture and share learning from our experiences, making long-lasting improvements for people who live in poverty and deal with the impacts of climate change.

Simon’s area of interest is improving and future-proofing agricultural supply chains, benefiting communities while slowing down the climate crisis.

Susan Maina

Kenya Director

Susan is a market systems development expert with more than 20 years of technical, management and operational experience in agriculture, enterprise and private sector development in Kenya. Key engagements have included steering development and implementation of programmes in high-value agricultural value chains, renewable energy, climate change adaptation and water and sanitation services for rural communities.

She has strong experience in developing strategies that increase sector competitiveness and economic growth opportunities for the under-served populations and incentivize inclusive and sustainable market-led innovations. This includes team leadership in developing and managing innovative, high impact youth employment initiatives.

Susan has extensive experience in engaging with public and private sector actors to strengthen long-term relationships aimed at creating lasting change in markets. She has also been involved in the development of Private Sector Thinking that evolved towards Market Systems Development (MSD) in Kenya.

Denise Umubyeyi

Rwanda Director

Denise has more than a decade of experience in international development, managing programs in both humanitarian and development sectors. Prior to joining Practical Action, she worked with Oxfam in Rwanda, South Sudan, and Kenya, leading on operational delivery and at the regional level as a finance and partnership advisor.

Prior to her work with Oxfam, she managed the operations of a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Consortium agricultural programme and worked as the Finance Lead for Right to Play in Rwanda.

As the leader of Practical Action’s team in Rwanda, Denise is responsible for all in-country business development, project delivery and operations. She was also responsible for successfully delivering the Renewable Energy for Refugees Project in Rwanda, working in partnership with UNHCR, IKEA Foundation and Energy for Impact and Chatham House.

Muna Eltahir

Sudan Director

Muna Eltahir joined Practical Action in 2015 as Sudan’s Country Director, bringing with her a wealth of experience in humanitarian and development work. A dedicated women’s rights activist and gender expert, Muna has worked with prominent organisations such as DFID, the Netherlands Embassy, UNOCHA, ADRA, and Windle Trust.

She holds two master’s degrees—one in Economics of Human Resource Development from India, and another in International Community Development from Andrews University in Michigan, USA.

Amadou Barry

Interim Regional Director, West Africa

Amadou has practical experience in, and a strategic and holistic vision of, the development aid sector in which he has worked for over 25 years.

He comes from a bilateral donor background, with whom he worked for 15 years of his professional career. Prior to this, he contributed to the development and implementation of development projects in the sectors of agricultural value chains, microfinance, renewable energies, and private sector development. He was involved in thematic networks, relationship with government agencies for policies implementation and their funding.

Amadou is bilingual in French and English. He has a degree in economics, specializing in management and finance, and a master’s in international development with a specialization in governance of organizations for international development.

Amadou brings us his expertise in the planning and evaluation of development financing from the point of view of donors, their practices and tools.

Pooja Sharma

Nepal Director

Pooja, the Country Director for Nepal, has over 15 years of experience in engineering and sustainable development. As a Thematic Lead before her current position, Pooja provided strategic guidance on Energy Change Ambition, contributing to the growth of Nepal’s energy portfolio.

Pooja has extensive experience in market development, community engagement, result-based financing, and institutional strengthening. She is committed to fostering partnerships with local organizations, government agencies, and stakeholders to achieve shared goals and improve the lives of those she serves.

Pooja’s work focuses on promoting sustainable solutions that positively impact individuals and communities, with a notable focus on innovation and adapting to upcoming technologies.

Pamela Girano

Peru Director

Pamela brings over 15 years of experience spanning the NGO and private sectors. Before joining Practical Action, she worked for ten years at TechnoServe Peru, progressing from Business Advisor to Project Manager and later Programme Manager for Latin America and the Caribbean. Her private-sector experience includes four years in Procter & Gamble’s Logistics Division and a year in social responsibility consulting.

Pamela holds an MSc in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship from the London School of Economics and a BSc in Business Administration from Pacifico University, specialising in project management and social responsibility. She is a Chevening and Santander alumna.

Based in Lima, Pamela is passionate about driving social change and has a keen interest in the performing arts.

Shirley Pazos

Bolivia Director

With over 15 years’ experience in the international development cooperation sector, Shirley has successfully led multidisciplinary assignments in management, rural development, and environmental issues. She holds an international certification in Project Management for Development Professionals (London) and has completed a master’s programme in Project Management with a PMI focus.

Shirley is a passionate and enthusiastic professional, always seeking opportunities to challenge herself and grow with creativity and joy. She thrives in innovative and ethical teams where she can learn and contribute meaningfully. Before being Bolivia’s director, she worked as Regional Business Development Coordinator for Latin America at Practical Action, where she also held positions including Project Manager, Technology Specialist, and Thematic Lead. Her career has been driven by a deep commitment to creating positive, lasting change through collaboration and innovation.

Ishrat Shabnam

Bangladesh Director

With over 18 years in the development sector, Ishrat Shabnam’s career spans roles with the Bangladeshi government, a World Bank-funded initiative under the Ministry of Finance, and international organisations like USAID, the European Union Delegation, and Christian Aid.

She previously led Practical Action Consulting (PAC), delivering impactful programmes in economic development, energy, WASH, agriculture, and more. A civil engineer with an MBA, Shabnam brings expertise in policy advocacy, programme design, and cross-sector management.

Passionate about fostering collaboration and strong team bonds, Shabnam is dedicated to advancing Practical Action’s mission with innovation and expertise.

Sazini Mojapelo

Chair of the Board

Sazini is a trisector leader with experience of working in government, corporate and the not-for-profit sector. She is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the South Africa Gender Based Violence and Femicide Response Fund (GBVF RF). The fund is a private public partnership that was launched by the President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2021.

Sazini Mojapelo is a seasoned social impact executive with over 20 years’ experience in the private, public and non-profit sectors. As a non-executive director on multiple non-profit boards, she leverages her expertise to drive meaningful change. With a comprehensive understanding of creating shared value, social impact investments, civil society organisations and sustainability, she excels in crafting strategies for growth and impact.

Sazini’s distinguished career includes leadership roles at Absa Bank Group, where she managed corporate citizenship and community investments, including oversight of the Absa Foundation Trust. A Harvard Business School graduate, she holds a master’s degree in development studies and an honours degree in Social Transformations from the University of Cape Town.

Passionate about empowering women and youth, she tirelessly pursues her mission to make a tangible difference in their lives. Sazini, further serves as the Chairperson of the Southern Africa Trust, further exemplifying her commitment to social justice.

Martin Tyler

Vice Chair

Martin is a qualified accountant with over 25 years senior experience in the charity sector both as a Finance Director and as a Trustee. As well as finance his responsibilities have also covered human resources, IT, legal and governance.

His career has included Finance Director roles at Christian Aid, Fairtrade Foundation, Amnesty International UK and the Refugee Council. As a trustee and non-Executive director he has served on the boards of the Overseas Development Institute, Pesticide Action Network, Television for the Environment and Divine Chocolate.

He also currently Treasurer for the international conservation charity, Fauna & Flora and CPRE, the countryside charity.

Fayezul Choudhury

Chair – Finance, Audit and Risk Committee

Fayez has over four decades of global experience spanning international development and professional services. He retired as Chief Executive of the International Federation of Accountants ( IFAC ) in 2018.

Prior to that he was with the World Bank for 25 years, his last two assignments being Controller and VP Strategic Planning and Resource Management, and VP Corporate Finance and Risk Management. He started his career with Price Waterhouse in London, in audit then consulting, including 3 years developing PW’s consultancy practice in West Africa.

Fayez has represented his organisations on the International Public Interest Oversight Board; the Standards Advisory Council for IFRS; the UN’s Iraq Advisory Monitoring Board;  and the International Forum for Accountability Development.

In a personal capacity he currently chairs the Audit and Evaluation Oversight Committee of the UNDP and the Independent Audit Advisory Committee of the FAO and has previously served on the boards of international NGO’s World Learning and the Partnership for Transparency Fund.

Fayez has an MA (Hons) in Engineering Science and Economics from the University of Oxford and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales.

Shivani Wadhwa

Chair – Governance and People Committee

Shivani Wadhwa is an experienced People and Culture leader and is currently the Global People and Culture Director at WWF International.

She brings with her a wealth of experience in change management, leadership development, talent management, human resources services, and working in a multicultural environment.

She is a board member on the Board of WWF’s European Policy Office based in Belgium, and also an advisory board member to the Centre for Financial Planning Training and Research for Women at Banasthali University, India.

Shivani has an MBA in Human Resources Development from Banasthali Vidyapith University.

Born and raised in India, Shivani moved to Switzerland in 2000 and lives in Geneva with her husband and two daughters.

Matt Haikin

Matt is a Digital Transformation consultant with a particular focus on participatory methodologies and how digital can support the #ShiftThePower movement.

He previously worked as Director of Digital Development at On Our Radar (a non-profit consultancy connecting unheard communities with those with the influence to affect change) and at the UN Foundation’s Digital Impact Alliance, as well as consulting for many international NGOs, UN agencies, IFIs and local charities in the global South and in the UK.

Working with digital technology in the international development space since 2011, Matt brings his experience and understanding of critical policy issues relating to digital development, strategic critical thinking and a collaborative approach to thought partnership, policy development and network-building. He has a Masters in ICTs for Development from the University of Manchester.

Claire Ireland

Claire’s 30 years’ international development experience in Africa, Middle East, Asia and the Pacific spans roles as technical expert, diplomat and donor, and director of advocacy/influencing at the highest levels.

She started her career as an environment specialist working at the community level and has considerable experience within small consultancies on climate change, WASH and sustainable livelihoods.

She designed, led and evaluated AusAID programmes in Asia and the Pacific, and served as Australian Ambassador in Nigeria (with responsibilities across 5 west African countries). Claire is based in the UK and is currently Director of Programmes of The Elders.

Bill Liao

Bill is a tech entrepreneur, and a General Partner of SOSV, a multi-stage venture capital investor.

He has built unicorn companies in Asia-Pacific countries and Europe, with a specialist interest in biotech and life sciences.

Bill is a co-founder of WeForest, a global foundation reforesting the land, and bringing sustainable work and lifestyles to local communities around the equator.

He is also a co-founder of CoderDojo, an international volunteer-led coding club for children, now part of the RaspberryPi Foundation and Chair of the Social Tech Trust, which transforms lives with tech.

Bill brings with him vast experience from both the public and private sectors and is a regular speaker at events such as The World Economic Forum and TED. Bill lives with his family in Cork, Ireland.

Jane Sloane

Jane Sloane is Senior Director, Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality with The Asia Foundation based in San Francisco.

Jane’s previous roles include Vice President of Programs, Global Fund for Women, Vice President of Development, Women’s World Banking, and Executive Director, International Women’s Development Agency.

Jane is a Senior Atlantic Fellow with the Inequalities Institute at The London School of Economics.

She is a recipient of a Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Adelaide, an Alumni Award for Service to Humanity from the University of Sydney, a Global Ambassadors Award from the Advance Foundation, a Woman of Distinction Award from the Asia Pacific Women’s Business Council, a Churchill Fellowship, and a Human Rights Medal from the Vietnam Women’s Union.

Jane holds a bachelor’s degree in history (Hons) from the University of Adelaide and a master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Sydney, a graduate of the Oxford HealthCare Leadership Program at the Saïd Business School of the University of Oxford and the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Adelaide.

She is one of the original 75 Australian climate change presenters trained by Al Gore and is part of the Climate Reality Corp.

Isabel Studer Noguez

Isabel’s career spans diplomacy, INGOs, private sector consultancy, and research. She has 20+ years of experience in sustainable energy and climate resilience.

Past roles include Director of Strategic Partnerships for Latin America for The Nature Conservancy; Director of Alianza Mexico of the University of California, and Director for Economic Cooperation at the Mexican Agency of International Cooperation for Development.

She founded the Mexican Climate Initiative which is now the largest funder of climate resilience work in the country, and more recently founded a small but ambitious NGO – Sostenibilidad Global – promoting ‘bottom-up’ climate action and sustainable development and is chairing its Board.

She has multiple other Board experiences (10+), university and other relevant affiliations. For example, she is a full Professor with the School of Public Policy, University of California Riverside and a Senior Fellow of the Atlantic Council’s Arsht Rockefeller Resilience Centre. She has a PhD in International Relations from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).

Aki Temiseva

Aki’s core expertise is in marketing, branding, fundraising and communications. He is currently the President and CEO of United Nations Associate in Canada.

He has over 20 years of experience in international development organisations in top leadership positions and has served on thirty Boards and Advisory Councils across the globe (including chairing a leadership group of the global fundraising heads of the top 20 INGOs).

He began his career in marketing in the private sector (with Procter&Gamble) before crossing into international development as CEO of World Vision Finland. He has since had senior marketing, development and fundraising roles with several other INGOs.

While living in London, he created an international marketing and fundraising consultancy to help non-profits (including respected INGOs like Frontline AIDS) to clarify their brand and internationalisation growth strategy in Asia.

Mourad Wahba

Mourad has 28 years of experience working for the United Nations, retiring in 2021 from the Office of the Secretary-General.

Mourad also served in peacekeeping operations as Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Haiti and as Associate Administrator at the United Nations Development Programme.

He is currently the Special Advisor to the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme.

He brings with him a wealth of experience in change management, programme development and operational skills gained in the field.

Prior to joining the United Nations, Mourad was Associate Professor of Economics at the American University in Cairo. He has a D Phil from Oxford University and lives in Cairo with his family.