Laamiga’s Team

Dr Emua Ali, currently manages all aspects of the organisation including the recruitment and development of mentors and mentees, their matching and supervision.

Emua has worked with adult learners in Africa and Europe in higher education, management training and community education for many years. She has run mentoring projects for women in local communities, conducted research in to gender equality among Somali women refugees in London, and the educational needs of Somali refugee pupils in the London. She also worked as a business coach for a European project in East London to help women set up their own businesses.

Tanya is the General Counsel and Head of Compliance at Paypoint PLC. Her previous roles include Head of the UK Corporate and Commercial Legal Team at Zurich Insurance Group and senior associate at city law firm Hogan Lovells LLP.

She has benefitted from and provided mentoring support throughout her legal career and is passionate about Laamiga’s work in providing mentoring support to women from refugee and migrant communities to help them achieve their potential.

Mandekh is driven by initiatives grounded in collaboration, sustainability, and ownership. More specifically, she is passionate about work centred on equipping individuals and communities with the resources, skills and opportunities to actualize their vision, find new opportunities and widen their horizons.

Mandekh is currently a Lecturer at Brunel University; Strategic consultant, focused on addressing health inequities through co-production; an Associate at Educators International and CEO of Eastside Youth.

Mamataj is a civil servant, with experience in legislation, contract management and climate negotiations. Previously, she undertook internships in corporate social responsibility and research in philanthropy. As a member of the Faith and Belief Forum’s Youth Council, she plans the annual Interfaith Summit and activities bringing together young people interested in faith and belief. She campaigns on youth engagement in national and international climate policy, with a UK based NGO.

Amanda is Senior Lawyer with 15 years experience practising both at a city firm, Clifford Chance and then in a number of multinational companies, specialising in corporate finance, intellectual property and general commercial contracts.

She has been involved with several start up businesses and has held a number of managerial and director level positions. She has passion for travel and an interest in international development.

After qualifying as lawyer and accountant, Kirsten has spent the last 20 years in the mergers and acquisition sector within the financial services industry: initially in South Africa and then in the City of London, after settling in the UK in 2007.

She is now a freelance consultant after her last full-time position as Head of Corporate Finance at the FTSE 100 Old Mutual Group, which delisted in 2018.

Anna is a freelance consultant mainly working with refugee groups in the UK and on migrant issues in Europe. Previously she was Director of Policy and Development at the Refugee Council.

For many years she taught adult learners, becoming a Vice Principal, and then a researcher and programme manager at national level. She has been a mentor for community group leaders, teachers and other women in and out of work.

With deep sadness we mourn the untimely death, in 2015, of our beloved colleague and friend Susie Parsons.

She was at the heart of Laamiga. Her dynamism and legendary generosity empowered us during challenging times. She touched many women’s lives through Laamiga with her fundraising, mentoring and support. Her career spanned the voluntary and public sectors, local government and the health service, including as former Chief Executive of the Commission for Racial Equality, London Lighthouse and the Campaign for Learning.