Our Board

Joanna Hunter OBE

Joanna trained at PricewaterhouseCoopers specialising in audit and taxation and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.  Joanna has a wide range of charity and business experience and is also Chair of Action for Stammering Children.

Why did you first become a trustee of Smart Works?

I wanted to work with a group of inspirational people and help more women change their lives and benefit from the amazing Smart Works experience.  It is such a simple model which really works.

What is your proudest Smart Works moment?

Looking at a map of Great Britain in the office, seeing the pins with the locations of our new centres, knowing that our dream of helping more women across the UK was becoming a reality.

Who is the female role model who has most inspired you?

Melony Griffiths in Working Girl.

Mona Barnes

Mona is a qualified solicitor and Vice President, P&C Claims for Chubb Insurance Company’s Overseas Group, based in London.  Mona’s role involves managing litigation and associated risk, in particular claims involving exposure to company directors, officers and trustees of charities.  During her time at Chubb, she has also been involved with Smart Works for a number of years as an Interview Volunteer helping to coach women looking to get back to work.  Prior to this, she worked as a lawyer at Beachcrofts and Squire & Co, as well as gaining experience at SJ Berwin and Freshfields.

Why did you first become a trustee of Smart Works?

I became a trustee of Smart Works because I wanted to support the incredibly important cause of helping women to get back to work.

What is your proudest Smart Works moment?

My proudest Smart Works moment was after a volunteer day, receiving feedback that the ladies I had helped “prep” for interviews went on to get the jobs.  It showed that these talented women had all the aptitude and skills and simply needed someone to believe in them.

Who is the female role model who has most inspired you?

The biggest female inspiration in my career is my mother.  She brought up 4 children and held down a job as a doctor in a busy inner city hospital.  It goes to show it can be done!

Maggie Darling

Maggie is a journalist, writer and experienced campaigner.  She is also patron of Circle, an Edinburgh-based charity which works with the most isolated and vulnerable families.

Why did you first become a trustee of Smart Works?

Women just get it. It doesn’t take a lot of explaining to understand why what Smart Works does matters. We all know the importance of feeling good.

What is your proudest Smart Works moment?

I’ve never felt so proud to be part of an organisation: the shared passion, the empathy, is inspiring.  It’s women working with women, with a shared understanding of what it means and why it matters.

Philippa Charles

Philippa is Director of the Garfield Weston Foundation, a family-founded grant-making trust. Before joining the trust, she worked in a global role at Associated British Foods. Philippa has just completed two terms as a Trustee for ThinkForward; a charity supporting disadvantaged young people. She also sits on the Investment Committee of Social and Sustainable Capital.

Why did you first become a trustee of Smart Works?

I’m passionate about supporting women to succeed. Smart Works is full of amazing people – the clients, patrons, volunteers and staff – and I’m keen to do my best for them.

What is your proudest Smart Works moment?

Seeing the organisation reach its 5th birthday with 7 great centres across the country and so many success stories.

Who is the female role model who has most inspired you?

Inspiration comes from so many places – from my amazing Grandma and Mother to my lovely neighbour coping with mental health issues and family challenges whilst studying and working. All of them are totally brilliant.

Fiona Holmes

Fiona started her career at Marks & Spencer, where she spent 21 years specialising in Buying & Merchandising.  She then took leadership positions at Charles Tyrwhitt, Gray and Osborone and Figleaves amongst others. Fiona is also a non-executive director of Bagir and a Governor at Downe House School.  She also served as a trustee of the Octavia Foundation for five years.

Why did you first become a trustee of Smart Works?

To help women get into work as I believe that it is a great  way to empower them to improve their lives and the lives of those around them.

What is your proudest Smart Works moment?

Seeing a strategy working as we open regional offices that enable us to support more women.

Who is the female role model who has most inspired you?

Gosh there are so many to choose from; Sheryl Sandberg “leaning in” is a great read and I love Coco Chanel’s values and vision.

Amelia Wallace Mendoza

Amelia has had a varied career in fashion and retail, including setting up fashion retail operations for Agnes B in London and leading product development for the graphic designer Tibor Kalman in New York.  Amelia is a member of the Smart Works volunteer dressing team.

Why did you first become a trustee of Smart Works?

Smart Works is a charity that gives women the help and support needed to transform their lives, and I am honoured to be a trustee.

What is your proudest Smart Works moment?

Every time I volunteer, seeing the expression on a client’s face when she comes out of the dressing room and looks in the mirror.

Who is the female role model who has most inspired you?

My mother, who raised her family while working full time and studying for a doctorate that changed the course of her career.