Three women directors are to step into new roles as interim co-CEOs.
ActionAid UK, a leading international charity committed to achieving social justice and women and girls’ rights, is pleased to announce the appointment of a new co-leadership team to guide the organisation into its next phase of impact and growth. This transition comes as Halima Begum concludes her tenure as Chief Executive Officer leaving behind a legacy of impactful leadership and dedication to our mission.
Stepping into their roles as interim co-CEOs are ActionAid UK directors Taahra Ghazi, Shade Odupelu, and Hannah Bond. With diverse backgrounds and a shared passion for changing the world with women and girls, the highly experienced trio will lead ActionAid UK with vision, energy, and a commitment to advancing the organisation's mission.
"We are committed to sharing power and decision-making within ActionAid UK, and our intention is that a feminist leadership structure will support our goal to achieve the greatest impact possible for women and girls by shifting our resources and power to their organisations and movements worldwide,” said the new co-CEOs.
Amid considerable global complexity, the pace of change within ActionAid UK is rapid, and the new co-CEOs see the distributed leadership model supporting the organisation to be increasingly resilient and to enhance the culture of collective care and innovation.
Commenting on these new appointments, outgoing CEO Halima Begum said; "I am thrilled to pass the baton to Taahra, Shade, and Hannah, who each bring a wealth of experience and the deepest commitment to ActionAid’s global mission. They will lead ActionAid UK with vision, integrity, and a steadfast dedication to social justice.
I have no doubt that the entire ActionAid family looks forward to supporting and collaborating with the new co-leadership team as they embark on this important journey to create a more just and equitable world.”
Rajiv Vyas, Acting Chair said: “ActionAid UK has long been a pioneer for equality and the rights of women and girls. I am delighted by the AAUK Board’s decision to implement measures that reflect our feminist values in appointing a new interim leadership. This pioneering move will see three remarkable and highly talented women, all serving directors of the organisation with complementary skills, working in a distributed CEO function”.
Together, as co-CEOs, Taahra, Shade and Hannah are poised to lead ActionAid UK into a new era of impact and influence while maintaining the trajectory of deeper internationalisation. As seasoned advocates for women’s and girls’ rights, the new co-CEOs bring a wealth of experience and a strong dedication to advancing the rights of women, girls and their movements worldwide.
Vyas continues: “This is also the time to say a sad farewell to Halima, who has provided remarkable leadership during a tenure that encompassed humanitarian challenges including the Morocco earthquake and the ongoing crisis in Palestine and Israel. She leaves AAUK well prepared for the future and we wish her every success in her new role at Oxfam GB.”
[ENDS]
On background:
Taahra Ghazi, Director of Innovation and Impact, brings extensive experience in international development and communications to her new role as co-CEO. With a track record of driving change and amplifying the voices of women, girls, and their movements worldwide, Taahra’s leadership will be instrumental in shaping ActionAid UK's strategies for global impact.
A former teacher and education advisor, Taahra also has many years' experience working within ActionAid at an international and UK level and has previously worked as a strategic advisor across the development and education sectors.
Shade Odupelu, Director of People and Culture, with a background in community organising and senior leadership, brings a deep understanding of social justice issues and a commitment to inclusive leadership to her new role as co-leader. Shade has over 25 years’ experience at a strategic level for organisations including Save the Children, Salvation Army, Teach First, and Livability.
She leads organisational change to help improve performance, governance, and culture, and builds accountability levels to make the workplace a thriving environment for everyone. Shade's grassroots perspective as someone who was raised in the global majority will ensure that ActionAid UK remains rooted in the communities it serves, driving change from the ground up.
Hannah Bond, Director of Advocacy and Influencing, a passionate expert in women, peace and security and feminist leadership and foreign policy in the UK and globally, Hannah has a wealth of knowledge and a strong dedication to advancing the rights of women and girls and their movements worldwide.
With extensive experience in developing partnerships and working with feminist movements, Hannah has worked within the UK Government and civil society driving forwards innovative approaches and collaboration for a more peaceful, just world. Hannah's innovative approach to programming and advocacy, personal commitment to activism and feminism, and prior experience of being an organisation leader in the sector will be invaluable in steering ActionAid UK towards greater gender justice.
Contact the ActionAid press office on uk.media@actionaid.org or on 07753 973 486.
About ActionAid
ActionAid is a global federation working with more than 41 million people worldwide. We want to see a just, fair, and sustainable world, in which everybody enjoys the right to a life of dignity, and freedom from poverty and oppression. We work to achieve social justice and gender equality and to eradicate poverty.