Meet the team
Ella’s began in 2014. We opened our first safe house in 2016 with just two dedicated members of staff.
Since then, we have opened two more safe houses and started working with survivors in neighbourhoods across London. We now have 12 members of staff as well as some incredible freelancers and volunteers.
Staff
Frontline team
Ella’s’ frontline staff are crucial. They do an amazing job and are valued and trusted by the women we work with. They are highly professional, with skills and qualifications including counselling, psychological therapies and social work.
We have Amelia and Ava working in our safe houses, and Marta, Kathy and Alex working with survivors in the community.
Emily Chalke
Co-Director
Emily has extensive experience of working with women at risk, overseas as well as in the UK. Following 15 years of working on the frontline and gaining a deep understanding of issues faced by survivors, Emily founded Ella's in 2014.
Emily’s three work must-haves are a great team, variety and power naps.
Minke van Til
Co-Director
Minke joined Ella’s in 2018 following a number of years working in the charity and social enterprise sector. Her experience in organisational growth and development is key to driving forward Ella's’ strategy
and mission.
Minke’s three work must-haves are growth, laughter and regular snacks.
Layla
Service Manager
Layla has worked in the women’s sector for a number of years. She has supported women who have survived various types of trauma, including domestic abuse as well as trafficking and exploitation.
Layla’s three work must-haves are impact, Red Bull (other energy drinks are available!) and dogs.
Joy Moyo
Finance and HR Manager
Joy has been involved with Ella’s since we started, and in this role since 2020. She is trained in accounting and business management, and has worked in the charity sector for 12 years.
Joy’s three work must-haves are colour-coded emails, epic spreadsheets and biscuits.
Amy Church
Head of Fundraising and Communications
Amy joined Ella’s in 2020. She has more than 15 years’ experience of communications and fundraising in the charity sector, including international development and child rights organisations.
Amy’s three work must-haves are an inspiring big picture, deadlines and tea.
Lauren Martin
Monitoring, Evaluation and Service Improvement Manager (Part-time)
Lauren has significant experience of working with women at risk. Her background is in clinical and community psychology, with postgraduate training in psychotherapy.
Lauren’s three work must-haves are data, impact and vision.
Gemma Heard
Social Enterprise Development Manager (Part-time, fixed-term)
Gemma has extensive experience of working across multiple roles in charities and social enterprises both local and national. She is skilled in research as well as project design and delivery.
Gemma’s three work must-haves are variety, challenge and great people.
In addition, we’re grateful to have some brilliant volunteers.
Photos: Tom Price/Ella’s
With thanks to AG Price florist for donating the beautiful flowers shown in these photos.
Trustees
Ella’s has a board of trustees to provide critical advice and oversight. They are passionate about the work of Ella’s, and committed to using their diverse range of skills and experience to further our work.
Rebecca Claydon, Chair of the Board
Rebecca is a specialist in social impact finance as well as social investment and charity governance. She is Director of Operations at Fair4AllFinance.
Charlotte Davis, Trustee
Charlotte’s experience includes international development and building strategic partnerships between charities and corporates, as well as how to tackle issues of modern slavery in business operations. She works as Group Human Rights Manager at Lloyds Banking Group.
Esmeralda Imeraj, Trustee
Essie brings experience gained from roles across the legal sector, as well as social services and local authorities. She has worked directly with women at risk.
Nimat Jaffer
Nimat has worked for the Police and Crime Commissioner as well as directly with young homeless people. Nimat is currently a Programme Manager for The London Community Foundation, managing a large fund dedicated to specialist services to tackle violence against women and girls.
Wendy Leyland, Treasurer
Wendy has an MBA in finance and international business from the NYU Stern School of Business. She works as Director of Operations at Clore Leadership.
Dr Eleanor Shoultz, Safeguarding Trustee
Ellie is a consultant clinical psychologist. She has significant knowledge and expertise in safeguarding and risk management, as well as care and service provision for people who have survived trauma and emotional distress.
Our board membership includes survivor representation: someone with lived experience of trafficking and women’s support services who brings a crucial perspective to the ongoing work and future direction of Ella’s. For reasons of privacy and security, we limit communication around her role and identity.
Survivor Advisory Board
We have a Survivor Advisory Board made up of five women with lived experience of trafficking, exploitation and violence. Supported by a coordinator and an external facilitator, this board meets regularly throughout the year to help guide our work. None of these women are or have been supported by Ella’s, so they bring an unbiased opinion. We’re committed to seeing survivors increasingly at the front and heart of all we do, so we are extremely grateful for the time and invaluable perspective that this board brings to our work.