Nick Christoforou

Co-Chair

Nick is passionate about giving the ideas and organisations that are making our world a better place the platform they deserve.

He is the founding partner of Neo, a strategy, change and communications consultancy for purpose driven organisations.

He is also a coach and mentor for start-ups and early-stage businesses, and an expert panel member, for the Design Council.

Linnea Renton

Having grown up in Virginia in the southeastern US, Linnea has lived in Cardiff since 2000.

She has over 30 years’ experience working in international public health and human rights in Africa, Asia and Latin America, with a particular focus on sexual and reproductive health. As a senior executive or long-term consultant, she has worked with a range of international NGOs and UN agencies including ActionAid, Frontline AIDS, the Global Network of People living with HIV, and UNESCO.

In addition to her Cymru Global trustee role, Linnea also volunteers with the Insole Court Archive and Research Group and Llandaff Society’s Biodiversity Group.

Sara Whittam

Sara joined the Board in 2018. Originally from Ynys Môn, she has lived in Cardiff with her family for more than 20 years.

She brings over a decade of experience in higher education policy and strategy from her roles at the University of Bristol and Cardiff University.

Sara now works in health policy, and is passionate about improving outcomes and inequalities.

Gareth Atkinson

Gareth is a seasoned Director of Finance and Operations with a career spanning schools, universities, and charities. Gareth currently provides financial consultancy to schools across South West London and overseas the finances of a Cardiff-based humanitarian charity. He specialises in delivering the fiscal oversight and operational stability necessary for organisations to achieve their long-term objectives.

Gareth is also vice-chair of the Governing Body for Putney High School, one of the country’s top independent schools. Gareth is committed to developing international understanding and friendship;  he has travelled extensively, including a recent six-month global journey, and greatly values  the warmth and generosity that can be found in all corners of the globe.

Gill Richardson

Gill grew up in Dolgellau and trained as a GP and Consultant Public Health. She has studied French in Lille and worked with NGOs, Governments and Aid agencies in India, Hong Kong, and French-speaking North and West Africa.

She has a passion for social justice within Wales and globally. She led on the development of an International Health Links toolkit for NHS organisations, with Oxfam and WCIA, whilst working as Deputy Director of policy, research and international development, Public Health Wales, and led development of global citizenship module for NHS personnel.

She has been an Exec. Director in Aneurin Bevan and Swansea University Health Boards, and Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Wales, led Wales on the Migrant health stream of Joint Action Health Equity Europe, and with Swansea University was Chief Investigator into the Health experiences of refugees and asylum seekers in Wales.

She likes music, youth work, beaches and mountains.

Nirushan Sudarsan

Nirushan is a PhD student at Cardiff University, exploring ‘Young People’s Participation in Neighbourhood Governance’.

In the past, he has worked in Victim Support, Ofgem and Tenovus Cancer Care. Currently, he works with young people and children in Cardiff, particularly in leading the Grange Pavilion Youth Forum CIC and Ffair Jobs CIC, both operating as a social enterprise to engage, listen, platform and champion young people, fair work and ensuring young people can strategically play a more central role in what happens in the city.

He also sits on the trustee boards of Grange Pavilion CIO, TEAM Collective Cymru, Children in Wales, Cynnal Cymru, Youth Cymru, Home4U and Asylum Justice.

Ceri Black

After teaching in Kenya, and then recruiting young people for voluntary projects overseas, Ceri gained degrees in English/Education (York), Media Studies (Cardiff) and Voluntary Sector Organisation (LSE). She worked at the BBC & ITV, and with Channel 4 & S4C, co-ordinating community education initiatives and diverse campaigns.

Ceri set up a European Resource Unit for Age Concern, in collaboration with the European Commission and was later seconded to the United Nations in New York to assist with preparations for the International Year of Older Persons.

Since returning to Cardiff she has worked for the Institute of Welsh Affairs, Amgueddfa Cymru as Head of Learning, the Welsh Government, and on a wide range initiatives as a freelance consultant.

Ceri was raised in Cardiff as a Welsh-speaker and has a lifelong interest in education, international affairs, politics and social justice. She volunteers with asylum seekers and refugees, teaching English.

Alex Williams

Alex joined the WCIA in December 2021 as the partner trustee for the HCA. He holds a Masters in International Politics and is passionate about the positive work international development can do. At university he was involved with UNA-UK and Model United Nations.

His day job is as a Senior Parliamentary Researcher for an MP/ Shadow Minister, providing communications, policy and political advice for the member on a daily basis.

Daniel Mapatac

Daniel is a youth participation facilitator who believes in the power of young people to shape the world around them.

He currently works as the Youth Power Coordinator for the Young Gamechangers Fund, supporting young people to make funding decisions and lead social change in their communities.

Dan’s journey with WCIA began in 2022 as the Volunteer Placement Officer, and later as the Taith Champion Coordinator. Since then, he has continued to represent WCIA globally in different partner networks such as CCIVS and The Alliance of European Service Organisations.

He is particularly passionate about shifting power – whether that’s through youth-led grant-making, participatory governance, or creating spaces where young people are able to make change.

As a trustee, Dan brings experience in facilitation, inclusive programme design and youth-led activism, alongside a commitment to keeping WCIA bold, values-driven and grounded in solidarity.

Rhys Philips

Rhys joined the Board in 2025, having read Economics and History and completed a Master’s in Business and Management before transitioning into banking and corporate law.

Having lived in Cardiff for almost a decade, he is passionate about Wales, social justice and the role organisations can play in driving sustainable and equitable change. He brings strong commercial awareness, legal expertise and a longstanding commitment to volunteering to his role as a trustee.

Stuart Booker

 

Stuart joined WCIA as a trustee in September 2025, having first connected with the organisation while researching his PhD on the history of Wales and the League of Nations c.1918-1945. Stuart is passionate about Wales and promoting its rich history and contributions to international affairs.

Stuart previously worked at a Welsh based education company delivering large-scale education programmes for schools, colleges, local authorities and charities across Wales and the United Kingdom. He recently joined the Civil Service.

Victoria Miller

 

Vicki works for a Cardiff based housing association, with a focus on equality & diversity, customer experience and community development.

Vicki brings governance experience from being part of Boards at TPAS Cymru and ateb Housing Group.

Vicki is passionate about social justice and climate issues.