Team
The Executive Team is responsible for the day-to-day running of the charity, co-ordinating our activities and implementing the GfGD strategy. Our team is currently entirely made up of volunteers, working within diverse roles in the geoscience community.
Joel has overall responsibility for implementing our strategy, managing finances, building new partnerships, and shaping our programmes. He has a doctorate in geography (natural hazards) and has written extensively on the role of geoscientists in delivering the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Dr Joel Gill
Co Chief Executive Officer (Research and Impact)
Viki is responsible for key aspects of GfGD's charity governance and operational compliance, along with the longer-term diversification of GfGD’s income sources. She has worked in the energy industry for over 20 years, most recently establishing a geoscience software company, which has multiple products in the market today.
Viki O’Connor
Co Chief Executive Officer (Finance and Operations)
Jesse leads GfGD’s communications, supporting messaging through the website, online platforms, outreach, and the newsletter. He has a doctorate in Earth sciences (surface processes) and works on reversing land degradation.
Dr Jesse Zondervan
Communications Lead
Paul supports the Business Development Team as the People and Policies Coordinator. Paul operates an environmental consultancy in Ottawa (Canada), with a background in hydrogeology and risk management. He is Co-Coordinator (Canada) for the International Association of Promoting Geoethics and Past President of Professional Geoscientists Ontario.
Paul Hubley
People and Policies Coordinator
Christine supports GfGD’s research and analysis work. She is a Lecturer at the Technical University of Kenya, committed to the intersection of science and public policy. She is passionate about mentorship, collaboration and empowerment the next generation to grow and succeed.
Dr Christine Omuombo
Research and Analysis Coordinator
Will supports GfGD’s research and analysis work. He has experience in hydrological and geological data scarcity in low- and middle-income countries in Africa, Asia, and South America. He previously collaborated with the Red Cross, Groundwater Relief, and the United Nations FAO.
Dr Will Veness
Research and Analysis Coordinator
Mia supports GfGD’s Networks and Institutional work. She is a Geography PhD student interested in holistic understandings of natural hazards across disciplines, particularly in volcanic contexts
Mia Wroe
Networks and Institutional Support Coordinator
Amrine is part of GfGD's communications team. She has a geology degree and has worked in geology outreach, education and communications and in geotourism and sustainable and regenerative tourism projects in Ireland and in Canada, where she is now based.
Amrine Dubois Gafar
Deputy Communications Lead
Clare makes sure GfGD is focused on impact and that we engage with the right stakeholders. She specialises in comms and engagement in incident management and resilience. Clare has a background in volcanology, earthquake monitoring, and has also worked in charity fundraising.
Clare Allin
Impact and Engagement Coordinator
Elena supports GfGD’s outputs through research and analysis. She is a PhD student in Hydrogeology working on the impact of climate change on groundwater resources. She is interested in the use of SDGs in the teaching of future geoscientists.
Dr Elena Egidio
Project Support
Ahmed supports GfGD’s outputs through research and analysis. He is a lecturer in the Department of Geology and Mining at IBB University in Nigeria, and a PhD candidate at Al-Hikmah University in Nigeria. His research focuses on water pollution and sediment contamination from agricultural sources, and he has worked with multiple mineral exploration companies.
Ahmed Sidi Aliyu
Project Support
Trustees
The trustees oversee the work of the Executive Team, and are accountable to the Charity Commission for the governance of our work.
Kathryn is the International Lead (Regional Geoscience) at British Geological Survey (BGS) and critical‑metals researcher; has extensive UK‑government (FCDO) links; and is renowned for building North‑South survey partnerships across sub‑Saharan Africa.
Kathryn Goodenough
Chair of Trustees
Natasha is a Senior Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University, teaching students about sustainable geoscience, environmental hazards and disaster risk reduction. She is the founder and editor of Geoscience for the Future, a not-for-profit that communicates the links between Geoscience and a more sustainable future.
Dr Natasha Dowey
Marie is an Engineering Geologist at Arup, leading their Applied Geology team in Europe. She is passionate about promoting geoscience, and volunteers for a number of professional associations; she is a past President of the Institute of Geologists of Ireland and Chair of the Registration Authority of the European Federation of Geologists.
Marie Fleming
Nancy is a Doctoral Research Fellow at Rhodes University and is researching the evolution of high-beryllium-niobium-tantalum pegmatites in the Mozambique Belt of Kenya.
Nancy Muriungi
Flo previously worked at the Geological Society of London, leading their policy and government engagement work as part of their External Relations team. In 2019 she wrote a children’s book about rocks and minerals called ‘The Rocking Book of Rocks’ with her colleague, Amy Ball.
Florence Bullough
Beth has a PhD on granites and critical metals for the low carbon economy. She has spent the past decade working in the humanitarian sector on natural hazard responses, risk analysis and early warning for climatic, economic and conflict hazards.