Our people
Meet our skilled team, expert partners, and influential trustees.
Katriya Bulutoglu
Senior Researcher
Through her work, Katriya is particularly interested in diversity and inclusion, as well as how research methodology can bring communities together and amplify the voices of those so often left out of traditional research. Katriya joined The Young Foundation after graduating from university in 2020.
Leonie Taylor
Research Officer
Leonie joined The Young Foundation in 2023, and is passionate about using ethical research to address health inequalities. She is a social researcher with a background in migration studies and gender equity. Leonie’s international experience in Sierra Leone and Greece informs her research design.
Lynn Macdonald
Project Administrator
Lynn provides project support to the research team and Peer Researcher Network. She joined The Young Foundation in 2023 from a career background in project office and change management, and is motivated to help reduce barriers to inclusion, and to support positive social change.
Marion Oveson
Evidence Officer
Marion joined The Young Foundation’s Institute for Community Studies in 2023 after completing a PhD at the University of Sheffield that explored community-university partnerships (CUPs) within the context of the neoliberal university and the civic agenda.
Paul Oberg
Director of Finance and Corporate Resources
Paul joined The Young Foundation in 2021, having held a similar role with The Land Trust. Paul has 15 years’ experience in the charity and not-for-profit sector, having begun his career in the corporate world. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland and brings experience across HR, and IT, as well as finance.
Philip Mullen
Senior Research Manager
Previously a Research Manager for Revolving Doors and Toynbee Hall, Philip is passionate about using research to address health inequalities and social justice. Managing peer research projects, he has supported diverse groups of people to co-design, conduct, analyse and present timely and ethical research to achieve real-world policy impact.
Rosema Nawaz
Project Coordinator
Rosema joined The Young Foundation as a Project Coordinator in 2023. Previously, she worked within the Mental Health sector in Bradford, to improve accessibility of Mental Health Services using Artificial Intelligence.
Rosie Farrer
Senior Associate
Joining The Young Foundation in 2020, Rosie’s passion is working with change-makers to make communities and cultures more effective and more meaningful. She is an experienced facilitator, coach, innovation mentor, and senior leader with an MSc in international development, and a BSc in psychology.
Ruth Stables
Innovation Practitioner
Ruth has a passion for working with people to create meaningful and positive change. Having previously worked as a Youth Engagement Performance Manager with the English Football League Trust, she brings more than eight years’ experience in youth development and social action.
Samanthi Theminimulle
Senior Researcher
Samanthi is interested in participatory research methods, inclusion and accessibility. In addition to her role at the Institute for Community Studies, she is is a facilitator with Civic Square and Enrol Yourself, and a trustee for the community land trust, RUSS.
Siân Whyte
Head of Strategic Design and Insight
Siân is passionate about delivering insights that enable organisations to increase their impact. She specialises in a range of methodological approaches, underpinned by research-focused BA and MSc degrees. Her role at The Young Foundation involves overseeing research and design projects for national and local clients.
Sophie De Groot
Research Officer
Having previously worked in Research and Development, Sophie’s work with The Young Foundation is focused on youth issues and informed by her interest in trauma-informed approaches to social research.