Development in Action’s trustees are responsible for the governance of Development in Action. Our Trustees accept ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of the charity, and ensuring that it is solvent, well-run, and delivering the charitable outcomes for the benefit of the public for which it has been set up.

Liza Coffin

Liza volunteered at the Development Education Society in Bangalore for five months from 2002-03. On returning to the UK Liza joined DiA’s management committee and held a variety of roles including Chair, until her appointment as a Trustee.

Liza is a public affairs professional with substantial experience in the health sector and is currently working at The Health Foundation, an independent charity working to improving the quality of healthcare in the UK and beyond. Liza's career began in the House of Commons where she spent three years working as parliamentary researcher for a variety of MPs. Liza holds a degree in English and is currently studying for a diploma in Economics.

Jen Hawkins

Jen works as a Strategy Consultant within the financial services sector and has a number of years experience auditing financial institutions. She holds a degree in Geography from Cambridge University and travelled independently in India during 2007. Her volunteer experience includes a charity expedition to Ecuador working with orphans and organising various fundraising events in the UK.

Since joining the trustee board Jen has worked with the Treasurer and UK Coordinator to implement a system of financial controls that help to make the organisation more efficient and transparent.

Ian Simm

Ian studied Natural Sciences at University, and then went on to do a DPhil in Physical Chemistry. After a couple of years in research, Ian changed career direction entirely and joined the British Council. Ian's 34 years with the British Council included a number of overseas postings, notably to Egypt, India, Vietnam and South Korea. Ian's final post before taking early retirement in 2010 was as Programme Manager for two projects concerned with international links in community-based social action. One of these, Global Xchange, run in co-operation with VSO, involves teams of young volunteers spending time in each other’s country engaged in social action projects and learning from each other.

Since retirement Ian has been trying to balance voluntary activity with part time consultancy in international education.

Carly Mortiboys

DiA’s newest Trustee Carly has spent the majority of her career in the UK Charity Sector and currently works alongside High Net Worth Individuals as a Fundraising Manager at Cancer Research UK - the world's largest charity dedicated to cancer research. Carly has extensive fundraising experience drawn from her time at Cancer Research UK, The Royal National Institute for Deaf People and the NSPCC. In addition, Carly has experience in International Sales and Marketing gained from working within Events and Exhibitions at William Reed.

Carly holds a degree in Economics and International Relations with a focus on gender and development. In 2007 Carly also completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Charity Marketing and Fundraising, accredited by the Institute of Fundraising. 

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Image: DiA's Trustees, October 2011.

From left to right: Ian, Liza, Carly and Jen.