Meet the Team

Across the UK, Peru and PNG

UK Team

Francesca Mott

CEO

Francesca has spent her career in the nonprofit sector, with two decades of experience in the UK and internationally. She joined the Old Dart Foundation in 2016 where as CEO she leads operations and strategic closure planning.

George Dickson

Foundation Executive Assistant

George joined ODF in 2024, coming from a background in TV Production she also has an extensive Executive Assistant career spanning across media and education.

Amaëlle Marchal

Foundation Manager/Safeguarding Lead

Amaëlle joined the Foundation in 2020, bringing a background in development and a Masters in International Development. Her role focusses on internal communications and strategy, alongside managing our gender-based violence portfolio in PNG.

Jaala Davis

Grants Manager

Jaala joined ODF in 2024 bringing a background in grant-making and capacity building for NGOs. Jaala's role is focussed on our rural health and climate partnerships in PNG.

Peru Team

Jose Zegarra

Country Director

José joined ODF in 2017, bringing 20 years of experience leading social investment initiatives with NGOs, mining companies and international agencies. Jose oversees all of the foundations operations in South America.

Sheila Avila

Grants Manager

Sheila joined ODF in 2020, with a background in communications and public policy. She has experience in international development and has overseen ODF’s climate change, education, and GBV portfolios. She currently leads the rural education portfolio in Peru.

Cynthia del Castillo

Grants Manager

Cynthia joined ODF in 2024, bringing a background in social sciences and development. Her career spans research, teaching, and community fieldwork. Cynthia leads the gender-based violence and climate portfolios in Peru.

Papua New Guinea Team

Ron Brew

Regional Advisor

Ron joined ODF in 2017 as the Regional Representative for PNG. He has extensive country experience having lived and worked in PNG for more than forty years, initially in government and then in the extractive sector.

Josephat Teyson

Programme Manager

Josephat joined ODF in 2025 with a strong background in grant management and financial capacity building. In his role, Josephat supports the PNG grant-making team and provides capacity building assistance to the Foundation’s PNG partners.