Our people
There are more than 900 people delivering Brooke activities around the world. The effort, dedication and skill of our staff and volunteers, and the commitment of our supporters are helping us achieve our vision of a world in which working horses, donkeys and mules are free from suffering.
CEO, directors and senior leadership
Meet the members of our Senior Leadership team. Our CEO and directors are responsible for shaping our goals and ensuring we achieve them. They are guided by, and are accountable to, our Board of Trustees.
Chris Wainwright, Chief Executive
Chris became Brooke’s CEO in 2020. Chris is a highly experienced leader with board-level experience in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Before joining Brooke, he worked in senior positions at the RSPCA and WaterAid.
Jasvir Kaur, International Director of Fundraising and Communications
Jasvir joined Brooke in 2011 and is responsible for leading the creation and delivery of Brooke's global communications strategy. Before joining Brooke, Jasvir worked at Greenpeace UK and was Director of Fundraising at Freedom from Torture.
Nicola Chevis, Global Director of Programmes
Nicola joined Brooke in 2023 and leads the development of our programmes across the globe. Nicola was previously CEO of Vision Action and has worked for organisations including Oxfam GB, Voluntary Services Overseas and Save the Children International.
Aragie Yimer, Global Chief Financial Officer
Aragie is a chartered certified accountant with an MBA. He joined Brooke in 2019, after 10 years working for other animal charities, and became Global Chief Financial Officer in 2025. Aragie oversees Brooke’s strategic and operational financial planning.
Bo Ruan, Director of Technology and Data
Bo Ruan joined Brooke in November 2023 and now leads the organisation’s technology, data and insight functions. He is passionate about using data and technologies to support Brooke’s mission and goals and about helping colleagues improve decision‑making.
Lin McGarry, Global Head of People and Culture
Lin joined Brooke in 2019 and became our Global Head of People and Culture in 2022. Her role includes developing strategy and leading our People and Culture team. A highly experienced HR professional, she's also worked for the Civil Service and HSBC.
Dr Laura Skippen, Global Head of Animal Health and Welfare
Laura is an experienced vet and leads the Global Animal Health and Welfare team across our country programmes. She is responsible for the implementation of the Animal Health Mentoring Framework and expanding work in veterinary education.
Raphael Kinoti, Regional Director of Brooke East Africa
Raphael has over 20 years of experience working in areas such as veterinary medicine, animal welfare, biodiversity conservation, environmental awareness, peace building, conflict management and community development.
Dr Javed Iqbal Gondal, CEO of Brooke Pakistan
Dr Gondal has over 27 years of experience in veterinary sciences, community development and programme leadership. He joined Brooke in 1999 as a Junior Veterinary Officer and progressed through senior leadership roles to deliver impact-driven initiatives.
Emmanuel Bouré Sarr, Regional Director of Brooke West Africa
Recruited in 2013 as a Programme Officer, Emmanuel took over the Regional Directorate in 2016. He has 26 years of professional experience, including in project management and the strengthening of grassroots farmers and community-based organisations.
Yohannes Kassim, Country Director for Brooke Ethiopia
Yohannes provides strategic leadership and oversees the implementation of Ethiopia's country programme, ensuring alignment with organisational goals. Yohannes also has over 16 years of experience across NGOs and development and humanitarian sectors.
Fredred Valdivia, Regional Director of Brooke Latin America & the Caribbean
An agronomist with a Master’s in Rural Development and over 17 years of experience in international and community development, Fredred's work centers around strengthening systems, improving performance and driving sustainable outcomes.
Our experts
Anna Marry, Global Head of Policy and Advocacy
Anna leads our global policy and advocacy team, who are campaigning at local, national and international levels to have working horses, donkeys and mules, and animal health and welfare, recognised and integrated into policy.
Kimberly Wells, Head of Animal Welfare
Since 2007, Kim has worked as an animal welfare specialist at Brooke, integrating welfare principles into global decision-making and programmes. She offers strategic and technical support to colleagues and partners.
Klare Kennet, Head of Brand Marketing and Communications
Klare brings a wealth of brand and media experience to her role, after 22 years leading news and comms at the RSPCA. A trained journalist and lifelong animal advocate, she has two beautiful rescue dogs and is a Board Director for Crustacean Compassion.
Steve Heyes, Head of Legacy Marketing, Administration and Community
Our expert in fundraising and building supporter communities, Steve joined Brooke in 2024, after 12 years in leadership roles at the charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. "It’s the bonds between animals and people that drew me to Brooke," he explains.
Dr Jennifer Wathan, Global Animal Welfare Advisor
Jennifer leads our compassionate handling project. She also supports capacity building in animal welfare and behaviour and human behaviour change, and the delivery of our field activities, programme management and research.
Dr James Mutiiria Kithuka, Senior Animal Welfare Officer
James is a vet based in our East Africa (Nairobi) office. He controls the quality of animal welfare activities within the East Africa region. He is also responsible for the implementation of the animal health mentoring framework.
Dr Vincent Owino Oloo, Senior Animal Welfare Officer
Based in Nairobi, Vincent is a veterinarian overseeing animal welfare issues. He supports East Africa staff and partner veterinarians, and also leads on farriery work and on anti-microbial resistance issues.
Dr Mirciadez José Corralez Rugama, Animal Welfare Officer
Mirciadez is a veterinarian based in our Nicaragua office. He is responsible for training our partners on welfare issues and is a proud animal welfare ambassador.
Dr Amy Barstow, Global Animal Health Advisor
Amy is a veterinarian who develops online and blended veterinary learning resources to support country programmes in the implementation of the Animal Health Mentoring Framework.
Dr Muhammad Javaid Khan, Animal Healthcare Manager
A veterinarian in Lahore, Muhammad progresses Brooke Pakistan's service provision and strategic healthcare goals.
Dr Mactar Seck, Programme Manager
Mactar is a veterinarian based in Dakar (our West Africa office). He is the country programme manager and research coordinator, and oversees the animal health, community engagement and advocacy teams.
Dr Saurabh Singh, Senior Manager, Global Animal Health
Saurabh is a veterinarian in the global animal health team. Saurabh is improving local animal health systems to give better services to working horses, donkeys and mules.
Aissetou Diallo Fall, Community Engagement Officer
At Brooke West Africa, Aissetou works with communities to encourage the adoption of good practices and to achieve behavioural change in favour of animal welfare. She also accompanies communities through resilience and livelihoods projects.
Sana Khawaja, Community Development Manager
Based in Lahore, Sana is responsible for improving equine welfare through effective community engagement by understanding the needs and priorities of equine-dependent communities. She also supports Brooke Pakistan's partner, CCA.
Laura Kavata Kimwele, Global Community Development Advisor
At Brooke East Africa, Laura spearheads community development work across the region. She directly provides advisory and mentorship support to our partners and related institutions in order to improve equine welfare and have a thriving equine community.
Syed Naeem Abbas, Advocacy Manager
Naeem manages policy and advocacy initiatives in Pakistan. He works with government, civil society, academia and donor agencies to prioritise animal welfare agenda in the country. His key priorities include policy analysis, planning and budgeting.
Our trustees
Kirsty Hayes
Kirsty Hayes became Brooke’s new chair in December 2020, taking over from Sir Evelyn Webb-Carter. Kirsty is the UK’s former ambassador to Argentina. and was previously International Director at the Home Office and ambassador to Portugal..
Patrick Mulford
Patrick Mulford, CEO of Clock, brings two decades of experience from the tech, digital and social media sectors - as well as a childhood love of ponies - to his work at Brooke. Patrick has worked with global brands including Adidas, BMW and Nike.
Mark McLaughlin
Mark McLaughlin has a PhD in Zoology and worked as a research fellow at the Institute of Neurology in London. He is also a former CFO of the Environment Agency and was the first CFO of the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
Heather Killen
Heather is an experienced media executive, with particular expertise in broadcast and digital platforms. Currently at the helm of specialist video network, Horse & Country TV, Heather has also served on the board of ITV plc.
Amy Jankiewicz
Amy Jankiewicz is the Chief Executive of charity Population Matters. Amy was also previously Director of Operations at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, a Senior Civil Servant and studied for a Masters in Anthrozoology at the University of Exeter.
Dr Linda Belton BVSc MRCVS
Linda Belton has been a vet.since 1992 and understands the importance of human and horse relationships. She is also the current Senior Vice-President of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Eric Kimani
Eric offers expertise as a business leader, author, entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the founder of both Palmhouse Dairies Limited and Harvest Consulting Limited, and holds an LLB (Hons) and a diploma in law.
Padmapriya T S
Padmapriya T S has over 20 years of leadership experience in international development. She has served in top management roles at renowned organisations such as CARE, Save the Children UK, University of Washington I-TECH, and the British Council.
Chris Tattersall
Chris spent 25 years in banking and now operates as a senior advisor to various organisations. He is a Director of British Eventing and ICOM. He also works as a coach and provides training in team development and intercultural management.
Our President & Honorary Vice Presidents
HM The Queen became Brooke’s first President in 2006. We also have three honorary vice presidents.
Our President, HM The Queen
With a lifelong passion for equine animals, HM The Queen has visited our work in India, Pakistan, Jordan and Egypt, and regularly attends supporter events in both the UK and USA.
David Jones, Honorary Vice President
David has been closely involved with Brooke for over 40 years. He served as a trustee, as Vice Chairman (1973–1990) and as Chairman for 10 years. He is the former Chair of Brooke USA.
Ann Searight, Honorary Vice President
A granddaughter of Dorothy Brooke, Ann served as a Brooke Trustee between 1979 and 2011. Professionally involved in archaeology since 1960, Ann has lived and worked throughout the Middle East and Asia.
Denys Bennett, Honorary Vice President
Denys was a Brooke Trustee between 2001 and 2012. He has held a variety of senior management posts during a 26-year career at British Telecom. During the 1990s Denys became involved in aid and reconstruction projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina..
Ambassadors and patrons
Major Richard Waygood MBE
Richard has been an ambassador for Brooke since 2009. A horse rider from an early age, he brings a huge range of skills and equestrian knowledge to his role. Richard is also Eventing Performance Manager for British Equestrian’s World Class Programme.
Gemma Stevens, née Tattersall
Gemma Stevens became an official Brooke ambassador in 2021, having supported the charity since 2017. Gemma is a British Olympic event rider and one of the world’s most recognised horsewomen.
Nigel Payne MBE
Nigel Payne is a trustee of the Sir Peter O'Sullevan Charitable Trust. Nigel is closely associated with our work having visited projects in Kenya and Egypt.
Dr Scott Miller
Dr Scott is Brooke's donkey skin trade ambassador. Best known for his role as resident vet on ITV's 'This Morning', Dr Scott has over 20 years of experience as a practicing vet and broadcasting figure.
Esme Higgs (This Esme)
Equestrian YouTuber This Esme is a Brooke Ambassador, with a focus on inspiring young people to get involved with the charity. Brooke and Esme will collaborate on videos and digital content.
Hannah Russell
Author of Little Alf books and entrepreneur, Hannah is a Brooke Ambassador, with a specific focus on engaging young people between the ages of 8 and 25. In her role, Hannah will help Brooke grow its profile within schools and inspire young people.
Monty Roberts
Marvin Earl "Monty" Roberts is an internationally renowned horse trainer from the USA, based in California. Nicknamed the ‘horse whisperer', he regularly astounds audiences with his ‘Join Up’ shows around the world.
Jane Holderness-Roddam CVO, CBE
Jane first joined Brooke as a Trustee in 2003, serving for eight years before becoming an ambassador for the charity in 2022. She was the first British woman to ride in the Olympic Three Day Event Team in Mexico 1968, where she won Team Gold.
Learn more about Brooke
See how every action we take is focused on giving working animals richer and more rewarding lives.
