I was in my early ‘20s, working in sales at Unilever after completing their graduate scheme when my father died within a year from cancer. It forced me to re-evaluate many things and was a harsh awakening to how fragile life really is. I loved the people I worked with at Unilever, I enjoyed amazing training (and amazing ice cream freebies!) and was constantly stretched and challenged in fascinating roles working with Tesco, Asda and on loads of different brands. But I wanted more meaning when I went to work every day, I wanted to make the world better even if just in a small way. So, I moved to the third sector. My first job was at baby charity, Tommy’s, in corporate partnerships fundraising, managing their £500k Asda partnership - I didn’t get away from supermarkets completely!

To…..slow…down. I spent a lot of my ‘20s rushing – working 50-hour weeks, then to the pub, to rock climbing (my main hobby, but not after the pub I’d like to add!) Weekends were nearly always spent driving for long weekends away visiting friends and family, or sometimes travelling in Europe. I’ve forced myself to slow down. I’m happier and more fulfilled, and I have so much more headspace. I am constantly learning and applying different techniques and approaches for major donor fundraising that I never would have allowed myself the time to do when I was younger. I’m so much more present and relaxed in my free time with family, friends and enjoying hobbies.

I think it’s a fantastic opportunity for organisations to be able to access really high-quality training at an affordable price. Video learning is relatively new for fundraising, but I can only see it growing. People can learn in their own time, at their own pace, and access it anywhere they have WIFI. Someone completed my course when they were visiting family in Poland and emailed me to tell me! This flexibility is even more important in the current climate and I’d love to see more online learning in the sector.

I certainly see a lot of questioning and campaigning to improve the charity sector from within which is hugely positive. From #blacklivesmatter and #charitysowhite, through to campaigns like #nongraduateswelcome and #showthesalary. We can only make a real impact when we truly represent all of society, but I think we’ve still got some way to go. I’m excited though. The pace of change is here, and it feels like we’re on the cusp of a new, better, more inclusive sector.

Doing work that I’m proud of, for organisations that are changing the world for the better. I sometimes worry I’ll die ‘early’ - like my Dad at 54. I want to know that every day I work is, in a small way, helping humanity and our planet. I want the world to be a better place for my two boys (who are 6 and 9) and being able to play a part in that change – however small – means my work has a purpose. I think my Dad would be proud of me and what I’m doing.