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Meet The Team

Team Members

Joey Owen

Joey Owen

Programmes Director Joey Owen is a founding member of FtL since 1999, with over 20 years of experience as a project manager, facilitator and performance coach, both in the UK and India and Nepal. Committed to communities in Nepal, she uses her background in Community Film and Theatre (BA), Theatre for Development (MA) and is a qualified Drama Teacher to bring about lasting, positive change.

Mr Shree Krishna Thapa

Shree Krishna Thapa

With approximately 20 years of working in the Development Sector Shree Krishna has devoted most of his working life to the upliftment of those in his Nepali community. He has a BA hons in English Literature and is also a University Lecturer at the Kushadevi Campus of Kathmandu University. He has worked diligently with Freedom to Learn since 2012.

Bina Humagain

Aimee Foster

Aimee started volunteering for Freedom to Learn in 2019 and joined the team as our Fundraising Manager in 2023. Having volunteered and worked in the charity sector for the past 20 years, she is passionate about using her experience in fundraising and communications to raise vital funds and awareness for our work in Nepal.

Sarina Manandhar

Sarina Manandhar

Finance Officer She has completed her Master’s Degree in Finance & Population from Tribhuvan University. Working with Freedom to Learn since 2020. She is also a lecturer in Finance and Accounts with the Kathmandu University Campus, Kushadevi. 

Our Trustees

Dawn Tebbutt - Treasurer

Dawn Tebbutt

Treasurer

Dawn is a recently retired UK accountant. She has lived and worked in the South of France with both local and international companies for over 30 years. A keen traveller, she is looking forward to new adventures and to sharing her compassion and experience to help improve the lives of those in need.
Karuna Onta - Trustee

Karuna Onta

Karuna, a seasoned development professional with nearly three decades of experience in Nepal, India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Vietnam, holds a PhD in Social Psychology. Starting as a psychology lecturer at Tribhuwan University, Kathmandu, she transitioned to the non-government sector and worked as a Social Development Advisor for DFID (now FCDO) for 11 years. Currently, Karuna serves as a Development Consultant for the World Bank and Swiss National Science Foundation, demonstrating...
Mr Jamie Cresswell

Jamie Cresswell

Jamie is the Director of the Centre for Applied Buddhism and President of the European Buddhist Union. He is a member of the Soka Gakkai International -UK and has practiced Buddhism for 28 years. His Buddhist background includes a degree in Buddhist studies and practice and study in many traditions and schools. He is a member of the European Council of Religious Leaders and a trustee of Religions for Peace – UK.
Mr Adam Bentham

Adam Bentham

Adam is a communications and fundraising specialist with over 15 years of experience in the sector. An engaging storyteller with a passion for digital and a well-organised project manager and leader with strong stakeholder-management skills. He is currently Head of Fundraising and Communications at The Gurkha Welfare Trust and is passionate about improving lives in Nepal.
Mr Paul Kinnon

Paul Kinnon

Paul is a Former Aviation Consultant and Head of Business Systems in Local Government. Now retired, he is an enthusiastic Trustee of FtL, insatiable traveller, amateur astronomer, wine buff, while learning guitar and training for an advanced motorcycle riding qualification.