Karl Frisby, Chair Joined in 2009

Karl Frisby has 12 years of experience in the voluntary and community sector (VCS), specialising in adult learning and training, including his last role as CPD Research Programme Manager at the Institute for Learning.

Previous to this, when Karl was at Hackney Training and Employment Network (HTEN), his research inquiries included strategic development work with Team Hackney and The Learning Trust, as well as with key agencies including the Learning & Skills Council, the London Development Agency, Jobcentre Plus and the Connexions service. This work enabled Hackney VCS training organisations to play a stronger role in local and regional policy building as well as developing and communicating those strategies. Karl is a fully qualified ESOL practitioner and PRINCE2 project manager.

Bekele Gessesse was appointed to the Hackney CVS Management Committee in October 2007 by co-option and was elected in March 2008 at Hackney CVS' AGM.  Bekele has over 20 years of experience of Hackney’s voluntary and community sector as staff, consultant and member of a number of Boards of Trustees.

Bekele runs Agroforep, an organisation which provides information, advice and guidance and skills training to lead refugees into jobs and/or further and higher education. He also is an active member of Hackney Refugee Forum.

Contact: Bekele Gessesse, Agroforep on 0207 923 4449 or bekele@agroforep3.freeserve.co.uk

Cyndi Smart is Senior Community Accountant for the Community Accountancy Project (CAP), an organisation in Dalston. Cyndi has over 27 years experience of working in the voluntary sector, the last 24 years working as a community accountant across London.

Since July 2008, Cyndi has worked for the Community Accountancy Project as the senior community accountant for Hackney & Tower Hamlets.  She has been a member with various voluntary organisations such as a community nursery, Southwark CVS. Women's Aid, women's organisations, art groups, and working with young people.  She has a wealth of knowledge and experience including finance (qualified accountant), employment law, and strategic planning.

Eileen Bellott was appointed to the Hackney CVS Management Committee in March 2008. Eileen's work within the borough spans over 15 years as an educator and curriculum developer inspiring adults and young people to achieve their personal aspirations. She has worked as an Art & Design lecturer at Hackney Community College and College Coordinator at Perpetual Beauty Carnival College, before going onto being a co-founder of Hands Inc.

Eileen is the Operational Manager of Hands Inc., an organisation which strives to inspire health and wellbeing for individuals and organisations and helps to improve health and increase access to complementary therapies and wellbeing activities.

Contact: Eileen Bellott, Hands Inc  www.handsinc.co.uk

Gail Mistlin appointed 7 September 2010

Gail Mistlin is the Director of SkyWay a charity working with disadvantaged youth in Hackney. She is responsible for the continued development of the organisation and its day to day running. 

Gail has a broad range of Management experience, encompassing social care and youth services in the charity and public sector. She has worked in Hackney for a number of years, where she has specialist knowledge on developing and managing networks.

Maggie Cooke was appointed to the Hackney CVS Management Committee in March 2008.

Maggie lives on a housing estate within the local community, and is a carer for her husband, she set up and is the Chair of Evelyn Court Tenants & Residents Association (TRA) and sits on the Dalston Community Advisory Panel. She is very interested in Tenant's Rights and Tenant Participation.

Contact: Maggie Cooke, Evelyn Court Tenants Association ecat.hackney@hotmail.co.uk

Pam Frost works with Peter Bedford Housing Association.  This organisation works in Islington and Hackney alongside people who have faced long term exclusion from society through homelessness, mental health problems, learning difficulties or multiple needs.

 http://www.peterbedford.org.uk/

Paula Graham has 20 years experience of IT in the voluntary and community sector (VCS) including London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard Information Management, Cinenova Women's Film Distribution, IT4Communities, ELCVS ICT Project, SocialSource, Eclectic Tech Carnival, Technology and Social Action. Currently she is Director of Fossbox, a CIC providing IT research, advocacy, advice and support to VCOs in East London.

Contact: Click here to email Paula Graham or visit www.fossbox.org.uk