Our Team
Kate Nation
Managing Director
Kate has been involved in children and youth work since she was 18 both at a local and an international level where she has worked with at risk young people and children in a variety of settings. On returning to Cambridge she worked with a charity called Romsey Mill where, as a Young Women’s Worker, she saw first-hand the unique challenges that affect this demographic.
With one of the most obvious problems being a lack of confidence, Kate piloted a one-off event: a “Cambridge meets Brazil” family fun day involving young women through the youth support programme she was running. The event’s success and its positive affect on the young women gave birth to the idea of Turtle Dove.
Kate feels most alive when riding a motorbike, horse riding, dancing or in the favelas of Brazil.
Katie Fryer-Olliffe
Young Women’s Development Worker
Katie has a background in working with women during pregnancy, postpartum and throughout the transition to parenthood. Katie also trains and mentors others to support in this type of work. Katie’s work has often taken her into working with vulnerable women and in particular many years of focus has been in the private and self-employed sector as a women’s advocate supporting women survivors of domestic abuse.
Katie has been part of several projects, including multi-agency projects within her birth, postnatal and advocacy support with a key goal to support, mentor and coach women to achieve their full potential, to engage in their communities and to live a life free from harm. She is a passionate advocate for active listening, emotional authenticity and compassionate communication and has committed to many years of continued professional development in those areas.
Katie is incredibly excited to be part of the team at Turtle Dove to support, guide and mentor the young women who engage with our Alternative Education program and Events as our Young Women’s Support Worker.
Outside of work, you will find Katie in a field, woodland, by the water (or in the water as she likes a cold water dip!) with her dogs and a cup of tea. Katie loves reading, roller-skating, travelling and spending time with her blended family.
Sarah Khan
Alternative Education Lead
Sarah has 34 years of combined experience in Hospitality, Youth Work and Education.
Her passion is giving all young people, but particularly young women, the same opportunities to be the best version of themselves and to thrive not just survive.
Having trained in Performing and Community Arts, Youth Work, Forest Schools, Teacher and Trainer skills as well as being a registered ELSA – this has given her lots of opportunity to work with a wide range young people with varying degrees of educational, emotional and mental health needs. This has led to her having a wealth of experience in dealing with related issues and challenges and learning how to best support people to overcome them.
Sarah has witnessed some incredible journeys, this inspires and motivates her to continue to support people to break down the barriers they face that can prevent them from growing, achieving and becoming an inspiration to others.
Sarah is extremely proud to be working at Turtle Dove and delivering the Alternative Education Program.
When Sarah is not at work you will find her in her garden, workshop or studio, being creative, re-inventing furniture, clothing and interior spaces. Music is her everything and she enjoys singing, dancing and going to gigs. Eating out with friends and family is another of her passions, enjoying good hospitality service!
Aimee Clasby
Chef and Apprentice Youth Support Worker
Aimee has discovered that her passion for helping people can be channelled into becoming a youth support worker. To enhance her skills, she has started an apprenticeship with us.
While also working as a chef and receiving support from Turtle Dove, Aimee has decided that, since Turtle Dove has helped her and many others, she wants to get involved in empowering young women as well.
Aimee has been a chef since she was 16 and has always enjoyed cooking, especially alongside her Mum and Nan since she was 2. She applies this skill in her role to help young women learn simple cooking techniques to promote their independence.
We are fortunate to have her in-house, which allows us to provide catering for our events while Aimee can share her skills with other young women we work with.
In the future, Aimee aims to establish her own business, where she can utilize her catering skills and her passion for helping others by offering supportive employment opportunities for those who truly need them.
Outside of work, Aimee enjoys going to the gym, taking long walks, spending time with her family, and playing songs on the drums.
Jessica Evans
Communications
With over 25 years of experience supporting top executives and businesses, Jess has been a freelance business operations manager since 2017. She thrives on helping businesses streamline their processes, making the complex simple and the chaotic calm.
As a certified NLP Trainer, Jess is passionate about empowering people to elevate both their businesses and mindsets. She loves identifying challenges and creating solutions that allow individuals to focus on what they truly enjoy—both professionally and personally.
Jess’ dedication to supporting the younger generation and helping them navigate life’s challenges has drawn her to Turtle Dove Cambridge. She believes in the power of mentorship and opportunities to uplift young women as they step into the world of work.
Outside of work, you’ll find Jess at the gym, enjoying live music, exploring bars and restaurants with friends, or travelling to soak up the sun— she proudly considers herself “solar-powered”!
Rebecca Peckham
Administration and Operations
rebecca@turtledovecambridge.com
Rebecca has over 15 years administrative and operations experience in Cambridge, mostly with exam boards and administering GCSE and A Level exams.
Over that time, she has developed a tenacity for resolving issues and finding solutions; experience that she is delighted to bring to Turtle Dove. She recently moved to the beautiful North Norfolk coast and now splits her time between home educating her son and working for Turtle Dove.
In her spare time, she enjoys exploring the local area and further afield, going for walks and being outside and helping to plant vegetables in the garden.
Event and Casual Staff
We have a bank of experienced youth workers, trainers and teaching staff who often also have hospitality experience. By working alongside the young women at the events and workshops they provide invaluable skills, support and encouragement that helps us get the job done!
We are always looking to add to this section of our team - do drop us an email if you would like to find out more at hello@turtledovecambridge.com.
Volunteers
From ironing our uniform to helping with events and administrative tasks we have an amazing team of volunteers!
If you would like to know more about how you might be able to get involved, contact us here.
Directors
Edwina Mullins
Events and Marketing Director
edwina@turtledovecambridge.com
Edwina started her first events business in 1997 and has continued to work in events & marketing since then. With a degree in Hospitality Business Management, she has worked for a range of companies and currently co-owns marketing agency and training provider, SocialB.
Edwina brings her marketing and events experience to Turtle Dove as well as knowledge of running businesses.
At the weekends, she plays taxi to her kids and has a passion for food so is usually found cooking up something in her kitchen.
Laura Atkin
Education and Safeguarding Director
Laura has been a teacher for over 8 years, and for the majority of those years has worked in a pastoral role. Laura really enjoys supporting young people and enabling them to create brighter futures for themselves.
Laura decided to start working with Turtle Dove to be able to support young women in a different way to how schools are able to work.
Laura enjoys weight training at the gym, travelling and hanging out with her friends (largely eating food with the occasional spa day).
Kathryn Allen
HR Director
Kathryn is a fully qualified HR professional entering her 20th year in all things HR and people. Kathryn currently heads the people function at a Lincolnshire based fresh produce business which includes ensuing businesses have an ethical approach to employing people.
Kathryn has always been an advocate to supporting others having raised thousands in fundraising activities that mainly includes running – the Silverstone half marathon and the London Marathon are two of her biggest achievements and is ready to put on her running shoes for Turtle Dove!
Kathryn is a stepmum to two girls and a big supporter of women achieving – and this is why she brings her professional expertise to the table in this capacity
Advisors
Ali Rice
Operations Advisor
Ali runs her own consultancy business working with organisations to help them review, develop and grow. With a focus on increasing brand awareness, attracting new customers, transforming customer experiences and refining systems, Ali’s success has come from an ability to look at the smaller details that are often overlooked but are critical to creating a healthy organisation that is both sustainable and capable of growth.
Before setting up her own business, Ali held various senior positions in the private sector including 12 years as Managing Director in the Childcare & Leisure sectors leading one of the UK’s largest and most successful operators of activity day camps. Since 2020 Ali has spent the majority of her time working with organisations in the public services, which has allowed her to develop her strong belief that the way to add value to any organisation and to ensure it’s sustainable and fit for future growth is first and foremost with a focus on the people.
Ali’s promise is that whoever she is working with, whether on a paid or voluntary basis, they will always be at the heart of her solutions, and their people (the person being supported, the customers, clients and teams) at the heart of every decision.
Over the past 20 years Ali has contributed to a number of boards and committees and in her spare time she enjoys a very happy (& busy!) family life with her husband and 3 children.
Monika Jerszynska
Project Management Advisor
Monika is a seasoned project manager with over 15 years of cross-sector experience, leading full product life cycles in both operational and product roles. Currently at People Powered Retrofit, she focuses on replicating sustainable business models.
Her background includes senior leadership positions at Bridgemark Education and the Oxford Prospects and Global Development Centre, where she helped drive interdisciplinary collaboration across academia, policy, and industry. Earlier in her career, she combined her creative skills as a graphic designer with her role as Project Development Manager at a Manchester-based CIC – work that earned her a Manchester City Council International Women’s Day Award for environmental impact.
As an Advisor, Monika brings strategic insight and a broad network to support Turtle Dove’s mission and growth.
Malcolm Williamson
Business Advisor
Malcolm is an innovative entrepreneur with a broad commercial background at senior level, primarily in the service sectors, notably having been responsible for UK Commercial Services at the Automobile Association; Managing Director of a Hogg Robinson Group plc subsidiary global events business, and Commercial & Enterprise Director at leading UK business support provider, Exemplas. In addition, he has established, grown and successfully divested his own businesses in marketing, design and publishing and is also a producer of professional theatre and concerts.
Over the past 15 years Malcolm’s prime interest and focus has been on supporting the UK SME sector and entrepreneurship, more recently as an independent business consultant, coach and mentor. He also has a strong interest in, and a passion for the Third Sector and especially social value creation. He has worked extensively with social enterprises in particular. Malcolm brings a wealth of business, creative and production experience and works with the team to support the continued development and growth of Turtle Dove and to making a positive difference to the lives of young women.
Laura Sheffield
Ambassador (Legal and Hospitality)
Laura brings 15+ years of experience leading successful hospitality businesses, including her own venture, Corazon, with acclaimed Mexican restaurants in Soho and Westfield. Now pursuing a career in commercial law, she offers valuable expertise in design, marketing, and business management.
Passionate about supporting small businesses and social enterprises, Laura leverages her skills to help them thrive. She is a dedicated Turtle Dove Ambassador, inspired by the organisation’s mission to provide stability and opportunity through hospitality.
In her free time, you can find this Texan-turned-Londoner running (at her own pace!), baking American pies, and spending time with her nephews and beloved black labrador, Huey.
Safeguarding Support
We work closely with Safeguarding consultants and experts to support the work of Turtle Dove Cambridge. If you would like to know more or are interested in supporting us in this way, please do get in touch with us via hello@turtledovecambridge.com.
