Meet our Board of Trustees and learn more about their backgrounds, specialties, and roles within White Ribbon Alliance UK
Our Board
Shenaiya Kharegat
Shenaiya is a full time barrister at Nexus Chambers, the Chambers of Michael Mansfield KC. She specialises in both criminal law and family law. She currently sits on the Advisory Board at the Centre for Women's Justice as well as the WRA. Her interest areas include criminology, women's health, mental health, and gender based violence. Prior to joining the bar, Shenaiya studied law at university and then undertook an MPhil where she explored biomarkers, mental health and recidivism.
Board Chair
Liz Ford
Liz is a journalist with 25 years’ experience and currently works at The Guardian. Much of her career has focused on reporting and commissioning stories about women’s rights, gender equality, and sexual and reproductive health and rights in low-income settings. Through her work, she has travelled extensively and met inspiring people dedicated to improving the lives of marginalised communities around the world.
Board Secretary 
TrusteeGertrude Sai
Gertrude is an independent Research and Evaluation consultant whose work focuses on young people – particularly girls and young women. She is also studying for a PhD at King’s College London. Gertrude has worked closely with the NHS Perinatal service and is deeply committed work that drives meaningful change by addressing systemic inequalities, championing equity and ensuring that research methods used to hear from the ‘seldom heard’ are equitable and community-led.
Sashelle Dempster
Sashelle is an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) with experience across a range of surgical specialities who also have a Msc in Healthcare Management. Inspired by her own experience of maternity care as a young mother, she is passionate about advancing health equity, improving patient experiences, and addressing inequalities in maternal and reproductive healthcare. Sashelle brings both frontline clinical insight and lived experience to the Board and is committed to shaping safer and more equitable healthcare systems.
Trustee
Keelie Grindley
Keelie is an experienced NHS midwife specialising in equality, diversity and inclusion. She is the founder and director of Nya Birth Collective, a consultancy that supports organisations to embed culturally safe, anti-racist and equitable maternity care through education, service improvement, and consultancy. Keelie has a particular interest in tackling racial inequities in maternity care and improving outcomes and experiences for Black and Brown women, birthing people, babies and families.
Trustee
Founder & Honorary TrusteeBrigid McConville
Brigid is a writer, filmmaker, and the founder of White Ribbon Alliance UK. Inspired by WRA activists she met in India in 2004, she established WRA UK and has spent more than two decades supporting global efforts to improve maternal and newborn health and end preventable maternal deaths. Brigid lives in Somerset, where she enjoys sea swimming, gardening, and spending time with her family.