Our team

Liz joined the Association of Chairs in November 2023, initially as interim Chief Executive, and was appointed to the permanent CEO role in June 2025. Working with the board, team and members, she provides leadership in shaping and executing AoC’s strategy, ensuring its sustainability, and championing and delivering its mission.

Liz brings considerable experience of the non-profit sector, along with a passion for supporting effective leadership and governance. Her previous roles include Programme Director at Clore Social Leadership, Director of Learning and Influence at membership network Youth Business International, and Head of Innovation and Learning at Bond, the UK network for organisations working in international development. In her spare time Liz is a volunteer facilitator for Windsor Leadership, working with cross-sector groups to consider the wider impact of their leadership.

Helen joined the Association of Chairs in April 2024 as Membership & Events Coordinator and is passionate about providing an exceptional member experience and topical and relevant events for Chairs and future chairs.

Previously Helen has worked with charities and not-for-profit organisations in patient support, training and events and prior to that has over 10 years’ experience in the healthcare industry.

Lally is working with the Association of Chairs to develop and lead on peer support projects for our network. She focuses on our London project, funded by the City Bridge Foundation, which includes AoC’s co-mentoring scheme and a peer support group for chairs operating in London. Lally works a few hours for us each week.
Lally brings considerable experience from her years at the membership organisation, CharityComms, where she has developed and managed membership and mentoring schemes for comms professionals working in the charity sector. Lally brings experience in building and nurturing individual relationships and networks for peer-to-peer learning.
Lally is really interested in people and wellbeing, she is a qualified yoga teacher and is currently studying for a BA in humanistic counselling at the University of Chichester.

Helen is our Communications Manager. Joining the Association of Chairs in April 2024, she has led on our brand refresh and new website, as well as managing our newsletters and social media channels.

Helen brings over 17 years’ experience in the charity sector, from non-profits large and small, including Stonewall, the Salvation Army, Age UK, and most recently a user-led Disabled People’s Organisation called Shaping Our Lives. She is passionate about comms and finding the right message for the right audience, and prioritising great user experience.

Kabita Mandal Dhanuk is a communications professional, passionate about leveraging strategic communication for meaningful impact. She began her career in 2014 and has worked as a journalist, Communications Officer, and Communications Consultant with international government organisations such as United Nations Environment Programme, United States Agency for International Development, and the British Council, contributing to branding, communications, and stakeholder engagement while bringing expertise in storytelling and content development, among others.

At the Association of Chairs, she assists communications, branding, and event management to further enhance member engagement and contribute to organisation’s goals.

She recently earned her second master’s in Strategic Advertising and Marketing Communications from the University of Greenwich, where she also secured the university as a client for her consultancy project, A Consultancy Project on Strengthening Academic Integrity through a Strategic Marketing Approach at the University of Greenwich, an alternative to a traditional dissertation, for which she received a distinction.