Amber has had a diverse 25-year career as a lawyer and senior leader at DLA Piper, one of the world's largest law firms, with a presence in 19 African countries. After starting as a corporate lawyer in Sydney, she spent 11 years in London, where she became the firm's global General Counsel with wide-ranging risk and governance responsibilities. From 2019 to 2025, she was Managing Partner of DLA Piper in Australia, overseeing day-to-day operations and implementing the firm's strategic vision. Amber has long advocated for equality of opportunity and believes access to education is the foundation for so many opportunities in life. She joined the board of So They Can to help children in Kenya and Tanzania achieve their potential.

Keri is a Founder of So They Can and brings extensive experience across property, events and international development. She holds a Bachelor of Business (Land Economy) and began her career in project management with Lend Lease Development in Sydney and London. She went on to spend 10 years as event production and general manager for David Grant Special Events, followed by 10 years as owner and director of the Skywalk Company, working as executive producer and project manager. Keri has 10 years' experience in international development and NGO projects, and was recognised as one of Australia's 100 Women of Influence in 2015.

Aidan is Chief Technology Officer at Scentre Group, where he leads the delivery of the group's digital and technology capabilities, with a focus on enabling operational excellence and growth. He has more than 25 years of technology experience across a range of industries and regions, including retail, real estate, media, consumer goods, consulting, financial services and telecommunications. Before joining Scentre Group in 2019, Aidan was Chief Technology Officer at Charter Hall Group and was ranked third in CIO Magazine's Top 50 Australian CIOs in 2018. He has also held senior technology leadership roles at Stockland, News Corporation, Diageo and Accenture. Aidan holds a Bachelor's Degree (Hons) in Information Technology and Telecommunications and a Master's Degree in Business Administration and Technology.

Diana began her career as a probation officer and went on to hold senior public service roles, including Head of the Equal Employment Opportunities unit and Group Manager HR for the Justice Department. After leadership roles in the private sector in New Zealand and the UK, she returned home to serve as Retirement Commissioner and later Chief Executive of Wellington Free Ambulance. Diana sits on several private, public and community boards, including as Chair of the JR McKenzie Trust and the Ngai Tahu Savings Scheme, Whai Rawa. Her community work focuses on justice and wellbeing, including support for disadvantaged women and families, financial literacy and refugees. She was appointed a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2019.
 

Ellen is Chief Financial Officer of Retirement Income Group and has more than 20 years' experience across financial services, retail, infrastructure and professional services, with an international career spanning New Zealand and the UK. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and is a member of Chartered Accountants ANZ. Ellen serves on a number of community boards, including as Trustee of the New Zealand Riding for the Disabled Perpetual Members Trust. Passionate about social justice and inclusion, she has been a strong supporter of So They Can's work in Kenya and Tanzania for many years.

Olivia leads sustainability strategy and customer engagement across Asia Pacific and the Americas at HP Inc, where she has held several leadership roles focused on sustainable impact and community initiatives. Passionate about education, sustainability and social impact, she has led community programmes that have diverted thousands of kilograms of e-waste from landfill and raised significant funds for schools. Olivia joined the board of So They Can to contribute her expertise in sustainability, marketing and stakeholder engagement to help empower communities through education. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Otago, majoring in Accounting with a minor in Business Law.

Christie has more than 25 years of experience as an Account Executive with leading technology companies in the United States and Asia Pacific, helping global organisations enable digital transformation through innovative technology solutions. A certified Holistic Nutritionist, she volunteers her time to create health and wellness programs, with a focus on children. Having grown up in Jamaica, Christie understands the importance of education and mentoring, and actively mentors high school and university students as they develop their career plans. She holds a dual degree in International Finance and Economics from the University of Southern California.

Valerie's career spans law and banking. She began as a lawyer in Washington, DC, specialising in national plaintiff class action cases, before moving to Wells Fargo Bank, where she served as Vice President in Corporate Trust Services. Valerie has a heart for children and is actively involved in youth development, volunteering in the public school system and serving on a committee that allocates funds for innovative teaching grants. She holds a Law Degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from North Carolina State University, and lives in California.

Elizabeth is a capital raising and investor relations specialist with nearly a decade of experience in private capital markets across Australia and New Zealand. She has held senior roles across the investment industry, most recently with Victor Smorgon Group, one of Australia's most prominent family offices, and previously co-founded a New Zealand venture advisory firm supporting early-stage technology companies. Elizabeth studied Business Management at the International College of Management, Sydney, as an international scholarship recipient, and completed the Venture Capital Executive Program at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business. A 2026 Social Impact Fellow with Social Impact Hub Australia, she was born in South Africa and feels a deep personal connection to the continent and its children.
 

Boni is So They Can's Country Manager in Kenya, and an expert and published author on children's rights in Africa with more than 15 years of experience in the sector. He joined So They Can Kenya in 2013, after more than a decade in the development sector in Tanzania, motivated by the opportunity to use his skills to transform the lives of vulnerable children in his home country. Boni is committed to increasing access to quality education for children in Kenya, particularly those from marginalised communities, and to empowering the next generation to drive social, political and economic growth across Kenya and East Africa.

Sean is So They Can's Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, with extensive leadership experience across the NGO sector, franchising, and the health and fitness industry. He is recognised for building high-performance teams, increasing business productivity and driving organisational growth, with expertise in business planning, analysis, retail, management and leadership. Sean holds a business degree and an MBA, and is a Justice of the Peace. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Public Accountants, a member of the Chartered Management Institute and a Certified Practising Marketer.

Jesca has been Principal of Mamire Teachers' College since September 2018 and brings a background in education and agriculture. She has more than 26 years of experience teaching Agricultural Science and 25 years in leadership roles. Before joining Mamire, Jesca worked at Monduli Teachers' College, progressing from Dormitory Warden to Dean of Students and later Vice Principal. Passionate about delivering quality education, she has been instrumental in ensuring Mamire Teachers' College remains one of the best in Tanzania.

Sean is So They Can's Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, with extensive leadership experience across the NGO sector, franchising, and the health and fitness industry. He is recognised for building high-performance teams, increasing business productivity and driving organisational growth, with expertise in business planning, analysis, retail, management and leadership. Sean holds a business degree and an MBA, and is a Justice of the Peace. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Public Accountants, a member of the Chartered Management Institute and a Certified Practising Marketer.

Katja is a partner and Director of Knowledge at a leading international law firm in London. She has spent her career in the legal industry, working both in-house and in private practice. Katja is actively involved in a number of committees championing gender equality, social mobility, and diversity and inclusion.

Cassandra Treadwell is the Co-Founder and CEO of So They Can, an international charity she launched in 2009 to expand access to quality education in East Africa. Guided by the belief that education breaks the cycle of poverty, she champions locally led partnerships over traditional aid models that create dependency. Under her leadership, So They Can now partners with 57 government schools in Kenya and Tanzania, supporting 55,000 children, and holds Full Accreditation with the Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Cass has mobilised over $40 million globally. She is an Advisor on the International Advisory Board of Bhutan's Gross National Happiness Centre, was named Women's Refuge Services Inspirational Woman of the Year in 2022, and has been a New Zealander of the Year finalist.
 

Sarah brings more than 20 years of experience as a lawyer and social impact leader, including senior roles at UBS and earlier legal roles at Linklaters and Allens Arthur Robinson. After qualifying in Sydney, she spent more than 15 years in London in financial services and capital markets, leading strategic regulatory change projects. From 2021 to 2026, Sarah was a Programme Director at the UBS Optimus Foundation, directing its Child Protection portfolio and co-managing its Education portfolio, improving safety, wellbeing and learning outcomes for children across Africa, Asia and beyond. She holds an MSc in Global Health, Law and Governance and was previously a trustee of Malaria Consortium. For Sarah, education is the gateway to opportunity.
 

Saj is a Strategic Portfolio Manager in the Digital & Technology function at Marks & Spencer, with experience across digital transformation, AI strategy and portfolio management. He is completing a Master's in AI and Digital Transformation, focusing on responsible AI governance and ethical deployment, and is the founder of Qnect.ai, a venture using technology to strengthen connections within communities. Saj is a school governor at both primary and secondary level and is actively involved in community education through teaching and mentoring. He believes education is a foundation for long-term change, and sees his focus on enabling people to shape their own futures reflected in So They Can's approach.