Founder & CEO

Cassandra Treadwell is the 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. The organisation holds Full Accreditation with Australia's DFAT, placing it among the nation's top charities. Cass has mobilised over $50 million globally and is an internationally recognised social impact leader today.

International Program Manager

Rita joined So They Can in 2011, spending her first three years working in Kenya before returning to New Zealand. As International Program Manager, she works closely with teams in Kenya and Tanzania to oversee the implementation of So They Can's programs and ensure strong internal and external compliance.

Rita is passionate about creating inclusive environments where every child has the opportunity to learn and thrive. She is grateful to contribute to So They Can's mission and support sustainable change through education and community development. She holds a Master's degree from the University of Economics, Prague.

Communications & Marketing Manager

Ellie Knight is the Communications and Marketing Manager at So They Can, with deep experience across the not-for-profit and international development sectors. Passionate about human-centred storytelling, she believes communications can be a powerful tool for social change when grounded in dignity, authenticity, and lived experience. Ellie specialises in crafting meaningful narratives and campaigns that amplify community voices, foster connection, and inspire action.

She holds a Bachelor of Journalism with Honours from Falmouth University in the United Kingdom.

Sponsor Relations Manager

Lisa Wagg is the Sponsorship Relations Manager at So They Can and has been part of the organisation since first attending an event in 2012. Beginning as a volunteer before moving into a permanent part-time role, Lisa now supports the sponsorship community and helps strengthen meaningful connections between sponsors and the students whose lives are being transformed through education.

With a professional background in nursing and health administration, she brings a holistic understanding of the impact education can have on children, families, and communities. Passionate about empowerment and community-led change, Lisa remains deeply inspired by the mission and people behind So They Can's work.

Fundraising & Community Engagement Officer

Elise has over nine years of experience working in the not-for-profit sector, with expertise in fundraising, community engagement, events and marketing. She holds a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Event Management and Marketing, alongside a Certificate III in Community Activity Programs and a Certificate IV in Community Recreation. Elise first encountered So They Can at the Annual Sydney Dinner in 2022, and spent the following 18 months completing personal fundraising challenges for the organisation before officially joining the International Team in early 2023.

Her experience has shaped her passion for building meaningful, long-term relationships that create lasting impact. Through her role at So They Can, she hopes to inspire individuals, businesses and communities to come together in support of quality education and greater opportunities for children living in poverty.