MEET THE TEAM
Meet the Team
Behind novi FUTURES is a passionate team of leaders, trustees and volunteers united by a shared belief that every young person deserves the opportunity to succeed.
Together, we bring expertise from education, business, healthcare, governance, technology, communications and community leadership, working collaboratively to create lasting social impact.
Our Leadership Team
Providing the vision, leadership and operational direction for novi FUTURES.
Griselda Togobo MPhil, ACA – Co-Founder & Chair
Griselda Togobo is the Co-Founder and Chair of novi FUTURES, providing strategic leadership and governance to ensure the organisation remains true to its mission of advancing social mobility and creating equitable opportunities for young people and communities.
An engineer by background and a Chartered Accountant who qualified with Deloitte, Griselda combines commercial expertise with a deep commitment to inclusion, leadership, and social impact. She holds an MPhil in Industrial Systems, Manufacture and Management from the University of Cambridge, bringing a systems-thinking approach to organisational growth and long-term sustainability.
Alongside her role at novi FUTURES, Griselda is the Founder of Novi, a leadership platform and community that celebrates and champions women in business and leadership. Through her work as a keynote speaker, author, and leadership adviser, she partners with organisations to build more inclusive workplaces and unlock the potential of diverse talent.
As Chair, Griselda works closely with the Board and executive team to provide strategic oversight, strengthen governance, and support the long-term growth of novi FUTURES. She is passionate about creating opportunities that enable people from all backgrounds to thrive and believes that inclusive leadership is key to building stronger communities and a fairer society.
Usha Kong – Co-Founder & CEO
Usha Kong is the Co-Founder and CEO of novi FUTURES, providing the strategic leadership to grow the organisation and deliver its mission of creating pathways to opportunity, empowering individuals, and championing social mobility.
A multi-award-winning advocate for social mobility, Usha brings more than 20 years of experience working across the corporate, public, private, and social sectors. Her passion for creating change is deeply personal. Having faced significant barriers to education and opportunity at a young age, she understands first-hand how circumstances can limit potential when the right support, knowledge, and networks are out of reach.
This lived experience drives Usha's commitment to ensuring that young people, families, and communities have access to the opportunities, guidance, and support they need to thrive. Through novi FUTURES, she leads the development of partnerships and initiatives that bridge the gap between education, employment, and aspiration, connecting individuals with the knowledge, confidence, and networks they need to succeed.
Beyond her role at novi FUTURES, Usha supports education, youth justice, and public services through governance and advisory roles that help create more inclusive opportunities for young people and communities. She serves as a School Governor, supporting improved educational outcomes; as a Youth Justice Panel Member, helping to create opportunities for rehabilitation and positive futures; and contributes to advisory groups within Adult Social Care, ensuring that diverse voices and lived experiences inform more inclusive and equitable services.
Usha believes that talent exists everywhere, but opportunity does not—and she is dedicated to changing that.
Carl Kemp – Operational Lead – Careers Specialist
Carl Kemp is the Operational Lead & Careers Specialist at novi FUTURES, where he leads the operational delivery of programmes and partnerships that connect education, employers, and communities to create meaningful opportunities for young people.
With more than 25 years' experience in careers education, employer engagement, and education partnerships, Carl has dedicated his career to improving life chances and helping young people make informed decisions about their futures. He is passionate about ensuring that every young person, regardless of background or circumstance, has access to high-quality careers education, meaningful employer encounters, and clear pathways into education, training, and employment.
Carl's commitment to social mobility is deeply personal. Having experienced his own challenges during education, he understands how the right opportunities, encouragement, and guidance can transform lives. That experience continues to shape his belief that talent should never be limited by circumstance.
At novi FUTURES, Carl works closely with the CEO to turn the organisation's vision into action. He oversees the planning and delivery of programmes, coordinates partnerships with schools, employers and wider stakeholders, and helps ensure every initiative delivers meaningful outcomes for the young people and communities we serve. He also plays a key role in strengthening the organisation's operational systems, supporting sustainable growth as novi FUTURES continues to expand.
Known for his collaborative approach, practical mindset, and unwavering commitment to young people, Carl believes that by bringing education and industry together, we can inspire ambition, broaden horizons, and create opportunities that change lives.
Our Trustees
Providing strategic oversight, governance and independent challenge to help novi FUTURES achieve its mission.
Angie Mandara – Trustee, Fundraising & Partnerships
Angie Madara is an entrepreneur, fintech innovator, and passionate advocate for creating fairer access to opportunity. She is the Founder of AthenaFundX, an AI-powered platform helping women-led technology businesses become more visible, investment-ready, and fundable, addressing the persistent inequalities in access to finance for female founders.
Throughout her career, Angie has developed innovative financial products that have reached millions of previously unbanked individuals and played a key role in the development and scale of M-PESA, one of the world's most transformative financial inclusion platforms. Her work has consistently focused on using technology, innovation, and strategic partnerships to remove barriers and create opportunities for underserved communities.
As Trustee for Fundraising & Partnerships at novi FUTURES, Angie brings strategic expertise in partnership development, innovation, and sustainable growth. She works with the Board to strengthen fundraising, build meaningful partnerships, and help secure the resources needed to expand the organisation's impact and create more opportunities for young people.
Angie is a Tutu Fellow, KPMG Founders Award recipient, EY Bright Tide SDG Finalist, and has been recognised by Yahoo! Finance and the World Economic Forum as one of the top women in technology to watch. She is also a Visiting Fellow at Saïd Business School, the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, and Cambridge Judge Business School.
Angie believes that innovation, collaboration, and investment have the power to unlock potential, strengthen communities, and create lasting social change.
Nyaradzo (Zelda) Mwashaireni – Trustee, Safeguarding
Zelda is a highly experienced safeguarding professional with more than 15 years' expertise in adult safeguarding, mental health, learning disabilities, and supporting individuals through transitions to adulthood. She is passionate about creating safe, inclusive environments where people are respected, empowered, and supported to reach their full potential.
Throughout her career, Zelda has combined frontline practice with strategic leadership, helping organisations strengthen safeguarding, improve professional practice, and develop more responsive and inclusive systems of support. Her work is underpinned by a strong commitment to equality, dignity, and ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to thrive.
As Trustee Safeguarding Lead at novi FUTURES, Zelda provides Board-level oversight of safeguarding, ensuring that the welfare, safety, and wellbeing of children, young people, and adults at risk remain central to the organisation's governance and decision-making. She works closely with the Board and the Designated Safeguarding Lead to ensure safeguarding is embedded across the organisation and reflects best practice.
Zelda believes that safeguarding is fundamental to creating opportunities. By ensuring people feel safe, valued, and heard, she helps create the foundations that enable young people and communities to learn, grow, and fulfil their potential.
Nancy Flint – Trustee, Volunteer Engagement
Nancy brings more than 45 years of professional experience, much of it within the financial services sector, where she progressed from an entry-level role to a senior leadership position. Beginning her career with few formal qualifications, she understands first-hand the importance of resilience, continuous learning, and having access to opportunities that enable people to reach their full potential.
Throughout her career, Nancy benefited from individuals who recognised her potential and opened doors that helped her develop new skills, grow in confidence, and build a rewarding and successful career. These experiences shaped her belief that talent exists everywhere, but opportunities do not always exist equally.
As a Trustee of novi FUTURES, Nancy is passionate about helping to create pathways that enable young people to realise their ambitions, regardless of their background or circumstances. She is particularly focused on volunteer engagement, working to build a community of volunteers whose skills, experience, and encouragement can inspire and support the next generation.
Nancy is proud to be part of an organisation that is committed to breaking down barriers, widening access to opportunity, and helping young people build brighter futures.
Dr Michael Togobo – Trustee
Dr Michael Togobo is an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist with a passion for improving health outcomes, developing future leaders, and creating opportunities for individuals to reach their full potential. Alongside his clinical career, he is committed to mentoring, leadership development, and community engagement, believing that every young person deserves the encouragement and support to succeed.
Michael has supported and inspired young people through his work with Mosaic, a mentoring initiative founded by The King's Trust, and continues to mentor emerging leaders through The Miranda Brawn Diversity and Leadership Foundation. He also volunteers with the Volta Health Network, reflecting his commitment to giving back and supporting communities both locally and internationally.
As a Trustee of novi FUTURES, Michael brings a thoughtful and people-centred perspective to the Board, drawing on his experience in healthcare, leadership, and mentoring. He is passionate about helping shape an organisation that empowers young people, promotes social mobility, and creates opportunities for those who may face barriers to achieving their ambitions.
Michael believes that education, mentorship, and positive role models have the power to transform lives and strengthen communities, and he is proud to support novi FUTURES in helping the next generation realise their potential.
Meet Our Specialist Volunteers
Sharing their expertise to strengthen our governance, communications and organisational development.
Nicola Beech, Volunteer Governance and Board Support Officer
Nicola brings more than 15 years of experience in Higher Education, specialising in widening participation, social mobility, and student support. Throughout her career, she has led programmes designed to improve access to higher education for underrepresented and disadvantaged groups, including students from low-income households, care-experienced backgrounds, and refugee and asylum-seeking communities.
She has managed bursaries, scholarships, and charitable funding programmes worth millions of pounds, working closely with donors, charities, trustees, and senior stakeholders to create opportunities for those who need them most.
Now working in the Civil Service, Nicola remains passionate about advancing social mobility and tackling the barriers that can prevent young people from reaching their full potential. Her experience across education, funding, and stakeholder engagement gives her a strong understanding of the challenges many young people face and the importance of creating fair and accessible pathways to success.
As novi FUTURES' Volunteer Governance & Board Support Officer, she helps strengthen the organisation's governance and operational foundations, supporting effective decision-making, accountability, and sustainable growth.
Nicola is proud to contribute her skills and experience to an organisation committed to helping young people realise their ambitions and reach their full potential, regardless of background or circumstance.
Humi Chowdhury – Volunteer Social Media & Digital Content Creator
Humi Chowdhury is a Biological Sciences student at University College London (UCL) with a passion for creating positive change through education, communication, and community engagement. Alongside her studies, she has taken on a number of leadership roles, including serving as President of Analogue Magazine, where she helped create a platform that celebrates creativity, storytelling, and diverse perspectives.
As novi FUTURES' Volunteer Social Media and Digital Content Creator, Humi plays a key role in helping to share the organisation’s vision, amplify its impact, and connect with audiences through engaging digital content. She is passionate about using the power of communication to inspire action, raise awareness, and help more young people access opportunities that can transform their futures.
Driven by a strong commitment to social impact, Humi is particularly interested in creating innovative solutions that benefit both young people and the environment. She believes that education, collaboration, and creativity have the power to break down barriers and create lasting change.
Through her work with novi FUTURES, Humi hopes to inspire others to think differently about their potential and the positive impact they can have within their communities and beyond.