Leila Thomas, Programme Director, Founder

Leila Thomas

Leila’s ideas and sheer determination have resulted in Urban Synergy being able to help hundreds of young people since its inception in 2007. Alarmed at the incidence of violence and disenfranchisement affecting young people of colour, she decided enough was enough and created an organisation to help support and encourage them to success.

A Technical Project Manager for Thomson Reuters by day, Leila says, “I love my day job but volunteering my time in this way is so worthwhile. I hope to build the self-respect of the young people we mentor – and who knows maybe some of these young people will in turn become future role models for future mentees.”

Dianne Johnson, Programme Director & Chair

Dianne Johnson

Dianne joined Urban Synergy from day one and is passionate about making a difference to young people’s lives. A naturally gifted ‘networker’, she is responsible for building Urban Synergy’s mentor network. She also oversees Urban Synergy’s training content and project development.

A procurement executive, Dianne has worked for some of the world’s biggest corporates. Of her reason for joining Urban Synergy she says, “I felt it was time to stop talking, and instead take some practical steps towards helping the youth in our communities.”. Dianne is mum to teenage daughter, Louisa who can often be found using her budding photography skills at Urban Synergy events.

Donovan Davidson, Finance Director

Donovan Davidson

Donovan is the organisation’s main “numbers man”. An accountant for a major London-based UK property company, Donovan joined Urban Synergy to “try and help make a difference for kids in our communities who might just need that extra bit of support.”

Known for being calm and for his love of sharing a joke or two, Donovan counts reading, music, watching movies and sports as just some of the things he enjoys. He’s also footie mad and manages and plays with a Sunday league football team.

Trevor Cole, Programme Director, Technology Manager

Trevor Cole

As a very early volunteer for Urban Synergy, Trevor has taken on a variety of roles including contributing to the strategic direction of Urban Synergy and coordinating catering for social events. He is currently a member of the Urban Synergy Steering Committee.

Trevor was Urban Synergy’s first mentor deployed in the field and with the support of the Urban Synergy team he is making a real difference to a young man’s education and aspirations. A project manager and software developer with experience in the mobile telecommunications, digital and interactive television and geophysical data processing industries, Trevor also shared founder Leila Thomas’ dream of making a difference. Trevor and fellow techie, Nigel Williams are working on various technical projects for Urban Synergy.

Lesley-Anne Miller, Client Liaison Manager

Lesley-Anne Miller

Leslie-Anne joined Urban Synergy almost at its inception because she wanted to, “inspire, share life experience, encourage, motivate and give my time to young people in need. Ultimately I want to help change someone’s life and perception of their life in a way that makes a difference to them…and their future.” As Urban Synergy’s Client Liaison Manager, Leslie-Anne is often the first point of contact for potential mentors, mentees, schools, parents and guardians. She is also instrumental in producing Urban Synergy’s annual fundraising event and in helping to plan a full calendar of exciting events for mentors and mentees.

Charmaine Charles, Mentee Development Coordinator

Charmaine Charles

With a busy career in the IT industry, Charmaine also looks after Urban Synergy’s compliance and procedures as Company Secretary. But it’s her work with young people that gives her a huge sense of satisfaction.

Between Charmaine’s love of photography, fashion, antiques and roller-skating, she can often be found heading up trips for Urban Synergy’s young people. As well as volunteering at Urban Synergy, she also supports another local community youth intervention project helping young people some of whom are from disadvantaged backgrounds.