Our team
John Keane, Chief Executive Officer
John moved to rural Tanzania as a volunteer in 2000, where he learned about the challenges of living without access to electricity and relying on dangerous, polluting candles and kerosene lanterns each night.
Since then, John has devoted his professional career to changing this unacceptable reality, working across Africa to establish solar projects and enterprises while inspiring innovation. He has held many roles at SolarAid and SunnyMoney over the years and has played a leading role in helping us impact over 12 million people.
Brave Mhonie, General Manager, SunnyMoney Malawi
Brave is a social entrepreneur who joined SolarAid and SunnyMoney in 2008. He began as a field officer, educating communities about renewable energy as a solution to climate change. He also helped set up local solar panel assembly projects with wooden frames.
Brave introduced Malawi’s schools programme, selling solar lights through a network of head teachers, and now leads the team developing innovative business models to accelerate sustainable energy access in rural areas and contribute to SDG7.
He is passionate about ending poverty in Malawi through renewable energy investment, starting with solar, and creating equal access to basic energy needs that improve people’s wellbeing.
Karla Kanyanga, Country Manager, SunnyMoney Zambia
Karla joined SunnyMoney in 2009 and has helped shape many of SolarAid Zambia’s roles. For the past six years, she has served as Country Director, overseeing all aspects of the business and working to ensure SolarAid’s mission is met by 2030.
During her 14 years with SunnyMoney, Karla has seen Zambia’s solar market evolve to meet growing demand. She is passionate about ensuring everyone has access to clean, renewable energy.
Before joining SunnyMoney, Karla worked as a Health and Safety Manager in the mining industry and managed a local lodge and conference centre. Originally from the United States, she moved to Lusaka 17 years ago, where she now lives with her husband and son.
Jamie McCloskey, Director of Programmes & Partnerships
Jamie joined SolarAid in September 2014, the same month SunnyMoney opened its office in Uganda, as a Proposal Writer and Researcher. He now leads the team on value generation, partnerships, and programmatic design and management.
Before SolarAid, Jamie worked at the National AIDS Trust, a UK HIV policy organisation, and spent time volunteering with VSO in Nigeria.
Richard Turner, Director of Fundraising
Richard returned to SolarAid in September 2021, having previously served as Chief Fundraiser from 2011 to 2016. He has over 34 years of fundraising experience at Oxfam, Farm-Africa, FFI, and ActionAid UK, and has trained fundraisers worldwide.
Richard believes in ‘renewable fundraising’ – giving supporters a great experience that inspires them to share SolarAid’s story and continue their support.
Sofia Ollvid, Communications Director
Sofia has worked in fundraising and communications for NGOs across the globe for over ten years. After earning a BA in Political Science, she worked in media before transitioning to the charity sector, combining her interest in humanitarian and development issues with visual storytelling.
She is passionate about collecting and producing ethical content that drives change and raises awareness.
Lisa Gardner, Director of Finance and Organisational Effectiveness
Lisa Gardner FCA joined SolarAid in October 2025 as Director of Finance & Organisational Effectiveness. A Chartered Accountant, she brings experience across commercial and not-for-profit sectors, including nearly 13 years at Aardman Animations where she served as Director of Finance.
She later held senior roles with University Hospitals Bristol & Weston NHS Foundation Trust (Non-Executive Director), the hospitals’ charity Above & Beyond (Director of Finance & Operations), the Centre for Sustainable Energy, and as CFO for the Diocese of Gloucester, where she oversaw the Net Zero programme. Lisa is passionate about using finance to help mission-driven organisations create lasting impact.
Jenny Sheriff, Head of Supporter Growth
Jenny joined SolarAid in April 2022 as Interim Supporter Engagement Manager before moving into her current role as Head of Supporter Growth. With over 20 years of fundraising experience, she is passionate about creating strong supporter relationships and demonstrating the real impact of donations.
Emily Bellis, Programme Funding Manager
Emily joined SolarAid in 2016 after completing an MA in Conflict, Security and Development at the University of Exeter. Her fundraising journey began as an Anza International student ambassador, leading a team supporting entrepreneurs in Tanzania.
Motivated by SolarAid’s ambitious mission and simple solution, Emily continues to grow her expertise in fundraising and grant management, tackling poverty and climate change alongside a passionate team.
Lyndsay Dixon, Corporate Partnerships Manager
Lyndsay joined SolarAid in 2023 as Corporate Partnerships Manager. She has worked in the charity sector for eight years, following a career in sales and exhibitions across various industries.
She loves building relationships with companies and helping them make meaningful impact through the causes they support. Lyndsay is thrilled to be part of a team making a lasting difference through safe, clean, solar power.
Courtney Paisley, Global Repair Lead
Courtney joined SolarAid as Global Repair Lead in 2025, having first worked with the SunnyMoney Zambia team in 2019 to explore the then-new area of repair. She also contributed to two of SolarAid’s former projects in Tanzania and Kenya, and was keen to build on the significant progress made in the solar repair sector since that time.
Jade Zelkowicz, Supporter Engagement Manager
Jade has worked in the charity sector for over ten years, joining SolarAid in November 2019. After earning a BA in English and American Literature, she began her career in fundraising at a mental health charity, quickly progressing to leadership roles.
Jade has extensive experience engaging with supporters and helping them share their stories to raise awareness of key issues.
Danielle Mensah, Supporter Experience Manager
Danielle is the first point of contact for our fantastic supporters, responsible for supporter care, communications, and finance assistance. She studied English and Sociology (BA) and has held roles in international development and disability charities after interning in Ghana with a not-for-profit leadership scheme.
Danielle is excited to see sustainable energy made accessible to all, brightening people’s everyday lives.
Scott Woods, Website & Digital Fundraising Manager
Scott is SolarAid’s Website & Digital Fundraising Manager, with a background spanning e-commerce, digital marketing and user experience design. He leads on optimising SolarAid’s digital platforms to ensure every interaction is clear, engaging and effective.
Passionate about innovation and accessibility, Scott believes that thoughtful, data-driven design can deepen supporter connection and help SolarAid’s mission reach even further online.
Alice Perry, Supporter Engagement Officer
Alice joins SolarAid with a background in publishing, education, and fundraising, having lived in France, Spain, and India. She has long been interested in sustainable development and is delighted to be part of this international team building resilience in the face of the climate crisis.
Amy Moss, Programme Funding Officer
Amy joined SolarAid in 2025 as Programme Funding Officer, bringing over three years’ experience in grant fundraising within the charity sector. Before moving into the non-profit world, she completed an MA in International Relations and spent more than five years in the publishing industry, working at a non-profit organisation and a global media company.
Amy is delighted to be part of an innovative and mission-led charity, combining her previous professional experience and passion for international development. She is excited about helping to communicate SolarAid’s bold vision, supporting efforts to alleviate poverty and combat climate change.
Jessica Okyere Agyei, Supporter Care and Administration Assistant
Jessica brings experience in volunteering at a mental health charity and hospitality to her role at SolarAid. Having visited Ghana, she witnessed how a lack of access to light can affect daily life and was inspired by SolarAid’s mission to help communities thrive through clean energy.
In her role, Jessica supports the Fundraising team by providing great supporter care and ensuring the efficient running of the UK office. She is also passionate about community initiatives, having contributed to a successful volunteer campaign that helped save a local children’s toy library.
See also: SolarAid’s Board of Trustees