Deepa Korea – RCN Foundation Director
Deepa has a 30-year career spanning the public and not-for-profit sectors. She began her career as a speech writer and media liaison for the leader of a UK political party, before going on to work in the public sector for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
Deepa has worked in several senior positions within the not-for-profit sector, largely in health and education charities, and has been a charity Chief Executive since 2008. Deepa is a member of ACEVO and provides mentoring support to charity Chief Executives. She also sits as a Governor on the Board of the University of Winchester and is a Board member of Winchester University Press.
Deepa is passionate about ensuring that nursing and midwifery staff have access to support and opportunities to enable them to develop and to provide the best possible care.
Dr Sarah McGloin – Head of Grants and Impact
Sarah practiced for a number of years as a nurse in critical care, working across a range of specialities. She subsequently moved into nurse education where she led on critical care and advanced practice education at a large University in the East of England. Sarah completed a PhD in Nursing at City, University of London, exploring patients’ reconstructive memories of critical care and critical care nurses’ response and understanding of these.
Sarah is the Head of Grants and Impact at the RCN Foundation, a role which sees her meet her ambition of empowering nurses, midwives and health care support workers to drive patient-centred care forward based upon education and nurse and midwifery led research.
Bally Dhaliwal
Bally has 16 years experience in grant-giving, funding small grassroot charities and individuals, supporting older people, people with a learning disability and children and young people. She has worked across the Civil Service, Local Government and in the charity sector.Bally manages the RCN Foundation Education Grants Programme offering grant opportunities to nurses, midwives and healthcare support workers to enhance their professional development, increasing clinical skills which ultimately improves patient care.
Ruth Samuel – Benevolent Grants Manager
Ruth has worked in the charity sector since 2013 after gaining a master’s degree in Organisational Psychology and Psychiatry and has worked in grant-giving since 2016. Ruth is skilled in subjects such as the UK benefits system, domestic abuse and coaching, all of which enable the Benevolent Service to deliver signposting to grant applicants.
Ruth manages the Benevolent Grants Service and feels this is a privilege as it enables the RCN Foundation to support nurses, midwives, and healthcare support workers during vulnerable times in their lives when they are in need of help. Grants and signposting help our beneficiaries get through difficult situations and can provide a boost to their mental and physical health.
Katherine Bridle – Benevolent Grants Officer
Katherine began working at the RCN in 2007 and has a background in customer services. Within the RCN, Katherine spent the majority of her time at the Lamplight Support Services, providing around budgeting, benefits and housing along with signposting to appropriate services for more detailed advice.
In January 2022, Katherine began her role at the RCN Foundation Benevolent Service working as the Benevolent Grants Officer. Katherines’ motivation comes from wanting to provide help to people and meet their needs whilst showing compassion and empathy to make sure they feel heard.
James Alterman - Head of Fundraising and Communications
James joined the Foundation at the start of 2023 and is responsible for all fundraising and communications. James brings nearly 20 years of experience in the charity sector, with a particular focus on fundraising and widening participation. In 2022, James gained a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) and intends to use his experience and academic studies to help raise the profile of the RCN Foundation, creating a strong fundraising function that helps the Foundation achieve its ambitious plans.
James is excited to be part of an organisation committed to supporting and strengthening nursing and midwifery at a time when the nursing community needs us most.
Tamara Gervasoni – Fundraising and Communications Manager
Tamara Gervasoni joined the RCN Foundation in 2017 as Fundraising and Communications Manager.
Tamara has over 15 years’ experience of fundraising, communications and project management gained in International Organisations, UK not for profit and corporate sectors. After working in Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya, Tamara returned to the UK to study an MA in International Relations.
Tamara’s mum was a nurse, so she feels very passionate about improving the health and wellbeing of the nursing and midwifery community, so that they in turn can continue to care for the public.
Rosie West - Digital Marketing and Communications Officer
Rosie joined the Foundation in May 2023 as the Digital Marketing & Communications Officer. She had previously worked at the RCN for 5 years, largely in an admin role supporting the London membership through employment issues. Since 2022, Rosie worked as a Communications Officer at the RCN, firstly in the London Region and secondly supporting the 9 regions in England with the pay and strike activity.
Rosie is excited to join an organisation at a pivotal time for nurses, midwifes and health care support workers and hopes to contribute to growing the Foundations reach and ultimately, supporting more people who need our help.
Emily Barr - Fundraising and Communications Assistant
Emily joined the Foundation in December 2023, as Fundraising and Communications Assistant. She previously worked as an administrator at a charity supporting survivors of violence, and has a master’s degree in Gender, Violence and Conflict.
Inspired by friends and family in the nursing profession, Emily is excited to support the essential work of nurses, midwives, and healthcare support workers across the UK.
