The Skoll Centre team

Elizaveta supports the delivery of Skoll Centre impact education programmes. She co-designs learning programmes with subject matter experts and coordinates various impact education activities for students, alumni, academics, and external contributors. Before joining the Skoll Centre, Elizaveta completed her Master of Science in International and Comparative Education from the University of Oxford. She also interned at the International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP-UNESCO). Prior to that, she spent three years as an independent founder and content creator of a podcast and blog, which promoted educational opportunities for youth. Her podcast and blog reached over 8,500 listeners and 13,000 followers. Elizaveta is passionate about education, social impact, and international exchange. In her free time, she enjoys learning languages, listening to podcasts, dancing Lindy Hop, and hiking in nature.

Emily is the Communications Coordinator for the Skoll Centre, working across Research and Insights, Impact Education, Community and general Skoll Centre communications.

Emily has over eight years’ experience in communications. She's worked across diverse research areas, primarily at the University of Oxford, covering issues such as international development, environment and migration, working to make complex academic language more accessible to a wider audience. She specialises in digital projects, and has considerable experience working across websites, in social media, and working with external videographers and designers to create effective content and campaigns. She holds a BA in Scandinavian Studies from UCL, with a specialty in Danish and Film, and studied Writing for Film and Television at Vancouver Film School. Outside of work she’s a playwright and screenwriter.

Izzy Mohammed is the Manager for Marketing and Communications at the Skoll Centre and Communications Lead at the Ownership Project: Private Capital Owners & Impact. She is an AI & Marketing Strategist with 10 years of experience navigating world-leading organisations and teams through modern marketing and communications. With a Master's degree in Digital Marketing and as an AI Ambassador at the University of Oxford, Izzy focuses on how responsible use of emerging technologies can advance marketing operations, empower teams and strengthen organisational impact.

Jessica leads the Skoll Centre’s research portfolio, including its research fellowships, the Insights for Action seminar series, and developing new research-practice initiatives. Before joining the Skoll Centre in 2020, she worked for ten years in the international development sector, with experience in advising aid programmes, grant-making, and applied research in nine countries in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. She holds an MSc in Anthropology and Development from the LSE. Alongside her work at Skoll, Jessica is also undertaking a PGCert in Psychodynamic Counselling, and is particularly interested in issues of mental health and wellbeing in the social impact sector. When she’s not working or studying, she’s busy raising a very cool five-year-old.

Lina is the Global Impact Education Coordinator at the Skoll Centre. She was previously Project Coordinator at the Heilbronn Institute for Mathematical Research at the University of Bristol. In her free time, Lina enjoys bookbinding, calligraphy and illustration, baking, and being in nature.

Lydia is the Executive Assistant to the Academic Director. She has over a decade of administrative experience with expertise in scheduling, correspondence, and event planning. She has been with the Skoll Centre for much of her career, and in that time has honed her skills through working in various roles. She most enjoys the focus on working in social and environmental impact initiatives and connecting with many different people. Lydia spends her free time at home in the Oxfordshire countryside with her husband and two cats, and is most often either gardening or going for walks in the woods. 

Marie coordinates the delivery of the events of the Research and Insights portfolio, including its termly Insights for Action seminar series and annual Community Convening. Before joining the Skoll Centre, she worked in the arts, museums, and cultural sector, developing corporate partnerships, growing sustainable income, and delivering memorable events for some of the UK’s leading cultural organisations. Marie is passionate about helping mission-driven organisations build the experiences, partnerships, audiences, and networks they need to thrive. Passionate about academic research, she recently completed her AHRC-funded PhD exploring the role of religious visual culture in eighteenth-century France at Queen Mary University of London.

Marya Besharov is Professor of Organisations and Impact at Saïd Business School and Academic Director of the Skoll Centre. Her research and teaching focus on leadership, social impact, and hybrid organisations. She engages with leaders and organisations worldwide to help them manage competing demands of social impact and financial performance. Marya received a BA in Social Studies, an MA in Sociology, and a PhD in Organisational Behaviour from Harvard University. She also holds an MBA from Stanford University. When she’s not doing research, teaching, or leading the Skoll Centre, she enjoys cooking, running, and spending time with her family.

As Research and Community Coordinator, Menna coordinates the delivery of the events and outputs of the research and insights portfolio. She also coordinates cross-cutting Centre events, and helps engage, curate and connect the Centre’s diverse community of academics, students and practitioners. Prior to joining the Skoll Centre, Menna completed her studies at the University of Edinburgh, graduating with a first-class degree in Social Anthropology with International Development from the University of Edinburgh. During her studies, she focused on environmental anthropology, energy policy, and global supply chains. Alongside her role at the Centre, Menna also Co-Chairs the Board of Cutteslowe Greenhouse, an Oxford-based cooperative seeking to restore the historic greenhouses in Cutteslowe Park and transform them into a thriving community growing hub. Originally from Wales, Menna enjoys reading, knitting, gardening, and spending time outdoors hiking and camping. 

Nick Gregg is the Deputy Director of the Skoll Centre. He is passionate about helping people develop the skills, hope, and confidence to create lasting positive change.

As Deputy Director, Nick provides strategic, operational, and team leadership, helping shape the Centre's direction and advance its research, education, and community activities. Previously, Nick led the Centre's education and scholarship portfolio.

Prior to joining the Skoll Centre, Nick has worked globally across higher education, social start-ups, and the non-profit sector to design and lead programs and partnerships that create more equitable access to education and economic opportunity.

He holds an MEd in Teaching and Learning from the University of Ottawa and a BA (Hons.) in Communication and Sociology from Carleton University.

Pippa has worked with the Skoll Centre since 2006, supporting the centre’s programmes and activities with an operational and financial focus. Originally trained as a horticulturalist, she studied Public Horticultural Administration with the MS Longwood Graduate Program, University of Delaware before working for the Royal Horticultural Society as the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show Manager. Away from Oxford, she runs a mixed farm with environmental schemes by the River Thames, in tandem with two teenagers.