Team & Trustees
Meet the Team
Each team member brings unique strengths and lived experience, united by a single purpose: to champion hope and create lasting impact for people, wildlife, and the planet.
The heartbeat of Jane Goodall Institute UK is our diverse, dedicated family of conservationists, educators, campaigners, and operational experts. Together we:
Drive programmes protecting wildlife and habitats
Inspire and support young changemakers through Roots & Shoots
Amplify Jane’s message through public engagement, campaigns, and storytelling
Ensure organisational excellence in governance, finance, and outreach
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CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Mark Munnelly is a seasoned Chartered Accountant with substantial experience with top 10 firms and independent accountancy practices alike. He has a comprehensive understanding of all accounting disciplines and a proven track record of partnering with clients to achieve their business and financial goals, even in the most challenging conditions.
His passion for supporting organisations in achieving their objectives led him to work with a diverse client base, encompassing independent sole traders, charities, and larger multi-site businesses. Currently serving as the Acting CEO of Jane Goodall Institute UK, Mark brings his wealth of expertise and commitment to the charity sector.
Mark’s leadership style aligns seamlessly with JGI UK's mission. He appreciates that effective charity work requires a delicate balance between sustainable financial management and a fierce dedication to the cause. His strategic and financial acumen is complemented by his deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within the charity sector.
His extensive experience with charities enables him to bring a fresh perspective and innovative approaches to JGI UK, ensuring the organisation remains financially healthy while continuously advancing its mission.
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OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
After years working in the financial sector it was a dream come true, when Claire was offered a job at the Jane Goodall Institute UK in 2001. Little did she know she would still be working for Dr Goodall’s charity over 20 years later! All the JGI UK team are home based but Claire manages the charity’s small administration office based in Lymington, Hampshire.
Claire is usually the first point of contact with supporters and helps deliver our Chimp Guardian programme. Claire also deals with financial aspects of the charity and provides administrative support for our humanitarian and educational youth programme, Roots & Shoots. Claire’s love of animals is served well where she lives in the New Forest - she is lucky enough to see wild ponies, cows and donkeys, on her way to work.
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DIRECTOR OF OUTREACH
Jasmina has worked for the Institute’s educational youth programme, Roots & Shoots since 2009. She became Schools Liaison Officer in 2022, concentrating on supporting existing schools and helping the programme reach new members.
Jasmina grew up in Bulgaria and was inspired to make a positive difference by watching Dr Goodall on National Geographic documentaries and films. Jasmina was thrilled to join the charity as assistant to the Executive Director, Education.
Jasmina is passionate about the importance of environmental education and helping young people appreciate the crucial role they and their actions play in the well-being of our planet.
In her spare time, Jasmina supports a rescue centre in Bulgaria; speaks up against animals used in experiments and entertainment and loves spending time with her husband and her two cats.
Our Trustees
Our Trustees provide the vital legal, strategic, and moral compass behind JGI UK. They bring deep expertise across conservation, finance, corporate governance, youth development, and communications.
They work closely with Jane Goodall herself—sharing her vision, guiding our mission, and ensuring we operate with integrity, transparency, and commitment to delivering real impact.
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TRUSTEE & FOUNDER OF JANE GOODALL INSTITUTE & UN MESSENGER OF PEACE
Dr Goodall has been a member of the JGI UK Board since it started in 1988. Dr. Goodall is known for her ground-breaking studies of wild chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania, which forever changed our understanding of our relationship to the rest of the animal kingdom. This transformative research continues today as the longest running wild chimpanzee study in the world.
Jane’s work builds on scientific innovations, growing a lifetime of advocacy including trailblazing efforts through the Jane Goodall Institute which has offices in 26 countries (including the UK) advancing community-led conservation, animal welfare, science, and youth empowerment. Jane is growing the next generation of compassionate changemakers through her ‘Roots & Shoots’ environmental and humanitarian youth programme, now active in over 60 countries, including the UK.
Jane is a global icon spreading hope and turning it into meaningful positive impact to create a better world for people, other animals, and the planet we share.
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TRUSTEE
Rosemary Reed joined the Board in March 2023. Rosemary is a Director, Producer and founder of POW TV Studios (Power of Women) and is highly respected for her work in the media & entertainment industries.
Creating, directing and producing 120 critically acclaimed shows airing on ITV1, C4, Sky and OSN MENA has given Rosemary a unique insight into the lives of the world's most successful women and the challenges they faced on their journeys.
Rosemary is also a philanthropist, campaigning relentlessly for female equality, diversity, animal rights and environmental issues, consistently using her platform and contacts to speak for those who cannot.
Why Team & Trustees Matter
Expertise & Oversight: Ensuring our work is sound, compliant, and mission-aligned.
Strategic Vision: Helping us innovate, adapt and expand our reach across the UK and beyond.
Championing Advocacy: Bringing Jane’s message to government, communities, academia, media, and funders.
Support & Mentorship: Enabling our team to grow, thrive, and deliver excellence in everything we do.
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CHAIR
Following 25 years in the oil and gas industry and having volunteered for JGI UK since meeting Jane in 1990, Mary began working and travelling with Dr Goodall in 1995.
As Vice President - Office of the Founder - Global, Mary works closely with Jane Goodall on all aspects of her complicated JGI life. She has played a key role in the evolution of Roots & Shoots and the development of many of the JGI offices around the world. Mary has been a Trustee of JGI UK for many years and became Chair in July 2022. Mary also serves as a board member for the Jane Goodall Institute Global and the Jane Goodall Legacy Foundation. She divides her time between London and Orkney.
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TRUSTEE
Dr. Roger Wood was, until recently, an Associate Professor and Senior Lecturer in Science, Biodiversity and Conservation Education, specialising in marine ecosystems, seagrass and marine mammals biodiversity, conservation and protection.
He is now a freelance biodiversity conservationist and researcher, working with and supporting a range of UK and international conservation groups. He has been a keynote speaker, organizers and presenter at numerous biodiversity research and awareness conferences.
Prior to his university career, working at four universities, Roger was a primary school headteacher and teacher for 23 years.
He is a Chartered Biologist and has a Ph.D. which focused upon enhancing children’s positive engagement with science. He is a Fellow of numerous learned societies, including the Royal Society of Biology, the Linnean Society, the Royal Astronomical Society, the Royal Geographical Society and the Royal Scottish Society of Arts.
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