Alumni Leadership Council

The Alumni Leadership Council was established to enhance the youth-led nature of the Foundation. The Council will contribute to the overall thinking and direction of the charity, with a focus on ensuring and increasing community engagement. In particular, as Patchworkers and programme alumni, the intention is for Council members to bring their own diverse lived experiences to inform the Foundation’s operations.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact [email protected].

Moonisah Iqbal, Co-Chair

I am currently a policy advisor in City Hall working on the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee. I graduated from the Patchwork’s Masterclass programme in 2018 and was part of the International Visitors Leadership Programme in 2019.

Previously I have worked in Government Relations in transport and healthcare policy. I have also worked in the House of Commons on the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee as a committee specialist. I am currently a mentor through Arts Emergency, Muslim women connect and Patchwork.

Whilst at University, I was elected as the co-BME officer at the University of Nottingham Student’s Union and sat on the University of Nottingham Race and Equality working group.

Usaama Kaweesa, Co-Chair

Usaama Kaweesa, a dedicated member of the Patchwork Foundation for over a decade, brings a wealth of experience and commitment to the Alumni Leadership Council. Having benefited significantly from our Masterclass programme, Get Involved sessions, Party Conferences, and the prestigious IVLP Leadership Programme, Usaama credits Patchwork for instilling the confidence to embark on a successful journey as an elected Labour Councillor and Chair of the Scrutiny Panel for Children and Young People’s Services in Merton. Currently serving as the Chair of Governors for a local school in a high-needs area where he grew up, Usaama is enthusiastic about uplifting young people, and in particular contributing to the strategic direction of the Patchwork Foundation. His vision is to ensure the Foundation continues to empower and engage young adults who are distant from politics, helping them recognise their value within our democratic process and inspiring them to actively play their part.

Hannah Kaufman, Chair

Hannah is an experienced consultant at leading political consultancy firm Lexington, where she supports clients across corporate affairs, ESG, financial services and healthcare. Prior to this, Hannah interned at several political think tanks and national campaigns, and holds a BSc in Government from the LSE. Whilst at university, she was elected President of the Jewish Society at LSE and was also appointed Student Ambassador for the Council of Christians and Jews, and the Joseph Interfaith Foundation. Hannah is a trustee of the Naz Legacy Foundation.

Janira Borges

Janira has worked in the higher education sector for several years to drive institutional change and improve students’ experiences. She is pursuing a Master’s at Harvard University, where she is also one of the Equity and Inclusion Fellows. She pioneered and led programs addressing student outcome gaps at King’s College London. She is interested in the intersection between civic engagement and education policy. In joining the Patchwork Leadership Council, one of her goals is to consider new ways to engage youth in democracy and exercise public leadership.

Amie Sleigh

Amie is a UK Civil Servant with experience in international trade policy and domestic social policy. Amie is from Staffordshire and is passionate about social mobility and ensuring broader access to politics.

Mustapha Ogun

Mustapha is a graduate of Patchwork’s 2019 Masterclass programme. He is passionate about social mobility and transforming the lived experiences of our future generation. Currently, Mustapha works in Deloitte’s UK Risk Advisory practice, specialising in Global Booking Model & Controls. He has supported several global banking organisations with initiatives relating to their legal entity strategy, reputation risk management, booking model and trading control frameworks.

Dr Parnyan Ashtari

Parnyan has been a part of the Patchwork Foundation since 2018. Outside of Patchwork, she is a dual-qualified dentist and pharmacist and splits her time working in cancer research, education and clinical services. She sits on various committees and engages in conversations with key stakeholders across the NHS and globally to deliver cross-boundary solutions to shared problems in healthcare. She has won numerous awards for her clinical care, advocacy and leadership and presented at multiple national and international forums. She is passionate in tackling healthcare inequalities and has helped run a number of local community projects with schools, youth groups and homeless organisations.

Mahvesh Ibrar

Mahvesh is a graduate of Patchwork’s 2020 Masterclass programme and currently works as a Senior Public Affairs Officer at the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). As an advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace she serves as co-chair of the RICS Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage network and has previously served on workplace networks at HS2 Ltd and the Houses of Parliament.

Michael Woodland

Michael Woodland is an experienced civil servant leading on the policy, data and comms for a leading humanitarian integration scheme in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). Previously, Michael worked on various priority projects across HM Treasury and the Department for Business including COVID-19, EU Exit, Cost of Living, Ukraine refugees and energy crisis response, and before that worked in local government on alleviating homelessness. He also currently serves as the Chair of the DLUHC Social Mobility Network, the Chair/Founder of the Patchwork Civil Service Network (CSN) and as an ambassador for thew Holocaust Educational Trust (HET).

Rizwan Amin

Rizwan is currently pursuing a legal career with the Crown Prosecution Service where he soon hopes to qualify as a Crown Prosecutor. Alongside this, he is the Secretary for the National Black Crown Prosecution Association whose aims are to eliminate race discrimination, promote equality and diversity within the CPS and wider Criminal Justice System.

Alumni Leadership Council