Meet the Board
Board Member | Position |
---|---|
Jill Profit | Federation Chair |
Rahat Aboobaker | County Treasurer |
Hannah Costin | County Vice-Chair |
Pat Kingsland | County Vice-Chair |
Jackie Westlake | County Vice-Chair |
BOARD OF TRUSTEES APPOINTMENTS 2025/2026 | POSITION |
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Jackie Westlake | CAMPAIGNS & RESOLUTIONS OFFICER |
Rahat Aboobaker | DATA PROTECTION OFFICER |
Rahat Aboobaker, Caroline Ellis, Pat Kingsland, Jill Profit, Carrie Lennon, Catherine Abrahams, Jayne Hale, Sara Evans | FINANCE TEAM |
Hannah Costin | HEALTH & SAFETY OFFICER |
Rahat Aboobaker | IFE COORDINATOR |
Hannah Costin | MUTLIMEDIA OFFICER |
Pamela Kershaw | SAFEGUARDING OFFICER |
Maggie Eccleston, Pamela Kershaw | WI ADVISERS |
NON TRUSTEE APPOINTMENTS | |
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Lorraine Stapleton | FEDERATION SECRETARY |
Catherine Abrahams | FEDERATION ARCHIVIST |
Catherine Abrahams | IFE |
Caroline Ellis | IFE |
Sara Evans | IFE |
Carrie Lennon | IFE |
Jayne Hale | IFE |
Beverley Hayes | NEWSLETTER EDITOR |
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
An introduction to our committee.
Rahat Aboobaker
My career experience has primarily focused on financial and strategic management in both the public and private sector. With a young family, we spent several years in Spain and Mexico, where I was privileged to be involved in many fundraising projects and improve my Spanish. I joined Potters Bar Gems WI in 2020 as Vice Treasurer and subsequently joined the Board of Trustees in October 2022. This is an interesting and challenging time for the WI, and I am looking forward to taking an active part in its future as Treasurer, after my initial appointment as Vice-Treasurer.
Hannah Costin
I’m 37 years old, married with 3 children and live in Wheathampstead. I have been associated with the WI since I was born as my mother has been involved with the WI throughout my life.
Over the years of being a member of the WI, I have been inspired by many such as, Jean Curl, Lady Fowden, Sylvia Coggan and still being mentored by Joyce Gray and Joyce Spackman. They have made a great impression on me with their dedication to promote the education of women’s learning, skills for life and forming lifelong friendships.
My aim as a Trustee of Hertfordshire is to bring the WI to all ages and be inclusive of all, to spread the word and encourage members to partake in all the activities available to them.
I am looking forward to meeting you at events and your WI Institutes
Joanna Defries
I am a Yorkshireman and grew up in South Yorkshire when coal and steel were king. Came South to go to College when I was twenty, I am a musician and have done a lot of work in performing and theatre production. Married a Londoner and stayed here! Two grown up daughters, three grandchildren. My strength on the Board of Trustees lies in organising events and the social/creative side of things, which I enjoy thoroughly.
Pamela Kershaw
The opportunities I have accepted and enjoyed being a member of the WI for 40 years.
Having moved counties several times since the 1960s, the WI has always played a prolific part in my life.
Since my school days I have always sung in a choir and I first joined the WI because the local Institute choir was short of singers to compete in an Eisteddfod in Wales, which turned out to be a great adventure.
Years and many concerts later, I arrived in St Albans and the Hertfordshire County Choir was short of people to sing in St Albans Abbey and then to compete in the County Choir competition in Cambridge.
A few years ago, I saw a very small advertisement in the WI Life, for members who could ‘keep a secret, attend three rehearsals and have an amazing adventure’. Two of us from Hertfordshire took up the challenge and had the great pleasure of performing with Gary Barlow, for the then Prince of Wales, at the Royal Command Performance. Over time it became easier to accept other opportunities that the WI offered.
In 2000, I signed up at Denman college for a week on a course for ‘Golf for Beginners’ and after four days, we had been taught how to ‘drive the ball, the rules and the etiquette’ of a game which is still part of my fitness plan and support group.
Active membership of the WI has been uninterrupted and constant, moulding my busy life and over time offering surprises, adventures and opportunities including the opportunity to meet scores of interesting people.
Since 1998 I have been a trustee of The Causeway WI, including serving as President for many years, before joining the Members Advisory Committee (later becoming the Members Support Team).
In the last few years, after training as an adviser, I have enjoyed my part in the task of helping WIs, with supportive visits and enjoyable tutorials, and introducing members to the Handbook of the Constitution, which is the backbone of running a WI.
Now, as a member of the Board of Trustees, I hope to assist any member who wishes to become an Adviser, by highlighting and encouraging good practice, and continuing to support the WI members of the Hertfordshire Federation.
Pat Kingsland
I grew up in West London moving to Stevenage for senior school, trained as a hairdresser, married and took on office work as the hours suited me better. We have 2 daughters and 2 grandchildren which keeps us busy. Having to move around with my husbands job I joined the WI in 1979, in the then Huntingdonshire. On moving again in 1981, I became a member of Bicester WI in Oxfordshire. Arriving back to Stevenage in 2003 I joined Knebworth WI as Stevenage only had day time WI’s and I was working. There are now 3 evening and one afternoon WI’s in Stevenage.
When I first joined a WI committee I was the ‘tea bag’, in charge of teas, but since then I have been Secretary, President and any other job requested of me, but not Treasurer. I was nominated in 2011 by Knebworth WI to join the Board of Trustees and have been ACWW rep, Chair of House, Vice Chair and County Chair, all of which I have enjoyed and endeavoured to do to the best of my ability.
I also enjoy baking, knitting, gardening and socialising, I’m not keen on ironing.
Lorraine Mead
I joined The Causeway WI in May 2012, and was Treasurer for 3 years, before becoming President, and am now on my 9th Year. I also run the WI Workshops for members making various Crafts, which is my passion.
I am also Chair of Sports and Leisure Team, Crafts, Culinary and Blooms Team and a member of Member Support Team.
Jill Profit
I have owned and managed my property management business for 30 years, Deenside Management Ltd., working in the commercial and residential block management sector. My experience also lies in setting up and running Business Centres, my current one being situated in Hitchin.
For 7 years I worked as a volunteer bereavement counsellor for Cruse. My mother was a staunch WI supporter and encouraged me to join Puckeridge and Standon WI (now closed) when I was 25 years old, recently married and moving to the area.
I am a member of Royston Meridian WI and a dual member of Royston Evening WI.
I joined the Board of Trustees in 1998 and served on Performing Arts, House and Premises, sub committees. I served as Chair of the Federation from 2015 to 2018. I am the current Chair, appointed in October 2022. I am a member of the Finance committee, Members Support Team and Sports and Leisure teams. My interests are travel, theatre, cooking and walking.
Jackie Westlake
I had a 27 year career with the Civil Service, working in the Home Office, Prison Service, Cabinet Office and the Department for Communities and Local Government. During that time, I was also seconded to the Prince’s Trust. Since taking early retirement I have been a Clerk for Faversham Town Council and worked for Visit Kent and Visit Herts – tourism management organisations.
I moved to Much Hadham, Hertfordshire, in 2020 and joined one of two WIs for the village. I enjoy the companionship and the potential to work for the local and wider community. My other interests include going to the gym, reading, opera, knitting and looking after my grandchildren.
TEAMS
Community Team Education Team Members Support Team A WI Adviser is a WI member who has volunteered to be trained by the National Federation of WI's (NFWI) to enable her to support the growth and governance of the organisation. She is appointed annually by NFWI to work under the direction of her local federation Board of Trustees (BOT). She acts as the liaison between the BOT and the membership and officers of her federation WIs. The focus of her role is opening and closing WIs and supporting the growth of membership, but she will be able to advise WIs on a range of topics. WI Advisers are required to attend all formations, enlargements, reformations and suspensions of WIs. They can help you with planning programmes, resolutions, subscription fees, Annual Meetings, and will support you with the smooth management of your WI. If you need help with any aspect of your WI, contact a WI Support Member. They can also tell you how to train to become a WI Adviser. You will find contact details in HFWI News, or you could contact Hertfordshire Federation Office. |