Meet the Board

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

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.

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.

Maggie Eccleston
I am a retired Government Servant having spent 33 years working in HM Inland Revenue, then HM Revenue and Customs.

I joined Bishop's Stortford WI in 2013, shortly after it formed.  In May 2015 I was elected to the committee and with another member planned their Programme for the next two years.  In May 2016 I was elected President, and re-elected in the following 2 years, standing down in May 2019.  In January 2020 I was co-opted onto Hertfordshire Federation Board of Trustees and agreed to train as a WI Adviser.  I was appointed as a WI Adviser in September 2021.  I've continued as a Trustee and Adviser to date. Within Hertfordshire Federation I chair the Members Advisory Team, I'm a Resolutions Officer, Denman Ambassador and a member of the Current Affairs and International Sub-committee.

My interests are in history, literature, art, music, handicrafts, and cookery.  I frequently volunteer as a room guide at Audley End House, a local English Heritage property.”

Caroline Ellis
I joined the WI in my 20s, as there was a morning WI where I lived in Wiltshire, and the afternoon WI ran a crèche for member’s children. When my children started school, I started training to be an accountant, and then when I qualified and started working full time, I transferred to an evening WI.

For those of you that remember Denman Fanfare in 1995, I was one of the “Marys”, which I remember with great fondness. I also set to sea with the WI on a Tall Ship in 2000, crossing the channel with 38 other WI members on an all-female crew to Cherbourg and back.

In my 40’s I came in search of the big city lights, and got as far as Watford.  I am now living in St Albans and I joined Bricket Wood WI in 2005, becoming their treasurer shortly after my arrival.  Heading towards my double 30, I decided to stand as Federation Treasurer to give me a new challenge, which I am really enjoying.

Phillippa MacKinnon
I joined the WI in 1974, and was a founder member of the first City Institute, St Albans City.  I was very soon elected as President and served several years as such, I have been on HFWI Sub Committees for many years, and on the Board of Trustees for some time. I am currently on the Current Affairs and International Team and the BOT.

Lorraine Mead
I joined The Causeway WI in May 2012, and was Treasurer for 3 years, before becoming President, and am now on my 8^th 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, Secretary of Arts and Crafts Team and a member of House & Premises Team.

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.

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 House, Premises and County Room and Sports and Leisure teams.  My interests are travel, theatre, cooking and walking.

Anne Styles
I have been a Trustee of Herts Federation for 10 years.  Having served on The Homecraft Committee (as it was then) and the Performing Arts  Committee, I am now Chair of Arts and Crafts and the County Crafts Advisor.

My background is TV where I was a costume designer and lately as an interior designer for building companies designing show houses. I have published two novels and am still involved in drama doing costumes for a local company in Bishops Stortford. I am a member and President of Braughing WI

Pam Wright
I have lived most of my life in Finchley, where I became a teacher, married and had twin boys.  When I retired I became a Lecturer for the National Trust.  In 2006 we moved to a smaller bungalow in Potters Bar as my husband was ill and later died. I joined Oakmere WI the same year and soon after was invited to join the Hertfordshire Federation Board of Trustees.

Since then I have given many talks to WI groups, I am on the Performing Arts Team (and have only recently retired as Chair) where I help with the events and currently organise the County and other quizzes. I find this voluntary work rewarding and have enjoyed meeting so many WI members over the years!

TEAMS