Meet the Board

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.

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 Support Team, I'm a Resolutions Officer, Denman Ambassador and a member of the Current Affairs and International Team.

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.

Pam 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.

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 Teams for many years, and on the Board of Trustees for some time. I am currently on the Current Affairs and International Team and the Finance Team.

Lorraine Mead
I joined The Causeway WI in May 2012, and was Treasurer for 3 years, before becoming President, and am now on my 9^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, Crafts, Culinary and Blooms Team and a member of Member Support Team.

Rita Powell

I was born in Lincolnshire but have lived in North London and Hertfordshire since my early 20’s.

Most of my family are in Hertfordshire, though my eldest son and his family live in Devon and my siblings remain in Lincolnshire.

My professional career has been in the occupational pensions industry. Since 2004, I have been privileged to chair some large and small, pension Trustee Boards.

In 2008, along with my youngest son, I was the founder of a company, based in St Albans, which specialised in governance and secretariat services for pension scheme trustees.  We were responsible for business planning, integrated risk management, defining strategies and implementing change programmes for our clients.  We were committed to delivering efficient and effective services; our ethos was ‘keep it simple, make it happen.’

At the start of 2024, my son and I also established a building company called Now Renovate, which operates around South Herts and North London.  I am delighted to say that we have 6 family members enthusiastically involved!

I joined Codicote WI in February 2024.  In August when the Federation Chair asked for volunteer Trustees I put my name forward and was co-opted onto the Herts Federation Board in October. I volunteered for the role of Health & Safety Officer so I am now brushing up my knowledge in that area.  I also volunteered to join Joanna and her team on the Combined Arts Team.

Apart from family, my main interests are, art, theatre and reading.  My ambition is to find time to do more of them!

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.

TEAMS