Staff
Charlotte Augst
Charlotte is the Chief Executive of National Voices. She came to London in 1997, after completing a law degree in Germany, to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of London. She holds a PhD in law and medical ethics. Charlotte has held senior positions in health and research policy – in Parliament, for national regulators, and in the charitable sector.
Since starting at National Voices, Charlotte has led a strategic reorientation of the organisation towards a more visible role for its members – their insight, practice and innovations – and towards grounding National Voices’ influencing work more explicitly in the experience of people who live with ill health, disability or impairment.
Aleyah Babb-Benjamin
Aleyah has a background in the education and mentoring charity sector space focusing predominantly on work with young people from impoverished communities. At National Voices, she is responsible for centralising marginalised voices by liaising with key stakeholders to develop methodologies of co-production under the umbrella of long-term health conditions. Aleyah also has a vested interest in leading on community engagement and mobility projects; in her own time, she provides targeted support in voluntary positions to Black women, refugees, asylum seekers and other minority groups.
Jess Brayne
Jess is Head of Membership, Communications and Operations for National Voices. She is responsible for shaping and implementing National Voices’ membership strategy, ensuring high levels of member engagement in National Voices’ work, recruiting new members, and leading a varied and active programme of events. Prior to joining National Voices Jess worked for various charities, holding membership roles at Equality Challenge Unit and Design Business Association. Outside of work Jess is a Councillor in the London Borough of Barnet.
Charles Howgego
A former Big Issue editor, Charles has spent time at the Guardian and the BBC before moving into communications roles with organisations such as the Royal College of Pathologists, criminal justice charity User Voice and community development trust Westway Trust.
Rachel Matthews
Rachel is an experienced health professional with clinical, research and leadership experience, specifically in patient and public engagement and involvement in healthcare research and quality improvement. She is committed to working with diverse teams including patients, carers, service users and community representatives to improve healthcare systems. Rachel is an Alumna of the King’s Fund Top Manager Programme and NIHR Leadership Programme.
Rosie Moffat
Rosie is Communications and Engagement Officer at National Voices and moved into communications after completing a Masters in History from Queen Mary University. She has spent the majority of her career working in the charity sector including Historic Royal Palaces.
Rebecca Steinfeld
Rebecca is Head of Policy at National Voices. She is responsible for influencing key decision-makers across the health agencies. She works to embed person-centred healthcare and to ensure our members’ experiences and concerns shape policies. Her experiences span policy and campaigns work and academic research. Prior to joining National Voices, she worked at Maternity Action and co-chaired the Maternity Voices Partnership at Chelsea & Westminster NHS Foundation Trust. She also co-founded the successful Campaign for Equal Civil Partnerships. She holds a PhD in Politics from the University of Oxford.
Ella Wright
Ella graduated from Bristol University last summer and joined National Voices through the Charityworks graduate scheme in November 2019. She supports our membership by learning about their work and sharing ours; providing membership administration; organising events and much more. She is also working with Rachel on our new collaborative project with the Health Foundation on patient experience that will kick off in April.
Kasia Zielinski-Rushforth
With over 12 years' executive experience supporting senior leaders in fast-paced environments, Kasia joined National Voices in December 2020. Kasia brings a wealth of experience having supported CEOs, directors, assistant directors and heads of service in numerous national charities and local authorities, and has been successfully running a freelance private PA business for three years. Kasia is also co-founder and trustee of a grassroots charity in Southend, which provides a trauma informed abstinence day recovery service, family and friends support service and a trauma informed outreach service for women trapped in selling sex and addiction. She is passionate about the support she provides and is motivated by making a difference.