CEO, Maitri Trust
Maitri funds education and training that it believes will lead to systemic change in the quality of education, health and livelihoods across the developing world. We seek well-governed, ambitious organisations with strong leadership. We are prepared to take risks and back young organisations with potential to scale their work. Maitri often supports the strengthening of core functions and believes non-financial support is as important as providing grants. We aim to form trusting relationships with our partners and to learn with them. We are as interested in what does not go to plan, and why, as much as in what does.
Jo was Maitri’s first employee in 2009. It was not intended as a long-term post. However, she was bitten by the development bug and by the Board’s values. Like the Trust, Jo’s role has evolved. She now heads up a team of four, and works with the Board to help set strategy and ensure Maitri adheres to its core principles. Earlier, Jo spent twelve years in the investment management industry, previously working with the First State Stewart team (Maitri’s donor). She holds a BA (Hons) in Modern Languages and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education.