The Disability Foundation Trustees
The Trustees are representatives elected to the Board by the membership and determine TDF’s aims, objectives and priorities.
They are required to use any specific knowledge or experience they have to help the Board of Trustees reach sound decisions. This involves scrutinizing board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues and providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, or other issues relevant to the area of the charity’s work in which the Trustee has special expertise.
Janet Desmond
Janet has had many years' experience at a high level within the business and charity sectors as well as being involved on a large scale helping with fundraising events for many different charities including Jewish Care, Norwood Ravenswood, Help the Aged and The London Federation of Boy’s Clubs. Janet’s experience and involvement in the public awareness and organisational side of charity work, together with her wide-ranging contacts in the media provide an essential and valuable asset.
Robin Gibbons
Robin has had a diverse career from graphic designer, to a Royal Navy diver to airline pilot to fitness instructor. A tragic road accident in 2001 left Robin permanently paralysed from the chest down. He decided to use his drive to succeed against all odds to deal not only with his own disability but to help others to understand, come to terms with and help the many deep seated physical and emotional issues arising from living with disability. Robin is passionately involved with medical research and has offered himself forward for experimentation with the hope of improving the quality of life for disabled people today and in the future.
Sharon Portner
Sharon spent nearly a decade working in the consumer publishing sector and has a broad insight into the media, marketing, PR and advertising world. She set up her own consultancy 12 years ago, specialising in identifying and securing partners for joint promotions and in planning and executing events on a project basis. She has been involved in fundraising and sponsorship with other of charities and has played an active role “behind the scenes” since the launch of TDF. She is 43 and has 3 children.
Renee Myerson
Renée Myerson has worked for 20 years in business in the publishing industry negotiating advertising contracts across national newspapers and magazines. She has gained invaluable experience in dealing with local authorities via time spent as a volunteer visitor for the elderly mentally infirm and acting as an advocate for a Schizophrenia sufferer. During that time she has maintained an interest in all issues health related and has completed a BSc (Hons) Health Studies with the intention of applying to medical school to train as a doctor.