Our Team
Ellie Milner – Co-Founder & Executive Director
Ellie Milner brings decades of experience in music, fundraising, and humanitarian work to her role as Executive Director. Her career began in London’s vibrant music scene, promoting artists from Afrika Bambaataa to Masters At Work and producing events that often raised funds for causes close to her heart, including AIDS awareness and environmental activism. She later moved into artist management, supporting the early careers of Neneh Cherry, Massive Attack, Tricky, and Portishead.
Ellie’s path shifted after meeting Leigh Blake of the Red Hot Organization, whose pioneering HIV/AIDS fundraising albums inspired her to pursue work with deeper social impact. After contributing to global Red Hot projects, she transitioned into education, building a thriving music department while raising her two sons.
Her commitment to children affected by HIV/AIDS deepened through her work with Keep a Child Alive in New York, eventually leading her to establish its UK branch and launch the Black Ball London. In 2012, the organisation evolved into Arms Around The Child, where Ellie continues to champion loving homes, dignity, and long‑term support for vulnerable children in South Africa and India.
Leigh Blake – Co-Founder
Leigh Blake is a visionary activist and creative force whose career has always centred on one mission: protecting vulnerable children and confronting the global AIDS crisis with courage and imagination. Before turning 24, she had already worked as a journalist, make‑up artist, artist agent, and PR lead, building deep ties to the music and art worlds through friendships with Talking Heads, The Ramones, Andy Warhol, Jean‑Michel Basquiat, and Blondie.
As AIDS devastated her community, Leigh channelled her creative energy into activism. She co‑founded the Red Hot Organization, producing groundbreaking music and film projects with artists such as Madonna, U2, Annie Lennox, George Michael, and David Byrne, raising millions for HIV/AIDS relief worldwide. Her work later expanded to Africa as Director of Artists Against AIDS Worldwide, leading the star‑studded “What’s Going On” campaign and helping establish a model HIV clinic in Kenya.
In 2003, Leigh founded Keep a Child Alive, pioneering innovative fundraising campaigns and the iconic Black Ball with Alicia Keys. Her commitment ultimately led to the creation of Arms Around The Child, dedicated to providing safety, dignity, and love to children in the developing world.
Bold, relentless, and decades ahead of the curve, Leigh Blake remains a transformative force for children who need it most.
Jackie Branfield – Founder, Operation Director, Bobbi Bear
Jackie Branfield is a fearless advocate for abused children, women, and people affected by HIV/AIDS. Known for her uncompromising approach and refusal to worry about convention, Jackie has spent decades confronting violence, stigma, and systemic failure head‑on. A committed Christian, she believes her calling is to protect widows and orphans—and she has never hesitated to challenge her own community when compassion was lacking.
Her work began more than 20 years ago, when young people in her church youth group sought her help. After confronting her own history of abuse and finding the strength to heal, Jackie expanded her support to women and children across KwaZulu‑Natal and beyond. Outraged by the treatment of rape victims in police stations and hospitals, she recognised that frontline workers were overwhelmed and undertrained. In response, she founded Operation Bobbi Bear in 2001, creating an innovative child‑friendly system using teddy bears to help young survivors communicate their trauma and support police investigations.
Jackie also established the Lower Illovo Tree Clinic in 1996, proving that meaningful change can begin with nothing more than personal commitment. Her work has earned national recognition, including Unilever’s Twenty Inspirational Women Award.
Jackie remains a relentless champion for children who need protection, dignity, and a voice.
Carol Dyanti – Founder & Director, Ikageng Itireleng AIDS Ministries
Carol Dyanti is a deeply respected community leader, social entrepreneur, and lifelong Sowetan whose work has transformed the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children across Johannesburg. A mother of five, Carol left a promising nursing career to respond to the growing crisis facing children affected by HIV/AIDS. In 2001, she founded Ikageng Itireleng AIDS Ministry from her home in Protea Glen, beginning with just three children. With the support of the late Dr. Aggrey Klaaste, the organisation was formally registered in 2004.
Driven by compassion and a fierce commitment to her community, Carol has spent more than two decades supporting children, women, youth, the elderly, and families affected by HIV/AIDS. Under her leadership, Ikageng has provided educational, nutritional, psychosocial, and life‑skills support to over 1,700 orphaned and vulnerable children in Soweto. Her work has earned numerous local and international humanitarian awards, recognising her as one of South Africa’s most dedicated advocates for children’s rights and wellbeing.
Carol remains the heart of Ikageng—offering safety, dignity, and hope to children who need it most.
Smriti Singh – Founder & Trustee, Faith Aalingan Home, Jaipur
Smriti Singh grew up in a royal household, yet from childhood she was drawn to the children of palace staff and nearby villages, caring for their wounds, sharing her toys, and learning early what inequality looked like. Encouraged by her father to one day use her privilege to help others, Smriti carried that promise into adulthood.
After moving to Jaipur and raising her daughter, Smriti decided to pursue her lifelong calling. To fund her vision, she built a successful business designing traditional bridal wear for export, working for four years to generate the resources she needed. She began by supporting street‑connected children at Jaipur’s railway platforms, offering moral guidance, meals, and vocational activities. When authorities required formal registration, she founded FAITH on 9 May 2005.
As other organisations began serving street children, Smriti turned her focus to those facing the deepest stigma: HIV‑positive children who had been abandoned or orphaned. In partnership with the Rajasthan State AIDS Control Society, she established Aalingan Home, beginning with two children and now caring for twenty‑eight. With dedicated caregivers, volunteers, and supportive friends, Aalingan provides a loving home, education, healthcare, and the joy of festivals, birthdays, and childhood experiences often denied to these children.
Smriti’s mission is simple and profound: to give every child dignity, belonging, and a future free from stigma — and to work toward a world where no child ever needs FAITH.
Narendra Kumar Jangid – India Programmes Consultant
Narendra Kumar Jangid brings more than two decades of experience in public health, HIV programming, and community development across Rajasthan. Born in the Shekhawati region, he pursued extensive higher education in anthropology, demography, healthcare management, and is registered for a PhD at the University of Rajasthan. His academic grounding and lived experience shaped a career dedicated to strengthening vulnerable communities.
Narendra began his development work with the Shri Sugan Vishwakarma Charitable Trust, facilitating community groups on reproductive and child health and serving as a Master Trainer for the Department of Women and Child Development. He later managed targeted HIV interventions with NIRA, coordinated national reproductive‑health networks, and played a key role in expanding Rajasthan’s PLHIV network to 32 districts under the Global Fund Round 6 programme.
His work has spanned technical support, monitoring and evaluation, and large‑scale programme mentoring with UNFPA, RSACS, and multiple government departments. In 2011, he joined Keep a Child Alive as India Country Representative, and today he serves as India Programmes Consultant for Arms Around The Child, overseeing project implementation, compliance, and long‑term impact for children affected by HIV.
Narendra remains inspired by the resilience of children and committed to creating systems that allow them to thrive.
Moses Fyfe – International Volunteer Manager
Moses Fyfe joined Arms Around The Child in 2021 and brings a strong academic background in global issues, holding a BA in International Politics and an MA in Philosophy from the University of Brighton. Having travelled widely across Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia, he is passionate about social justice, cultural exchange, and humanitarian work.
Moses manages international volunteers through Vocational Impact, our partner organisation responsible for global placements. He also oversees our CSR partnership with SONO, coordinating the Fruity Futures Apprenticeship Scheme in Ghana, which provides young people with training and employment opportunities.
Alongside his programme work, Moses is part of AATC’s event management team, helping curate and produce the World Music Village, The People’s Lounge, and The People’s Kitchen at Victorious Festival. He also manages our annual fundraising festival, Escape To The Farm.
When he’s not coordinating volunteers or producing events, Moses can be found playing bass guitar in various bands — a creative outlet that complements his commitment to community‑driven work.
Sarah Anne Harris – Project Manager
Sarah Anne Harris has spent many years working with charities, NGOs, and social enterprises around the world. After three years in Hong Kong managing large‑scale conferences across Asia‑Pacific, consulting for start‑ups, and developing communication campaigns, she continued to travel widely, engaging with communities that needed visibility, advocacy, and support. Her career has been driven by a commitment to helping vulnerable people realise their potential.
Sarah is passionate about connecting like‑minded individuals and organisations to build strong, globally minded communities. Her diverse professional background spans banking, finance, alternative health, ecommerce, start‑ups, retail, and music. She brings this breadth of experience — along with creativity, enthusiasm, and strategic vision — to Arms Around The Child’s international volunteer programme.
Volunteer Invest, founded in 2015, is the volunteer‑abroad arm of Arms Around The Child, linking skilled volunteers with our projects in Ghana, India, and South Africa. As Project Manager, Sarah helps shape this growing social enterprise, which partners with groundbreaking charities working in human rights, child development, therapy, and HIV/AIDS care. The programme connects socially conscious changemakers with meaningful frontline experience, creating a ripple effect of shared skills and global impact.
Board of Trustees
Frank Runge – UK Trustee
Frank Runge spent 25 years in the commodities industry before retiring in 2010 to focus on entrepreneurial ventures that help people realise their potential where traditional financial systems fall short. His business portfolio is intentionally diverse — from a children’s clothing store to a juice factory in Ghana — reflecting his belief in backing people and ideas that can create meaningful change. Frank lives in London with his wife Caroline and their three children.
Throughout his life, Frank has sought to make a direct, targeted impact through the companies he leads, supporting numerous charitable organisations along the way. His connection to Arms Around The Child began during an expedition to the South Pole, where he met Ellie Milner, then representing Keep a Child Alive. Inspired by the organisation’s mission, Frank and his team raised funds during the journey and, upon returning home, he remained committed to supporting the cause.
Frank is proud to serve as a trustee of Arms Around The Child, continuing his dedication to helping vulnerable children build safer, brighter futures.
Kiran Sharma – UK Trustee
Kiran Sharma is the Owner and Managing Director of KIKIT Entertainment, a leading artist‑management and events company, and is widely recognised for her work with global icon Prince. Through KIKIT and her collaborations with world‑renowned artists, Kiran has established herself as a respected entrepreneur and influential voice in the music industry. Her close working relationship with Prince provided her with unique insight and deep industry expertise.
Since launching KIKIT in 2005, Kiran has successfully guided the company through challenging economic periods, building it into a trusted resource for artist bookings and event management. She has worked with major talents including Bryan Ferry, A.R. Rahman, Sonu Nigam, and Annie Lennox, and is one of the few women to reach such prominence in a traditionally male‑dominated field.
Born in Luton and raised in Norwich, Kiran studied Engineering, Business Systems & Technology, and later Business and Marketing. Her early career spanned film and major international agencies, including roles with Warner Bros., Ogilvy & Mather, Hill & Knowlton, and Delaney Lund Knox Warren, before she followed her entrepreneurial instincts into the music world.
Alongside her business achievements, Kiran is deeply committed to philanthropy. She supports Arms Around The Child as a trustee and works closely with Save the Children, Keep a Child Alive, and ARK. Through her work with Prince, she has also supported the American Ballet Theatre, Uptown Dance Academy, and Harlem Children’s Zone, and sponsors Misty Copeland, the American Ballet Theatre’s only Black female soloist.
Proud of her British‑Indian heritage, Kiran credits her family — especially her parents — for the values that shaped her success. Her direct, honest approach and unwavering dedication have made her a powerful force in the music industry and a passionate advocate for children worldwide.
Helen Croft – UK Trustee
Helen Croft is a Partner at Mishcon de Reya Solicitors, where she specialises in employment law. Over her 13‑year career at the firm, she has worked with a wide range of clients and colleagues, earning a reputation for her expertise, integrity, and thoughtful approach.
Helen lives in London with her husband, Padraic, and their daughter, Briege. Supporting charitable causes has always been an important part of her life, and she has been involved with numerous organisations dedicated to helping those most in need.
Helen first encountered Arms Around The Child at The Other Ball in London, where she met Co‑Founder Leigh Blake. Deeply inspired by Leigh’s passion and the organisation’s mission, Helen quickly felt compelled to contribute. In June 2014, she became a trustee — a role she describes as both exciting and a privilege — and continues to champion AATC’s work with dedication and heart.
Mervyn A. Lyn – UK Trustee
Mervyn A. Lyn has spent more than three decades shaping the global music industry. From his early days as a well‑known DJ to managing record stores in north London, Mervyn’s passion for music has driven every step of his career. He was recruited by Blues & Soul magazine before joining Virgin Records in 1986, marking the beginning of a long and influential journey in the business.
Mervyn went on to run Sleeping Bag Records in Europe, served as General Manager of Motown International for Polygram, and held senior leadership roles during two stints at BMG. Following the BMG–Sony merger, he spent 18 years at Sony Music in positions including VP Global Marketing (Europe), VP Marketing, and VP Strategic Partnerships.
Today, Mervyn is the Managing Director of a successful strategic‑partnership agency, working with major brands eager to connect with music and sport. Throughout his career, he has been a strong advocate for fairness and equal opportunity, championing these values both inside and outside the industry.
With more than 32 years of experience, Mervyn brings deep expertise, integrity, and a lifelong commitment to music to his role as a trustee of Arms Around The Child.
Roselyn Cason‑Marcus – Board Director
Roselyn Cason‑Marcus leads global partner hiring for McKinsey & Company, one of the world’s foremost management consulting firms serving leading businesses, governments, and nonprofit organisations. Her work places her at the centre of global leadership development, talent strategy, and organisational transformation.
Alongside her professional career, Roselyn is a dedicated social activist, networker, and fundraiser. Over the past decade, she has supported a wide range of charities, including The Food Chain, the Amos Trust, The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, Brotherhood Sister Sol, Women’s Aid, the Global Foundation for the Elimination of Domestic Violence, and Arms Around The Child. Her commitment to humanitarian causes is grounded in humility, empathy, and a belief in collective responsibility.
Roselyn holds dual British and American citizenship and has lived in the United Kingdom for more than twenty years. She earned her BA in History from Colgate University and is the proud mother of her daughter, Nicole Alexandra Marcus.
Tarek Mouganie – Advisory Committee
Tarek Mouganie is a Ghanaian‑Lebanese entrepreneur and financial leader, and a founding member and COO of Tyndaris, a progressive family‑office investment firm based in London. His career began in academia, completing a PhD in Applied Superconductivity at just 22 and conducting post‑doctoral research at the University of Cambridge. His work led to the development and commercialisation of a process for mass‑producing YBCO coated conductors, culminating in a successful AIM listing for his industry partners.
Tarek transitioned from research to finance with Deloitte & Touche, advising major private‑equity firms on mergers, acquisitions, and due‑diligence projects. He later joined GLG Partners, Europe’s largest hedge fund, as a forensic analyst covering global equities and emerging markets. Following GLG’s acquisition by Man Group, he served as Director to the CEO, COO, and Head of Sales, leading strategic growth initiatives and managing teams of more than 70 people.
Alongside his professional achievements, Tarek has a long‑standing commitment to social impact. He worked closely with Dr. Jane Goodall to launch the Roots & Shoots programme in the UK and Europe, served on the committee of Keep a Child Alive UK, and contributes to Chatham House’s Under‑35 Steering Committee, focusing on the role of foreign investment in sub‑Saharan Africa.
A dedicated athlete, Tarek has competed as an elite marathon runner and now races long‑distance triathlons, including Ironman events, as a sponsored athlete with Triathlon Europe.
Justin James – UK Trustee
Over Justin’s career he’s worked with great brands executing some amazing worldwide projects. He’s always built solid relationships with clients and given hundreds of thousands of people experiences that they’ll never forget. His approach to business is both brave and measured. He has a genuine creative streak and an eye for perfection that ensures his work is slick. He believes that being proactive, innovative and exceeding expectations is the key to the ongoing success of his career and his partners.
Seb Weller – UK Trustee
Seb Weller is the Founder and CEO of WMA, a global digital creative agency with offices in London, New York, and Los Angeles. WMA specialises in helping talent and brands connect with audiences through innovative digital strategy and creative excellence. Before launching WMA, Seb spent 12 years at Sony Music UK, where he headed the Digital Division and oversaw digital marketing for a wide roster of major artists, including One Direction, Daft Punk, Olly Murs, Justin Timberlake, Paloma Faith, and Beyoncé.
Seb became the youngest director at Sony Music in 2009 and has been widely recognised for his contributions to the digital landscape. His accolades include seven Digital Music Awards, a place in Marketing Magazine’s Next Generation Power 100 as its youngest entrant, and features in the 2013 and 2016 BIMA Digital Hot 100. He has also served as a BIMA Chair Entertainment Judge and was shortlisted for a Revolution Award.
Shaun Springer- UK Trustee
Shaun Springer’s career has spanned 20 year leading Brands, Sponsorship, and Entertainment from Sainsbury’s, Sky, BT to MasterCard. In Shaun’s most recent role he lead the Brand, Sponsorship, Digital and Music at MasterCard and successfully grew the MasterCard Brand and Priceless globally. Shaun has the knowledge and the influence to work with the biggest brands and influencers worldwide.
Rahul Kapoor – Advisory Committee
Rahul Kapoor is an international entrepreneur and Co‑Founder of Excedo Luxuria, a specialist in bespoke and haute luxury. He is also a Board Member and Founding Partner of RRS Enterprise Investments, a global investment group focused on rare, artisan, and high‑end luxury brands.
Born in Kent to entrepreneurial parents, Rahul launched his first business at just 16 with £700 saved from birthday money. Today, he holds interests in companies across ten countries, including India, the UK, the USA, Russia, and Switzerland. His early achievements earned him significant recognition: in 2006 he received the Entrepreneur of the Year award from the Young Entrepreneurs Association, followed by the Britain’s Business Elite Award from Who’s Who in 2009.
Rahul’s primary focus is now RRS Enterprise Investments, founded with his brother and sister. The company champions some of the world’s smallest and most exclusive luxury brands, supporting bespoke jewellers, haute horlogerie makers, couture designers, and artisan creators. Its flagship firm, Excedo Luxuria, became part of the RRS portfolio in 2010 and is one of the world’s few dedicated haute‑luxury specialists, representing exceptional brands such as Cecil Purnell Haute Horlogerie and Hayari Couture and Perfume.
Rahul brings a global perspective, a passion for craftsmanship, and a lifelong entrepreneurial spirit to his role on the Advisory Committee of Arms Around The Child.
Gaynor Fascione – Advisory Committee
Gaynor Fascione has spent more than 20 years working in the commercial side of football, including roles at The FA and over a decade at Chelsea Football Club. She was introduced to Arms Around The Child in 2014 through our Executive Director, Ellie Milner, while serving as the commercial manager for Christian Atsu. Gaynor worked closely with Christian as he embraced his role as AATC’s Global Ambassador, helping him shape and amplify his philanthropic impact.
Gaynor is the Founder of GFManagement Ltd and now works within the Media Networks team at The Walt Disney Company, bringing deep expertise in partnerships, brand development, and athlete representation.
Following Christian Atsu’s tragic passing in 2023, Gaynor has remained a passionate champion of the work he began. She played a key role in raising significant funds to complete the school build in Senya Beraku, honouring Christian’s legacy and commitment to children in Ghana.
We are delighted to welcome Gaynor to the Advisory Committee, where she continues to support Arms Around The Child with dedication, heart, and a determination to carry forward Christian’s vision.