These are the members of the Restless Development Sierra Leone Board of Trustees.
Sia Lajaku-Williams (Chair)
Sia is the Programmes and Donor Compliance Director at Street Child Sierra Leone, overseeing the delivery of an extensive portfolio of donor funded programmes across the country as well as acting as Street Child’s Child Protection Lead in Sierra Leone.
Sia has over 14 years of experience in community and youth development having previously worked for International Rescue Committee, CARE International, International Labour Organisation (ILO) and Leonard Cheshire International.
Restless Development has its own unique way of doing development, which is cognisant of the role of youths in making sustainable development happen. I was therefore very interested in becoming a trustee.
Vanessa Johnson
For over 10 years, Vanessa worked at the Sierra Leonean Red Cross, ultimately becoming Director of Programmes and Operations. In that role, Vanessa was responsible for overseeing an annual budget of over 4.5 billion Leones.
During the Ebola outbreak, Vanessa was heavily involved in the Red Cross’ response and presented on the work of the SLRC to audiences in Geneva, Abidjan and Dakar. Since leaving SLRC, Vanessa has taken roles in the private sector with companies such as EcoMed Sierra Leone Ltd as well as working as an Associate Analyst for FJP Consulting.
I am excited to be part of this. I am also excited by the fact that the trusteeship was advertised externally giving a fair advantage to all who are really ready to give their time to volunteering and giving.
James Tholley (Treasurer)
James currently serves as the Head of Internal Audit for the Association of Social Advancement (ASA.). Before this he spent many years working in the banking and finance sector, particularly in Sierra Leone for banks such as ProCredit, First International and Guarantee Trust.
James holds an MBA and has given lectures on finance and accounting at the Eastern Polytechnic in Kenema.
I’m proud to be part of a body that places young people at the forefront of change, creating awareness to ensure that young people know their sexual, living, vocal and leadership rights.
Sheku Foryeh (Youth Trustee)
Sheku is the CEO and founder of the Youth and Children’s Advocacy Panel Sierra Leone and also serve as a Steering committee member of U- Report Sierra Leone. Over the years, he has held many prominent positions, serving as the President of the Childrens Forum Network Sierra Leone, the Childrens Male Representative at the Child Right Coalition Sierra Leone, and he is currently the youth Chairman of Elite West Africa in ECOWAS Youth desk Abidjan.
Sheku is a project writer, Activist, Motivational speaker, influencer youth leader and youth advisor to the government of Sierra Leone, through the ministry of Youth Affairs.
