Addressing poverty, financial exclusion and the poverty premium one person at a time!
Trust Leeds is growing the movement of Self-Reliant Groups to help people to save, share, make and sell together for the benefit of themselves, their families and their communities. Trust Leeds also provides micro-finance for enterprising people who have great ideas and small businesses but who don't have access to loans from family and friends of mainstream lenders.
Liza is particularly inspired by the work of Glasgow-based charity Wevolution, and Pontypridd charity Purple Shoots.
Following a degree in languages at the University of Leeds and roles in the media and public relations, Liza spent six years as Head of Development at Leeds Playhouse.
Building on her external relations and fundraising skills, Liza was appointed as the founding Chief Executive of Emmaus Leeds. Working with her Trustees, allies and supporters across the city, she raised £3million to establish this community and social enterprise which walks alongside people who were homeless and provides a home and work in return for their skills and commitment.
Having fledged this start-up enterprise in 2006, and inspired by the work of the Leeds Community Foundation, Liza moved to Cardiff to run the Community Foundation in Wales.
Over ten years she led significant growth, setting up the world’s only national community endowment fund, achieving million pound philanthropic gifts, and pioneering innovations including Philanthropy Week Wales and the Micro Venture Philanthropy Fund. Awarded an honorary Doctorate from Cardiff Metropolitan University for her work in promoting philanthropy, Liza is an experienced Trustee and governor and her volunteering roles have included: Trustee of Wales Council for Voluntary Action; Governor of Park Lane College Leeds; Member of Glas Cymru (Welsh Water); Director of Social Enterprise Leeds; and a panel member for two micro-finance loan funds.
Liza has recently been appointed to the Boards of Emmaus Leeds and Opera North.
You can find Trust Leeds at https://www.trustleeds.org.uk/ and https://twitter.com/Trust_Leeds
