Our Staff
Annie Belasco,
CEO
Annie started her journey as a service user & volunteer for PANDAS in 2016. Annie is directly responsible working with the Trustees & Directors, for all charity operations, strategic vision, financial business development & service delivery. Annie has extensive experience of publicly speaking & campaigning for change. She has a person-centered approach to her work which is at the heart of everything PANDAS stands for. Annie is also an author & has specialist interest in perinatal mental health, breast cancer & military communities. Annie is a single mother from East London & has 2 children.
Sally Bunkham, Director of Communications and Partnerships
Sally joined the PANDAS team in 2021 and began her journey managing the charity’s social media channels. She’s loved providing the “shop front” for PANDAS! Her role grew & she’s loved maintaining & growing relationships with existing and new people and organisations who have the same mission and values as PANDAS. Sally is a mum of 2 girls who were born just 1 year apart & she has lived experience of perinatal mental illness and enjoys raising awareness on issues relating to it. She lives by the sea and adores a cold water sea swim all year round! She’s yet to persuade her colleagues…
Lauren Tonner,
Director of Services
Dani Gillet,
Training Director
Dani started her journey with PANDAS as Group Leader in 2016, since then has progressed through the charity in various roles. Dani is now the Training Director for the charity and has responsibility for providing all in house training for volunteers and sourcing any exciting external training opportunities, so that the volunteers feel equipped and supported in their roles to support our service users. Dani is highly experienced within healthcare and perinatal mental health. She’s a mother of three and has lived experience of perinatal mental illness and has a passion for ensuring no parent struggles with perinatal mental health alone.
Laura Fletcher,
Support Services Manager
Laura started working for PANDAS in 2023, joining us with an extensive background of people management in the education, health and social care sector. Laura has worked for several non-profit and statutory organisations throughout her career, but her passion has always been promoting mental health awareness.
Selina Clark,
Community Engagement Manager
Selina is responsible for recruiting, launching and managing in-person peer-to-peer support groups and their volunteers throughout the UK.
After facing and conquering her own mental health struggles in her mid-thirties, she retrained as a therapist and started volunteering with PANDAS.
Eventually, Selina transitioned from a corporate sales career to become a member of the PANDAS team and is passionate about raising awareness and supporting perinatal mental health.
Charlene Spaine
Content Creator
Charlene is responsible for growing the awareness of PANDAS and its services through social media.
Having worked in corporate digital marketing for many years, followed by a period of self-employment, she was looking for a role where she could make a real difference. Having struggled with Post Natal Depression after the birth of her first child, the mission of PANDAS really struck a chord with her. Her goal is to make sure as many people as possible know about perinatal mental health and how PANDAS can help make sure that no parent ever feels alone.
Kathryn Di Virgilio,
Specialist Course Leader
Kathryn has over 15 years of experience in mental health, working across the NHS and private sectors in both Australia and the UK.
A skilled group facilitator, she has completed extensive ACT training and continually expands her expertise. Kathryn facilitates the therapy programme for PANDAS and is registered with the HCPC and RCOT as a qualified health professional. She is passionate about supporting parents’ mental health and brings dedication and experience to her role.
Our Trustees
Harriet Bowley,
Chair of Trustees
Harriet is a qualified lawyer of over 13 years and also has experience in marketing and L&D and a genuine passion for equality and inclusion. She has two high-energy boys that keep her busy outside work along with a love of photography. Harriet is passionate about making the lives of parents feel better and removing the stigma of perinatal mental illness.
Sharon Phillips,
Trustee
Sharon is an HR specialist with 35 years’ experience at Board level, in facilitating organisations to support innovation, development ,growth and change .
Sharon has a passion for providing opportunities for those who have difficulty in accessing services, employment or education .
Sharon enjoys gardening with her husband ( not at the same time !…..) and both are thrilled to have four small grandchildren.
Heather Burnard,
Trustee & Clinical Advisor
Heather is a mum of 3 and has 11 years experience working as a doctor in the UK, initially training in Paediatrics and Neonates before switching to become a GP. She started out with PANDAS volunteering on the helpline. She is passionate about normalising the conversation around perinatal mental health, improving access to mental health support services and empowering people with knowledge so that they can tailor their own recovery.
Laura Jones,
Trustee
Laura has 15 years’ experience of working within the third sector, building her expertise within health and social care policy, research, and strategic engagement. She is passionate about empowering individual voices, to implement change within public health, and prevent inequalities. Laura has lived experience of perinatal mental health, so it’s a topic close to her heart. She is based in Scotland with her wonderful daughter and partner and loves the great outdoors.
Catriona Watkin,
Trustee
Catriona is an expert in communications and is deeply committed to supporting families facing perinatal mental health concerns. As a mother of two children, she understands firsthand the challenges associated with this, which fuels her passion to spread awareness. Through her work, Catriona aims to empower parents and families with knowledge, reminding them that they are not alone and that support is accessible through PANDAS.
Charlotte Eisenhart,
Trustee
Charlotte has an extensive career in local government and organisations with social purpose. She has managed a range of national initiatives aimed at empowering local people or organisations to make a change for their communities. After the birth of her son, and seeing the experiences of friends, she developed an interest in perinatal mental health, first as a volunteer for PANDAS and now as a Trustee.
Augusta Sharp,
Trustee
Augusta is a mum of three children, has over 12 years experience working in the media and entertainment industry, and loves spending as much time as possible outdoors with her family. As a mum of young kids, Augusta is surrounded by parents and carers who are navigating the parenthood journey, and has experience of perinatal mental illness through her close network. She is passionate about ensuring everyone is aware of, and has access to the support and guidance offered by PANDAS.
Arabella Warden,
Trustee
Arabella has over 12 years’ experience chairing trustee boards for multiple charities. She has worked with both UK and international organisations, and is an expert in many fields. Arabella, who has lived experience of mental health, works with the teams to drive PANDAS to achieve its full potential and be sustainable.
Edwina Tate,
Trustee
Edwina is a mother, and a highly experienced professional in the areas of communications, strategy and engagement. With a background working in large UK-based organisations, Edwina is a professional within her field. She is passionate and driven, and provides support and advice on all aspects of strategy and vision for PANDAS.
How we can support you
How you can help us
