Jessica Raby
What I bring to the Advisory Board:
I bring the ability and desire to challenge and stretch The Quest to be the best it can be. Having run my own business for 10 years I understand the challenges and opportunities this brings.
I work as an Executive Coach (ICF PCC), Coach Supervisor and Facilitator with senior executives, board members and future talent in UK, European and Global roles. I also work with teams to improve performance, leadership agility and resilience. Previously, I worked as a business analyst and external consultant for companies such as Accenture, Macmillan Publishing and Deutsche Bank. I have a Master’s in ergonomics, incorporating individual and organisational psychology.
Why being on the board is important to me:
I have seen Ade and Darren turn their vision of The Quest into a thriving and growing community and want to support them to take this further. In 2012, I attended the book launch of ‘Love Me As I AM” at Foyles, and was touched by the stories shared, and frustrated that these stories were still continuing. Being on the board is part of my action to help this change. I passionately believe in Diversity and that everyone has the right to find their place in the world.
Ben Sargent
What I bring to the Advisory board:
I am a Chartered Accountant with 10 years experience working in practice for the accounting firm, PwC. I have extensive experience of a range of organisations through delivering financial and controls audits, predominantly in the retail and consumer sector. Currently, I coordinate the people engagement agenda at PwC, am a coach and facilitator of leadership programmes and am developing a programme to improve team effectiveness.
Key skills that I bring to the Quest include: deep financial knowledge including accounting and financial processes and controls, analytical and creative thinker to aid strategic planning, strong facilitation and coaching skills. I live in Hampshire with my partner Richard.
Why being on the board is important to me:
I was introduced to The Quest through a short term PwC volunteering programme . Immediately, I was impressed with the work that the Quest does to help gay men navigate today’s complex world. Meeting Darren and Ade coincided with me having gone through a period of deep self exploration around ‘worth’ and ‘purpose’. One of the things I recognised in my self was a deep desire to give something back rather than merely consuming for personal gain.
The work with Darren and Ade became frequent monthly meetings, working with them in developing the Quest’s strategy and financial model and providing me with an outlet to help others. I was delighted when they asked me to join the Advisory Board and look forward to helping the Quest on their journey over the next 2 years.
Richard Jones
What I bring to the Advisory Board:
I’ve been working within the field mental health and addictions for around 15 years. I originally trained as a nurse, and later specialised in mental health nursing. I took a few years out of clinical practice and became an academic. I lectured at a large London university, and worked on a specialist research project for an NHS Foundation Trust. I have since returned to clinical practice having trained as a cognitive behaviour therapist, and an independent prescriber. My current role is as the clinical director for an NHS service for doctors and dentists with mental health or addiction problems.
I hope to be able to use my clinical, therapeutic, and research experience to help the quest move forward in its ambition to assist as many gay men as possible to achieve their goals.
Why being on the board is important to me:
Before I joined the board, I too ran a group for gay men helping them overcome their shame and live better lives. When I heard about the work that The Quest do, I signed up for one of their weekend workshops. I was most impressed with the content and organisation of the course, and wanted to help in any way I could.
I strongly believe that we, as gay men, have a massive contribution to make towards a happier and healthier society, and being on the board is one of many ways that I want to help make this a reality.
Andrew Stephens
What I bring to the Advisory board:
I have been a gay community activist since I came out in the late 70s – through involvement in the discussion groups and social events which led to the establishment of Gay’s the Word, Gay Workshops – in some ways a forerunner of The Quest – and Outcast theatre company.
In the mid-80s I was a founder member of the First Out coffee shop co-operative, before joining LB Camden as Gay Men’s Outreach Worker, the start of a 25 year career in local government – always as an out senior manager. I also spent 5 enjoyable years as a volunteer for The Food Chain.
I bring this experience of community activism, as well as the organisational knowledge and skills developed in my later career, to an organisation – of gay men for gay men – which not only helps individuals to deal with the personal impact of going up in a homophobic society – but which is also trying to create and sustain a sense of community.
Why being on the board is important to me:
The world is changing in many ways for the better for gay men, and I am proud of the part my generation played – within the LGBT movement – in helping this to happen. But there is still a lot to be done – for us, for this new generation and for those that follow – and of course internationally. The Quest is playing an important role in this, and I want to do as much as I can to support its valuable work.
Michael Mohanty (Secretrary)