Meet our team

Get to know us

Cam Kinsella

Aster Foundation director

As Director of the Aster Foundation, Cam is responsible for running the charity and delivering its mission ‘to enable better lives through combatting poverty.’ Cam leads the teams responsible for delivering services and support across employment, mental wellness and social connectivity, financial inclusivity; as well as the income generation and fundraising team and volunteering program. Cam is the Founder of inc. which is the first social incubator in the social housing sector which aims to build businesses to change the world and this a key enabler to delivering the Aster Foundation's strategy.

Cam is a disrupter in the community investment space and specialist in finding creative solutions to social challenges through partnership. Cam uses her expertise in these areas alongside her personal life experiences (which you can read more about through her blog) through her role as Aster Foundation Director.

Before joining Aster, Cam focussed on her passion for inclusion by working across the social housing sector supporting organisations to become leaders in the field of diversity and inclusion; most recently helping Merlin Housing to become one of the top five most inclusive companies in the UK. She has volunteered as a diversity advisor to Merseyside Police and due to her passion for communities and removing inequalities, been awarded many diversity accolades such as the Unsung hero award in the Excellence in Diversity awards.

Cam is a proud mum to Robyn (a wild toddler) and Jack (a lover of trees and the environment) and in her spare time can mostly be found in her kitchen or garden.

Daran Bailey

Mental Wellness and Resilience Lead

Daran is our Wellness and Resilience Programme Lead. He is a Gold Standard Mental Health First Aid trainer, Psychotherapist, Resilience Practitioner, Mindfulness instructor, and Mental Wellbeing in The Workplace Coach who has multiple years of experience gained through commissioning mental health services with the NHS and through his private practice as a Psychotherapist.

His work has led to many achievements and awards, notably an award given at the House of Lords for his work with young people and improving mental wellbeing in the workplace. While working as a trainer/ instructor, Daran has trained more than 5,500 people and supported large corporations including the BBC, L.V Insurance, schools, and voluntary community organisations to make a real difference in the field of mental health and wellbeing.

Chris Bond

Social impact and Analytics Lead

Chris’ role as impact and analytics lead is to build an understanding of how the Foundation, and Aster as a whole, benefits colleagues, customers, and the wider community. Chris measures the impact Aster have in making a positive difference in people’s lives. He has a long background in business improvement, through Lean Six Sigma, and a desire to use his talents in behavioural and data analytics for the good of Aster’s community.

Paul Cody

Charity Income and Fundraising Manager

As the Charity Income and Fundraising Manager at Aster Foundation, Paul’s role is to generate income through various sources to support the Foundation’s transformative programs.

With a background in both fundraising and business development, his charity experience spans health and social care sectors as well as international aid, where he has played a role in securing funding and driving growth.

Outside of work, Paul is an avid outdoor enthusiast. He channels his passion for the outdoors into fundraising, having taken part in numerous sporting events to support charitable causes. Paul is passionate about empowering communities to thrive through mutual support and shared initiatives. His work is guided by a dedication to fostering positive change and enhancing the well-being of others.

Michelle Miller

Charitable Activity Lead

Michelle is focussed on driving volunteering initiatives and achieving charitable outcomes within our communities. With a coaching qualification, Michelle provides valuable support to individuals and businesses, helping them unlock their potential and navigate challenges.

She is also a trained Mental Health First Aider, equipped to offer immediate support and guidance in times of need.

Michelle has come to the Aster Foundation with background in children and families and housing, which she leverages to enhance her role within the charity. Her dedication to the organisation's mission is evident in her enthusiastic approach to working with people and fostering a collaborative environment.

Claire Ryan

Assistant Director - Income generation, fundraising and engagement

With a career rooted in frontline services, Claire embarked on a transformative journey through the health and social care sector. While pursuing a degree in Health and Social Care Management, she provided frontline care in palliative children's medicine. This experience underscored the remarkable achievements possible when services are beneficiary-centric and adequately funded. From that moment, Claire committed to ensuring that, regardless of the cause, she would always strive to do more.

Claire's career path led her into income generation, where she has successfully led fundraising, retail, and marketing communications teams. Academically, Claire pursued excellence by obtaining a Level 7 Strategic Management and Leadership qualification, culminating in being awarded Chartered Manager status.

The Aster Foundation had Claire hooked from the moment she first heard of its data-led and collaborative, innovative approach. Beyond her professional commitments, Claire serves as a trustee and volunteer mentor. Additionally, she dedicates her time to the Chartered Institute of Fundraising Yorkshire as a committee member, continuously seeking to give back and support the community.

Our Trustee board members

Amanda joins the Aster Foundation having championed the interests of consumers and service users for over 25 years. Amanda has worked at senior levels having served as a government appointee within the rail industry and also as a lay inspector for the Social Services Inspectorate. She has also previously served on the board of a housing association, becoming lead member for housing as well as equality and diversity champion.

Amanda’s other roles have included being a board member of the Environmental Protection Advisory Committee and as a National Independent Advisory Group member for the British Transport Police. Most pertinently, Amanda also brings her own lived experience to the role, having found safety and security within housing associations for the first time as a younger single mother.

Farhan has gained substantial experience of the corporate world through his roles with “big four”
accounting and consultancy firms. He is an entrepreneur with a focus on innovation and now runs his own business. He brings broad corporate experience and knowledge of business consultancy, accountancy and a great network which will be vital in the early days of the charity.

Clive has a great understanding of Aster Group and extensive finance industry experience and a solid understanding of the types of risk management and the funding which may be available to our charity. This an integral part of our income generation plan which enables us to run the charity and also deliver our impact programmes.

Mat’s strong background in corporate services with additional experience of innovation and start up
enterprises from higher education, will be of enormous value to our charity. He also brings strong accountancy and business skills, along with a full appreciation of the Aster Foundations aspirations following his continued voluntary involvement and support of areas such as Aster inc. (social incubator) to date.