Trustees & Ambassadors

Shalita Davda – Trustee (Accountancy & Change Management)

Shalita is a mum and a qualified accountant (FCCA) of nearly 30yrs. Shalita started her career with a top 20 firm and moved to commerce and industry. She decided to become a seasoned contractor after having her older daughter in 2000 and has loved all the opportunities she’s had - from learning how to communicate with a variety of different people, the culture and systems. Shalita has had the pleasure of working out in the Middle East, and has worked for various organisations including retail, charities, education and private equity. Shalita’s achievements include upskilling team members, delivering projects with tight deadlines and communicating key information to stakeholders in unforeseen circumstances as well as saving money but also bringing in funds to businesses.  Shalita enjoys travelling, cooking and staying fit, as well as eating out, trying new places and food, and spending time playing cards with her family. Shalita has been volunteering as a consultant for MAI for a number of years before joining the board.

Jack Steadman – Trustee (Digital & Campaigns)

Jack is Campaign Director & Campaign Lead EMEA at Purpose. With over ten years of experience in communications, campaigns, and digital engagement, Jack leads on designing and executing campaigns that harness people power to create sustainable, systemic change. Prior to joining Purpose, Jack was Head of Digital & Campaigns at Freedom from Torture, where he led a team of campaigners to win several high-profile campaigns, including forcing airlines to back out of the UK’s plan to fly refugees to Rwanda. As a consultant, Jack has advised a number of international NGOs in their campaign strategies and coached teams from around the world. He is also currently a trustee of Safe Passage International.  Jack’s journey in campaigns started when he left his job as a digital editor in the UK to go to Calais – and stayed for over a year. He was a founding Calais volunteer and Head of Digital at Choose Love, leading on the digital delivery of the ‘Choose Love’ online store. In his spare time, Jack enjoys cooking vegan food, playing along to music from around the world, and watching his beloved Crystal Palace FC.

Dr Daniel Diaz Vera – Trustee (Chair)

Daniel specialises in organisational psychology with a masters in Community Psychology and Organisational Change, and a Phd on Non-profit Organisations. He is Assistant Professor at the School of Business, Universidad Adolfo Ibañez, in Chile. He is also a fantastic photographer and many of his images are on our website.

Photo Credit: Martin Fuentes

Bob Beardon – Trustee (Human Resources)

Bob Beardon (Chartered Fellow CIPD, Post Grad Diploma in People Management) has held a long and successful career in Human Resources in a variety of sectors. Most recently Bob has been proud to have worked within charities and not-for-profit organisations including Prostate Cancer, Water Aid and Freedom from Torture. Roles have included leading generalist HR teams as well as holding more specialist roles in training, employee engagement and communications. Outside of work Bob is a grandfather of three children and lives in East London enjoying the diverse culture the city has to offer as well as exploring its history.

“This is my first trustee role and feel privileged to have this opportunity to support the dedicated team creating life-changing music programmes with survivors of war, torture and persecution.”

Sepideh Amiri – Trustee (Treasurer)

Sepideh is a member of Stone Flowers and has been making music with us since 2011. She has also delivered creative sessions for kids in our Harmonise Programme. Sepideh is a qualified accountant and we are delighted to welcome her to our Board of Trustees as our treasurer with valuable experience and insights to our board and programmes.

Ivana Gavrić – Ambassador

Orignally from Bosnia-Hercegovina, international concert pianist and recording artist Ivana Gavrić performs on the major UK concert platforms, including Wigmore Hall, Royal Albert Hall and Royal Festival Hall as well as across Europe, USA, Canada, Japan and Russia.

“Music has the wonderful power to transcend divisions of language, cultures and age, and can help bring people together, particularly in broken communities. Music gave me great comfort, escape, hope and a sense of direction when I was forced to flee Sarajevo as a child. I firmly believe in the importance of the work Music Action International carry out, in Bosnia Herzegovina, and elsewhere across the world, and I am honoured to be their Ambassador.”

Harry Christophers – Ambassador

Harry Christophers is known internationally as founder and conductor of The Sixteen Choir and Orchestra, as well as a regular guest conductor for many of the major symphony orchestras and opera companies worldwide. He has directed The Sixteen throughout Europe, America and the Far East gaining a distinguished reputation for his work in Renaissance, Baroque and 20th-century music.

“Music can add a semblance of sanity to a world that is full of conflict. I firmly believe that it teaches us to love not hate, to be humble rather than arrogant, and to build not destroy. I believe in the importance and the need of the work of Music Action International and am incredibly proud to become their musical ambassador. I urge you to support this wonderful charity.”

Jean Paul Samputu – Ambassador and Music Facilitator

Jean Paul Samputu is a singer, songwriter, and musician from Rwanda. He has established himself as one of the most prominent African artists on the world stage. Having survived the Rwanda Genocide of 1994, Jean Paul went on to win the prestigious Kora Award (the “African Grammy”) for Best African Traditional Artist in 2003, as well as numerous international awards, including the Calabash of Peace. Jean Paul travels the world as a cultural ambassador for Rwanda, bringing traditional African singing, dancing, and drumming, and most importantly, a message of peace, hope, and reconciliation. He also continues his efforts to educate young people about genocide through panel discussions and forums at colleges and universities.