OUR TEAM
URP (LEEDS) director and board members are not related and not living at the same address. All members are coming together as a result of the project. They are part of the project because all believe in the mission and passionate to support refugees and other migrants.
Kidist Teklemariam
Director
Kidist Teklemariam (MSc) is a refugee who passed through the asylum process. Experienced in working with community and disadvantage groups in Ethiopia and also here in the UK. Researched and piloted this project as a Live commercial project at Leeds Beckett University and graduated with distinction. This project is a result of two years hard work and commitment. The purpose of this project is to give direction and all available support for refugees so that their latent skill and knowledge could be leveraged.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kidist-a-teklemariam-msc-5b0933179/
Dr Kunamaneni Suneel
Board Member
Dr. Suneel Kunamaneni, Senior Lecturer in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Leeds Business School,UK
Suneel Kunamaneni stands at the forefront of sustainability and inclusivity trend: packaging, agri-food and social care. He has spent the past five years supporting social and eco innovation and entrepreneurship through his various teaching, mentoring, research and consultancy activities.
Suneel drives innovation ecosystems for developing and diffusing ideas and solutions to address pressing socio-environmental problems. A calculated risk taker, Suneel has championed commercialisation of eco technologies with both MNCs and early stage ventures, and has built a reputation for developing new business strategies and incubating new business models that minimise the impact on the environment. In his current role as an academic, Suneel has also fed his insatiable interest in inclusive growth and sustainable innovation. His research shows that current growth based business models cannot solve issues surrounding the environment, and affordable access to food and well-being. Suneel encourages various student ventures that address pressing
societal problems requiring fundamental structural changes.
Nigel Greenwood
Board Member
Nigel Greenwood, who was previously head of loyalty at Lloyds TSB and now runs simply customer https://www.simplycustomer.co.uk/.
Nigel has been providing this social venture a free advice on customer journey mapping and a mentor for all its activities. His accumulated business and local experience is a plus for this venture success. He is happy to be part of the project mission and will give direction and mentor the business.
Sue Smallwood
Board Member
Sue Smallwood is Company Director at Broadleaf Estates Ltd. suesmallwood@hotmail.co.uk. Skilled in Landscaping, Entrepreneurship, Gardening, Real Estate Transactions, and Construction. Strong business development professional with a Master’s degree focused in Entrepreneurship and Business Development from Leeds Beckett University. Ms Sue is very passionate to support people and happy to oversee the business and advise form accumulated experience.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-smallwood-45031941/
Selam Nigussie
Board Member
Selam Nigussie is a young and passionate woman about supporting refugees and who did her undergraduate dissertation on ‘personality and refugee perception’. Her experience as an assistant ESOL tutor at Bradford College and as being brand Ambassador for Tommy Hilfiger will support the venture. She is now being accepted at Leeds University to do her Masters. Miss Selam has also passed through the asylum process with her parents and very dedicated to support refugees and other migrants who got asylum history. As a young leader she will play a great role as board member.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/selame-n-060635178/