Premila Puri - Founder 

Entrepreneur and film producer, Premila Puri was passionate about starting a movement based on kindness and education, inspired by her personal experience of being bullied in school, which led to the  launch of the Be Kind Movement charity in May 2015. Premila created the Kindness in School Programme™ underpinned by 10 kindness values and emotional intelligence during the pandemic in 2020, following a successful pilot in two schools in London. She is passionate about ensuring that kindness finds a place in the educational environment and that emotional intelligence is just as highly valued as academic excellence. ,

Fun fact: Premila made a film on a spider but is afraid of spiders!

Shavy Makh - Co-founder

Shavy’s passion for helping people coupled with his love of science led him into the scientific field which allowed him to research how diseases work and to develop drugs to help people. Shavy graduated as a Biochemist and spent time working in academia where he obtained a further degree in Cell Biology, before transitioning into the pharmaceutical industry where he currently manages global clinical trials.

Fun Fact: Shavy’s encounter with a teenie weenie spider inspired the short film called ITSY which was the catalyst to the Kindness in School Programme™. 

Shona has 30 years’ experience as an educator, initially in the UK and thereafter in the field of international and bilingual education, most recently as Principal of the Middle School, International School of Geneva. She is also a certified female leadership and empowerment coach, and a qualified mindfulness teacher. Passionate about integrating social emotional learning and wellbeing practices within both school curriculum and institutional culture, she brings her experience and enthusiasm to support the mission of Be Kind Movement. 

Fun fact: She has lived in 7 countries and lost count of how many different homes. Her mantras are: “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world” (Nelson Mandela) and “If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be” (Maya Angelou).

Sara Sherrard

Sara brings her broad experience from many years of working within the third sector to the Be Kind Movement team. As Executive Director, she successfully steered an educational charity through the Pandemic, emerging on the other side having increased both its fundraising capabilities and the wider community's appreciation of the charity. Following her mother's accidental death at a train station in 2018, Sara has been working closely with Rail industry leaders, successfully campaigning for a change in culture, policy and procedure toward rail passenger safety.  

Fun fact: Sara is best known as ‘Sunshine Sara’ as a volunteer leader within Girlguiding! She firmly believes in ensuring that the next generation develops an intrinsic appreciation of the need for kindness. Something she has instilled in a generation of her Rainbow Guides.

Jacqui Thomasen 

Jacqui has worked in Higher Education for over fifteen years, specialising in external engagement in all its forms - from reputation enhancement, international alumni and student engagement, marketing and communications, industry partnerships and income diversification.

Currently working as Director of Operations for the Co-operative College, Jacqui continues to work for social justice through international collaboration which places learning at the heart of communities and workplaces. She brings her collaborative spirit to Be Kind Movement developing a range of partnerships with like-minded organisations who want to nurture future generations of emotionally intelligent children.

Fun Fact: Jacqui Likes to practise the ancient art of hedge-bothering, looking to our native wild plants for food, medicine and craft materials.

Stuart Kelsey - Treasurer

Mental health is a cause close to Stuart’s heart and so he has joined Be Kind Movement to help with the education of future generations on being kind to themselves and others, hoping this will improve the overall mental health of society going forward. He is currently an accountant for a property company based in the West End of London and joins the Board as a Treasurer.

Fun Fact: Stuart is an avid Rugby and Football fan and supports Liverpool FC.

Lisa Ardley-Price 

Lisa is a solicitor by profession and has over 15 years working in the financial services industry. As the Global Co-Chair for NatWest’s Gender Network, she is a champion for diversity, equity and inclusion who promotes the benefits of a diverse and inclusive workplace and advocates for equitable changes that will enable everyone to reach their full potential. Lisa is also a certified coach and volunteers mentoring and coaching hours to young people and entrepreneurs, particularly those from underrepresented groups, to develop the self-confidence and mindset required to identify their purpose, banish limiting beliefs and set and achieve ambitious goals.

Fun fact: Lisa is also passionate about fitness and wellbeing, when she’s not in the office she can be found in the yoga studio teaching or practising or on the road marathon training - she’s completed over 30! 

Stephanie Tumba - Kindness Ambassador

Stéphanie is dedicated to championing the well-being of children and empowering women. With a strong commitment to mental health education and combating issues such as trafficking, rape, and domestic violence, Stephanie advocates for the rights and empowerment of individuals, particularly children and women. Her passion lies in supporting and nurturing the next generation, believing in the transformative power of kindness and empathy to create a more compassionate society.

In addition to her advocacy work, Stephanie is an accomplished investor, leveraging her expertise to assist businesses in building their brand through strategic marketing initiatives. Balancing her professional pursuits with her commitment to philanthropy, Stephanie embodies a holistic approach to life, where both personal and professional endeavours align with her values.

Fun Fact: Stephanie takes pride in her role as the eldest sister in a family of six, nurturing her innate desire to support, uplift, and empower others from a young age.