Meet the Team

  • Sian qualified as a barrister in Ireland in 2008 where she practised at the Bar of Ireland for 10 years specialising in family and criminal law. Sian then moved into financial regulation, working as a senior enforcement lawyer in the Irish financial regulator for a number of years before moving into corporate practice.

    Sian moved to Jersey from Ireland last year to take up a senior counsel position in Walkers' regulatory and risk advisory team, where she specialises in all aspects of financial regulation. Sian was chair of the board of directors of NASC (Irish for Link), a Migrant and Refugee Rights Centre in Ireland for five years, where she thoroughly enjoyed progressing the development of the centre and advocating for migrant and refugee rights. Sian is delighted to join the FREEDA committee and endeavours to use both her prior board and legal experience to support the invaluable work that it undertakes for Jersey women and girls, and the wider community.

  • Judy has had a successful career working in Operations, HR & Compliance in different industries over many years.

    Having joined Freeda at the point of rebrand from JWR, Judy has been involved in raising Freeda’s profile with partnerships and events in the community. Her work at Freeda ensures the practicalities of the charity are maintained. Judy relishes her move to the charity sector and is proud to be a part of Freeda’s mission.

  • Lisa joined the Committee in April 2023 as its Secretary.

    Her career started in the Job Centre as an Employment Adviser. She joined the States Greffe in 2000 as a Committee Clerk, becoming Assistant Greffier in 2008 and initiating public engagement projects including school debates in the States Chamber and leading on election matters, creating a dedicated website (vote.je). Lisa became Deputy Greffier in 2014 and steered through electoral reforms and worked to increase the diversity of the Assembly, including greater female representation.

    Becoming Greffier in 2022, she introduced a Wellness Strategy for staff (with emphasis on supporting those with parental or caring responsibilities) and coaching and counselling for States Members. She is Executive Officer for the States Complaints Panel, helping the public with complaints about public sector administration. Lisa is proud to support FREEDA in its work and is committed to championing women to achieve their full potential.

Alison Finn

  • Alison joined the Freeda committee in August 2023.

    Alison is an ACCA Certified Accountant who worked for Ladbrokes for 10 years before moving into finance and studying for her accountancy qualification. After 20 years in finance she moved to her current role as Manager, Finance & Administration at the Channel Islands Financial Ombudsman in 2019.

    Alison was grateful to be offered the chance to serve FREEDA and give back to her community.

Lisa Leventhal

  • Lisa joined the Committee of Freeda in January 2022. Lisa is an English Solicitor (NP) and as well as founding and running a regulated business in the Finance Sector, became Freeda’s founding CEO in February 2023. Lisa completed her CEO tenure in May 2024 and wishes to remain close to ensuring that women and children are protected against domestic abuse as well as seeking to work towards a seismic change in our Island community.

    Lisa is honoured and humbled to remain a steadfast friend to women and children in our community by serving on Freeda’s committee.

Natalie Clare

  • Natalie joined the Committee of Freeda in August 2022. 

    As well as founding and running her own consultancy business, Natalie has a wealth of strategic and operational HR experience which she has gained over 25 years working within finance, retail, consulting and construction sectors.   She is also an executive, wellbeing and professional coach and has tutored for the Chartered Management Institute.

    Natalie is passionate about supporting, developing and empowering women both personally and professionally and is deeply committed to the cause of FREEDA.  She considers it an honour and privilege to serve on the committee.

Christine Blackwood

  • Christine joined Freeda in October 2019 when it was still Jersey Women’s Refuge. She retired from full time employment in June 2019 having worked in professional and care regulation in Jersey for over 20 years, most recently as head of department. She was the policy officer responsible for developing the the legislation governing the regulation and inspection of health and social care services in Jersey and updating professional registration legislation. She has extensive knowledge and experience of governance, regulation and professional standards. She is a qualified nurse and psychology graduate.

    Christine is committed to high standards of person centred support for women and children experiencing domestic abuse and wider prevention work through education and awareness raising.

Ben Robins

  • Ben joined the Freeda Committee as Chair in 2019, stepping down, but remaining a Committee member) in December 2022. Ben is a qualified solicitor, originally qualifying as an English solicitor in 1996 and subsequently as a Jersey solicitor and member of the Jersey Law Society in 200. In 2002 Ben became a partner at Mourant Ozanne, focusing his professional legal practice on investment funds and finace work.

    Ben is a former Chairman of the Jersey Funds Association.

    Inspired by his parents’ charitable work, Ben joined Freeda to support the invaluable work it undertakes to protect Jersey women and families who are victims of domestic abuse and violence.

Edward Lewis

  • Edward is currently Head of Programme for Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA), the Island’s official aid agency, where he oversees its multi-million-pound development and humanitarian portfolios. Prior to his role at JOA he lived and worked in the Middle East and Africa, contributing to cultural, media and development initiatives for international organisations including the United Nations and European Union. He holds a BA in Archaeology and an MA in Egyptology and worked in the Library of Alexandria for several years. Edward has reported across the Middle East for local and international media outlets including BBC Radio 4’s From our Own Correspondent as well as The Guardian, Monocle, Royal Geographical Society and GQ.

    Edward joined the Committee in August 2023 and is committed to engaging and educating men and boys around issues of domestic abuse.

Julie Mesny

  • Julie retired in March 2022 from Health and Community Services (Jersey) after 41 years of service having worked across several departments both in the hospital and in the community. Julie was head of the higher education and training department for nurses and midwives for 18 years and was a member of the Council of Deans of Health representing Jersey at a national level for many years.

    Julie joined the committee in February 2023 and has since supported Freeda in a variety of roles e.g. attending fund raising events, quality assurance reviews within the safehouse and assisting with the recruitment of new staff both permanent and bank staff posts. Julie is using her time in retirement to support Freeda deliver on its planned strategy of ensuring all those who need support from Freeda feel safe and empowered.