Meet our staff

Gabriella Smithson, President and Founder
Gabriella started Empower in 2014 and works with a committed group of people in the hope of bringing change to women and girls in Sub-Saharan Africa.

After completing her degree in BA Geography at Northumbria University, Newcastle, she decided to venture onto a 6 month volunteering programme to help build schools in Ghana and Tanzania. What struck Gabriella the most, was the lack of girls in the schools she visited whilst she was there and she was determined to find out more.

Speaking to different people in the communities she visited and stayed in, she found that the lack of clean, safe water was a huge factor in the reason why so many girls have to drop out of school, due to poor sanitation facilities as well as the responsibility of obtaining water for their household.

On her return to the UK, Gabriella couldn’t stop thinking about the inequality, unfairness and injustice of this crisis. This was when Empower was born.

In her spare time, Gabriella loves to read, hang out with friends and practise yoga.

Matt Jones, Outreach and Fundraising

Matt works with fundraisers and supporters like you to connect you with the stories of the people we serve and is committed to giving young girls the opportunity to get an education and live their very best life.

Matt’s commitment to fundraising came after a number of amazing marathon efforts, where he ran 8 full marathons in 6 months and raised over £10,000 for charity at the age of 17. 5 years late, and he joined Empower at the very start and is extremely passionate about his work.

When he isn’t working (or running marathons), he loves to watch football and travel.

Hannah Prince, Strategy and Development

Hannah has been working within the water sector for over 10 years and is our most experienced member of staff. Hannah spends her time asking hard questions of water programs to improve why/how we do what we do, helping to co-craft responsible programs and linking major investors with purpose and meaning through their giving.

Hannah loves to take long walks with her two chocolate Labradors in her spare time…and eat lots of cake afterwards as a reward.

Jonas Big, Development Associate

Jonas’s main responsibility is making sure every donation is well cared for on its way to providing clean, safe water to African communities. He helps keep things flowing super smoothly!

Jonas’ background in marketing, non-profit development and internet technologies have helped Empower to grow rapidly through grass-roots fundraising campaigns around the world.

Jonas’ main enjoyment in life is spending time with his wife Lisa, and three children, Bonny, Fig and Luca.