Introducing Our New Trustees - Ayoni

Introducing Our Trustees

Over the past 11 years, Abianda has built a strong reputation for amplifying girls’ and young women’s voices and influencing systems to work better for them.

As we look to the future and deliver on our three-year strategic plan, we’re thrilled to introduce the incredible people helping to guide that vision - our Board of Trustees.

Each trustee brings unique experience, passion, and leadership to Abianda’s work. Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing their stories - what drives them, how they’ll help shape our direction, and why they believe in Abianda’s mission.

As we welcome new Trustees to the Abianda Board, we have said goodbye to three incredible members of our trustee team over the past year. We thank Pippa Goodfellow, Janice Altenor and Naomi King for their incredible service and the time they dedicated to Abianda through their tenures. We wish them every luck in their future personal and professional endeavours.

Meet Ayoni Williams - Trustee & Board Secretary at Abianda

We’re pleased to introduce Ayoni Williams, one of Abianda’s newest trustees and our Board Secretary - a passionate advocate for equity, inclusion, and ethical leadership who brings both rigour and heart to everything she does.

From a young age, Ayoni has been driven by a deep commitment to improving the lives of marginalised people, particularly women and girls. Her journey began with an internship at FORWARD (Foundation for Women’s Health, Research and Development), where she saw first-hand the urgent need to tackle violence and inequality. Later, through her work with the Bounce Back Project, supporting ex-offenders into employment, she witnessed the transformative impact of community-led, compassionate approaches to change.

“Abianda’s commitment to supporting young women and girls resonates deeply with my core values. The chance to contribute my skills to an organisation that truly centres their voices felt like a natural next step.”

A highly-skilled HR professional specialising in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Ayoni brings over a decade of experience in governance, people management, and organisational development. With an MSc in International Human Resource Management and a BA in Social Policy, she combines technical expertise with a sharp understanding of social justice, ensuring that ethical practice and belonging are at the heart of every system she shapes.

In her role as Board Secretary, Ayoni supports both the strategic and operational integrity of our governance processes - from coordinating meetings and board papers to ensuring our decision-making remains transparent, inclusive, and aligned with Abianda’s mission. Her approach to governance is rooted in equity, fairness, and accountability, reflecting Abianda’s own culture and values.

But Ayoni’s influence goes far beyond governance. She brings an invaluable people and HR lens, ensuring that ethical practice underpins how we operate internally and that a breadth of perspectives are heard and valued across the organisation. Her work exemplifies what it means to lead with integrity - creating conditions where everyone, from staff to trustees to the young women we work with, feels seen, respected, and empowered.

Having completed the Getting on Board Charity Board Leadership Programme, which supports leaders from underrepresented groups to excel in governance roles, Ayoni continues to champion representation and learning at every level. Her diligence, insight, and quiet determination make her both a trusted advisor and a compassionate challenger, helping Abianda grow stronger, smarter, and more values-driven every day.

“I hope Abianda continues to be a powerful force for change — creating pathways to brighter futures for girls and young women. By keeping our governance strong and values-driven, we can ensure lasting impact.”

Outside of her professional life, Ayoni channels her energy into running and fitness, bringing the same focus and drive to her personal passions that she brings to her work at Abianda.

We’re incredibly proud to have Ayoni’s expertise, rigour, and principled leadership on our board. Her contributions help ensure that Abianda not only maintains strong governance and ethical practice but continues to live its values of equity, belonging, and systemic change in everything we do.