Board & staff categories: Staff

Jenny Hodgson has been the Executive Director of the GFCF since it was established in 2006. She has overseen its emergence as the leading global voice on community philanthropy as a core strategy for people-led development and shifting power closer to the ground. Based variously in Uganda, Kenya, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, South Africa and the UK, Jenny has been involved in philanthropy development in emerging markets and developing contexts for the past two decades. She has a BA (Hons) in English from Emmanuel College, Cambridge and an MA in International Relations from Johns Hopkins School Advanced International Studies (SAIS).

She is a trustee of Comic Relief and the Mazi Project.

Born in Uganda, Eshban has built experience applying deep systems thinking to an evolving development context. His early career was in the private sector during which he built on private sector assets to advance social justice work and to extend opportunities. His philosophy on development is premised on the idea that the forces of development are too complex, subtle and insufficiently known to yield any simple and broad formulas.

He has published on agriculture, macro-financial policy, feminism, energy, and governance. Eshban has experience advising development organizations and governments on creative solutions to complex challenges.

Wendy joined the GFCF in January 2014. Prior to this she worked for the European Foundation Centre in Brussels (now Philea – Philanthropy Europe Association), for several years as the Chief Executive’s Personal Assistant and from 2011 onwards coordinating the Centre’s professional development work. Born in Canada, Wendy has a BA in English and history from the University of Western Ontario.

Kerry Soderlund joined the GFCF team as Finance Director in 2022. As an experienced Finance and Operations Director of a community foundation, Kerry offers insights and expertise in the financial, operational and governance management of public benefit organizations.

Kerry is qualified with a Bachelor of Accounting Science degree qualification as well as previous experience in auditing and management accounting.

Kerry aims to contribute her expertise to ensure that the GFCF has well managed, effective financial systems, manages and monitors risk, ensures there is statutory compliance and sound governance in place. Strong financial and governance systems in place evokes a confidence in the organizations’ abilities to be accountable to donors, grant partners and stakeholders.

Kerry’s first introduction to the GFCF and #ShiftThePower was attending the Global Summit on Community Philanthropy in Johannesburg in 2016. The event was a pivotal moment in changing the narrative of community philanthropy. Since then, as a practitioner in the community philanthropy sphere, especially working in the rural context of community philanthropy, Kerry has followed, participated in and advocated for the #ShiftThePower global movement.