Colette Harrison

Colette oversees Community Foundation’s sector support work, including Trustee and Skills Match; inspiring new voices in decision-making and connecting organisations with pro bono expertise. In 2023, Colette was named by Charity Times as one of 12 women in the UK making an impact in the charity sector, in recognitions of empowering equity, diversity and inclusion in governance.

Colette began her career as Manager of Student Community Action at Durham University, before coordinating young people’s volunteering more broadly in County Durham. Colette then managed a consortium of arts venues in Newcastle to nurture employability skills through volunteering and inspire new audiences.

As a consultant, Colette has designed volunteering initiatives locally, carried out research for Cabinet Office and delivered keynote speeches in Finland to share fresh thinking on EDI.

Colette has held chairing roles throughout her career, including with Fertile Ground, Youth Action Network and National Council for Voluntary Youth Services. Colette is currently Chair of Fagus Anstruther Memorial Trust, a small charity empowering young people to connect with arts and education.