2022
Sponsored by Faithful + Gould
LIFELONG INSPIRATION
WINNER : DIANE WILLIAMSON
She fell into her charity sector career through “ adverse circumstances ” – but Diane Williamson says she has no regrets at following the path she chose .
Manager of the Teesside Charity – formerly Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation – Diane admits she was “ astounded ” to win the award .
And explaining how she entered the charity sector , Diane said : “ It ’ s a career I fell into through adverse circumstances , but it ’ s probably been the best thing in that respect .
“ My youngest stepdaughter had cancer when she was aged 14 and we fundraised as a family . Then I got a part-time job doing fundraising . Then I just moved through a couple of different charities but not many – I ’ m quite loyal to who I work for .”
But what drives her on ? “ I ’ m quite fortunate – I had a lovely childhood , fantastic family . I wasn ’ t privileged but I didn ’ t want for anything .
“ I had love , warmth , care , support , but so many people out there don ’ t have that , so it ’ s great to be able to be the facilitator to make that happen and encourage people to give to help those who have not .”
She ’ s worked with the Teesside Charity since 2014 – but Diane says all local charities deserve support .
And she believes there are few places as generous as Teesside .
She said : “ There are such generous people out there and probably the people who have the least are the most generous .
“ I ’ ll keep on doing it until I can ’ t do it any more . I love it – it ’ s the best job I ’ ve ever had .”
Legend – The Teesside Charity manager Diane Williamson ( left ) receives the Lifelong Inspiration award from Faithful + Gould regional director Kathryn Gardner .
FINALIST : FINALIST :
Brenda McLeish OBE DL
Chief executive officer of national training provider Learning Curve Group , Brenda is passionate about raising aspirations in the area in which she grew up and where many of her staff are based , which can be seen through her membership of various boards and steering groups , such as the board of the Tees Valley Local Enterprise Partnership . All of Brenda ’ s work centres around her dedication to transforming lives through learning which , in turn , has given more than a million people across the country access to Learning Curve ’ s innovative training and education programmes , helping them gain skills to benefit their careers and personal lives .
Katrina Morley
CEO of Tees Valley Education , Katrina Morley has been influencing lives and changing futures for nearly three decades .
More than an educator , Katrina is devoted to inclusion and equality , transforming lives and addressing disadvantage .
Dedicated to equality and providing young people with opportunities towards future prosperity and success , her work is respected nationally , putting Tees Valley on the map for innovation and quality education , and proving that despite the hand many are dealt , with appropriate resources , collective vision , action and support , anything can be achieved .
A true inspiration , she breathes life into our region and those who will define its future .
SPONSOR ’ S MESSAGE
Kathryn Gardner , regional director , Faithful + Gould , said : “ Faithful + Gould were proud once again to sponsor this award – and the judging doesn ’ t get any easier ! Each year we receive more and more stories of the amazing women in Teesside , and every one of them really are inspirational . Diane is such a humble but very deserving winner of this award .”