MEET THE TEAM
All our staff have completed safeguarding training and had a DBS check. Find out more about BGF safeguarding here.
Roy Kareem
Programme Director
Roy (he/him) has been the Director of Bright Green Future since it began in 2016, and is based at the Centre for Sustainable Energy in Bristol. He is an alumni of the Black and Green Ambassadors for Bristol programme and the creator of ParkLives podcast series.
Roy is a qualified teacher and Forest School Leader. He currently serves as a Trustee for the Bristol and Bath Park Foundation and is on the board of Bristol City Council's One City Environment Board. Roy is also a trained coach, with a focus on mentoring young environmental activists from around the world.
Roy has a Masters in Environment, Science and Society from University College London.
Maya Parmar
Alumni mentor
Maya (she/her) is an Accountancy student who took part in BGF in 2019. She is also a maths mentor and she is great at creating a safe and comfortable environment for her mentees. Maya loves to guide her mentees to develop their skills and further their success, whether that's in maths, sport or personal growth.
Maya says, "I love being a BGF mentor because it's really rewarding to get a chance to help others have an amazing experience like I did when I was a part of the program!"
Taryn Everdeen
Alumni mentor
Taryn (she/her) completed BGF in 2019. She currently lives in Paris where she studies photo /video, with a focus on documentary cinema. She also loves music and organises monthly concerts for emerging artists, as well as sometimes performing herself! Taryn is really excited about the role the arts can play in building a sustainable future.
Taryn says, "As an alumni mentor, I love that I get to share my passion for the environment and support other young people on their own sustainability journeys. The mentors made a big impact on me when I went through the programme and it's a real privilege to be in that role myself now."
Dannan White
Alumni Facilitator
Dannan (she/her) completed BGF in 2019 and recently graduated university with a degree in History and English. She currently works in an art gallery and is interested in the complicated world of sustainability in fashion and the arts.
Dannan says, "As alumni facilitator I get to help grow alumni confidence, community, and access to a range of further opportunities, all of which made the programme so valuable to me several years ago."
Kate Elliott-Rudder
BGF staff
Kate (she/her) runs workshops at the Residential and Graduation Day and is a group mentor. She's often behind-the-scenes organising events, managing recruitment and social media, and generally making sure everyone gets to the right place.
Kate has previously worked in youth work and as a campaign organiser with the Australian Youth Climate Coalition. Before joining BGF, Kate was a researcher on an Australian governmental review into mental health.
She has a degree in Politics and International Relations from the University of Wollongong, Australia. Kate also holds a Level 3 Paediatric First Aid qualification.
Lydia Havill
BGF staff
Lydia (she/her) joined the BGF team in 2023 and supports at the Residential and Graduation Day. She loves seeing young leaders grow and thrive while helping everything run smoothly in the background.
Before joining BGF, Lydia taught in primary schools in Bristol and London. Lydia has a BA in English Literature from King’s College London and a Teach First PGCE from Canterbury Christ Church University.