Meet the ORT UK team!
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Dan Rickman
Chief Executive
Dan is the Chief Executive of ORT UK, responsible for overseeing the charity's fundraising strategy, as well as growing the national profile and presence. Dan was previously the Executive Director of Mitzvah Day and has worked for a number of Jewish organisations and charities throughout his career including Magen David Adom, Langdon and Jeneration. Inspired to engage with Jewish communities both at home and internationally, Dan continues to drive ORT UK to make an Impact through Education.
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Hayley Costa
Executive Assistant to the CEO
Hayley provides professional support to the CEO and plays a key role in supporting major donors and assisting with events. She has worked for a number of Jewish organisations and charities throughout her career, including The CST and Westminster Synagogue. She is very excited to be part of the ORT UK team.
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Mia Lyons
Programme Manager
Mia was the ORT JUMP coordinator from 2013-2018. The programme grew from 80 mentor and student partnerships to over 250 during this time and Mia also oversaw the introduction of 5 local community schools. After spending some time working on a Careers Education Programme for Y7-Y11, Mia is now working on the expansion of the ORT JUMP programme into three new community sectors. Mia began her career working in account management for a large advertising agency and went on to run her own fashion business.
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Anna Black
Programme Manager
Anna began her career journey as a corporate liaison manager for the Science Museum. More recently she has worked for Jewish charity Jnetics, while also fulfilling the role of governor at her daughters’ primary school. Anna hopes to continue the ORT JUMP Mentoring Programme’s success, giving students opportunities and insight into their potential future careers.
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Julie Cohen
ORT JUMP Employability Skills Programme Leader
Julie taught in Scotland for many years before moving to London in 2019 to join Yavneh Primary School. Eager to stay within the education field while exploring a new direction, in 2022 she joined the ORT JUMP team to help shape and grow their Employability Skills Programmes. Julie is enthusiastic about the opportunity to develop and expand these programmes while continuing to reach more students gain the skills required for their next steps beyond school.
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Karen Shooter
Creative Director
Karen joined the team in early 2023 as Creative Director, managing the development of all ORT UK brand collateral and heading up creative & operational support for all events, campaigns and projects. Karen has 30 years experience designing in publishing, branding, entertainment, events, hospitality and charities in both digital and print.
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Debbie Lightman
Communications and Marketing Manager
Debbie joined the team in 2017. Having spent a year as a fieldworker for the Union of Jewish Students in 2001, Debbie then pursued a career in journalism, working as a feature writer for a variety of national magazines. In 2013, Debbie began freelancing for the Jewish News supplements, which prompted a move back into the Jewish arena. At ORT UK, she runs the website and social media platforms, as well as managing press & publicity and hopes to continue raising the charity's profile.
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Natalie Lieberman
Finance and Database Manager
Natalie joined us in 2014 as maternity cover and has been with us ever since. She runs the office looking after all the finances and administration. She previously worked for CST and prior to that spent 17 years as an exhibition designer.
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Ivan Rozhanskiy
Trusts and Grants Fundraiser
Ivan joined ORT UK in July 2024, bringing over a decade of experience in the charity sector. An ORT Moscow alumni, Ivan has a background in supporting vulnerable communities, having led a charity foundation for adults with special needs in Russia before moving to Israel. There, he launched a successful informal educational project for teenage immigrants. Now based in London, Ivan focuses on securing vital funding for ORT’s programmes, continuing his mission to create impact through education.
At ORT UK, we are part of ORT’s global network empowering young people through life-changing education.