Mind's senior management team
The senior management team is responsible for Mind's strategy, management, leadership, and overall performance.
The team focuses on Mind's overall strategy and ensures its activities are effectively carried out.
Find out more about our senior leaders on this page.
Our team
- Dr Sarah Hughes - Chief Executive Officer
- Christine Kanu - Chief Finance Officer
- Emma Ackerman - Executive Director of Income Generation
- Jemima Olchawski - Executive Director of Social Impact
Dr Sarah Hughes - Chief Executive Officer
Sarah has worked in mental health and social justice for 35 years. She has held a number of Chief Executive roles in the voluntary sector including for the prestigious think tank The Centre for Mental Health.
Sarah holds a number of board roles for organisations including One Small Thing, Global Leadership Exchange and is a fellow of Sciana Health Leaders Network and Salzburg Global.
She regularly appears in the media and is called on by governments and private companies across the world for her mental health knowledge and commentary.
Sarah holds a professional doctorate on the topic of women and leadership and was given an honorary doctorate by Hull University where she happily studied social work in the mid 90’s. When she’s not at work you can find Sarah spending time with her amazing family and large number of pets.
Christine Kanu - Chief Finance Officer
Christine is a strong leader with more than 20 years of experience working in charities. She has worked in areas like mental health, physical health, education, housing, and social care. This gives her a good understanding of how to make a difference in complex situations. She cares deeply about helping more people get support, reducing inequality, and improving lives, especially for people who need the most help.
As Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Christine works closely with other senior leaders. Together, they make sure the charity runs well, uses its money wisely, and focuses on making a real impact.
Outside of work, Christine enjoys long walks in the countryside and swimming when she can. She also loves gardening and spends time at her allotment growing fruit and vegetables.
Emma Ackerman - Executive Director of Income Generation
Emma is the Executive Director of Income Generation. She joined Mind in January 2026, and has dedicated the past 25 years to social impact across charities, education and major funders in the UK and USA. She has led on significant income growth projects, partnerships, and organisation-wide change. Emma has delivered mental health programmes, and has senior executive leadership experience.
Emma is committed to working with colleagues across Mind to strengthen income, partnerships and momentum to meet today’s mental health challenges, ensuring Mind is well positioned for the years ahead.
Jemima Olchawski - Executive Director of Social Impact
Jemima is the Executive Director of Social Impact. She joined Mind in April 2025, and brings over 20 years’ experience in social justice and equalities, most recently as Chief Executive of the Fawcett Society.
Jemima’s passion for meaningful change and her dynamic leadership will be instrumental in driving our advocacy, campaigning, federation support and service impact forward.
