Our senior leadership team

Shine’s senior leadership team combine lived experience with professional expertise, and work to ensure that we have the organisational vision and stability to deliver the best possible support to people living with spina bifida and hydrocephalus.

 

Kate Steele

Chief Executive of Shine

Kate joined Shine in 2009, became our CEO in 2015, and has remained dedicated to securing better outcomes for people with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus ever since.  A carer for a close family member with the conditions, Kate has direct experience of the difficulties these complex conditions bring to everyday life. As part of our wider commitment to improving systems and care for people with neurological conditions, Kate led our work to bring fetal surgery to the UK, and to secure mandatory fortification of non-wholewheat flour with folic acid – which is currently being rolled out across the country and will significantly reduce the number of pregnancies affected by neural tube defects.

 

Gill Valentine

Deputy Chief Executive

Gill has 12 years’ experience working in the voluntary sector plus over 20 years working within a welfare and benefits and/or health and social care setting.  Her areas of expertise include providing advice and guidance, welfare benefits, safeguarding, managing volunteer-led services and charity governance.

 

Steve Ellen

Director of Finance

Steve qualified as an accountant in 1995 (CIMA), initially working within the private sector during which time he held a number of management roles. Since 2008, he has worked in the charity sector.