Our Vision > Meet the team
> Staff Team
The people behind the work
Dedicated, diverse, and deeply committed to our community
leadership
Meet our Chief Executive
CEO Since 1998
Nahid Rasool
Nahid Rasool has worked in the charity sector for more than 35 years, previously in London and Bradford. Her personal experiences of prejudice and inequality within South Asian communities drove her determination to support culturally diverse women and girls facing discrimination in their homes and workplaces
In 1998 she joined Shantona with just one full-time member of staff. Today the organisation has more than 30 staff working tirelessly to build a community of strong, confident, empowered women. Her passion has steered the organization towards success in delivering projects locally, nationally, and internationally
Nahid was UK coordinator of Gender Wise, a transnational European project on gender equality. She has published “Islamophobia, The Untold Story” and in 2016 opened the Sufia Khatun Health Clinic in Bangladesh – providing free healthcare to local villagers in memory of her grandmother
BA (Hons) History
University of Dhaka
MBA
Leeds Beckett University
Honorary Doctorate 2017
Leeds Beckett University
Duke of York Award
2007 & 2012
GSK Impact Award
2020
A1 Business Excellence
Best Women’s Centre 2015
OUR DEPARTMENTS
Teams working together for our community
Each team brings specialist knowledge and deep community connection to deliver the best possible support.
Adults & Community Team
Health · DVA · Mental Health · Housing
Our adults and community team comprises a domestic violence support team, IDVA and ISVA case workers, mental health support services, and the Better Together programme. A complex needs worker, Sanctuary support worker, and training and employment support worker round out the team – together promoting a happier, safer community for all.
Shafia B Ali - Services Manager
shafia@shantona.co.uk
Young People's Services Team
Confidence · Voice · Influence · Safety
We have an array of services that support young people to gain confidence, develop their own voice, and contribute to wider society. Our team is dedicated to helping young people thrive and stay safe, providing tailored interventions that empower and protect the next generation.
Thasnim Khatun / Saima Hussain
s.hussain@shantona.co.uk
Early Years Team
Nursery · Childcare · EYFS · Development
The Early Years team is made up of permanent staff alongside volunteers and sessional workers, managed by Tam Le and Sabuj Shalam. Together the team runs a full-time early years service for children aged 2+. Shantona Nursery was awarded Outstanding in all areas by Ofsted in March 2024.
Ofsted Outstanding - March 2024
admin@shantona.co.uk
Administration & Finance Team
Operations · Finance · Funding · Business
Our admin and operations team handles all administration, finance, funding, and day-to-day operations at Shantona. This team, including management support workers and our CEO, ensures the organisation runs smoothly so every service delivers its best.
General Enquiries
admin@shantona.co.uk
Harpreet Dosanjh - Finance
finance@shantona.co.uk / 0113 249 7120
FEATURED TEAM MEMBER
Development & Safeguarding
Diane Law
Development Coordinator & Safeguarding Lead
Diane works as Shantona's Development Coordinator and Safeguarding Lead, focusing on fundraising and quality assurance across the organisation. Her work ensures Shantona continues to grow sustainably, maintains the highest standards of care, and upholds the safeguarding of everyone we serve.
