Our staff team

Sarah Hand

Chief Executive Officer

Sarah Hand joined Avert in July 2014 with a wealth of senior experience gained across the INGO sector. Sarah has worked extensively across the HIV response since the mid-1990s, initially in the UK and then internationally in countries across Southern Africa and the Eastern Caribbean. Sarah has extensive knowledge of HIV programming and implementation in areas including working with key affected populations, HIV prevention, and behaviour change communication. Sarah is currently a Trustee of STOPAIDS. Sarah provides strategic leadership and operational management for Avert.

Simon Moore

Director of Communications and Digital Health Strategy

Simon joined Avert in March 2016. He has over 20 years’ experience in organisational communications and communications for social change. He has been working in the field of HIV, health and development for nearly 15 years. As well as roles at the International HIV/AIDS Alliance and conflict prevention organisation Saferworld, he has also worked as a freelance consultant for a range of other health and development organisations. Simon has a Masters in International Policy and Diplomacy.

Kate Harrison

Head of Programme Funding

Kate joined Avert in September 2017. Kate has over 20 years’ experience in health, HIV and international development, including work in Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, India and Cambodia. Kate has several years' experience in funding international health and HIV, with particular expertise in community-based approaches to support maternal and child health, including HIV and sexual and reproductive health.

Laura Craggs

Partnership and Engagement Manager

Laura joined Avert in October 2011. She has worked in the international development sector on and off since 1999, focusing primarily on HIV since 2008. She has experience in programme management and capacity building support for local and national NGOs in both Western and Southern Africa, previously working for the International HIV/AIDS Alliance and the Institute of Development Studies, and has freelanced with many NGOs working in Francophone Africa as a translator. Laura has been a trustee at the Rwandan Youth Information Community Organisation since 2010.

Caitlin Mahon

Content Specialist

Caitlin joined Avert in October 2011. She is a digitally focused, global health communications and knowledge management specialist, passionate about ensuring people find accessible, engaging and evidence-based health and human rights information online. Her experience has cut across information research, campaigns, knowledge management and news writing.

Yael Azgad

Content Editor

Yael joined Avert in June 2016. She has been a development communications specialist for over a decade beginning her career in the Middle East working with refugees at the UN and has since worked across the global health, development and humanitarian sectors. She has extensive experience creating content, campaigns, publications and events for public, professional and academic audiences.

Francesca Edmans

Content Editor

Francesca joined Avert in the summer of 2017 as an intern, having recently graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a degree in Philosophy and Psychology. She became a Content Editor in January 2018. Francesca has previously interned with the editorial team of the International Network of Street Papers. She has a keen interest in international development and global health.

Becky Moss

Content Editor

Becky joined Avert in March 2018. She has over 20 years’ experience in creative multimedia production both on- and offline for health, development and education communications and campaigns gained in the UK and Bhopal, India. Becky is expert in creating engaging content that motivates and enables people to make positive change.

Florence Roff

Digital Marketing Officer

Florence joined Avert in June 2018. Her previous experience is in the health and charity sectors, having worked for Comic Relief and The Royal Marsden. She has a Masters in Marketing from Roehampton University and since graduating her roles have focused on using digital communications for social change.

Jon Edgell

Finance and Operations Manager

Jon joined Avert in May 2018 bringing over 20 years' specialist finance and management experience in the educational and charity sector. Jon has a BA in Economics and has served as a Governor on the Board of local primary and secondary schools. Jon has experience managing databases and systems that bring efficiencies to how a business operates. In his spare time he has interests in music, writing, travel and sport.