ROK Ambassadors and Trustees
ROK Ambassadors
Lade Omisore
ROK Ambassador/Trainee Lawyer
I am a Law and Anthropology graduate of the London School of Economics, now working as a trainee solicitor at a Magic Circle law firm.
I became a part of the ROK family in my first year of university as a student mentor and remained so until I graduated.
I stayed connected with ROK after university and became a co-lead mentor on one of our ROK programmes. I currently assist the team as a ROK ambassador.
Tee Max
Lead Mentor/Retail Manager
I stumbled across photography, while retaking my GCSEs in secondary school. I went on to take photographs for various music publications, newspapers and records companies. I was later given the opportunity to get into broadcasting, co-hosting on television and presenting on radio. I then decided to step away from media and went into high street retail.
I came to ROK to pass on some of the lessons I picked up on my journey, to help inform young people as they transition, from school, to the workplace. I'm also ROK's Lead Mentor Coordinator and I help facilitate and guide the students and mentoring sessions for the charity.
Andrew Meso
ROK Ambassador/Lecturer and Researcher
I am a Multidisciplinary Scientist and Lecturer at King's College London's Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience.
I have over fifteen years international experience as an academic, using tools from physics and maths to further our understanding of the brain.
I love the work and believe the natural sciences offer a great career that is undersold to black and ethnic minority youth.
I have been an active friend of ROK since 2016 when I was introduced to the board by a trustee friend of mine. I contribute in any way that I can from looking at funding applications to discussion strategy and anything else in between.
Nadia Ahmed
ROK Ambassador/Lawyer
I am a qualified solicitor at law firm in London and specialise in Data Protection and IT contracts. Having studied at a comprehensive school and then reading Law at City University of London, I took part in social mobility initiatives as a student which prompted my passion and determination for a career in Law.
As a British Bangladeshi female, I am the first solicitor in my family and I recognise the importance of diversity in an industry where more needs to be done to support and encourage equality within the legal profession.
I work passionately behind the scenes at Reach Out 2 Kids and help to carry out market research and facilitate round table discussions in order to find out what it is that young black and ethnic minority students require in order to succeed, not only educationally but in their career goals too. I help bring forward the many initiatives that ROK has to offer into fruition by collaborating with partner companies.
Femi Onipede
ROK Ambassador/Actuary
I am an Actuary in General Insurance. I graduated in Mathematics and Actuarial Science from the University of Leicester in 2016.
I was introduced to ROK in 2019 when I learnt about the mentoring partnership with my old secondary school - St Ignatius College, Enfield.
It is has always been my passion to give back to my community, to enlighten and encourage students about career opportunities and realising their potential. Mentoring at ROK provides a great platform for this!
Adrian McLean
ROK Ambassador/Trustee of Severn Academy
I am a former Headteacher and a current leader in a Multi Academy Trust. In addition, I am an advocate and supporter of many charity organisations.
Growing up in a deprived area of Birmingham, I know how important school and education is in providing confidence, challenge and commitment to young people so that they can be their best.
Through working with Reach Out 2 Kids, and someone who’s own life was transformed by education, I seek to ensure that today’s young people get the support and opportunities presented to them. I also actively advise ROK from an education perspective and support the charity on its mentoring programmes.
ROK Trustees
Denise Stephenson
Founder and CEO/Lawyer and Agent of Change in Diversity
Denise is an experienced planning lawyer, was formerly a partner at a London law firm and is a public speaker. Having grown up on a council estate in North West London, Denise had personal experiences of the difficulties that many young people from BAME and lower income backgrounds face today. She started Reach Out 2 Kids (ROK) as a way to overcome barriers to entry to higher education and employment for children and young people from diverse and lower socio-economic backgrounds.
Edward Flood
Chairman and Trustee/Family Law Barrister
Edward is a family law barrister who grew up in St Lucia in the West Indies and came to the United Kingdom when he was 10 years old. As a barrister, Edward argues cases in court in front of judges. He deals with divorces between husbands and wives, dividing their assets after divorce, problems relating to the care of children (in particular involving the local authority), domestic violence in the homes and child abduction.
Michelle Edwards
Trustee/Lead HR Business Partner
Michelle is a Lead HR Business Partner (HR Director) at Willis Towers Watson. She is responsible for the HR direction of Corporate, Risk and Broking, Reinsurance and Insurance Consultancy and Risk areas of the business across the UK and is part of the HR leadership team. Michelle has worked in the field of human resources for several years and has experience across the generalist spectrum.
Yimi Yangye
Trustee/Criminal Law Barrister
Yimi Yangye is barrister with over 16 years of experience; with a predominantly criminal defence practice. She was born and raised in Nigeria until she was 13 years of age and grew up in the North of England.
She has been a member of the ROK team for over 10 years and a trustee for over 6 years. She deeply believes in the work that ROK does to realise a more a more equal society, where everyone has an opportunity to thrive and not just the privileged few. Through ROK she gets to work alongside others to empower the next generation to dream big and see a future not limited by society or circumstances. Her role involves organising the legal tours, training mentors as well as mentoring young children.
She enjoys travelling, music, dancing and attending the theatre.
Richard Blissett
Trustee/Advisor
Richard is an experienced personal development & business consultant with more than 15 years in the industry. Starting out in the corporate arena, he worked on numerous high-profile international projects in locations ranging from Los Angeles to Australia and throughout Europe. His particular expertise is working with non-profit organisations and start-ups where he brings his wealth of private-sector knowledge to the particular challenges of smaller businesses.