Trustee, Katie Mawdsley discusses her role and supporting EDT

Katie Mawdsley, Manager at Oliver Wyman, a management consultancy company based in London. While Katie's day job primarily focuses on working with Insurance and Asset Management companies on strategy projects, she has also been one of our valued Trustees for four years.

Why did you choose to become a trustee?

After enjoying my experience studying Chemical Engineering at university, I wanted to provide support to EDT after the positive influence they had on my early career and education choices. The trustee role gave me the opportunity to provide support in a unique context which young people do not always have access to, and for me to gain insights into how Boards work more generally. During the application process, I learned how the other trustees were excited about bringing younger alumni onto the Board to provide a fresh perspective of how younger people are navigating their career choices, and offer feedback and guidance on their approach, and this felt like something I could offer.

What do you enjoy most about the role?

I love being able to continue my relationship with EDT, 10 years after I first got involved with them. I am now involved in a very different way to when I participated in their Year in Industry programme in 2015, but being part of a group of people who believe in the future of STEM is energising. The executive team in EDT and the other trustees are also great – they have been so welcoming and collaborative, and fully supported the onboarding process, and actively welcome my input. Being a trustee has taught me a lot about how charities run, and the challenges they face. The role has also brought new opportunities, such as being a guest speaker at an awards ceremony, being part of the strategy working group, chairing the Remunerations subcommittee, and networking with a range of amazing people.

What previous experience has helped you succeed in this role?

The great thing about taking on this role, is that there was no expectation or limitation on what you can contribute. The criteria to be an alum trustee is having previously participated in an EDT programme, and studied a STEM subject – if you tick those boxes, you have what it takes!

Since then, I have been able to offer a perspective of a recent graduate, sharing my own personal and peers’ experiences since graduation, and have been able to leverage my experience as a consultant to contribute and influence the strategic direction of the charity. All of the trustees have very different backgrounds, and all enjoy learning from each other – and while I wasn’t sure what at first, I soon found that I did have unique perspectives and experiences to share.

Did you have previous experience as a trustee before joining EDT?

I hadn’t been a trustee before, and hadn’t held any similar roles. I had been a volunteer with EDT, and volunteered with other charities, but being a trustee is very different to that, because you are less involved in the operational side of the charity, and more about the high-level direction and ambition of the strategy. The onboarding process enabled me to spend the time I needed to get up to speed with the various aspects, and the pre-read materials before each Board make sure I have the time I need to understand the concepts.

EDT are bringing alum trustees onto the Board for their perspectives of being an EDT student – not for their expansive experience and knowledge of running a charity. Of course, we need some trustees that can do that, but having a diverse board is the best for the charity.

Oliver Wyman, my current employer, has also always been very supportive of my role.

What would you say to someone thinking about applying for a role as a trustee?

Why not? There is so much to gain by being a trustee, and if you’re an EDT alumnus, you hit the criteria.

Tell us why you feel passionately about being a trustee for a charity?

UK charities are an important pillar of our community and culture, and trustees play a critical role in the industry. You have an opportunity here to contribute to a charity that positively influenced you, and have a new experience.

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