Who We Are

Louise Hager

Louise has been involved in Chai since its inception and takes the lead role in Chai’s fundraising strategy and donor relationships. Her mother Frances Winegarten z’l was Co-Founder. Louise became Chairman in 2005 and has steered Chai through its most significant period of development as the number of centres has expanded in the UK and services have become available internationally.   

Lisa Steele

After graduating in Psychology and Administration from Glasgow University, Lisa worked in advertising in London before a career change into counselling and psychotherapy. Qualifying from Regent’s College, Lisa worked in private practice before coming to Chai as a counsellor in 2001. She was appointed Client Services Manager in 2008, appointed Head of Operations in 2010 and in 2012 became Chief Executive.

Jilly Berens

Jilly spent fifteen years cultivating new business in the telecoms industry before coming to Chai in 2017 on a part time basis. She brings those many skills to the North West region as the newly expanded hub in North Manchester responds to greater demand than ever on Chai’s services.

Jamie Herz-Yarm

After a Masters in engineering geology and working on the Olympic site in the run-up to the 2012 games, Jamie switched to marketing within the charity sector and came to Chai in 2014. She is responsible for liaising with the press, creative agencies, and Chai’s web and social media content.

Jacki Stanton

Jacki gained experience managing the database of a leading nursery chain before coming to Chai in 2015. She is responsible for daily financial admin, ensuring donations are recorded, acknowledgements are sent out and for the creation of monthly fundraising reports.  

Alicia Ani

Alicia came to the UK after graduating from the University of Barcelona in Economics. She has considerable experience in events and fundraising in the corporate world and Jewish community and previously raised money for Chai climbing Kilimanjaro and trekking in the Lake District. Joining Chai part time in 2018 as Client Services Manager, she covers the Stamford Hill community.

Debra Clifton

Debra came to Chai in 2015 following a career as a nursery teacher. As a Client Services Manager, she supports clients through the difficult stages of a cancer diagnosis, putting in place the support that will benefit them most significantly. 

Samantha Glazer

Samantha joined Chai in 2019 as Client Service Administrator. Samantha previously had a background in recruitment and more recently worked in events and fundraising for Jewish Child’s Day.

Lyla Goodman

Lyla joined Chai in 2020 as a Client Services Administrator. She previously worked as an administrator in a dynamic and vibrant synagogue.

Charlotte Hildebrand

Charlotte joined Chai in June 2017 after a long-standing career in fashion, specialising in multi-site management internationally. She is now delighted to be part of the Chai family as one of our Client Services Managers.

Jodi Lazarus

Jodi joined Chai in March 2011 as Client Services Administrator, having previously worked in the private hospital sector as a Hospital and Consultant Co-ordinator. Her background is in childcare, both as a nursery school teacher and a child-minder.

Lord Young of Graham

Lord Young of Graffham began his career at Great Universal Stores before venturing into industrial property and construction. He held several posts in Margaret Thatcher’s government including Chairman of the Manpower Services Commission, Secretary of State for Employment, and Secretary for Trade and Industry. He entered the Lords in 1984. Lord Young’s many community posts include Presidencies of Jewish Care and The Coram Trust, and Chairmanships of British ORT, The Jewish Museum and The Chichester Festival. His involvement with Chai follows his own cancer diagnosis and the loss of his brother to cancer. ‘I have watched with admiration, the expansion of Chai, and its ambitions for the future. I am confident Chai will rise to every challenge.’  

Louise Hager

Louise has been involved in Chai since its inception and takes the lead role in Chai’s fundraising strategy and donor relationships. Her mother Frances Winegarten z’l was Co-Founder. Louise became Chairman in 2005 and has steered Chai through its most significant period of development as the number of centres has expanded in the UK and services have become available internationally.   

Alexandra Maurice

After seeing first hand the incredible support Chai Cancer Care provides to patients and families, Alex wanted to get involved. Having previously been on Chai’s advisory board sharing her fundraising, marketing and sponsorship knowledge, she is honoured to now be serving as a trustee.

Richard Segal

Richard’s professional posts have included MD of the Rank Group plc and MD (later Chief Executive) of Odeon Cinemas, the FTSE ranked PartyGaming plc and founder of 3i Investments plc. Non-executive Chairman roles include Direct Ferries, Racing Post and Encore Tickets. His community and charitable work is extensive: former Co-Chair of Governors, Immanuel College; Trustee of Hazon Yshaya UK supporting humanitarian needs across Israel; non-executive Director, Hampstead Theatre and Trustee of children’s charity Spread a Smile. Like many Richard’s motivation to see Chai develop and flourish is a personal one, as he assists fellow Trustees and the executive team in their work.

Leon Shelley

Leon has over 20 years of legal experience working for major international companies bringing legal, compliance and commercial expertise to Chai’s activities. “I feel privileged to play a part in helping Chai fulfil its vital role.”

Susan Shipman

Following a career in advertising, Susan founded Chai Cancer Care with Frances Winegarten z”l in 1990. Inspired by Susan’s daughter Natalie z”l, who passed away in 1990, aged eight, from cancer, Chai initially ran a telephone helpline and education programme. Susan then focused on establishing a place for complementary therapies that supported both the cancer patient and their family. After her husband Philip passed away in 1998, Susan remarried in 2002. The ceremony was held at Chai’s Hendon flagship and the couple made Aliyah the next day. Susan remains Chai’s Founder President, and a Trustee, attending meetings in person or via Skype from Israel.

Brian Brick

As one of Chai’s earliest supporters, Brian has given guidance to the Executive Team since it started, on  the pressures of growing an organisation.  

Jo Coleman

Charity lawyer, Jo has supported Chai by ensuring it complies with the increasing burden of charity regulation and upholds high standards of governance.

Alan Fell

With Chai occupying a significant place in the community, Alan is involved in reviewing strategic and governance issues to ensure its readiness for future challenges.

Jonathan Freedman

After the loss of his own mother to cancer, Jonathan brings both business experience – and great empathy – to the task of making sure Chai’s services reach those in need. 

Michael Glass

Over nearly 20 years of commitment, Michael’s IT expertise has been invaluable in ensuring Chai’s systems operate efficiently to meet its ever-changing needs.  

Robert Prevezer

With a long and successful career in integrated marketing, Robert’s contribution stretches across business, communication and marketing issues. 

Marc Samuels

Property developer Marc was pivotal during the development of the flagship centre in 2003 and continues to advise on the needs of communal buildings. 

Dr Adrian Tookman

Palliative Care Physician and Medical Director of the Marie Curie Hospice in Hampstead. Dr Tookman entered the field of palliative medicine in 1985, and has been key to the development of this field of cancer survivorship. His clinical innovations include developing an outpatient service in a day therapy unit in the Hospice. His work encompasses both patients and their carers.

Diane Zitcer

Diane’s journalism, marketing and communications skills have seen her contribute to many specific projects and Chai’s wider strategy for more than a decade. 

Dr Rachel Craig

Consultant in Palliative Medicine, Royal Free London & Marie Curie Hospice, Hampstead. Dr Craig specialises in delivering holistic assessment and palliative management of any illness at any stage of that disease. She works closely with patients, carers, nurses, doctors and other health care professionals to ensure people receive optimal palliative care and symptom control.

Dr Niki Davies

GP, The Finn Medical Center with Special Interest in Palliative Care, UCLH. Dr Davies has a particular interest in improving cancer diagnosis and end of life care. She is a Macmillan GP in Harrow.

Professor Michael Douek

Hunterian Professor 2015, Royal College of Surgeons, Professor of Surgery & Consultant Surgeon, King’s College London and Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospitals. Professor Douek’s area of expertise is breast cancer surgery and reconstruction. He is chief investigator of several trials involving patients with breast cancer and melanoma and is a pioneer in intra-operative radiotherapy for breast cancer.

Professor Andrew Eder

Pro-Vice-Provost at University College London, Professor of Restorative Dentistry and Dental Education, Honorary Consultant in Restorative Dentistry at the Eastman Dental Hospital. Professor Eder is focused on excellence and innovation in clinical dentistry and continuing dental education, including issues around oral cancers, their treatments and counteracting their long-term side effects. 

Mr Daren Francis

Consultant Laparoscopic, Colorectal and General Surgeon, The Royal Free, London.

Mr Francis’ clinical interests include advanced laparoscopic surgery, colorectal surgery and endoscopy. His practice also includes robotic surgery for rectal cancer and prolapse. He has been published extensively in peer-reviewed journals in the fields of colorectal and general surgery.

Miss Joanna Franks

Professor Daniel Hochcauser

Professor of Medical Oncology at UCLH and Clinical Director of the Cancer Research UK-UCL Centre. Professor Hochhauser’s clinical focus is on gastriointestinal cancer. Additionally, he has an interest in early phase clinical trials and is currently Principal Investigator for several novel therapeutics. 

Professor Jonathan Lederman

Bio to follow.

Dr Jane Neerkin

Consultant in Palliative Medican UCLH and the National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery. With a specific interest in palliative care for people with neurological diseases, Dr Neerkin developed her speciality working at several London hospices, UCLH and the Royal Marsden. She and her team of clinical nurse specialists are dedicated to caring for patients receiving both curative and palliative treatment.

Professor Gordon Rustin

Consultant Medical Oncologist, Mount Vernon Cancer Centre. Professor Rustin’s areas of interest include ovarian and testicular cancers, gynaecological oncology and new drug development. He is responsible for a pioneering chemotherapy treatment in relapsed ovarian cancer patients and for categorizing the response and progression of ovarian carcinoma, known internationally as the ‘Rustin criteria’.  

Professor Albert Singer

Consultant (Hon) Gynaecologist, Department of Women’s & Children’s Health at The Whittington Hospital, Professor Emeritus of Gynaecological Research, University of London. A pioneer of colposcopy in the UK, Professor Singer’s main research areas are the origins, detection and treatment of cervical and lower genital tract pre-cancer. He established a clinical and research unit attached to University College London in 1983 and is often consulted for a second opinion in complex cases.

Dr Adrian Tookman

Palliative Care Physician and Medical Director of the Marie Curie Hospice in Hampstead. Dr Tookman entered the field of palliative medicine in 1985, and has been key to the development of this field of cancer survivorship. His clinical innovations include developing an outpatient service in a day therapy unit in the Hospice. His work encompasses both patients and their carers.

Dr Jonathan Sive

Dr Laura Tookman

Medical Oncology Consultant, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. Dr Tookman’s clinical work focuses on the treatment of gynaecological malignancies. She gained her PhD research at Barts Cancer Institute where she was investigating a potential novel treatment for ovarian cancer.