Our team

Iris Lapinski, CEO

Iris reports to the board of trustees and is responsible for CDI Europe’s overall strategy, key partnerships, sustainability and the expansion of Apps for Good across the UK. During 2009 Iris completed the feasibility study that lead to the creation of Apps for Good. She has a background in commercial digital media & telecoms consulting working for Ovum and Farncombe Technology. During that time she managed a range of due diligence, business planning and strategy projects especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. Being German, Iris can be over-organised, but is also always hunting for good bread in London.

Debbie Forster, COO

Debbie joined CDI Europe in March 2011 as head of partnerships, bringing 20 years of UK educational experience to the programme. An ex-headteacher, Debbie comes to CDI from e-skills UK where she was head of their education programmes, working with schools, government and employers to help inspire more young people to consider a career in IT. Debbie has a passion for education and giving young people of every background the best life chances and she sees technology as key to achieving this. US born, 20 years in the UK has left Debbie with an accent that is foreign to all, but if you ask nicely, she might teach you how to “talk southern ya’ll.”

Richard Smartt, Education Manager

Richard joined CDI Europe as the education manager in 2010. He develops and looks after the Apps for Good curriculum, and led the Apps For Good prototype course in 2010. As a former school teacher and experienced workshop leader, his expertise is in training young adults to fulfill their potential in disciplines ranging from creative writing to app design.  Richard has run workshops at the National Youth Theater, Duke of Edinburgh Award and the British Film Institute, Southbank. When he’s not helping others to be creative, he likes to write poems and fiddle around on his acoustic guitar.

Luísa Gockel, Fundraising Manager

Luisa is a Brazilian journalist with experience in Internet, TV and printed media. As a journalist she wrote articles mainly about the third sector, politics, development and human rights. While in Brazil she also researched on media and politics and came to London in 2007 to carry out a Masters in Human Rights at the London School of Economics. Luisa is passionate about making Latin America a better place for future generations. She is currently looking at fundraising for CDI‘s operations globally and also at CDI‘s expansion to new countries in Africa.

Adizah Tejani, Communications Manager

Adizah joined CDI Europe in 2011. She is responsible for PR, offline and digital communications, while strategically leading our  brand development. Adizah has a strong non-for-profit communications background and has always been interested in how education influences social change. Her degree in International Development with Overseas Experience, has shaped her global views of the world.  In her free time Adizah runs a social change blog, which has lead her to write for  Oxfam GB, Christian Aid and Save the Children. She is not stranger to leveraging communications tools for successful campaigns helping create lasting social impact.

Paul Edkins, Data and Analysis Manager

Paul joined CDI Europe in December 2011, and will be measuring the impact on young people of the Apps for Good programme.  At university, he led the world’s largest student-run international event, One World Week.  He started his career as a mathematics teacher, and then has spent time in social enterprises, an education consultancy and a corporate research firm.  His background is in physics and data analysis, and he is now interested in transformative education.  Paul spends part of his spare time as a facilitator at summer camps for young people, and the other part snowboarding in the Alps or cycling at speed through London’s busy streets.

Ainomaija Peramaki, Office Manager

Aiski joined CDI Europe in September 2011 as an office managerShe is in charge of the internal infrastructure of the company, as well as taking care of financial and HR duties. Aiski came over to London from Finland in 2005 with an aim to stay just for a few months, but liked the city so much that decided to stay. She studied media and journalism at university, and has also worked in customer service for Nokia; training and developing staff.

Satwant Kenth, Education Officer

Satwant (aka Sat) was always keen to develop software that could change people’s lives for the better. He finally got that opportunity when he applied for Apps for Good in 2010. After successfully completing the course and creating the Stop and Search app, he went on to become an Educator for Apps for Good giving young people the same opportunity he was given. In 2011 he successfully completed teaching the first ever apps for good course in a school in central London. As well being an Educator for Apps for Good, Sat is currently working with the metropolitan police to create a new version of the original Stop and Search App, and is designing and creating more apps in his spare time.

Robert Rankin, Education Officer

Robert joined the Apps for Good Education Team in October 2011 to work on further developing the Apps for Good mobile course and online educational platforms. His main interests lie in youth participation and developing practical tools that help young people inspire meaningful change in their communities. Whilst at the Citizenship Foundation he helped create an online educational challenge and advocacy campaign that engaged young people with the 2010 Spending Review and presented their views to HM Treasury  A political animal, Robert has worked on election campaigns, organised protests and in his spare time campaigns for democratic reform.

Our Volunteers

James Chesters, Communications Volunteer

With a keen interest in making a positive difference in the lives of others, James is glad to be able to use his communications skills for good. James joined CDI in December 2010, and has a background in PR, marketing, and news journalism — as well as experience volunteering and fundraising for charities. Outside of CDI, James works in marketing. In his spare time, James enjoys writing, travel, and adventure.

Nausica Rosina, Fundraising Volunteer

Nausica is an eclectic Italian who joined CDI in October 2009 as a Fundraising Volunteer. She helps with prospects research and contacts organisations. Her background includes various work and volunteering experiences for Fairtrade, VSO, Inova Consultancy, TimeBank. Outside CDI, she works as a Research Analyst for the marketing research company, Context.