Executive Leadership Team

The Executive Leadership Team is led by the Chief Executive and is responsible for the delivery of Ambitious about Autism’s strategy. Through the Chief Executive, the Executive Leadership Team reports to the Board of Trustees.

Jolanta Lasota - Chief Executive of Ambitious about Autism

Jolanta is passionate about enabling children, young people and families affected by disability to live the life they choose. She previously worked for a number of leading voluntary sector organisations including Turn2us, Shelter, I CAN and the Governance Hub. Jolanta is a Trustee of the charity Contact a Family, which supports families of disabled children.

Mark Atkinson - Director of Communications, Policy and Research

Mark was appointed in June 2010 and leads the charity’s policy, research, campaigns, communications, participation and information work. He also serves on the Council for Disabled Children Board. Prior to joining Ambitious about Autism, Mark held various communications and public affairs roles for the Citizens Advice service, Local Government Association and Youth Sport Trust.

Andy Lusk - Director of Autism Services

Andy was appointed in January 2011 to lead all Ambitious about Autism’s services, including planning new services and partnerships with other providers. Prior to joining Ambitious about Autism Andy was Executive Director of Services at Scope and has been a Director of Children’s Services and of Education in the third sector before that. His career goes back to the 1970’s starting in Adult Psychiatry before moving to services for disabled children in 1979.

Anne Shinkwin - Director of Fundraising

Anne joined Ambitious about Autism in October 2011 having spent many years working in corporate fundraising. Anne was previously Head of Corporate Partnerships at UNICEF UK for five years and led an ambitious strategy which doubled income in four years. She previously worked for the British Red Cross managing key corporate partnerships and securing new partners. Anne’s career started in the private sector working for Kimberly-Clark. Anne has been involved in voluntary work with young people with disabilities since her youth.

Dr. Julie O’Sullivan - Headteacher at TreeHouse School

Julie joined TreeHouse School in 2007. Before that, she was Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator at the north London comprehensive, Fortismere School, for seven years.  Julie originally trained to teach music and started her career as a secondary music teacher.

Zoe Weaver - Director of Resources

Zoe is responsible for our people strategy and plan and our external training and consultancy work.  She joined Ambitious about Autism in September 2008 having worked previously across the private, public and third sector in a range of leadership roles in HR, organisational transformation and development.  Zoe is currently a Trustee of the School of Oriental and African Studies and a Trustee of the Arts Pension Fund.  Zoe started her career in education and then went on to pursue a postgraduate course in Personnel Management.  She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.