Managing Director (she/her)

Ari leads the vision, team, partnerships and programmes that shape Coexist Community Kitchen, while keeping an eye on the bigger picture of everything happening across the organisation. From coordinating our busy annual programme and nurturing partnerships across the city to rolling up her sleeves for community outreach and major catering events, she's a woman of many talents who leads by doing.

Having built Coexist from the ground up, Ari has spent more than 15 years bringing people together through food, creating welcoming spaces where people from all walks of life can build skills, confidence and connection. A natural community connector with a deep commitment to social justice, she leads the team with warmth, humanity and an unwavering belief in the power of people.

Ask Ari what's cooking and it'll probably be inspired by the flavours of Anatolia, the Levant and the wider Mediterranean. She's never happier than when the table is full, the conversation is flowing and figs are in season!

Outreach & Kitchen Operations Manager (she/her)

Kelly leads our outreach programmes, catering and kitchen team, making Coexist's kitchen a place where community, learning and great food come together. Passionate about education and training, she leads our flagship Food Futures programme, helping people build skills, confidence and take their next step into employment or start a food business of their own. With over 20 years' experience in professional kitchens and community cookery, Kelly combines serious kitchen know-how with endless creativity, an infectious sense of humour and the kind of warmth that makes everyone feel at home.

Ask Kelly what's cooking and it could be just about anything, but she's particularly known for incredible Thai food, next-level cakes and putting her own spin on classic British dishes. She's happiest with a freezer full of homemade ice cream, a menu of colourful small plates and a kitchen buzzing with people. Give Kelly an ingredient, a challenge or a room full of hungry people, and she'll be in. her element.

Finance Manager (she/her)

Aileen is Coexist's financial powerhouse, leading our financial planning, reporting and organisational sustainability with exceptional expertise and care. With over 20 years' experience across finance, hospitality, charities and the corporate sector, she brings strategic thinking, commercial insight and meticulous attention to detail, helping ensure the organisation remains resilient, ambitious and ready for whatever comes next. Originally from the Philippines, Aileen also brings lived experience that deepens her understanding of the journeys many of our participants are on and the importance of creating opportunities that genuinely change lives.

Outside the spreadsheets, Aileen is a phenomenal baker, known for everything from cinnamon swirls to what we would argue are the perfect hot cross buns! She's equally at home slow-cooking beautifully marinated pork, following all kinds of sports, sewing, tending to the garden or spending time with her much-loved Italian Greyhound, Zeus.

Marketing & Fundraising Manager (she/her)

Becky leads Coexist's marketing and fundraising, bringing together storytelling, design and partnerships to help grow the organisation's impact. With over 15 years' experience across marketing, brand, communications, events and fundraising, she loves turning ideas into reality—whether that's launching a new programme, building a fundraising campaign, designing a poster or nurturing partnerships that help the organisation thrive. Having grown up in a family-run hotel, creating welcoming experiences and feeding lots of people has always felt like second nature.

Passionate about the power of food to nourish mind, body and soul, Becky is always curious to explore flavours and traditions from around the world, especially if there's plenty of spice involved. Outside work, you'll usually find her dancing Cuban salsa, practising yoga or dreaming up the next big idea to help more people discover the magic of Coexist.

Cooking Tutor & Catering Lead (she/her)

Ella leads our weekly free meal service, delivers community cooking workshops and is one of the lead delivery chefs for Coexist’s catering, helping bring everything from intimate dinners to large weddings and events to life . With experience across community cafés, professional kitchens and food education, she's a calm, encouraging presence who loves sharing practical skills, traditional techniques and the simple joy of cooking from scratch.

With Polish roots, Ella enjoys celebrating her heritage through food, especially making pierogi — a recipe that connects her to childhood memories of cooking for her grandparents and learning family traditions from her grandma. She has a love for baking, jam making, wine making, pickling and fermenting, and is passionate about keeping time-honoured kitchen skills alive for a new generation. Outside the kitchen, Ella is a talented artist, creates her own music and is always happy to chat about the existence of extraterrestrial life.

Catering Lead (they/them)

Mel is one of the driving forces behind Coexist's catering, bringing over a decade of experience running their own street food business alongside years in professional kitchens and supporting migrant-owned food businesses. Whether they're leading a wedding, serving a multi-day banquet from a camp kitchen in the middle of a field or feeding hundreds at a large event, Mel is the calm, capable presence who somehow makes it all look effortless.

Of Chinese heritage, Mel's cooking is rooted in generosity, comfort and the joy of feeding people. A lifelong food enthusiast, they're endlessly curious about traditional food crafts — from butchery and charcuterie to discovering the perfect cheese — and are never happier than cooking low and slow over fire, especially if there's a big hunk of meat on the grill. Away from Coexist, they manage a community growing plot at Sims Hill Harvest, love camping and fishing, and are passionate about using food to bring people together for good causes. If you're lucky enough to eat Mel's food, you'll leave feeling like you've been welcomed home.

ESOL Teacher (they/them)

Aisha leads the English language learning on our Speak & Eat programme, creating joyful, welcoming spaces where people can build confidence, practise conversation and connect through food. With over 15 years' experience teaching ESOL, they believe sharing recipes, stories and meals is one of the most powerful ways to learn a language and celebrate culture, identity and community.

Alongside their work at Coexist, Aisha is an accomplished vocal artist, composer, workshop facilitator and cultural producer, bringing creativity, curiosity and playfulness into everything they do. Whether they're directing community arts projects, making music, leading improvisation workshops or helping new English speakers find their voice, Aisha has a remarkable gift for bringing people together. Their warmth, humour and infectious energy make every Speak & Eat session a place where everyone feels welcome, valued and heard.