Our Leadership Team

The team is responsible for setting the agenda for the organisation and steering the strategy forward. 

Supported by project and team leads, the board of trustees and the wider team, we're committed to ensuring Teesside Mind makes a difference in all we undertake and is sustainable for the future.

CEO

Emma Howitt

I joined Mind in 2003. I can't think of anywhere else I'd rather work, even after 20 years. Everyday, week and year is completely different, with new opportunities to makes a difference to people's lives. I get to contribute through my role and doing a job that I love.

Mental health services are unrecognisable from what they were when I joined the organisation, and stigma is hugely reduced. Still, there's much to do, made worse by public service funding pressures and again by the impact of Covid. Working with our team, it's my job to make sure the organisation is fighting fit and ready to empower local people on their journeys to improved health. I also spend time working with partner organisations to make sure we're playing our part in the bigger picture of health and community action.

Deputy CEO

Kerry Robinson

I joined Teesside Mind in 2013 initially to lead our IAPT service before becoming Deputy CEO in 2015. Day to day my focus is to lead operations and I also lead on information governance, quality assurance and our volunteer strategy. 

I have almost 30 years experience in the voluntary mental health sector and feel very passionately about the work we undertake here. 

We continue to grow and evolve to meet the needs of the local community we serve and I'm proud of the inroads we've made in raising awareness of what good mental health looks like and enabling more people to access the support they need.

Services Manager

Lucy Cushley

I have worked within the health and voluntary sector for 15 years, 10 years of which being with Teesside Mind. I have had the opportunity to work within a variety of roles and teams supporting people with a range of needs including mental health, employment, substance use, homelessness and long-term health conditions.

In my currently role I support the delivery of our Social Prescribing Team. I am passionate about the work of the team and the connections that we continue to build with GPs and Primary Care Networks. Social prescribing is well placed to support people to take control of their wellbeing and live happier, healthier lives. I am proud to work for Teesside Mind and to support people within Teesside to enjoy good mental health.

Services Manager

Sam Palombella

I started working for Teesside Mind in 2024 as Service Manager for Children, Young People and Families. 

I've worked for 15 years within the voluntary and community sector in the North East, including Groundwork, Alzheimer’s Society and Healthwatch. At Kooth I helped extend digital mental health delivery across the UK for  seven years.

I'm enjoying being back within a charity, helping increase the reach and impact of Teesside Mind's services.

Recovery Manager

Heather Watson

I began working here 14 years ago directly supporting mental health carers before moving into my current management role. 

I'm focused on making a positive difference to mental health and wellbeing on Teesside and bringing about positive change to those who might struggle to access mainstream services.

I'm passionate about my role and I have a keen interest in the wider mental health system and the important part the voluntary and community sector plays.

Locality Manager

Katie Flynn

I joined the team in 2017 when I relocated to Teesside from West Yorkshire. With almost 20 years' experience working within mental health services, I'm passionate and motivated to deliver high quality services and support to local people. Currently I represent Teesside Mind within the Impact on Teesside service.

I've had a varied career, providing front line support for many years in a range of different settings before becoming part of the management team. I've always worked in the third sector as I enjoy the creativity and innovation that this allows.

Business Development & Relationship Manager

Susan Cosby

I’m a proud member of the leadership team at Teesside Mind, where I’ve been contributing since 2021. I manage our Workplace Wellbeing training and Realise, our Counselling services for private clients and workplaces through EAP programmes. My passion lies in improving the mental health and wellbeing of individuals living and working in Teesside. I am committed to fostering supportive environments that prioritise mental health and wellbeing in the workplace and our community. After 25+ years working in HR Consultancy, Training and Recruitment in the private sector helping organisations with their people challenges I chose to work with Teesside Mind because their mission and values are close to my heart and want to help maximise the reach and impact of Teesside Mind's services.

Marketing & Communications Manager

Elizabeth Coupe

I joined the team in early 2020 and I'm responsible for making sure we're 'seen' and 'heard'. I'm largely focused on raising awareness of our services and support alongside the need to keep the conversation about mental health fresh in people's minds.

I chose to move into the third sector after almost two decades in the private sector working in PR and brand consultancy because I wanted to be able to give something back and make a difference to the local community. Teesside Mind resonated with me not only because of its values and its driving purpose, but because of its commitment to creating and connecting communities and its focus on empowering people to become more resilient.

Finance Director

Simon McKnight

I joined Teesside Mind at the beginning of 2023 having spent the previous 15 years as a qualified Finance Business Partner in the voluntary sector specialising in supporting the most hard to reach young people achieve their educational goals.

I'm passionate about working collaboratively with non-finance managers and their teams across all aspects of finance, so that they embrace the financial elements of their roles by making their day-to-day financial decisions as straightforward as possible. The opportunity to support the ongoing provision of quality mental health services in my local area is one that is exceptionally rewarding.