Loulou joined SDDirect in March 2023 as Safeguarding Technical Expert (Principal Consultant), bringing with her over 15 years of experience in international development and humanitarian work.
First and foremost, Loulou considers herself a practitioner. Beginning in MEL and then moving into programme management and technical work, she is a strong advocate for quality, safe and impactful programming. She has directly implemented in Sri Lanka, Palestine and Nepal on projects ranging from infrastructure and livelihoods to girls’ education, disability, and emergency response. Apart from project and grant management, she has overseen regional and global portfolios at INGOs, and has provided consultancy services too. Over the past 10 years Loulou has focused primarily on education, safeguarding, gender equality and disability inclusion.
Prior to entering the development sector, Loulou worked in the UK for six years between her BSc in Politics and International Relations and her MSc in Violence, Conflict and Development (SOAS, London). During this period, she gained foundational skills in several key roles. These included anti-Iraq war/pro-Palestine campaigning from within national government, community development in London, advocacy for women and children fleeing domestic abuse, and qualitative gang violence prevention and intervention research for the Greater London Authority.
Loulou is of Irish and Trinidadian parentage and is a mother to one daughter. When she is not working, she can usually be found somewhere in nature, or with family and friends embracing the music and food of her heritage.