Meet the Team
Colin Houston
Chief Executive
Colin joined us in 2015, having previously worked for large charities in the UK and abroad. He started his career in rewilding projects in Scotland before becoming an environmental consultant.
Colin has led a period of sustained growth for Heath Hands, overseeing the development of our strategic partnerships, policies and programme delivery. He launched our first long term strategy in 2020 was appointed as our first Chief Executive in September 2024.
A secondee from our partners at the City of London Corporation, Colin is the Volunteer and Engagement Manager for their North London Open Spaces. He works to maximise our relationships with local stakeholder groups and corporate supporters, and partners such as English Heritage, while managing our staff and volunteers.
A keen climber and hillwalker, he tries to get up to the Highlands whenever he can!
Karin Oleinikova
Programme Manager
Karin began working at Heath Hands in 2017, after initially volunteering in the office. Since joining, she has played an instrumental role in helping drive the evolution of our charity, and was promoted to Programme Manager in 2024.
Karin helps manage our various programmes across our green spaces and has particular responsibility for our Community projects, Youth, School, Health and Wellbeing activities which help people of all backgrounds and abilities to get involved on our green spaces.
In addition, Karin coordinates our administrative systems and team of staff and volunteer Session Leaders.
A keen singer, hiker and traveller, she has been able to combine her interests in community engagement and nature conservation during her time with Heath Hands.
Molly Lambourne
Senior Session Leader
Molly joined Heath Hands in May 2023, being promoted to Senior Session Leader in April 2025. Molly helps coordinate and lead our volunteer and community outreach sessions.
Molly previously worked at Kenwood as a ranger/duty manager for English Heritage. She also works for a small agricultural business near Bedford - coppicing willow and hazel and making the cut material into products such as woven fences and other horticultural goods.
A keen naturalist, Molly is a member of the London Natural History Society, and has volunteered for the London Wildlife Trust.
Jesse Aberbach
Session Leader
Jesse joined the team in early 2022, having previously been a Conservation Volunteer with us.
Jesse also works as an Environmental Coordinator in a sixth form college, surveys bats for ecological consultancies, and helps manage the wildlife garden at a local secondary school.
Jesse has been helping lead our schools and youth sessions as well as getting involved in our corporate volunteering programme and leading nature walks.
In addition to nature, Jesse has a keen interest in literature and has been developing workshops blending creative writing and nature.
Rory Dimond
Session Leader
Rory joined us in early 2019, having previously worked for Buglife and Friends of the Earth. A passionate wildlife enthusiast, Rory has a wealth of in nature conservation experience with a particular interest in insects and other invertebrates.
Rory supervises our volunteer sessions and helps to support our wildlife monitoring programmes. He is passionate about inspiring others with nature conservation, leading a range of workshops, guided walks and ecological talks throughout the year. Rory has been instrumental in helping Heath Hands develop our citizen science projects and community garden areas. A keen wildlife gardener, he is very much our eco expert!
Joanne Maddox
Session Leader
Jo began training with us during Autumn 2019. A hugely dedicated nature enthusiast, she is a passionate conservationist and wildlife champion.
As a Session Leader Jo has been helping lead our volunteer conservation and habitat management sessions, combined with supervising different groups and schools that get involved on the Heath.
Jo is also a key part of our wildlife conservation and monitoring, schemes and launched a new butterfly recording scheme.
Jo has built up extensive knowledge about the Heath and its wildlife and enjoys leading our nature walks to inspire others!