Meet the Team
Colin Houston
Chief Executive Officer
Colin joined us in 2015, having previously worked as an environmental consultant and for an international development NGO.
Colin has overseen an ongoing period of transition and growth for Heath Hands, working to develop our strategic direction, policies and procedures, governance structures and programme delivery capacity. A secondee from our partners at the City of London Corporation, he works to enhance our strategic partnerships with local stakeholder groups, partners such as English Heritage, and expand our links with community groups, while managing our staff and volunteers.
Colin became our first CEO in Autumn 2024 after overseeing a sustained period of growth for the charity. A keen climber and hillwalker, he tries to get up to the mountains whenever he can!
Karin Oleinikova
Programme Manager
Karin began working at Heath Hands in 2017. Over her time at Heath Hands, she has been instrumental in helping drive the evolution of our charity.
Karin helps manage and develop our volunteer and community programmes across our green spaces. She has particular responsibility for our Community projects, Youth, School, Health and Wellbeing and Engagement programmes which support local groups and people of all backgrounds and abilities to get involved on our green spaces.
In addition, Karin manages our office administration and has been busy developing our charity’s communications and fundraising as well as our financial management and reporting systems.
A keen singer, hiker and traveller, she has been able to combine her interests in community engagement and nature conservation in the role.
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!
Avigail Ochert
Session Leader
Avi was appointed as a Session Leader in September 2020 after joining Heath Hands as a Conservation Volunteer the previous year.
Avi has a background in formal and special needs education and is an experienced environmental educator. As a successful artist she brings a creative flair to Heath Hands’ programmes!
Avi has been helping deliver our community engagement projects, and our youth programmes.
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.
Molly Lambourne
Session Leader
Molly joined Heath Hands as a Session Leader in May 2023 and helps to lead our volunteering sessions.
Molly has 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.
Hannah Dineen
Office Assistant
Hannah has been volunteering on both our conservation and wildlife monitoring programmes throughout 2024 after completing her education.
Hannah began volunteering in our office in the summer and has been busy building her experience and skills in the conservation sector.
She joined our team on a 12-week work experience placement in September 2024.