About us / Our people
Team
Helen Harvey
Director of Community and Curation at SEWF, Helen leads on SEWF events and community-building. Helen has worked with SEWF since 2018, initially as a short-term contractor before moving into senior leadership. During her time at SEWF she has led on developing the global event model from in-person to digital to hybrid.
Helen has 20 years of experience supporting social enterprise and non-profit development around the world both within teams and as a consultant in areas including health, education, youth, independent media, arts and community development.
Gerry Higgins
Gerry is the founder and Managing Director of SEWF where he works to develop a global impact economy. Gerry has a BA in Education and a MSc in Business Studies and was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of Social Enterprise UK in 2017. Gerry is Irish but has lived in Scotland for over three decades and leads the SEWF team to strengthen and grow the social enterprise movement through convening, influencing and capacity building.
Leading SEWF has come about after decades, working in, establishing and supporting social enterprises in the UK and Ireland and this brings an understanding of the challenges of sustainability and leadership in values-led businesses.
Kasia Kotlarska
Kasia is a passionate marketer and designer with over seven years of experience working in the social enterprise and charity sectors. She’s determined to use her skills to help create a fairer society. Kasia is very excited about working with SEWF as it’s where she can achieve those goals. In her day-to-day, she helps us deliver engaging content to our audiences and promote the events.
Nthabi Modjadji
Nthabi Modjadji is a social justice activist, intersectional feminist and Rhodes University graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Political and International Studies. She co-founded the Breaking Down Borders Africa (BDBA) Initiative in 2016, a pan-African youth engagement and social justice programme that has connected youth from over 60 African states and the diaspora. Before joining the Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF), Nthabi was the Programmes Manager/Administrator at BDBA. Nthabi has received several accolades, including the Sunday World Unsung Heroes Award and participation in the Nasser Fellowship for International Leadership and the World Youth Forum.
Jessica Oyarbide
Jessica Oyarbide is a specialist in Social Enterprises, impact ecosystems and purpose-driven brands. She is the founder of EKHOS, an organisation that connects India, Latin America and Europe to strengthen impact ecosystems through research, training, impact immersion journeys and initiatives around sustainable and social procurement. She also leads the expansion of People and Planet First in Latin America. In addition, she founded Marcas que Marcan, a conscious branding agency focused on social innovation.
Jessica is part of the Data Harmonization Coalition for Social Enterprises led by the Schwab Foundation, serves on the board of the Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) and is a member of the Advisory Council of Red Impacto LATAM. She lived in India researching Fair Trade and Social Enterprise models, contributed to ecosystem mapping initiatives across Argentina and Latin America and teaches at Universidad Austral and Universidad del CEMA. She holds a degree in Advertising and specialises in Social and Inclusive Business at HEC Paris.
Andy Paterson
Andy Paterson is the Policy Officer for Social Enterprise Scotland, engaging with local, Scottish and UK governments on behalf of members. He co-produced the organisation’s latest manifesto, “Building Wealth, Building Community,” and contributed to the Wellbeing Alliance Scotland’s manifesto. He is currently seconded by SEWF as a policy member and additionally sits on the SEWF Youth Advisory Group. With a background in politics, Andy has specific interests in equality, poverty, renewable energy and economic policy. He previously worked with campaigner Peter Krykant on drug reform advocacy and with Universities UK on their drugs harm reduction strategy. Outside of work, he has a keen interest in news, current affairs and Scottish football as a Hibernian supporter.
Eadie Pfahlert
Eadie Pfahlert (she/her) is the Network Coordinator for the Rural Social Enterprise Network, a global peer-led community connecting rural social enterprise practitioners, supporters and advocates.
Growing up in rural Australia, Eadie developed a deep belief in the resilience of rural communities and their ability to provide a profound sense of meaning and belonging. She came to this role through the Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF), where she co-authored the Rural Social Enterprise Manifesto and helped organise the 2025 Rural Social Enterprise Gathering. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Global Studies at Monash University.
Eadie is passionate about young people as agents of social change and believes that community, connection, and taking action for what you care about have the power to transform lives and communities alike.