New Co-CEO completes Tir Coed Leadership Team
Written by Tir Coed / Wednesday 11 January 2023
Following considerable recent growth and new funding from NRW Community Resilience Fund, we are pleased to announce that Jenna Morris has been recruited as our new Development and Communications Director.
Jenna has worked as a Mentor with Tir Coed and more recently as Carmarthenshire Co-ordinator (Maternity cover). She has experience of working with a broad range of other organisations including the Woodland Trust and National Trust, and has strong experience of communications with young people, volunteers and the wider public. Originally from Llanelli, Jenna completed a degree in Environmental Science in 2011 and is a firm believer in lifelong learning, undertaking a variety of professional and leisure courses since.
“Although it was a tough decision” says Finance Director and Co-CEO Helen Gethin, “Jenna’s communication skills really stood out in the interview and in a presentation which was well researched, well-structured and full of fresh ideas. and of course we already know how good Jenna is with managing her time, developing connections and working as part of a team.”
Jenna said: “Having worked for Tir Coed over the past couple of years I know that it is the right fit for me. This is my dream role and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to take on a new challenge and share our ambitions and successes with others, developing the charity over the coming years.”
With Co-CEO’s Cath Seymour and Helen, and outgoing Development Director/Co-CEO Teresa Walters, Jenna’s first three months in her new role will focus on getting to grips with the Comms and Marketing functions and schedules, the relationships and projects Teresa has been developing as part of her Development work and learning more about the nitty-gritty of fund-raising.
Tir Coed have trialled the Co-CEO approach over the last 5 years and have found that it is a great way for managers to be more collaborative and creative – and to reduce stress by sharing the load. Having 3 CEOs with very clear areas of responsibility means that decisions can be made easily by the person with the right knowledge and background; whilst they are supported by input from the team. It depends on really honest and consistent communications; so selecting people who can lead collaboratively has been essential.
Jenna Morris has worked with Tir Coed in a variety of roles since 2020, joining the charity as Carmarthenshire Mentor and more recently as Carmarthenshire Coordinator (maternity cover). She studied an Environmental Science degree at the University of Plymouth and is passionate about connecting others with their local green spaces and deepening their relationship with both the natural world and the communities they live in. With a background in delivering funded employability and community projects, visitor and volunteer engagement, Jenna has worked for a number of charities and not-for-profits including the Woodland Trust and National Trust and is now looking forward to making a difference at Tir Coed.
