Tessa Elbourne - Director
Tessa joined Canaan Project as Director in July 2017 after spending a few years living in Bangladesh where, amongst other things, she was developing a young women’s project. Prior to that she worked for Canaan Project for 3 years as young women’s worker. She is passionate about young women’s work, loves cuddles with her daughters and enjoys playing her accordion.
Genesis Diaz- Senior Young Womens’ worker
Genesis joined the team in March 2023. She has been doing youth work all of her adult life and brings with her tonnes of experience. She loves taking young people on residentials, helping them plan big events and encouraging them to love themselves more! Genesis loves travelling, especially beaches, and has visited more countries than she can remember.
Hannah Luke - Young Womens’ Worker
Hannah has volunteered at Canaan since 2019 and joined our staff team in August 2022. She is also the youth worker for City of Peace Community Church on the Isle of Dogs and has been doing youth work around the borough for 8 years! Hannah loves a good ceilidh, looking after her cherished plants, and baking. We’re so glad to have Hannah and her expertise as part of the team.
Suzy Stride- Young Womens’ Worker
Suzy joined us at the end of February 2022. She will very proudly tell you that she was born and raised right here in Tower Hamlets. Suzy brings with her a wealth of experience, having done youth work for over 20 years and was around helping out right at the beginning of Canaan Projects creation. Suzy is an incredibly enthusiastic person- no more so than when she’s talking about young people, politics or football.
Christina Barsoum -Young Womens’ worker
Christina has volunteered with Canaan in the past and has now joined the staff team as a Young Women’s Worker! She previously worked in mental health training and spent the last few years developing a youth project in the area. She really enjoys working with young women, creating safe spaces and helping them to flourish and grow. She loves a good coffee, DMC, chocolate and considers herself to be an old soul at heart.
Steve Willcox- Finance and Office Assis
tant
Steve joined Canaan Project in November 2021 and is an experienced voluntary sector finance specialist with management accounting and book-keeping skills. Steve has worked as a Finance Officer for community organisations in need of part-time skilled finance support for more than fifteen years.
Hannah Pilkington- Interim project support
Hannah is another local girl, born and raised right here in Tower Hamlets. With experience in both charity management and leading women’s projects, Hannah has been working for Canaan Project since March 2022, bringing plenty of wisdom and insight with her.
