Nicole Helwig
Programme Director
Nicole’s circuitous career path has provided her with a wealth of experiences and exposure to societal issues around the world. A social entrepreneur in her own right, she has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by social ventures particularly in the startup phase.
Nicole worked extensively with social enterprises and social entrepreneurs as founding manager of the Centre for Social Enterprise at Memorial University of Newfoundland (2016-2021) where she also acted as programme co-ordinator for Memorial’s MBA in social enterprise and entrepreneurship. Prior to joining Cambridge Social Ventures, Nicole was an Honorary Practice Fellow at the Cambridge Centre for Social Innovation, engaging with students in the MSt in Social Innovation.
Nicole holds a Bachelor of Arts from McGill University (humanistic studies programme) and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Strathclyde (Malaysian international centre). With a background in performing arts, Nicole also holds a classical ballet pedagogue diploma from the Hungarian Dance Academy. She is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Middlesex (Doctorate in Professional Studies by Public Works).
Mark Goodson
Lead Business Advisor
Mark is our lead business advisor and has been with us since the first cohort back in mid-2014.
He has worked for over 30 years in technology, co-founding venture capital funded start-ups and taking on senior positions at companies such as Cambridge Silicon Radio. He has founded a number of ventures, both commercial and social, and is also a trained coach and mentor.
Mark is not scared of sales – a skill which every venture needs. He is also a Consultant Venture Manager for UnLtd.
Leonore Lord
Business Advisor
Leonore is a business coach, work psychologist and trainer; she has 20 years of experience working with commercial SMEs and social enterprises, from tattooists to consultants, mainly during their early startup stages.
Her career includes working in the third sector on both UK and International enterprise programmes as a Project manager and as a Business Coach.
Outside of her work with Cambridge Social Ventures, she offers business coaching to a wide range of diverse entrepreneurs; specialisms include working with people with multiple barriers, including those who may have mental and physical disabilities.
Rhiannon Ford
Programme Assistant
As the Programme Assistant, Rhiannon helps the team with the operational aspects of running Cambridge Social Ventures, primarily helping with events, communications and data management.
Rhiannon has worked for the University of Cambridge and within private practice covering a wide range of duties including HR, volunteer management, office management and co-ordinating training courses. Prior to Cambridge Social Ventures she worked for other departments in the University as well as organising training courses approved by Royal Society of Chemistry. She spent five years as a stay-at-home mum and is a qualified nutrition coach.