After nearly 5 years co-leading NEON, and focusing on culture and ways of working, Rachel Diamond-Hunter is moving on from her role as Executive Director: Organisational Development.
Rachel joined NEON when it had only 9 staff and during COVID lockdowns. Nearly 5 years later and under Rachel’s leadership NEON has grown in both size and in its reputation for sector-leading organisational development work. Anti-oppression and culture conversations and practice have deepened thanks to her leadership, and we will continue to strive to make NEON a beacon of progressive working in her wake. Just a few of Rachel’s achievements include introducing key policies like the 28-hour working week, flexible working and a radical parenting policy; role-modelling compassionate and caring leadership and embedding this in NEON’s culture; overseeing improvements to NEON’s financial practices; and incubating key movement organisations to give them a chance to flourish with her and NEON’s support.
Rachel says:
“I’ve loved being able to not only raise NEON’s game in terms of making sure things work well for everyone involved, whether on the team or external to us. I have sought to actively shape the culture towards joy and care, while maintaining our impact on the world. I’m really proud of that. I hope to continue raising the bar on culture through positive pressure on social movements - functioning well internally is essential to functioning well in the world. This is even more true when we’re witnessing genocide or fascism or an attack on disabled or trans people. It’s about building an organisation which builds its people up so that they can build a better world.”
With Rachel leaving, Ayeisha will take on leading NEON as sole Executive Director. Ayeisha shares her thoughts on Rachel’s departure:
"It has been an absolute privilege to work alongside Rachel over the past five years at NEON. Her unwavering commitment, depth of knowledge, and genuine care have left an indelible mark on the organisation. Thanks to her leadership, NEON has grown stronger, more thoughtful, and more impactful. The foundations Rachel has laid - particularly around our culture and our approach to creating lasting impact - will continue to shape and guide our work in the years ahead.
As Rachel steps into her next chapter, we’re cheering her on and can’t wait to see the incredible things she’ll go on to achieve. Meanwhile, I’m honoured to be taking on sole leadership of NEON in its next exciting phase; where we will continue our work to build the power and capacity of social movements, and to change the starting point from ‘what do we agree on?’, to ‘what can we win together - and how do we do it?’"
We will all miss Rachel’s kind, open and joyful approach to work. We will continue her legacy of cultivating a workplace that is centred on joy and care - and crucially, having real world impact - as a fuel for NEON’s important work.
If you’d like to get in touch with Rachel to find out how she can work with your organisation, please contact her here.