Our Trustees

Deborah Leighton Plom has served on our board since 2019. She works as a Community Prison Chaplain, supporting people leaving custody to resettle across Devon and Cornwall. Deborah is a qualified IHCA (Independent Health Complaints Advocate) specialising in mental health. She is an active member of St. David’s and St. Michael’s Mount Dinham Churches.

Emma White has served on our Board since 2014. She is the Managing Director of Exeter Live Better and champions sustainable energy efficient development. Emma is also a Trustee of the YMCA England and Wales National Board and a Churchwarden at St David’s Church. Emma is married to Alan and lives locally, in their spare time they enjoy many outdoor activities.

Jonathan Snicker joined as a Trustee in 2017. He has worked as a consultant in the not for profit sector for several years; prior to that he was Fellow and Development Director at St John’s College, Oxford. He began his career as a lecturer in Politics and is now the Head of Philanthropy at the University of Exeter. Jonathan attends St David’s Church in Exeter and is married to Katharine and they have one son.

Llewellyn Nicholls is the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Grow Marketing in Exeter. Before becoming a trustee, Llew has spent several years volunteering at YMCA Exeter through mentoring young people and taking part in our annual Sleep Easy fundraising events. Llew hopes that his passion for helping young people, coupled with his own challenges growing up, makes him a good asset for the YMCA. Llew is a keen rugby player and with his wife Stella, are members of Exeter Vineyard Church

Paul has been a member of our Board of Trustees since 2018, having previously served as a director of Guildford YMCA and the YMCA national board. He was a partner in a firm of solicitors for his professional life. Now retired from the law, he is pursuing a PhD in theology at Exeter University. Paul is an active member of Belmont Chapel.

Paul Reisbach is our Chair of Trustees and was appointed in September 2018. Paul is the Director for Metanoia Projects and works primarily in the third sector helping groups and organisations understand how they can collaborate without compromising their own goals and objectives. 

Paul Cloke joined the Board in 2018. He is Professor of Human Geography at the University of Exeter, and specialises in research on how third sector organisations serve and empower impoverished and marginalised social groups. Paul and his wife Viv attend Exeter Vineyard Church.

Rita Nardone (LinkedIn) joined our board in 2019. She is married with two older children and attends St Boniface Catholic Church in Cullompton. Rita has trained as a Street Pastor and has a small business with her husband in the oil and gas industry. She has been to Sierra Leonne twice for mission trips and after witnessing the poverty there, is keen to give time for home mission.

Sara Traynor is an Executive and Leadership coach specialising in coaching lawyers transitioning to board or senior leadership roles. She also coaches groups and teams using the globally renowned LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® methodology. Sara was previously the Director of Knowledge & Learning at Stephens Scown LLP and has had management roles within a FTSE 250 utility for 15 years Sara lives in Exeter with her husband and attends Exeter Network Church and St James Church.

Will McDermid joined the board in 2017 having recently moved back to the Southwest. As a qualified accountant Will now works as a Manager at Bush & Co Chartered Accountants where he specialises in charities. He is married to Helen-Frances, and they have two children. Will is a member of St Matt’s Exeter.