Danila has lived in Merton for over 20 years and is a keen gardener with an eye for innovative ways to improve our environment for the benefit of all by bringing Merton communities together. She has always been motivated by making a positive impact on people’s lives and the planet. 

With a strong background in Human Resources, Community Engagement and Volunteer Management, she has worked across a wide variety of sectors in senior HR roles, including Charity, Banking, Telecoms, University and Schools in the UK and Africa.  Danila has a Postgraduate Degree in Human Resources, is a Chartered MCIPD member, and holds a qualification in Climate Change and Environmental Awareness Studies. 
 
Combining her HR and project management skills along with a passion for plants and community engagement, she found her volunteer work as a Merton Garden Streets Co-ordinator so rewarding she joined Sustainable Merton as the Merton Garden Streets Project Manager in April 2022, and later took on the role of Operations and Volunteer Manager. In 2024 she moved to another national environmental charity as their Head of HR and Operations, and has recently returned to Sustainable Merton as the Volunteer and Community Changemaker Manager. 

In her spare time she enjoys visiting gardens, gardening, growing, sewing and painting. 

Anelisa has a passion for food and reducing waste is rooted in family values. With a diverse background spanning administration, education, and the arts, she has worked as an assistant director on low-budget films, music videos, shorts, and ads, and has held various administrative roles including receptionist, office and HR assistant. Anelisa has also taught ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) and served as a theatre teaching assistant, reflecting her enthusiasm for learning and sharing knowledge. She enjoys arts and crafts like crochet, knitting, pottery, and wood burning, and likes baking. She is very interested in people’s stories and personal growth. Anelisa started volunteering with Merton's Community Fridge in October 2024 and has now joined the Sustainable Merton staff team as Community Fridge Coordinator.

Natalie has a background in art and design, with experience at the Victoria and Albert Museum and in a large secondary school. She has worked with diverse groups and developed a wide range of technical skills, including sewing, metalwork, and woodwork. Alongside her professional roles, she runs a business specialising in handcrafted, eco-conscious jewellery. Natalie is passionate about sustainability, waste reduction, and championing circular design principles.

Matthew has always been interested in technology and sustainability, combining the two for projects such as a solar-powered rainwater harvesting system for his home. He started volunteering at Merton's Community Fridge to demonstrate that deliveries can be done by bicycle, and so was happy to join the team running the cargo bike. He has lived in Merton for 35 years and enjoys making music in groups such as Colliers Wood Chorus and Colliers Wood Community Orchestra.​​​

Katie has a long career in the voluntary sector, managing volunteer-involving programmes and various community projects and services. An avid gardener and grower, she went back to school in 2020, to undertake horticultural training with the RHS. Keen to combine her passion for gardening and growing with her professional skills, she joined Sustainable Merton in 2022 as the Growing Spaces Coordinator. She has an interest in the role that community gardening and urban/peri-urban farms can play in tackling issues such as food insecurity and biodiversity loss alongside how gardening can support physical and mental well-being. When not gardening or at the allotment, she enjoys dancing, reading and hiking. 

Hanna moved to Merton in 2021 and immediately signed up to be a Street Coordinator for Merton Garden Streets knowing that planting up tree pits would add colour, life and nature to her neighbourhood. In 2024 she joined Sustainable Merton's staff team as the Project Manager for Merton Garden Streets and the recently launched Community Food Growing Project.

Prior to joining Sustainable Merton, Hanna completed her BA in "European Studies" with a strong focus on campaigning and social movements. She spent the last few years working for waste reduction charities and campaigning organisations. In her spare time, Hanna is usually at her allotment or spending time with her daughters.

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Siobhan has a background in programme management across a variety of sectors, including corporate, charity and international development. A keen baker, who has previously run her own food business, Siobhan joined Sustainable Merton in 2023 excited by the chance to combine her passion for food equity with her experience in operational and partnership management. Originally from the US, Siobhan has lived in Merton for over 17 years and has been an active volunteer supporting refugees and asylum seekers in the borough.​​

Inger joined Sustainable Merton in the summer of 2021 and is very happy to be involved with their Community Gardens. With a degree in ‘Management of Natural Recourses’ from the ‘Norwegian University of Life Sciences’ and working as a part-time teaching assistant in a secondary school, she is very keen on everything that grows and how we can thrive and grow together in a sustainable way.

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Two of her favourite activities are spending time at her local allotment and riding her bicycle.​​

Cat has a background in teaching and has taught in primary schools in Merton for over 30 years.  She is particularly interested in reducing her environmental footprint and conserving resources. As well as working for Sustainable Merton, she volunteers at a scrap scheme that gives surplus materials creative uses, saving them from landfill. She joined Sustainable Merton in August 2024, collecting food donations from local organisations and supermarkets for Merton's Communtiy Fridge. Having previously volunteered in a Community Kitchen and Drop-in centre, Cat is passionate about supporting those experiencing food insecurity, whilst reducing the amount of food going to waste.

Cat is a regular tennis player, enjoys gardening and is a keen cyclist. She is also interested in the arts and enjoys getting creative!