FOUNDER, TRUSTEE
Lisa K D V Seymour
Lisa is a Dual United Kingdom/American Citizen, who originated from California, then moved to the UK in the early 90’s, later having a family and raising her children in London. Lisa adores the people, architecture, culture and arts. Embracing and adopting everything unique that this rich and diverse nation has to offer. Lisa founded the Coco Joelle Foundation, so in some small way, a difference could be made to the planet and humanity. With an emphasis on men’s mental health, breaking the cycle of homelessness and key environmental issues.
Please see our projects page for a few of the causes we support.
Lisa, Melissa, Gemma, David and John believe that through small, innovative measures that are focused and executed through their foundation’s grants, real change can happen. It is the small steps that will build a lasting legacy and now, more than ever, the need for this is evident.
Trustee
Melissa Fife
Melissa worked for many years in issues-based communications, working on campaigns for non profits, trade associations and public sector bodies throughout the UK. She is passionate about working for positive social change and initiatives that will support younger generations live in a more sustainable future. Melissa is excited to see the impact that the Coco Joelle Foundation can achieve in its inaugural period. Outside of the Foundation Melissa is an artist working on illustration projects and bespoke commissions.
TRUSTEE
Gemma Watson
Gemma Watson is an English and South African qualifier lawyer. She holds a degree in law and international relations and a post graduate law degree from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. Gemma grew up in Johannesburg and moved to London in 2005 to continue her law career at a Magic Circle law firm. In 2012 she moved to Abu Dhabi and has taken a break from practising law to raise her four children. Gemma has recently moved back to London with her husband and children after 7 years in Abu Dhabi. Gemma is passionate about uplifting people and environmental cleanup.
TRUSTEE, Trust administration
John White
John White has over 20 years’ experience in international development, predominantly in the Far East and South Asia. Following a career in the Army, he worked for the Foreign Office in Pakistan and Afghanistan before being seconded to the Cabinet Office as a policy adviser to the National Security Council.
After leaving public service, he returned to Pakistan as Director of Operations on USAID’s flagship development programme in South Asia, delivering improvements to Pakistan’s power sector. In 2015 he moved to Nepal to head the post-earthquake response for the Gurkha Welfare Trust, a UK charity providing financial, medical and community aid in Nepal.
A civil engineer by training, John has also been retained by the UN Office for Project Services as a project consultant. John is currently helping with the refurbishment of the infrastructure in Pakistan, following the extreme flooding.
TRUSTee
Dr David B Cotton
Dr Cotton has a long history with Wildlife Conservation, building a lasting, protective legacy, particularly with elephants. Dr Cotton has also been directly involved with coastal clean-up programmes, to help diminish the atrocities of plastic in the oceans. Additionally, Dr Cotton provides scholarships so people lacking in means can attend medical school. Giving back to his profession, in order to continue to educate future physicians. Dr Cotton’s experience and counsel has been invaluable in helping CJF make inroads in the charitable sector.