Core Team
Lisa Stepanovic MBE
CEO & Founder
Lisa is a proud Eastender of Polish and Irish heritage, deeply rooted in the community she serves. Having lived and worked in East London all her life, she’s passionate about creating a safe, inclusive space for everyone. Lisa began her journey as a market trader, where she developed strong entrepreneurial skills from a young age. For over eight years, in a voluntary capacity she supported at-risk young people, particularly those facing legal challenges and school exclusions, advocating to ensure they could access the support they deserved. This work led her to found Social Ark, where she continues to champion young people affected by social injustice, helping them build brighter futures on their own terms.
Brogan Brooks Youth Lead
Brogan prides herself on being a relatable role model for young people in her community: “To see the change, you’ve got to make the change!” A fitness instructor and award-winning social entrepreneur, Brogan’s experience includes leading programmes at Box Up Crime and working independently with schools across Barking, Dagenham, and Redbridge. A proud graduate of Social Ark’s ‘Step Up’ and ‘Investment Ready’ programmes, she continues to give back as an active and inspiring Alumni. Brogan now leads on our schools and youth programmes for under-18s. She has worked with over 1,500 young people, many identified as at-risk, from marginalised backgrounds, or with special needs, empowering them to create lasting change.
Katakyie Zak Addae-Kodua
Leadership Team
Katakyie brings a wealth of lived and professional experience to the team. A former participant of our Step-Up programme, he went on to manage our last Investment Ready programme and now leads on Operations and all Social Ark programmes. Passionate about justice reform, Katakyie is regularly invited to speak on panels, using his lived experience to influence systems change within the justice system. He is also the proud founder of Xconversation CIC, an organisation that supports young people at risk. Katakyie’s impact has not gone unnoticed, he is a multi-award-winning change-maker, recognised for his commitment to empowering young people and driving long-term, meaningful change.
Tiwa King Leadership Team
Tiwa King is a multifaceted, award-winning social entrepreneur who uses her diverse talents to create meaningful impact. She is the Founder of Beyond a Song CIC, where she harnesses the power of music and voice to promote wellbeing in both companies and communities. A passionate advocate for parents of neurodivergent children, Tiwa also offers vital support and guidance within this space. After completing Social Ark’s Investment Ready programme, she joined the leadership team, where she now project-manages and mentors across multiple programmes. Tiwa’s creative and holistic approach has taken her around the world, establishing her as a sought-after consultant and change-maker within the social impact sector.
Tasha Cowperthwaite
Justice & Systems Change Lead
Tasha is a skilled facilitator and engagement lead with a strong background in criminal and social justice. Passionate about centring lived experience, she works with sector leaders to dismantle systemic barriers, redistribute power, and drive meaningful change. Tasha specialises in designing programmes that reduce serious youth violence and disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline, focusing on children and young adults. She also leads the national Parental Imprisonment group at Firebird Foundation, advocating for those affected by a parents incarceration. Drawing on her own lived experience, Tasha is a powerful voice for justice, using her platform to influence decision-makers and push for more compassionate, equitable systems.
JR Josephs Leadership Team
JR is a visionary social entrepreneur dedicated to empowering young people through creativity. As the Founder and CEO of Sirlute, he has transformed the organisation into a vital gateway for young people from under-resourced backgrounds to access the creative industries and grow their talents. A Social Innovation Prize winner from the University of Cambridge and a qualified life coach, JR is passionate about mentorship and driving sustainable change. A proud graduate of Social Ark’s Step Up and Investment Ready programmes, he gained invaluable support as an Alumni. Now part of the Social Ark leadership team, JR leads on programme delivery and mentoring, helping the next generation of social entrepreneurs thrive.
