About us.
Our team.
We bring different experiences and perspectives, united by a shared commitment to care, respect, and supporting those affected by sexual violence.
Natalie Thompson.
Natalie Thompson has been Chief Executive Officer of CRASAC since 2019 and brings extensive experience across the charity and sexual violence sectors.
She is passionate about improving support for survivors, challenging misconceptions surrounding sexual violence, and driving meaningful systemic and cultural change. Under her leadership, CRASAC continues to strengthen its services and impact across Coventry and surrounding areas.
Chief executive officer.
Julie Sperling.
Julie Sperling joined CRASAC in 2024 as Head of Finance & Operations and brings over 25 years of experience in finance and operational leadership within the charitable sector.
She plays a vital role in ensuring CRASAC's services remain sustainable and effective, helping the organisation continue to support survivors across Coventry and Warwickshire.
Head of finance and operations.
Cara Brookes.
Head of services.
Cara Brookes joined CRASAC in 2012 as a therapist and has since held a range of roles across outreach, training, and service delivery. Now Head of Services, she leads the development and delivery of CRASAC's specialist survivor support services and is passionate about ensuring survivors receive compassionate, trauma-informed care in safe and supportive environments.
Kiren Birdi.
Advocacy & outreach manager.
Kiren Birdi joined CRASAC in 2026 as Advocacy & Outreach Manager and leads the ISVA team, supporting service development and continuous improvement. Drawing on experience in education, safeguarding, and supporting vulnerable individuals, Kiren works closely with partners and local communities to increase awareness of CRASAC's services and improve access to support. She is passionate about delivering trauma-informed, compassionate support for survivors across Coventry and surrounding areas.
Donna Jones.
Development & partnerships lead.
Donna Jones joined CRASAC in 2026 as Development & Partnership Lead and brings over 20 years of experience in partnership development, communications, and community engagement. She leads on strategic partnerships, organisational communications, and engagement initiatives, helping to strengthen CRASAC's impact, visibility, and long-term sustainability across Coventry and Warwickshire.
Board of trustees.
Alison Drury.
Alison Drury has had a long career in brand marketing, strategic planning and market research specialising in recent years in research with a social purpose and research amongst stakeholders in education, health and the third sector. She is also a qualified psychotherapist and counsellor working with women affected by the trauma of sexual violence and domestic violence. She has been a longstanding trustee at CRASAC and is a former vice chair of governors for a large successful Further Education College in the Midlands.
(Board member since March 2010)
Julie Sullivan.
Julie was a local government Community Safety Manager specialising in domestic abuse and sexual assault and rape issues. On retirement she joined the board of CRASAC.
She also chairs the board of a Multi-Academy Trust of five schools locally (three of whom are outstanding) and is vice chair of a successful local charity who oversees the assessment of vulnerable families from all over the country.
(Board member since May 2013)
Rachel Hinde.
Chair (Board member since September 2008)
Rachel Hinde until December 2024 worked for the NHS, leading an improvement programme focusing on primary care, improving access for patients to general practice. She has previously worked in local government in the Midlands and in London and for other statutory bodies. She has expertise in change management, quality improvement and a range of leadership and management skills. She has been committed to CRASAC as a trustee for many years, supporting the organisation through changes.
Mary Hawkins.
Treasurer (Board member since January 2014)
Mary had a long career in Local Government, finishing as a Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer, during which time the Council she worked for, achieved an ‘Excellence’ rating. After this she was the Head of Operations for ENTRUST regulating the Landfill Communities Fund. Mary has a keen interest in Finance, Corporate Governance and Risk Management.
Mary has been retired a few years, she is a keen golfer and is on the Committee of her Ladies Section, and has been instrumental in achieving the ‘Women in Golf’ status. Her other hobbies are her allotment and travelling.
Laura Fisher.
Laura brings both lived and professional experience to her role on the Board of Trustees, having first engaged with CRASAC as a service user. She is the Founder and CEO of Survivor Sanctuary, a grassroots by-and-for organisation providing peer support and community to survivors of sexual violence.
Laura is also Team Leader for Shifting Power at Grapevine Coventry and Warwickshire, where she leads community organising teams focused on tackling injustice and creating systemic change. Her work spans trauma-informed leadership, campaigning, and strategic influence with a strong focus on ensuring that lived experience drives policy reform and decision making at all levels.
Laura’s approach is rooted in empathy, collaboration, and the belief that those most affected by harm should be at the heart of shaping solutions.