Our Trustees

Emma has over twenty-five years of experience in the world of construction, having studied Building and Surveying at UWE Bristol and qualified as a Chartered Building Surveyor in 1993.

She has gone on to become one of the leading global voices in the development and delivery of low energy, healthy and climate resilient homes and buildings (including being a champion of high performance Passivhaus standards within building).

Emma is heavily involved both locally and nationally with YMCA. She is a Church Warden at St David’s Church in Exeter and is a keen fan of the outdoors (citing white-water rafting, fly-fishing and mountaineering in the Cairngorms as some of her passions).

Dr. Katte is a Christian and a Medical Researcher. He has a strong passion for holistic human capital development. He has past experience working with young people within several Christian organisations in Cameroon such as the Nations’ Hope Mission, several churches of the Full Gospel Mission and the Christian Healthcare Fellowship. He looks forward to providing his experience and spiritual and intellectual wealth to support the YMCA’s work in Exeter and Beyond. He lives in Exeter with his wife and two young children.

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.

Louise has been on the Board of Trustees at YMCA Exeter since January 2022. She is Head of Knight Frank Exeter and has over 21 years of varied and extensive experience in property & developments. After fifteen years working in London, Louise returned to Devon in 2014 where she enjoys paddle boarding and walking along the seafront in Exmouth.

Lucy Herring joined the board in October 2022. Lucy works within Somerset County Council as an Advisory teacher for Looked After Children. Lucy goes to Belmont Church in Exeter where she supports the All-Age work with a particular focus on provision for the Under 5’s. Lucy is also a Governor at a local Exeter school. In her spare time Lucy, along with her husband, enjoys jumping in puddles with her young children, running, and lazy afternoons in the garden.

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. 

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.

Tom Morrish joined the board in January 2023. Tom works as a solicitor for Trowers & Hamlins and specialises in resolving construction and engineering disputes. Tom goes to City Community Church in Heavitree where he volunteers as a youth worker and as a trustee. Tom is also a manager for Devon Christian Youth Camps, organising summer camps for young people across the South West. In his spare time Tom enjoys playing and coaching tennis, running and cooking with his fiancé Nia.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tmorrish

Will McDermid joined the board in 2017 having recently moved back to the Southwest. As a qualified accountant, Will works as an Audit Manager at PKF Francis Clark in Exeter, where he has responsibility for a mixed portfolio of commercial and not-for-profit entities. He is married to Helen-Frances, and they have two children. Will is a member of St Matt’s Church in Exeter.