Meet The Team
Bringing Jaipur to Edinburgh, this is Sanitree’s wholesome bunch.
Frances Roberts – Co- Project Leader (she/her)
Our dynamic co-project leader is a third-year history student. When Frances isn’t in the library (which is most of the time), she loves doing yoga, making things on her sewing machine, and watching live music and theatre.
“I am a passionate feminist and environmental activist. Period Poverty and climate change disproportionally affect women in India with 43% unable to access period products. I volunteered in Bangladesh before coming to university and experienced first-hand the shame and stigma surrounding menstruation in South Asian cultures.”
Issy Pountney – Co Project Leader (she/her)
Our amazing co-project leader, Issy is a second year undergraduate student studying History and Politics and loves to cook, eat and dance to soul music. Working alongside Frances, she exercises a composure in crisis, that only some of us can dream of.
“I’m really passionate about gender equality and environmental sustainability and Sanitree links both these issues, and is run by a great team in Edinburgh and Jaipur!”
Bella Henricks – Head of Research (she/her)
Bella is a fourth year history student from Australia, and aptly, gave herself the title of her position.
“I’m super passionate about eliminating period poverty, and reducing the stigma around periods.”
Amy Cook – Outreach Coordinator (she/her)
Our Head of Outreach, Amy is a fourth-year Economics and Maths student, who loves wild swimming! We’re so excited to have you, Amy!
“Sanitree is important to me as we cannot allow menstruation to prohibit us in the fight for gender equality!”
Tanvi Ajmera – Outreach Coordinator (she/her)
Tanvi is Head of Outreach alongside Amy, and is a third-year law student at the University of Edinburgh. She is originally from India but grew up in the Philippines. She loves drinking chai, listening to 80s music, and discovering and documenting food.
“When I was young, I wasn’t allowed to enter the kitchen or talk to the male figures in my family on the days when I was on my period. I used to complain to my mother about how unfair all of this was. As I grew older, I realized that experiencing these restrictions was a privilege — there were girls and individuals my age that did not even have access to pads and other menstrual products or even an adequate education about what “that time of the month” was. I realized that many girls stayed home, felt humiliated, got killed - all because of the stigma and lack of awareness associated with menstruation. I wanted to get involved with Sanitree because I want to learn more about and extend my passion for this social cause whilst being surrounded by individuals that are motivated and passionate about doing the same.”
Sophie Beckitt – Events Coordinator (she/her)
Sophie is a second year History and History of Arts student, loves food and long walks. As our events coordinator, she is excited to get the conversation and the funds flowing!
“Anyone who bleeds should feel empowered by this, and Sanitree is tackling the obstacles which stand in the way, sustainably, providing a much-needed platform for those wanting to contribute to the conversation.”
Mira Panicker – Events Coordinator (she/her)
Mira is the newest recruit on our ‘Fun Team’, aka our events coordinator. She is a second-year history and economics student. Alongside Sophie, our other events manager, Mira puts the fun in fundraising!
“As someone who is passionate about both the environment and gender equality, Sanitree's goals of sustainability and empowerment, whilst targeting period poverty, is something that I strongly resonate with.”
Farnad Bakshi – Graphic Designer (she/her)
Our graphic designer, and ‘makes-everything-look-great’ person, is a second-year economic and politics student. Farnad is from Bangladesh but grew up in Vienna and London.
“I come from a country where even speaking about women’s reproductive health is seen as taboo. While there are some who are privileged, there’s a huge population of women who don’t even have access to menstruation products. To me, Sanitree is an enterprise that seeks to tackle an issue that is extremely important societally and globally and issues that I personally resonate with.”
Vanshika Agarwal – Social Media Manager (she/her)
Vanshika is a third-year business management student. She is from Kolkata, India. She adds aesthetics to our social media page and helps create the buzz and conversation around Sanitree online.
“Sanitree aims to tackle period poverty which is a major issue in most developing countries. Moreover, it aims to do it a sustainable and ethical way which is what drew me towards this project.”
Alessa Marczak – UK Sales Manager (she/her)
Introducing Alessa, our UK Sales Manager. From coordinating with marketing Edinburgh to contacting our team in Jaipur, Alessa should really be called Salessa. Alessa is a fourth-year history student and is passionate about fashion and business.
“As a Scottish based organisation, Sanitree represents the trailblazing steps Scotland has made towards alleviating period poverty and I’m hugely excited to be a part of the continuing effort to make period products easily accessible to all women globally.”
Ashlin Elizabeth Mathew – Finance Manager (she/her)
Our finance manager is a first year undergraduate student studying Economics and Politics. She loves music and dogs. She also enjoys exploring new places (good choice with Edinburgh, Ashlin!).
“I come from a conservative Indian background where gender inequality issues persist. People shouldn't be treated differently because of their gender. The changes Sanitree is making are really inspirational, and I'm grateful that I get to be a part of this team!”
We are so happy to be working with you, Ashlin!
Julia Iwańczuk – Podcast Producer (she/her)
Our podcast producer, Julia is a second year undergraduate student studying Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science. Besides drowning in code, she tutors high school students in math and plays bass guitar. She loves cooking for her friends and watching stand-up comedy shows, and discussing social issues with others.
“Sanitree's mission to put the end to period poverty and stigma is important to me, because I want to use my privilege to make an actual change in the world. I believe that everyone should have equal chances and support, no matter their financial status. Period products are basic necessity for every menstruating person and we should aim to achieve equality in that field. Producing Sanitree's podcast can help us share various stories and bring awareness to many issues that are not spoken about in public.”
Sára Ní Eithir – Podcast Editor (she/they)
Our podcast editor, Sara is a second year Film and Television student, and loves cats and cinema. We are so excited that she has joined our team, and look forward to all the film night recommendations!
“Spreading awareness about period poverty as well as menstruation, in general, is important to me because it lets menstruating people have more knowledge and therefore control when it comes to our bodies. Fighting the stigma surrounding periods and striving to make people more comfortable with their bodies is a cause I really believe in, especially since Sanitree also encourages sustainable period products.”
Maha Ghori – Campaigns Manager (she/her)
Maha is our campaigns manager, and is currently a fourth year law student. She loves reading, particularly crime and mystery novels, and willingly watches and enjoys horror films (yes, you read it right, horror!).
“Having access to sanitary products is a basic right that should be enjoyed by every menstruating female, and Sanitree’s mission to make said products available and tackle the persistent inequalities that are simply not being addressed by larger organisations is, in my opinion, extremely important.”
Ellie Sutton – Sustainability Officer (she/her)
Ellie is a fresh Edinburgh University grad, with a degree in ecological and environmental science. Unsurprisingly, she loves spending time in nature owing to its many physical and mental benefits. She enjoys doing yoga, dancing, and cooking.
“Sanitree holds social and environmental issues close the their heart and this is something I think is urgent in achieving the sustainable development goals. By exposing the environmental impact of sanitary products and raising awareness of period poverty, Sanitree encourages positive change on a local and global level.”
Maya Kamath – Head Writer (she/her)
Maya is a third year Social Anthropology student from India. When she is not binge watching a show on Netflix, while munching on Sensations, she enjoys cooking, reading and competitively stressing about essay deadlines.
“Sanitree is important to me because I am able to understand the privileges afforded to me despite being a menstruating woman in India. It gives me an opportunity to aid the social and economic empowerment of Indian communities experiencing period poverty.”