Julia Gilbert is a development professional with a background predominantly in communication, coordination, and information management. Holding degrees in Classics and Creative Writing from the University of Paris (Sorbonne) and the University of East Anglia, Julia worked in multiple coordination and communication roles for Oxfam GB, and more briefly for Oxford University’s Global Economic Governance programme, before joining TPI in 2014. 

Julia has extensive experience at the intersection of communications, project management, and programme delivery, including research and evaluation. On humanitarian missions to Haiti after the earthquake in 2010, Ethiopia during the hunger crisis in 2011, and Mali during the civil war in 2012, Julia gained extensive experience in emergency response communications, coordination, planning, reporting, and information management.  

At TPI, Julia’s role includes several components: knowledge management, communications, and programme delivery, including Fit for Partnering, research and case studies, and developing guidance, trainings and tools.  

Julia’s non-work life is primarily dedicated to mothering a busy and enthusiastic 2-year-old. Aside from family adventures – as often as possible in nature – Julia enjoys (or would if there were time!) books, Argentine tango, sculling, birdwatching, embroidery, baking cardamom buns, and the occasional cryptic crossword. 

Melissa worked in corporate London in Finance, Analysis and Compliance, for 13 years before moving to Nepal to use her experience in a Humanitarian Aid setting, where she gained first-hand experience of the complexities of working as part of local, national and international partnerships whilst in the field.   

On her return to the UK Melissa looked for a way to use her cross-sector background r. Melissa coordinates and co-delivers TPI’s online training programmes, both for a variety of specific organisations including INGOs, business, UN and Foundations, as well as for existing partnerships, platforms and professional networks.  Melissa leads programmes for a range of clients bringing both on the ground experience and research and analytical skills to our clients partnering work. 

Melissa also works in TPI’s programmatic activities, using her research and analysis skills to contribute to wider programmes and helps deliver TPI’s Fit For Partnering support to a variety of organisations. 

Mel lives in rural Oxfordshire with her small dog, Sid, and is enjoying rediscovering her countryside roots. 

Lina Kukulskyte joined TPI in April 2022 as a Junior Programme Manager. In her role, Lina supports the delivery of programmes, business development and the development of internal knowledge management systems and processes.  

Before joining TPI, Lina was working at INTRAC (International NGO Training and Research Centre), a non-profit focused on strengthening civil society worldwide via consultancy, training and research. Lina was supporting the consultancy team in business development, project delivery, admin and financial management. Lina also has experience in the Global South – she has spent some time volunteering in Tanzania and Guatemala as well as working in Cambodia as a Volunteer Coordinator.  

 With regards to education, Lina holds a master’s degree in International Development from the University of Birmingham and an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Southampton.  

 Outside of work, Lina is a big enthusiast of board games, volleyball, and hiking. She is based in Oxford and enjoys exploring new places around the city.