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The Team
Charlotte Shyllon, Founder & CEO
Charlotte is a senior business professional with nearly three decades’ experience working primarily in communications and business development. Following the killing of George Floyd in 2020, she wrote her first book of poems, Black in White, to share some of her experiences of racism in the corporate world. She then ran a poetry competition for four years to elicit other people’s stories about workplace and childhood racism.
In 2024, she set up The Transforming Words Foundation to expand this work and now uses her diversity and inclusion expertise to bring insight and illumination to these important issues. Charlotte is a British Sierra Leonean and is mum to two adult children.
Keith Aki-Sawyerr, Trustee
Keith is a Sierra Leonean, a civil and Structural Engineer and now an entrepreneur. He thrives in new and challenging environments, possessing a unique ability to develop and nurture innovative ideas. In addition to being a trustee of TTWF, he has been a director of several development companies focused on business generation in Africa for the past eighteen years.
Tanya von Ahlefeldt, Trustee
Born in South Africa during apartheid, Tanya’s father was one of the Rivonia Trial accused alongside Nelson Mandela. After his acquittal and exile, she was raised as an ally, committed to amplifying the voices of those who are marginalised. With a career in healthcare communications, Tanya champions health equity and access to breakthrough treatments. A dedicated advocate and strategist, she helps clients navigate inclusion and systemic change.
Dean McCarthy, Trustee
Dean is a British National of Jamaican descent, having spent his formative years living in Jamaica. He has been a practising Family Law Solicitor since 2000. In addition to serving as a trustee of TTWF, he is a Christian and enjoys participating in the worship team at his local church. He is married to his wife of over 29 years and has two adult children.
Annette Fisher, Trustee
Annette is a renowned British-Nigerian architect, managing partner of FA Global, and founder and co-chair of Unionne, a consortium of female-led architectural practices. She is also an accomplished author, having written the popular guidebook “Oyinbo: A Foreigner’s Guide to Living in Lagos”. Annette is a champion for women and diversity in the field of architecture, and she also chairs the Let’s Build a Televised forum, which aims to promote greater diversity in practice.
