Wood Foundation appoints YPI director

Scottish education charity The Wood Foundation has appointed Lizbeth Paul as director of its Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) programme.

YPI is the foundation’s flagship social action initiative, supporting secondary school pupils to secure funding for local charities. 

Lizbeth joined the organisation in 2024 as Excelerate lead coach and has nearly 30 years’ experience in secondary education, including nine years as a head teacher.

In her new role, she will oversee delivery of YPI across Scotland, working with schools and charitable partners to expand access to the programme. 

She will also lead professional learning for educators in 290 schools across all 32 local authorities.

Lizbeth said: “Philanthropy is such an important lever that we can use to strengthen communities and drive long-term change in areas like health, education, and the environment, promoting human welfare and building a more compassionate society in the process.

“I look forward to using my experience to help YPI teach even more young people the value and impact of community involvement.” 

The Wood Foundation is the operational manager and majority funder of YPI, which has awarded £8.5 million to charities across Scotland.

Sarah Chew, chief executive of the Wood Foundation, added: “YPI is central to our mission to achieve systemic, sustainable change that supports young people's development in Scotland. 

“YPI has encouraged hundreds of thousands of young people to become enterprising, independent, tolerant, and caring members of society.

“We’re really excited about what Lizbeth will bring to the programme as director of YPI and I look forward to working closely with her to champion the philanthropists of tomorrow.”

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