Our purpose
Systemic change requires new forms of collaboration, long-term thinking, institutional courage, and the ability to hold complexity without paralysis. We are developing a proposed Centre that creates space for this work - convening across disciplines and sectors, connecting insight to action, and supporting emerging and established leaders alike.
Founding team
We are developing a proposed Centre that creates space for this work - convening across disciplines and sectors, connecting insight to action, and supporting emerging and established leaders alike.
Co-Founder
Alison's work explores the purpose of higher education during times of climate and political instability, focusing on how institutions can nurture whole-system thriving.
A seasoned academic and leader with 25 years of experience building cross-sector university initiatives, she specializes in ecological and psychodynamic approaches to organizational change.
Alison is the founding Director of Homerton Changemakers, a pioneering Cambridge programme that equips students to translate academic strength into wise action amid uncertainty. She is also the co-founder of the Cambridge Centre for Better Futures and serves as co-Chair of the Westminster Abbey Institute Council of Fellows.
Dr Alison Wood
Pooya Kamvari
Co-Founder
Pooya is a social entrepreneur and founder working at the intersection of technology, systems change, and civic innovation. His academic background spans Engineering, Law, and an MBA from the University of Cambridge, and he brings 20+ years’ experience across startups, finance, and applied innovation.
He is the Founder and CEO of HomeRun, a mission-led technology company helping councils understand and improve the school run as a complex system - connecting transport, placemaking, public health, sustainability, and social equity.
Pooya is also an Associate Fellow at Homerton College, University of Cambridge, and a mentor and advisor to startups focused on positive social and environmental impact.
Co-Founder
A thought leader and acclaimed author, Cindy has spent over 25 years working on systemic change.
She is an Associate Fellow at Homerton College, University of Cambridge and founder of Planetari, an Earth-led education organisation recognised at COP28. Her book Bright New World earned her a 2023 Change Champion Award alongside figures like David Attenborough and Malala Yousafzai.
Formerly CEO of Cambridge Science Centre and MD of the Blue Marine Foundation, she is also a yoga and sound practitioner. Cindy blends executive leadership with embodied practice to explore how human imagination, consciousness and design can align with the Earth systems that sustain us.
Cindy Forde
“The shared vision for humanity exists, whether we see it or not. Our task is to become receptive for it, to see it, make it visible and activate it, using all means of communication, so that our collective imagination will no longer be driven by dreams of destruction and downfall, but elevated by the possibility of worldwide healing and unification.”
[ Ladonna Bravebull Allard, Standing Rock Historian, Activist ]
Advisors & supporting voices
A small group of advisors and supporters are helping shape this proposed Centre and early programme.
Alan Boldon
Alan is a social entrepreneur, artist, curator, and writer who has held leadership roles across the arts, business, charities, and academia. Renowned for pioneering work that bridges learning, culture, and sustainability, he has delivered global keynotes at institutions including MIT, the UN, the Venice Biennale, the San Francisco Art Institute, and the UNESCO Learning Planet Institute.
Alan has exhibited his art internationally and published widely on cultural policy. As Director of Weave, he is building an international network of learning labs dedicated to nurturing systemic wisdom. He is also a founding Director of Kyndra, where he focuses on developing regenerative solutions for the agriculture and energy sectors.
Perses Bilimoria
A highly respected global sustainability leader and pioneer, with deep experience across climate, environmental innovation and systems-level change.
Perses is also closely connected with Cambridge as an Honorary Fellow of the Judge Business School and the Network Ambassador for India at CISL.
Ben Turner
Ben Turner works at the intersection of markets, philanthropy and impact, with over 15 years’ experience advising purpose-led individuals, families, charities and institutions on investment strategy, governance and sustainable capital.
At LGT Wealth Management, he focuses on connecting people and long-term capital with real-world impact, helping bridge the gap between markets and systemic change.
Professor Frances Corner OBE works at the intersection of education, culture, and civic life, using creativity to drive institutional change. As the first female Vice-Chancellor of Goldsmiths, University of London, and former Head of London College of Fashion, she has a proven track record of values-led leadership. Her impact includes founding the Centre for Sustainable Fashion and establishing Goldsmiths’ Migrant Futures Institute.
Today, she advises organisations on sustainability and care, serving as Chair of the Maudsley Charity, a LAMDA board member, and a member of the Cambridge Centre for Systemic Change working group.
Frances Corner
A growing network
Through dialogues and collaborations, we are building a network of researchers, practitioners, public leaders, and community organisers connected to Cambridge and beyond.
This is not a membership organisation. It is a learning community built through shared inquiry and practical collaboration.
