Our Core Values

🔥We are tenacious: We don't give up easily, we continue to fight for improvements in the face of opposition and barriers.

🧩 We are equitable: We co-create inclusive opportunities and meet people where they are at, always focused on removing barriers to engagement.

🦋 We are holistic: We don't settle for surface-level solutions, and we look at improving issues from a range of perspectives

🕊️ We are hopeful: We believe lived experience equips people for leadership, and we are optimistic that we can co-create ways to improve underserved communities

Our Directors

We are kickstarting Tenacity in 2026, using our skills to collectively build a movement

Tanya Kiemo

Director (of Community Resilience)

I founded Tenacity out of deep frustration of inequality and an inner hope that we could collectively improve communities by empowering tenacious women facing systemic barriers to financial freedom. I am a neurodiverse mother of 3 beautiful children, and I am very keen to create pathways for mothers to soar.

I have worked for over 20 years, piloting initiatives and co-designing participatory community development projects. This has included community research, regranting, consultations, public health campaigns and community organising in underserved communities. I have studied international community development and Health and Social Care.

I bring creativity, strategy, and innovation, strengthened by extensive experience in co-designing opportunities for women and girls to lead and shape their community improvements.

Yoti Body - Lawson

Director (of Building up Strong Women)

I’m a pharmacist by background but have had the privilege of leading within a number of organisations.

I’m passionate about empowering people and offering wisdom and direction that helps individuals and communities grow in resilience and purpose. I care deeply about creating spaces where people feel seen, strengthened, and supported to thrive, not just survive.

I bring visionary leadership and strategic direction, alongside mentoring, teaching, and pastoral wisdom, with a heart for building resilient, purpose-driven communities.

I am the Executive Director and co-founder of Small Axe, a not-for-profit campaigning agency that works to create movements that are progressive, hopeful and powerful, inspiring people to act on the most pressing issues of our time.

I was born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka and came to the UK as a refugee with my family aged 2. I also serve as a school Governor and as a member of the Campaign Lab board of directors.

Skills I bring: Digital, Campaigning

Jana Mills

Director (Of Making Moves on Movements)

Women that inspire us to do this.

" One of my closest friends- Laura Gichohi. Her faith and courage while battling cancer, has transformed my life. I shared with her my vision in 2025 before she passed away, and although she didn't see it come to pass, I see it as part of her legacy.

As a youth and community worker, both in the UK and Kenya.

Laura showed me the importance of investing in women and girls, and how this leads to wider transformation in communities.

She loved merchandise with a message and always supported women and girls from complex backgrounds to shine (including me)".

Tanya

"Mae C. Jemison was the first African American woman to go to space. I read the book Mae among the stars to my daughter when she was little.

We were both inspired by the maxim in the book, faced with a teacher who tried to damp down her ambitions, Mae’s mother told her “If you dream it, believe it and work hard for it, anything is possible”.

Jana

"I’m inspired by the many women I meet daily; women who, despite life’s pressures and challenges, continue to press forward in faith, purpose, and calling with quiet strength and determination".

Yoti