Sitting alongside some truly remarkable people

One of the most rewarding aspects of serving as Chair of the Dementia Trust is the opportunity to sit alongside some truly remarkable people.

Our trustees are more than governance figures - they are passionate, engaged individuals who bring lived experience, sector insight, and generous intent to everything they do.

With that in mind, I’m thrilled to introduce three new trustees who joined our Board this summer: Steve Sloan, Professor Louise Serpell, and Mackenzie Pearce. I had the privilege of speaking with each of them about their lives, their connection to dementia, and what they hope to contribute to the Trust in the years ahead. 

Steve Sloan

My first conversation was with Steve Sloan, whose breadth of experience defies easy categorisation.

Steve Sloan, Dementia Trust Trustee.
Former CEO, a social worker, a conservationist, and a photographic artist.

A former CEO, a social worker, a conservationist, and a photographic artist - Steve describes his background as 'eclectic,' and he means it in the best way possible. ‘It is rather a function of my age, which I guess I should celebrate - though the aches and pains sometimes disagree,’ he quipped, before detailing an extraordinary career that has touched social work, animal health, overseas development, and the third sector. What draws someone like Steve to a small but ambitious charity like ours? ‘The opportunity to continue to contribute,’ he told me simply. ‘In this instance, with an organisation with an important mission that very much reflects my own values.’ 
 
But beneath Steve’s wry humour and understated tone is a very personal story.

His wife’s family has been deeply affected by dementia - both her parents, as well as a cousin - and Steve has supported her through those long, painful seasons of caring. ‘I’m conscious that her experience of dementia was less positive than it could have been,’ he said. ‘And ours was more isolated than it should have been.’ That observation has stayed with me. So often, what makes a difference in dementia care isn’t just medical support, but emotional scaffolding - the sense that you’re not alone. Steve has carried that awareness with him into his role, championing better services and stronger networks for carers. 
 
‘Disruption to me means rethinking the art of the possible,’ Steve added.

That sentence alone captures much of what we believe at the Trust. Too often, dementia support is constrained by what already exists, what’s ‘proven,’ or what fits within bureaucratic frameworks. Steve believes in working from the need, not the structure - in starting with the person and letting the systems follow. 
 
We spoke, too, about what he hopes to see over the next year or two. ‘Growth,’ he said. ‘We need more disruption and a sense of real urgency in the development of our work. If we believe in our values - and I certainly do - then we should be working to maximise their impact.’ His vision isn’t only one of scale but of ambition. He believes the Trust can do more, reach further, and support change that challenges more than just the margins. 

Professor Louise Serpell, Dementia Trust Trustee.
Molecular biochemist, cutting-edge researcher and science communicator.

Professor Louise Serpell

Next, I had the pleasure of speaking with Professor Louise Serpell - a molecular biochemist who brings a deep scientific perspective to the Board. Louise’s career has been built around understanding the molecular causes of dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease, and she’s collaborated closely with pharmaceutical companies to target the biological pathways that underlie it. But Louise is far more than a researcher. She’s a communicator, a bridge-builder, and a fierce advocate for demystifying dementia. 
 
‘I understand that my CV may be very academic,’ she wrote in her application. ‘But I’m particularly interested in science communication.’ And she’s not just interested - she’s been a leader in this area, spearheading initiatives to make cutting-edge dementia research more accessible to the general public. ‘The way we talk about dementia matters,’ she told me. ‘Not just the science - but how we convey hope, complexity, and progress without over-promising or alienating people.’ 
 
Louise’s contribution to the Board is grounded in evidence, but tempered with empathy.

She understands that families navigating dementia want honesty, clarity, and kindness. She also praised the Trust’s recent work on highlighting the connections between head injuries and cognitive decline - a topic she believes deserves far greater attention. ‘We need to bring together research and community voices,’ she told me. ‘It’s not enough to generate data. We have to ensure it’s meaningful in real lives.’ 
 
One of the things that struck me most in our discussion was her sense of responsibility - not just to knowledge, but to people. Louise sees her role as a trustee as both an opportunity to influence strategy and a duty to listen well. ‘There’s so much innovation happening,’ she said. ‘The Trust has the potential to act as a connector - linking science, community practice, and lived experience.’ I couldn’t agree more. 

Mackenzie Pearce

Finally, I had the chance to speak with Mackenzie Pearce, whose energy, intelligence, and humility shine through in every exchange. At first glance, Mackenzie might seem like an unconventional trustee. She’s a rising star in the tech sector, with a background in business and sales, and a strong track record of performance at Cisco. But her connection to dementia is profoundly personal. Her grandmother - a woman she describes with great warmth and admiration - was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2023. And watching that journey unfold changed Mackenzie’s life. 

Mackenzie Pearce, Dementia Trust Trustee.
Cisco Account Executive

‘My granny is the most joyful, kind, and caring person I know,’ she told me. ‘It started with the small things - lost keys, misplaced shopping - but we quickly saw it was more serious.

Seeing her feel that loss of identity… it was incredibly hard.’ That pain, and her deep love for her grandmother, became the catalyst for getting involved. ‘I wanted to do something - to make a difference. Even if it’s just a small one.’ 
 
Mackenzie’s drive is coupled with a sharp mind and clear sense of mission. Though she doesn’t come from a charity background, she brings a valuable perspective from the private sector: stakeholder management, data-driven strategy, and cross-sector communication. ‘I think there’s space for more dialogue between corporate, academic, and charitable spheres,’ she told me. ‘And if I can help build those bridges, I’d be proud to do so.’ 
 
What I found most moving about Mackenzie’s reflections was her understanding of how dementia affects identity - not just for the person diagnosed, but for their loved ones. She spoke candidly about the emotional toll of seeing someone you love change in front of you, and the importance of not losing the person in the diagnosis. ‘She’s still my granny,’ she said. ‘Still full of stories and laughter. That doesn’t disappear just because the memory does.’ 
 
Together, Steve, Louise, and Mackenzie represent the kind of diversity - of thought, of experience, of discipline - that makes boards strong. They challenge assumptions, bring new lenses to the work, and ask questions that push us forward. More than that, they bring heart. Each of them is motivated not by career advancement or recognition, but by values, by lived connection, and by a desire to be of service. 
 
I believe deeply that good governance starts with curiosity - and all three of these trustees embody that in spades. I’m excited to work alongside them. I’m even more excited to see how they’ll shape the future of the Trust. 
 
To our wider community: I hope you’ll join me in welcoming them warmly. And if you’ve ever thought, 'I wonder if there’s a place for me here,' the answer is yes. Whether as a volunteer, a partner, a funder, or a friend - we’re building something together. And it starts, always, with listening.