Nandini Ganesh
CEO and Director
Nandini has been part of Parentsactive since 2007, leading the organisation through major milestones from new legislation and a pandemic to its transition into a CIC. With a long history of championing parent voice, she brings deep experience as a former parent governor, non voting member of H&F’s Children Education Policy Accountability Committee, and former Parent Adviser for Contact. Nandini is passionate about ensuring families have what they need to thrive, not just survive.
Reema Sharma
Forum Coordinator
Reema joined Parentsactive in 2019 and now coordinates the parent carer forum for families with children and young people aged 0–25. A local parent herself, she brings both lived experience and strong organisational skills. Reema plays a key role in keeping the forum active and connected introducing successful online sessions and strengthening communications with families across the borough.
Nighat Hassan
Lead Parent/Carer Advocate
Nighat has over 25 years’ experience across the voluntary sector, NHS, and local authorities. She works directly with families to ensure their voices are heard and their rights respected, particularly when navigating complex systems. Passionate about equality and empowerment, Nighat brings both professional expertise and deep compassion to her role supporting parents and carers.
Alice Boddy
Post-19 Co Production Coordinator
Alice is the Post-19 Co-production Coordinator at Parentsactive. She works with parent-carers and local partners to ensure families’ experiences shape adult services in Hammersmith & Fulham. With a background in psychology and community engagement, Alice has led national service evaluations in education and health, exploring the lived experiences of individuals with adolescents with autism and learning disabilities and their parent-carers. Her interest in co-production comes from her own family’s challenges navigating services and seeing first-hand how families are often left filling gaps in support.
Zara Sharif
Admin and Communications Assistant
Zara joined Parentsactive with a strong background in education and community work. Previously Head Invigilator at ARK Burlington Danes Academy, she has also volunteered as Secretary for the White City Ward Panel and with Midaye, supporting BAME women across West London. A mum of three and Hammersmith & Fulham resident for nine years, Zara is passionate about creating spaces where parents and carers feel heard, supported, and connected.
Mary Melsom
Chair of Directors
Mary joined Parentsactive in 2010 and has been instrumental in its growth and transformation. Drawing on her own experiences as a parent of a child with autism and complex medical needs, she has led with empathy and commitment. Mary played a central role in expanding the forum after the Children and Families Act 2014 and guided its transition into a Community Interest Company.
Alessa Ward
Director and Chair of Steering Committee
Alessa is a local parent with two children with SEND and brings both lived experience and strong community insight to her role. She is passionate about improving inclusion, strengthening parent voice, and ensuring families receive the right support at the right time. As Co-Chair, Alessa helps guide Parentsactive’s priorities and works closely with partners to shape positive change across Hammersmith & Fulham.