Jessica Wilkes-Reading

"I am outgoing, approachable and creative! Being a ‘Campaigner’ is great for my role as a Corporate Responsibility as I need to sell the benefits of why they are doing it. I had to raise £1 million in 2 years for a charity, and without being outgoing or creative, I would not have been able to tell the story and bring people with me on the journey. I am naturally outgoing and love to just get stuck in with activities. I work with so many different people so being able to adapt to situations and communicate in different ways is absolutely vital – definite qualities you would find in a ‘Coach’."

"Corporate responsibility adds value to an organisation by ensuring they have a positive impact on society, the environment and the economy. It is my job to decide how we go about doing this. It’s my job to award up to £1 million per year to causes across the UK, gain media coverage of these activities and build key relationships with partner organisations. I have to develop ideas for corporate responsibility and fundraising to improve our reputation and increase donations. My starting salary was about £25,000.I was able to visit Ethiopia in 2016 and I met some of the most amazing people out there who are doing incredible dental and medical work with little resources and changing lives. I went to research the impact doctors and dentists from UK and the equipment donated is changing the way they practice. The best thing about me role is being able to make a difference to communities across the UK – either with our staff time or with charitable donations from our foundation. The best bit is when I get a letter or an email from a group who we have helped and hearing the incredible work they are doing thanks to our money really is the best feeling in the world! "

"I completed a degree in Humanities and Art History, before working for a local government. I was lucky enough to gain a role at a hospice to raise money to support local people with life limiting illnesses. I was very successful in my 2 years in the role but needed a new challenge. Wesleyan approached me after finding my profile on LinkedIn and invited me to interview for a charity fundraiser role. In my first year, I helped to raise over £250,000 for our chosen charity. In my first year, I was also lucky enough to win the company’s highest honour, CEO award, for my fundraising idea of writing a children’s book called ‘The Unstoppable Maggie McGee’. Wesleyan have been incredibly supportive and I have been promoted 3 times in 4 years! I am now on the management development programme, WeLead, to further enhance my career.I have been inspired by my mum. I saw how much she gave up for me to get me where I am now. She raised me on her own since I was 18 months old and has always encouraged and supported me. I really want to make my Mum so proud!"

"I spend my free time at the gym and walking in the woods near where I live. I enjoy spending time with family and friends and reading. I was even a contestant on the TV show ‘Mastermind’!In the future, I would love to head up a Corporate Social Responsibility department."

"No two days are ever the same, and I mean that! Some days I could be approving grants to good causes across the UK from our foundation, writing a new strategy for our Corporate Social Responsibility, organising volunteering days for our staff, or meeting with partners and new organisations who want to engage with us. This is all alongside the usual emails, meetings and phone calls. Every day is different."

"Undergraduate degree in Humanities and Art History"