Paula is Chief Executive of Mainstay DRP, a charity that provides support, accommodation, and day opportunities to adults with learning disabilities. She has 15 years of experience in senior leadership roles within the third sector and private sector. She has a proven track record of effectively leading, developing, inspiring, and supporting award-winning cross-functional, multi-disciplinary teams of over 150 people who have delivered on multi-million pound Government, public and private contracts.

Paula has extensive experience in organisational development, change management and community regeneration. She holds a BSc Hons in Housing Management, Diploma in Professional Practice, Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration & a Postgraduate Diploma in Management.

She is a Non-Executive Director/Board member on the Tenancy Deposit Scheme UK Board, an Independent Member of the Policing and Community Safety Partnerships (Belfast), and has sat on a number of Government advisory panels and Steering Groups on issues within the housing, homelessness and the Private Rented Sectors, which has furnished her with knowledge and understanding of the external policies, operating environments, engagement, and political networks and governance arrangements of these associated fields.

At the heart of everything Paula does and has achieved is how she can improve services or access to services for clients. She whole-heartedly believes every service should be person-centered and delivered with the clients in mind every step of the way.-