Kirsty Smith

Biography

As Chief Executive at CBM UK-Global Disability Inclusion and BasicNeeds (former Skoll Awardee pioneering community mental health models), Kirsty works alongside people with disabilities and partner organisations in Africa & Asia. She is passionate in her promotion of systemic global change, supporting others to put inclusion into practice. She champions inclusive climate justice and is actively involved in exploring governance and strategic models that enhance locally led development and power shift. Kirsty is Chair of BOND, the UK network for organisations working in international development, who galvanise members to address structural injustice and seek sustainable change. She is also a member of the UK Government Foreign and Commonwealth Development Offices’ External Disability Challenge Board. She has an MA in International Development, long background in equity and social justice work, passion for participatory community development and loves all things theatre.