who we are
In Place of War is a global organisation that uses creativity in places of conflict as a tool for positive change.
UK team
Our 100-strong network of international change-makers are supported by a dedicated and passionate team of UK based International Development and Arts Practitioners who facilitate knowledge sharing, logistical expertise and research support.
RUTH DANIEL
CEO & Creative Director
Ruth Daniel is the CEO and Artistic Director of In Place of War, an activist, change-maker, Honorary Research Fellow at The University of Manchester, and proud owner of an old VW van. As CEO, Ruth has led global arts and peace-building initiatives, developing over 100 cultural programmes in conflict zones and disadvantaged areas. From guitarist at 8 to record label owner, band manager, TEDx speaker, and award winner, Ruth empowers people through creative entrepreneurship and artistic collaboration.
TERESA BEAN
Director of Research and Education
Teresa leads research at In Place of War, focusing on papers, evaluation, funding proposals, and academic partnerships. Her research on art-based social movements builds on her postgraduate studies and fieldwork. She developed IPOW's education programmes and created the CASE Programme, overseeing projects in Uganda, Colombia, South Africa, and MENA, recognized by the University of Manchester for social impact. She is an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Manchester.
ROZENN LOGAN
Senior Producer
Rozenn is a Senior Producer with a background in multidisciplinary arts, curating, engagement, and event production. She holds a Fine Art Painting degree from the University of Brighton and a Master's with Distinction in Contemporary Curating from Manchester School of Art. She was Head of Education at the Saatchi Gallery, developing artist-led engagement programs. At In Place of War, she manages creative peace-building projects, programs, and events with the international change-maker network.
ROB FAIRBANKS & DAGMARA KWIATKOWSKA
Finance Managers
Rob and Dagmara (Dags) manage finances at In Place of War. Dags, the main contact for day-to-day queries, is an experienced finance officer studying for her ACCA qualification, passionate about her role, and engaged in charity work. Rob, a Finance Director, has extensive experience in the third sector and environmental projects. Both joined In Place of War in 2023, bringing a wealth of practical experience to the management team.
MADI COX
Communications Manager
Madi is the Communications Manager at In Place of War, leading communications and social media strategies. With a Bachelor's in Opera Performance and a Master's from Berklee College of Music, Madi performs internationally in various projects, including her indie synth-pop project, Space Slvts. She also works on the Creative Audio team at Meta and volunteers with We Make Noise, teaching workshops on music production, live performance technology, and songwriting.
INES TERCIO
Funding Manager
Ines is an arts professional with extensive leadership experience. As Executive Director at Fuel, she raised over £3.5m. She also served as Executive Director at Phakama and Tramshed, and produced Nour Festival's learning programme. Ines has consulted and fundraised for companies like Clayground Collective and Freddie Opoku-Addaie. She sits on the board of the Independent Theatre Council and runs bid writing courses. Ines joins In Place of War as Funding Manager, bringing her expertise and passion for the arts.
ALISON SURTEES
CASE Malta Training & Development Manager
Alison is a Creative Producer, trainer, consultant, and social entrepreneur. She co-founded Manchester Digital Music Archive and Future’s Venture Foundation. As the ALF UK Coordinator at In Place of War, she trains in entrepreneurial programmes and serves on the boards of Ordsall Community Arts and Fuse Arts Space Bradford. Alison provides training for clients like BBC Digital Cities and ScreenSkills. Her consultancy focuses on strategic reviews for charities and creative organisations. She also collaborates with Soup Collective and curates exhibitions with MDMArchive.
AILBHE TREACY
100 Agents of Climate Change Project & Outreach Manager
Ailbhe is a Project Manager and Researcher passionate about global change. With a decade of experience managing complex projects in diverse cultural contexts, she excels in relationship-building, stakeholder engagement, budget management, problem-solving, and leadership. She earned a Master's in International Development from the University of Manchester. Ailbhe joins In Place of War as the 100 Climate Agents Project and Outreach Manager.
VICKIE AMIRALIS
Music Label Development Manager
Vickie is an artist, curator, and project manager focused on environmental and community arts. She is the Label Development Manager at In Place of War and sits on the Global Music Industry Advisory Board. Vickie has curated music releases and managed product design, marketing, and distribution, including In Place of War’s Cucusonic album on recycled vinyl, exploring Colombia’s biodiversity. She also launched an independent studio for her art practice and education projects. Her debut event, SEEDS, explored the human-nature nexus with a free exhibition and event series.
SARIA TOURBAH
EarthSonic Project Coordinator
Saria is the EarthSonic Project Coordinator at In Place of War, contributing to the projects development. She has been in the music industry for years, working with artists, producing and managing live events, and staying updated with trends. With her passion for promoting music from different cultures and providing artists with tools to export globally, she co-founded the Saja Foundation, bringing art classes to vulnerable children in and out of hospitals.
ASH COX
Access Support Worker - 100 Creative Agents of Climate Change Project
Ash Cox (they/she) is an artist and access consultant, focusing on work that is reflective of their lived experience being a disabled, queer, working class space geek. Access and disability justice are a huge part of their personal and professional identity and they're interested in the intersection of live performance, science and access and how provisions can be integrated creatively from the beginning processes to enrich how people experience making and interacting with art.
Holly Johnsen-Fontanelli
Global Music Industry Advisory Board Assistant
Holly is a versatile music industry professional with experience working across different cultures and sectors such as marketing, sound engineering, live tours and most recently operations. She began her career in London, working at Ministry of Sound, Abbey Road’s Live Here Now, Mute Records (EMI), and Nimax Theatres in the West End. Holly’s journey next took her to Brazil, where she dedicated time to raising her children and became engaged in environmental advocacy amidst the growing Amazon fires crisis. Recently, Holly relocated to Italy, where she rejoined the music industry with a role in a music tech company, developing expertise in content curation, metadata, and music publishing. Holly also hosts an ecstatic dance event in Bologna called Ecstatic Grooves, blending her love for DJing and wellness to create therapeutic musical experiences. Holly is currently studying a degree in social sciences and is a volunteer for the Earth as a co writer initiative at Earth Percent.
MERLYN DRIVER
EarthSonic Archive Manager
Merlyn is a musician, creative producer, and nature enthusiast focused on the connections between music and the environment. His rural upbringing and studies in anthropology and ethnomusicology shape his songwriting and commitment to social and environmental causes. Merlyn launched Making Tracks, an intercultural and environmentally-focused music exchange programme. His projects include the album Simmerdim: Curlew Sounds, released with the RSPB and inspired by the endangered curlew.
REBECCA WALDEN
US Administration Intern
Rebecca Walden is a professional dancer and choreographer originally from South Carolina, and based in New York City. She has danced with Armitage Gone! Dance, Terra Firma Dance Theatre, Encounters Dance, Connecticut Ballet and Nevada Ballet Theatre, among others. Her choreography has been performed by New Chamber Ballet, konverjdans, and Premiere Division Ballet, in New York, Italy, and Germany. She has also collaborated with musicians and technology artists in large-scale site-specific works. Rebecca is a graduate of Columbia University, where she studied sociocultural anthropology.
Frank Forman
Chief Operating Officer
Frank is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at In Place of War, where he leads operational strategy and supports the CEO in managing delivery and general operations. With a deep passion for the natural world, music, and songwriting, Frank combines creativity with a commitment to helping others. He brings over seven years of experience in the charitable sector, excelling in systems management, policy development, and fundraising for under-resourced communities. An accomplished musician, Frank has toured internationally as the guitarist for the Sheffield-based post-rock band 65daysofstatic and is a guitarist and songwriter for Haus Horo.
LEXY MORVARIDI
EarthSonic Emerging Artist Project Manager
Lexy Morvaridi is an artist, cultural programmer, and DIY activist at Gasworks in London. He holds an MA in Cultural and Creative Studies from Kings College London and has over 10 years of music industry experience. As the music programmer at Southbank Centre, he produced festivals, commissioned shows, and developed programming strands. Lexy co-founded Lonely Table, releasing collaborative projects, and works on community arts initiatives with InnerSwell. He joins In Place of War as the EarthSonic Emerging Artist Project Manager.
JUAN CHAO
Indigenous Community Advisor
Juan joins the In Place of War team as Indigenous Community Advisor, feeding into our projects and methodologies working with indigenous communities. This will involve creating and maintaining a database; sharing archiving methodologies; contributing to funding applications; and advising on the cultural, practical and ethical considerations of working with indigenous communities.
