our amazing Team
Friedel Fink
THEY/THEM
Founder
School and Community Facilitation
Art Tuition
Friedel is a Relationship and Sex Educator for young people in schools and the community. They founded Big Sis CIC in 2020, a South-West based wellbeing platform developing empowerment initiatives supporting girls and non-binary folks and their immediate support networks.
Through Friedel’s interdisciplinary background, rooted in the arts, education and interactive community projects, Friedel is passionate in finding creative and accessible ways that inspire for a positive body image, emotional resilience and a growing self-esteem cross culturally.
Friedel advocates for menstrual empowerment projects worldwide, and is a facilitator for the Menstrual Education Workshop 'A Celebration for Girls'.
Outside of Big Sis Friedel loves music, silly dance moves, costal walks and enjoys making elaborate meals for friends.
Lizzie Elliot-Klein
SHE/HER
School and Community Facilitation
Lizzie is a nature connection guide, poet, mother and aspiring wild woman. Over the last decade Lizzie has gathered experience in supporting children, young people and adults in finding their own unique ways to connect to the natural world and to themselves.
Lizzie is passionate about empowering young people and supporting them to navigate the transitional times in their lives - such as puberty. She has been a Big Sis mentor for 3 years and has been privileged to witness how transformational this work is for young girls and non-binary folks.
Outside of her work, Lizzie loves long coastal walks, good coffee, loud music, cuddling cats, the thrill of a charity shop bargain and the smell of the earth after the rain.
Margarida Candido Lopes
SHE/HER
Director
Strategy, LGBTQIA+
Margarida works with community focused small businesses particularly, but not exclusively, LGBTQ+, community groups, body workers, practitioners and artists.
She loves spreadsheets, a good boogie and has an infectuous laugh.
Victoria Dufour-Cox
SHE/HER
Trainer
Community Facilitation
Menstrual Cycle Awareness Educator
Victoria's work is rooted in her inquiry in her own awareness of her menstrual cycle and the positive effect this awareness has on how she interacts with life as well as her love for our natural environment.
Victoria is passionate about girls receiving support and knowledge allowing them an educated choice and an empowered start on their journey to adulthood. With this work, Victoria is stepping up as a mentor for her community.
She is also a facilitator for ‘A Celebration Day For Girls’ and women as well as a Forest School leader. Mother of one who loves the outdoors and dancing.Nature and me
Karen McMillan
SHE/HER
Director
Marketing & Outreach
Karen is a compassionate, creative superbrain. In her everyday she cares for a sweet dog, runs a creative agency and supports people working in wellbeing and charity sector.
"It’s an absolute honour to be joining the BigSis board as a non-executive director. Since Friedel first conceived this incredible idea, I have been deeply inspired watching it evolve into a powerful movement of empowerment, compassion, and education for young girls and non-binary children. My younger self would have been immensely grateful for the kind of support and understanding that BigSis provides, and it’s a privilege to now be part of this remarkable community!"
laura Browne
SHE/HER
School and Community Facilitation
Laura is one of our fantastic facilitators that make the Plymouth Confidence Club possible.
She has been a Big Sis Mentor for 4 years. Growing up she always struggled with low self - esteem and now she’s able to use those experiences to support young people. All topics are open for discussion and she Ioves the crafting element as it brings out the creative side in everybody - including herself.
Laura has a 12 year old daughter and often runs through the workshops with her in preparation for Confidence Club which she loves! It was a lovely bonding experience. They now speak openly about periods and bodies in the house. Laura hopes some of our girls would have gone home and done the same with their mums.
Outside of Big Sis Laura loves swimming and is passionate about the environment.