I’m Alison Dunn, a mother of three and grandmother of one. I left school at 16 with no qualifications, no direction, and little hope. Yet I’ve built a long and fulfilling career across the private, charitable and public sectors. The common thread in every role—whether as a lawyer, charity CEO or volunteer—has been a deep commitment to social justice.

Equity and inclusion are at the heart of everything I do. I simply cannot accept that the circumstances of your birth—your postcode, gender or socio-economic background—should determine your life chances. When I started as an office junior in a law firm in 1986, I was shocked to discover the lawyers were just ordinary people. I felt betrayed by a system that had never encouraged me to believe I could do the same. That same year, I enrolled in night school, gained my GCSEs and A-Levels, and persuaded my employer to support my Open University studies. I later qualified as a lawyer.

From the school yard to the boardroom, I’ve used my voice and personal resolve to lift others. My early experiences gave me a lifelong drive to ensure no one is disregarded as I once was—especially women, who continue to face systemic inequality. I’ve championed social justice throughout my career, bringing my skills, influence and energy to create fairer outcomes.

I currently lead the Society Matters Group, including Citizens Advice Gateshead. Since 2011, I’ve helped transform the organisation from the brink of insolvency into a thriving, values-led business delivering services locally, regionally and nationally. We now support tens of thousands of people across the North East and beyond, with a team of around 265 staff and 70 volunteers. It’s been a journey of resilience, collaboration and heart. I’m proud of the culture we’ve built—one that puts people first and never loses sight of our vision: a fair society for all, with lives well lived. We’ve earned Great Place to Work and Great Place for Women to Work accreditations, achievements I’m incredibly proud of.

Alongside my CEO role, I serve as Strategic Lead for Poverty, Inequality and Disadvantage at Gateshead Council. I work with senior leaders and elected members to challenge assumptions, co-design inclusive support, and embed the voices of lived experience into policy and practice. I also chair VONNE (Voluntary Organisations Network North East), supporting thousands of charities to grow, collaborate and make a lasting impact. I’m a trustee of the County Durham Community Foundation, a grant-making organisation improving lives across the region.

My work has always been about breaking down barriers. I co-authored Gateshead’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy, led the development of community hubs during the pandemic, and launched the Warm Spaces initiative—shared with over 140 councils nationwide. I’ve championed Gateshead’s fuel poverty action plan, secured funding for winter warmer packs, and helped establish the Independent Volunteering Centre to create opportunities for those often excluded from volunteering.

I’ve also created platforms to amplify unheard voices. Through This is the North, a podcast I host, I share stories of resilience, leadership and innovation from across the region. It’s a space for honest conversations and bold ideas, reflecting my commitment to ensuring the North is seen, heard and valued.

None of this has come without challenge. I’ve led through financial crises, a global pandemic and the cost-of-living emergency. I’ve faced resistance when pushing for change and navigated leadership as a woman in spaces that weren’t always inclusive. These experiences have shaped me, my organisation and my approach to leadership. They’ve made me more grounded, empathetic and determined—unafraid to speak truth to power and committed to ensuring those who struggle to be heard have a voice.

I’ve been honoured to receive recognition for my work, including Business Leader of the Year at the North East Chamber of Commerce Inspiring Female Awards, Charity Leader of the Year at the North East Charity Awards, and Levelling Up Leader at the Northern Power Women Awards. I’ve also been named on Business Cloud’s Northern Leaders List, which celebrates people making a positive difference in the North. A great honour, but of course what matters most is the impact—the lives changed, the systems improved, and the communities strengthened.

Under my leadership, we’ve delivered over £100 million in financial gains for our community. We’ve supported tens of thousands of clients and helped hundreds of staff and volunteers reach their full potential. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved, but even more excited about what’s still to come. There’s still so much work to do, and I remain committed to the fight for fairness, dignity and opportunity for all.