About us
We strive to build confidence in children, especially those who need it most.
Inner Wings is a charitable foundation that brings free, flexible confidence-building programmes to primary schools across the UK. Designed by teachers, educational psychologists and life coaches, we provide bespoke programmes and toolkits, in line with personal and social-emotional educational frameworks, that can be adapted to ensure all children have access to activities and resources that promote holistic development, resilience and wellbeing.We aim to make a significant impact on children’s mental health, confidence, resilience, self-esteem, gender equality (particularly in STEM education) and public speaking. Simultaneously, we want to ensure that our reach is inclusive and accessible to disadvantaged communities and children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Our Mission
Our mission is to address the diverse issues affecting children between the ages of 6 to 12, by helping them to build confidence in their abilities and the skills to articulate these. Our programmes and materials work to give children a confidence toolkit that nurtures positive self-worth and acceptance. The engaging activities we provide will encourage children to unlock and develop areas of interest, including STEM subjects, as well as the ability to speak publicly and express themselves and their unique thoughts.
Our Story
Co-founded by Melissa Di Donato Roos and Darren Roos in 2020, Inner Wings has already had a significant impact, now working with 150 partner schools across the UK and having trained around 700 teachers to deliver. To date, over 20,000 children have graduated from our programmes, with the majority of teachers noticing a positive change in their students. Our work has been more critical than ever, with children’s mental health issues increasing significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic and cost-of-living crisis, and exacerbated by smartphone and social media use.
Melissa Di Donato Roos
Mum, Mentor, CEO, Advocate
Melissa Di Donato Roos is an acclaimed American-born British business and technology leader and the first woman CEO to take a multi-billion Euro company public on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Melissa currently serves as the Chair and CEO of Kyriba, a global liquidity performance software platform which empowers the world’s largest enterprises to manage their liquidity with real time insights and data.
Melissa is also a Member of the Supervisory Board of Porsche and a Non-Executive Director at both J.P. Morgan Europe and the UK Government Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). She was recently appointed to the SME Digital Taskforce at the Department for Business and Trade.
Throughout her 25+ year career, she has worked passionately to make the world of technology a better place for everyone, but in particular a place women want to be part of. Named one of the Top 10 most influential women in U.K. Technology, she was the inaugural chair of the 30% Club’s Technology Working Group, a global campaign to boost female representation at board and C-Suite level across the world’s largest companies.
Melissa is also the author of a series of children’s books designed to motivate and inspire young girls to find their inner strength, build their self-confidence and accomplish their biggest dreams, whatever they may be. Melissa lives outside of London, England with her husband Darren and their three children.
Darren Roos
Dad, Leader, Chairperson, Advocate
Darren Roos is a South African, Chair of Board for global software companies IFS, ThinkProject and Sitecore. Darren's career of building and scaling world class software businesses spans over 25 years, and he is a regular spokesperson on channels such as CNBC and Bloomberg TV. A committed advocate of equality and diversity, he increased the female leadership in IFS from 10% to 40% and created the IFS Foundation, raising over $250,000 to break the poverty cycle in Sri Lanka.
When not working, Darren enjoys spending time at home with his wife Melissa and their three children.
The wider team
Claudia Hogan
Trustee
Claudia has built a career as a growth strategist and marketer with technology companies around the world. A mother to 2 young boys and a keen footballer, she is passionate about providing children with the tools needed to succeed in their personal and professional lives.
Edit Kovács
Trustee
Edit is passionate about technology, solving problems and inspiring children, young adults and professionals to find their own path. As a Chief Product Officer, she regularly volunteers and participates in Women in Tech and technology educational events like the Hour of Code.
Ilaria Magagnoli
Trustee
Following her career in the City as a top-ranked financial analyst and raising two daughters, Ilaria is passionate about empowering women and young people to reach their full potential. As a coaching psychologist, she applies behavioural and strategic insight to help individuals develop their capabilities, resilience and performance.
Ellen Shustik
Head of Programmes and External Relations
Ellen has over 20 years of experience working in the fields of democracy
and governance, international development and politics. She has worked for large international and multilateral organisations around the world and spent several years working for the Liberal Party of Canada.
Nieta Irons
Programme Coordinator
Megan has a Psychology degree and a Master’s in Forensic Psychology and has worked with children who have social, emotional and mental health needs. Megan has seen first-hand a lack of confidence among children during critical developmental stages and is dedicated to making a difference in this area.
Megan Young
Programme Coordinator
Nieta has a Drama degree and a Master’s in Applied Theatre, with a career spanning education, theatre and socially-engaged arts organisations. She has contributed to award-winning productions at Arcola Theatre and Bush Theatre and is passionate about the role creativity plays in building confidence.
Copyright ©2021 by Inner Wings Foundation
Inner Wings is a registered private limited company by guarantee (Company No. 12703942)
Registered Charity in England and Wales (Charity No. 1192877)