Lisa Goodwin MBE

On 12 June, our Chief Executive Lisa Goodwin was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. The citation is for services to vulnerable people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Connected Voice Chair Simon Elliott said

“Led by Lisa, Connected Voice stepped up to be an extraordinary partner with the local authorities and combined authority to raise and distribute funds that enabled many organisations in the sector to feed people and bring some hope, particularly in the darkest times.
There are just six MBE’s awarded in Tyne & Wear, so I’d say this also represents a wider acknowledgement of the critical role the Voluntary Sector has played (and continues to play) as we live through this and emerge from it to build a better future.”

Lisa said

“I am absolutely delighted! And I have felt so humbled to receive messages of congratulations from people from all the different parts of my life.
The award is given to me in my role as Chief Executive of Connected Voice, and I know that the recognition is for the work of the whole organisation over the past 15 months. Everyone worked so hard to make sure we could support people in whatever way was needed during this time, and I am so proud of everything we have achieved together.”

Lisa has joined the campaign to amend the terminology used in the Honours system:

“I personally believe that the honours system is a brilliant way for our nation to recognise outstanding contributions or dedicated service, but the ‘empire’ terminology is not something I can support, given the suffering caused to many as a result of our colonial past. I have joined the campaign to change it to ‘excellence’.
So much of the day job at Connected Voice is about championing equality. We can make a simple change which makes our honours system more inclusive.”

You can follow the campaign on social media at #ExcellenceNotEmpire

The full list of awards in the North East is published on the Chronicle Live website.

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