We’re excited to announce the formation of Open Briefing’s inaugural development board – a global group of advisers and ambassadors committed to helping us scale our fundraising and communications.
This milestone comes at a pivotal moment for Open Briefing as we prepare to launch our 2026-29 strategy and celebrate our 15-year anniversary next year.
Inspired by the insights of Mighty Ally, we are growing our capacity to become even more fundable and findable . The development board will play a key role in expanding our networks, sharpening our strategic communications, and deepening relationships with key supporters.
Why a development board?
Open Briefing’s work – providing holistic security support to grassroots activists, community groups, and social movements at risk – sits at the intersection of several complex and overlapping ecosystems: protection and wellbeing, philanthropy, climate justice, human rights, and grassroots organising.
Navigating these spaces – and building strong, values-aligned relationships with supporters – requires care, clarity, and trust. Our development board brings together individuals from across these sectors to support new connections, offer strategic advice, and help us communicate the urgency and impact of holistic security for those challenging unaccountable power amid escalating threats.
A global community
We’re honoured to be joined by a diverse and dynamic group of leaders whose experience spans the nonprofit, philanthropic, communications, social impact, and advocacy sectors. Each member brings unique expertise – from grantmaking and movement building to protection, strategic communications and narrative strategy – alongside a shared commitment to rights and justice.
Meet the development board:
Ashley Thomas is an adviser to Open Briefing. She has more than a decade of nonprofit and philanthropic experience supporting the rights of vulnerable groups and frontline activists and is passionate about fostering the resilience and wellbeing of individuals and movements working toward progressive social change. She is currently international human rights programme officer at Wellspring Philanthropic Fund, where she manages a more than $14 million USD grantmaking portfolio focused on building a strong and resilient global human rights field.
Carolina Oliveira Beghelli is a human rights advocate and philanthropy strategist with over a decade of experience working alongside social justice movements across Latin America, Africa, and Europe. She has supported the protection and collective care of human rights defenders through strategic funding, risk management, and international advocacy. Carolina has led efforts to strengthen movement-led responses to criminalisation and violence, and has collaborated with private donors, as well as the UN and the Inter-American systems to advance accountability and systemic change.
Jim Peacock is a strategic communications and philanthropy leader with over 25 years of experience advancing human rights, social justice, climate action, and tech accountability. He has held senior leadership roles across philanthropy, government, and the private sector. Jim currently leads the global strategic communications function at Luminate, the foundation established by Pam and Pierre Omidyar, developing strategies and initiatives that advance work at the intersection of human rights, technology, and democracy across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States.
Matt Timblin is a strategic leader in global security and enterprise risk management, with over 20 years of experience supporting mission-driven organisations in complex and challenging environments. In his current role as senior director, global security and risk at Open Society Foundations – the world’s largest private funder of independent groups working for rights, equity, and justice – he leads strategic security, risk, and resilience initiatives across over 70 countries, shaping policy and culture to empower safe, inclusive operations.
Millie Edwards is the director of The Iris Project, a global initiative established in 2022 to empower young environmental leaders. In this role, she oversees the day-to-day operations, including managing the nominating partner network, facilitating the advisory panel, and coordinating the annual Iris Prize. Millie is a trained art psychotherapist and previously worked at Project Everyone, promoting the Sustainable Development Goals in over 160 countries. She is passionate about supporting youth-led environmental initiatives and bridging the funding gap for young climate activists.
Navdha Malhotra is a social impact consultant who partners with nonprofits, philanthropic organisations, and cultural groups on impact strategy, business development, and narrative change. Formerly the Global Head of Campaigns and Partnerships in India at Purpose, she has led award-winning initiatives on clean energy transitions, electric mobility, and sexual and reproductive health rights, reaching millions and shaping policy while building capacity for grassroots leaders. She specialises in designing participatory programmes that centre diverse and underrepresented voices, with a focus on climate action, gender equity, and civic engagement.
Looking ahead
Our aim is not to create a traditional fundraising board. Rather, this is a space for collaboration, learning, and relationship-building – designed to strengthen Open Briefing’s voice, grow our influence within philanthropic spaces, and shape how we engage with mission-aligned funders and partners.
As one of our new board members, Matt Timblin, shared:
“I am excited and grateful for the opportunity to join the development board and bring my passion, insight, voice, and connections to help grow and power the never more critical work of Open Briefing.”
We’re excited to learn with our development board members as we chart the next chapter of Open Briefing’s growth – and deepen our impact in partnership with the activists, organisations, and movements we are privileged to serve. This sentiment was echoed by Navdha Malhotra:
“At a time when frontline communities need support more than ever, I’m thrilled to join Open Briefing’s development board alongside such an action-oriented and committed team. I look forward to applying my participatory and partnership-focused approach in strategic communications to strengthen their reach and impact.”
Join us
Please join us in welcoming our new development board members and stay tuned – this is just the beginning.
If you’re a funder, supporter, or ally interested in our work or exploring collaboration with Open Briefing and our development board we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with our director of development, Vicky Nida, at [email protected].