Desiree D’Souza

Cairney Partner

Desiree is a seasoned nonprofit leader with over two decades of experience catalysing transformational change and championing greater inclusion across the third sector. Known for securing and stewarding six- and seven-figure partnerships, she brings board-level expertise, deep sector insight and a values-led approach to unlocking philanthropy for lasting impact.

As Executive Director of Innovation and Social Impact at SeeAbility, Desiree founded an innovation unit that attracted nearly £10 million in funding, enabling bold new approaches in health, social care, and inclusion. At Leonard Cheshire, she served as Managing Director of Fundraising, where she was the architect of a flagship global livelihoods partnership with Accenture valued at over £5 million. Her advisory and partnership portfolio spans collaborations with global brands and purpose-led corporates including Microsoft, John Lewis & Partners, Essilor, Airbnb, and P&G.

Desiree is a trusted advisor to boards and leadership teams on income strategy, philanthropic engagement, and social impact. She is known for her skill in navigating complex stakeholder environments, aligning donor motivations with mission-driven innovation, and designing sustainable fundraising models that deliver measurable change.

She currently serves as Chair of the Ethics and People Committee as a Trustee of Care International UK, a Non-Executive Director at Power & Integrity, and holds a Master’s degree in Environment and Development from the London School of Economics.

What inspires Desiree to think big?

As Maya Angelou said: “In diversity there is beauty and there is strength.” I believe bold thinking begins with bold inclusion. I know from experience that when every voice is valued, innovation flourishes and lasting change becomes possible. That’s why I want my work to be rooted in equity: challenging exclusion, reimagining systems, and elevating the voices of underrepresented communities. I am inspired by the potential of inclusive leadership to build this vision of a fairer and more sustainable future for us all.