Our people

Polly Akhurst is the Co-founder and Co Executive Director of Amala, a not for profit organisation which uses the power of education to transform the lives of refugees, their communities and the world. Amala has developed the first high school diploma programme specifically designed for displaced youth, and offers non-formal education programmes in areas including Ethical Leadership, Social Entrepreneurship and Peace-building. Polly has also acted as a working group leader and contributor to the OECD’s Education 2030 project. Prior to Amala, Polly spent five years working for UWC International in the area of community engagement and outreach. Polly graduated from UWC Atlantic in 2006 and is a member of the UWC Atlantic Education Committee.