Thomson Foundation announces new trustees

Thomson Foundation is delighted to announce the appointment of two new members to its Board of Trustees – investment expert, author and former financial journalist, Katharine Campbell and renowned journalist and media editor Pamella Makotsi Sittoni.

Katharine Campbell is an investment professional of twenty years’ standing, and a former journalist with the Financial Times in London and Frankfurt. She is a partner at global investment firm Cambridge Associates, where she specialises in building private investment portfolios for major foundations and endowments. She has a particular focus on venture capital and emerging technologies, including generative-AI. She is also the author of ‘Smarter Ventures: A Survivor’s Guide to Venture Capital Through the New Cycle’. 

Katharine, who is a graduate of Oxford University and Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, says she is ‘thrilled and honoured to be asked to join the board’. 

Katharine Campbell

“I have been so impressed as I have begun to learn about the critical work the Foundation undertakes and was therefore thrilled and honoured to be asked to join the board. I hope I can draw on my financial and journalistic background to make a meaningful contribution to the development of Thomson’s mission over the coming years,” says Katharine.

I'm humbled and honoured by this appointment

Pamella Makotsi Sittoni is the first woman-appointed executive editor and managing editor of The Daily Nation, Kenya’s highest circulation independent newspaper. Pamella has two decades' worth of experience working in journalism in Africa, with extensive specialism in forging partnerships, editorial management, and media advocacy. In 2021, she was a mentor on the Thomson Foundation’s inaugural Bettina Fund – Women in Media Leadership programme supporting the next generation of women leaders in Kenyan media.  

In 2017, Pamella was named Laureate of the Women in News Editorial Leadership Award for Sub-Saharan Africa by the World Association of Newspapers (WAN-IFRA). Pamella, who is group managing editor at Nation Media Group, says she is ‘humbled and honoured by the appointment’.  

Pamella Makotsi Sittoni

“I look forward to working with the distinguished trustees and staff of Thomson Foundation to contribute to journalism at a time when the profession faces serious threats and challenges. I hope to use my experience over the years to advance Thomson’s mission to support journalists and the ecosystem in which they operate,” says Pamella.  

Invaluable expertise

Lord Tom Chandos, who’s the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Thomson Foundation says he is delighted to have both Katharine Campbell and Pamella Makotsi Sittoni join the board ‘at a time when the work of Thomson Foundation is needed more than ever’. 

“Their expertise in finance and journalism will be invaluable as we grow Thomson for the future,” he says.  

...we have two supporters who, like us, passionately believe in the value of trusted media...

Caro Kriel, Chief Executive of the Thomson Foundation, says, “In Katharine Campbell and Pamella Makotsi Sittoni, we have two supporters who, like us, passionately believe in the value of trusted media to inform local communities. As we focus on the challenges of disinformation to media and look to the opportunities as well as pitfalls of AI to journalists and our network, we look forward to drawing on their expertise and experience in the years to come.”