Our Trustees

CAROLINE SANDERS

MBE, PhD, PGD, PGCert, BSc (Hons), RN. Associate Professor university of Northern British Columbia, BC, Canada.

I have been a children’s nurse for more than three decades, working in specialist children’s hospitals in the UK and more recently in primary care in rural BC.  During my time in the UK I worked in paediatric urology / gynaecology – working with children and families. My research over the last twenty years has involved working with parents, young people and more recently adults with variations in sex development.  I was part of a Euro I-DSD work subgroup and have been involved with dsdfamilies for many years working with the group on different projects.   I am a mother to two grown up children, I now live in northern BC and enjoy the outdoor life and living in a smaller rural community. 

JO WILLIAMS

I am an adult with Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome, who was initially diagnosed in the 1970s, when open discussion and psychological support for children and families was not available.
I did not find out the full details of my diagnosis until I was in my mid-20s, following many difficult years where I was not given any support with understanding my body.  I therefore really appreciate the importance of providing accurate information and a supportive environment for children with different sex development and their families.   
Following my diagnosis, I made the decision to apply to medical school and retrain as a doctor.  I have subsequently trained in paediatrics and psychiatry and I am now finishing my training as a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist.  I am also a Mum through adoption and have some experience of needing to share difficult information with my child – and the importance of providing honest and accurate information in an age appropriate way    .  
I am so pleased to be working with dsdfamilies - and I am hoping that my personal history as well as my experience of working with children and families, will help me promote the needs of children with different sex development.

Ieuan Hughes

I am Emeritus Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Cambridge and Honorary Consultant Paediatrician at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. My research has focused on how steroid hormones work at the molecular level and I have translated this knowledge towards a better understanding of many of the conditions which come under the umbrella of DSDs. I was a member of the team that put together the 2006 Consensus on DSD and has been active in supporting efforts to improve the diagnosis and management of DSDs, ensuring that families are seen in centres of excellence staffed by the appropriate experts. I am also a member of the British Society for Endocrinology and Diabetes DSD Special Interest Group.

I was the recipient of the Andrea Prader Prize of the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology ( ESPE) in recognition of  contributions to research and training in the specialty and the James Spence Medal of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health for services to paediatrics. I am the ESPE Coordinator for the Paediatric Endocrine Training Centres in Africa where more than 100 paediatricians in 13 sub-Saharan African countries have now graduated as Fellows of the programme and are establishing specialist clinics in their own countries. In addition to diabetes, a large clinical load is DSD with the additional challenges of not having the resources enjoyed by health professionals in the UK. I am a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, a Council Member of the Learned Society of Wales and a Trustee of Newlife, the Charity for Disabled Children.

JENNIFER SANDERSON

Jennifer is a specialist endrocrinology nurse currently practicing at Paediatric Endocrinology in Glasgow, Scotland.