Sonya Dougherty
Chair
Sonya joined the organisation during the pandemic in April 2021 during the virtual revolution. In October 2021, Sonya was voted in as Vice Chair after the previous stepped down to take up the role of Chair. As an Organisational Design Consultant for Carmarthenshire County Council working with teams in departments across the Authority, she has valuable skills to share using an evidence-based approach for setting and monitoring priorities.
She is an experienced HR professional, advising individuals, managers, as well as disciplinary and grievance panels and is committed to the promotion of equality & diversity.
Nita Sparkes
Vice Chair
The majority of Nita’s career has been in a customer-focused environment in both private and public service. She is currently working at Neath Port Talbot Council and has been since 2004. She started out implementing a new customer services project, which included opening several one-stop shops across the County Borough.
She then moved into a strategic role and her areas of responsibility included producing corporate plans, business planning framework, performance management framework, governance, risk management, and equalities. In 2020 Nita moved into Digital Services, a new role, and is now responsible for helping the Council deliver on its digital transformation agenda.
She has gained invaluable experience about the issues people in the local area are faced with and brings this insight to the Board.
Other areas of interest include: being a magistrate, volunteering with the new NPT Young Archaeologists’ Club, and playing in a local samba band (Bloco Vale Samba).
Reg Roberts
Treasurer
Reg joined the board of trustees in July, 2025, having previously worked at CASNPT for two years as a part-time volunteer.
Born and brought up in Swansea, Reg left the area for 16 years when attending university and starting a career in London, but he returned with a young family in 1998 and has continued to live there ever since.
Retired since 2020, Reg started his working life at Grant Thornton (Chartered Accountants) before making a move to the BBC in 1987, where he enjoyed a 33 year career in a number of roles. Most of the BBC career was spent working for the Programme Acquisition department (the area that buys rights to broadcast feature films, TV series, documentaries etc that are not produced or commissioned by the BBC)). Having started in a variety of accounting and financial reporting roles, the majority of his later career was spent working in financial planning, deal/contract valuation and negotiation.
Reg enjoys playing golf and lawn bowls and taking walks with friends along the wonderful Swansea and Gower coastline and in the Swansea and Neath valley hinterland.
Geoff Lee
Geoff hails from Hong Kong where he volunteered organising many events for his local church. A native Cantonese Chinese speaker, he is a graduate of MA in Translation and Interpreting and is fluent in English and advanced level Mandarin.
Geoff joined the Board in September 2020. He was a former Project Manager for the Chinese in Wales Association where he has developed many links with the BAME and Chinese Community. He now works for the local council in Neath Port Talbot
Gemma Monk
Gemma joined the board in March 2024. She currently works in the public sector for the Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens Rights (IMA) as part of the Data and Insights team. She is an experienced people manager, leading operational teams and driving continuous improvement. Previously she held customer focused leadership roles at Virgin Atlantic and volunteered as a Special Constable for a number of years.
Steve Jenkins
Steve joined the Board as a Trustee in May 2024. He retired back ‘home’ to Swansea in 2021, following a career in Financial Services working at various locations across the UK. Most recently Steve spent 15 years as part of the leadership team of a major Professional Standards Body in London where he was the Director responsible for corporate relationships, in the UK and overseas.
He is experienced in business planning, managing partnerships and people management. Steve volunteers locally and this has given him an insight into some of the social challenges that many local people face. He also spends time keeping fit. travelling and enjoying the Gower.
Victoria Holland
Vicky joined the board as trustee in May 2024.
She is currently working as head of office for Rebecca Evans MS for Gower. Vicky is also a County Councillor with Swansea City Council. She has experience in people management, support and advocacy.
Jon Hayes
Jonathon joined the Citizens Advice Swansea Neath Port Talbot Board in 2025. With a professional background spanning both the public and third sectors, he brings experience in governance, communications, and inclusive community development.
As Volunteer Chair of Special Olympics Wales, Jon is passionate about improving opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities and creating inclusive, supportive environments through sport and advocacy. He is particularly committed to strengthening community ties and championing equity in access to services
Charlotte Davies
Charlotte is an accomplished Development Worker with extensive experience in project management and the coordination of a diverse range of projects and services within the voluntary and public sector. With a focus on supporting vulnerable and minoritised groups, collaboration and network building is at the heart of her skills set.
Charlotte prides herself on her dynamic communication skills with experience of engaging with community members, frontline sector partners, senior staff and decision makers within Welsh Government and the Local Authority.
With over 20 years in Swansea’s voluntary sector, Charlotte has focused on supporting vulnerable populations through multiple prestigious projects. Managing the “Better Welcome to Swansea” initiative has given her insight into challenges faced by vulnerable individuals seeking sanctuary. Charlotte collaborates closely with a network of organisations and is known for her innovative approach to meeting growing community needs.
Kim Mamhende
Kim Mamhende is Chief of Staff at The CAE, leading income generation, partnerships, and organisational development to help marginalised communities across Wales thrive. She has secured millions in funding and driven initiatives focused on economic empowerment, equity, and inclusive growth.
Alongside her role, Kim consults charities, social enterprises, and public bodies to embed equity and build sustainable impact. She has served on several national boards and panels, recognised for her leadership and commitment to system-level change.
Kim joins Citizens Advice Swansea Neath Port Talbot to contribute her skills, local insight, and passion for social justice to the organisation’s vital mission.
