Meet Katherine! GFC’s new Program Officer for the UK, Katherine Gilmour, plays an integral role in our Exploring Masculinities in England initiative.

KATHERINE, can you tell us about where you’re from and about your background?

I was born and grew up in the center of Scotland, just below the Highlands. I’m the oldest child in my family and have a wee brother and sister as well as a huge extended family with lots of cousins. Scotland is a beautiful, if very rainy, place to grow up! I love traveling and have lived and worked abroad, but it is always nice to come back home.

What’s your favorite childhood memory?

Going to France to watch the FIFA World Cup in 1998. It was amazing! We got a week off school, it was the first time we’d been on holiday outside the UK, it was hot and sunny, we got to swim every day, and I tasted watermelon for the first time (it’s still my favorite food!). Scotland was, of course, knocked out of the tournament in the first stage, but we all received a medal for being the friendliest fans in the world anyway. It was great!

What drew you to this line of work, and to GFC?

I’ve been working on women’s and children’s rights, as well as wider gender justice work, for my whole career. I wholeheartedly believe that striving for gender equity serves everyone and that the way that society is currently set up hurts all of us, not just women and girls. The opportunity to lead an initiative focused on equipping and empowering boys and young men to explore expansive, inclusive, and healthy masculinities was too exciting to miss.

GFC’s emphasis on strengthening grassroots organizations and leaders was another major pull factor for me. Working with community-based, youth-led, and youth-focused organizations is an amazing privilege.

What do you think will be the most challenging part of your job? What will be the most satisfying?

Although I’ve been working in the NGO sphere for years, this is my first time moving to the funder side of the relationship. I’m sure this will be a challenge! However, GFC’s trust-based, partnership approach to funding is key to me making this move, and I think working to shift the power in traditional funder/fundee relations will be one of the most satisfying aspects of this role for me, alongside getting to partner with amazing organizations doing vital work around masculinities and gender.

Why do you believe GFC’s work is important?

So many reasons! The top three for me are the passion to ensure that children and young people are safe, respected, healthy, and happy; the understanding that communities are best placed to develop and drive their own solutions to what they need; and the willingness to try new things and take risks to build a better world for children and young people.

#FunFacts About Katherine

What was your favorite toy growing up?

I wasn’t a huge toy person as a kid, but I loved my Skip-It and I almost always had a book in my hand.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

A vet – when I was 9, I couldn’t imagine a better job!

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?

Durian fruit – I neither loved nor hated it; in fact, I thought it was a bit bland. Horse sashimi has to be up there too!

Do you have a pet peeve?

People interrupting or talking over others intentionally. It ruins the conversation for everyone, including the interrupter!

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

I would love to be able to teleport. You’d be able to travel the world instantly, without a carbon footprint!