Ishara Bilson Graham

Organised and community-focused Programme and Account Manager with experience delivering large-scale youth engagement, community partnership and stakeholder programmes across the UK and Europe. Skilled in programme coordination, partnership working, stakeholder engagement and cross-sector collaboration, with experience managing complex workstreams from planning through to delivery. Passionate about supporting young people and communities through preventative and relationship-led approaches, with a strong understanding of inclusion, early intervention and collaborative working in driving positive outcomes.

ACCOUNT MANAGER / ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE at LEO BURNETT (2022-11 – Present)

• Lead and coordinate large-scale youth and community engagement programmes across football and education-focused initiatives.
• Manage multiple stakeholders including clients, delivery partners, suppliers and internal teams to ensure effective programme delivery and positive outcomes.
• Support the planning, implementation and monitoring of programmes, ensuring workstreams remain on track, within budget and aligned to strategic objectives.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships across cross-functional teams and external partners to support collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate project timelines, meetings, reporting and communications across concurrent programmes in fast-paced environments.
• Support programme evaluation and performance tracking through regular stakeholder feedback, reporting and operational reviews.
• Contribute to inclusive and community-led approaches to engagement, ensuring programmes are accessible, impactful and participant-focused.
• Proactively identify challenges and implement solutions to support successful delivery and partnership working.

COMMUNITY AMBASSADOR at NIKE (2015-04 – 2022-11)

• Delivered community-based programmes and events focused on participation, inclusion and youth engagement.
• Built trusted relationships with community members, participants and partner organisations to support positive engagement and collaboration.
• Supported programme coordination, operational delivery and event logistics across multiple community initiatives.
• Represented the organisation within community settings, using strong communication and relationship-building skills to engage diverse audiences.
• Worked collaboratively with internal teams and external stakeholders to deliver safe, inclusive and engaging programmes.
• Developed experience supporting young people through community-led initiatives and positive engagement opportunities.

A-Levels in Sociology, English Literature & Language, Law – Burnley College