Kate O'Donoghue

I am 37 years old and have had a number of different 'lives'. I studied economics at Cambridge University and when I graduated my ambition was to work abroad and make the world a better place.

I gained teaching skills and overseas experience as a volunteer at a boarding school in Denmark for children with behavioural problems. Subsequently, I successfully applied to Voluntary Service Overseas and spent two years in rural China - making a phone call required a 40 kilometre round trip by bus or bicycle - training English teachers.

At the end of my contract I found work as an economist in Hong Kong. Having friends in China who have experienced massive change in their lifetimes made analysing how investment into Asia brings both opportunities and new problems very real to me.

While working in the financial industry I qualified as a Chartered Financial Analyst, an undertaking that involved learning what makes companies thrive. I believe my experience in finance stands me in good stead in my role on The Phone Co-op Board.

I met Andrew, my husband, in Hong Kong and I gave up work - which had taken me to Singapore - when we got married. Soon after, we moved back to England and I am now engaged in a Masters Degree in Psychosynthesis Psychology with the hope of becoming a Therapeutic Counsellor at the end of a long training.

I stood for election because I am a great fan of The Phone Co-op, not only for its strong ethical values but also because of the great service it offers customers. I am fascinated by the way good communications can transform lives and I bring to the board a varied life experience and a sharp, enquiring mind.