Meet the team
Members of staff
Maari Nastari (she/her), CEO
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Maari has worked with the LGBTIQ+ charity sector for over 15 years, including posts at the LGBT Foundation, AKT and Stonewall Housing. In 2021, Maari was appointed Interim-CEO of the Outside Project. The project developed some emergency accommodation for survivors over the COVID-19 pandemic and Maari was tasked with turning this work into a COVID legacy project which is how Star Support was born.
Lorna Flutter (she/they), Assistant to the CEO; Research & Development Lead
Lorna joined Star Support in March 2023. Their background is in social research and they hold a Social Science Research Methods MSc. Lorna has varied support work experience having worked at a disabled student support service and a LGBTIQ+ asylum seekers network.
Taz (she/they), Senior Support Worker
Taz join Star Support in January 2024. Their background is in mental health nursing and have since worked with the LGBTIQ+ charity sector for two decades, across various roles at METRO Charity. This has included developing, managing, and delivering a range of LGBTIQ+ mental health wellbeing and community services, including crisis one-to-one support, domestic abuse, hate crime, suicide and self-harm prevention, advocacy services and weekly therapeutic drop-in support for LGBTIQ+ individuals experiencing mental health issues.
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Job role:
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As the Senior Support worker, Taz has oversight of the work being conducted with survivors including recovery work, group work, and general support work. Taz's role includes regular one-to-one with survivors, focusing on their practical support needs such as financial inclusion, occupation of time and move on and resettlement. Working across Star Refuge and our weekly support group Star Lounge, Taz helps survivors to establish their goals and support plans in a trauma informed, strength-based and goal orientated way.
Board of Directors
Our board of directors is made up of people with a wide range of relevant skills and experiences. This includes key areas such as finance, legal, business development, research and operations. ​We currently have a board of six members steering the organisation and is chaired by Maari Nastari, the CEO of Star Support.
Alexandra Haigh (she/her)
Alex is currently a Data Scientist within the Operational Excellence team at Citi. As well as financial expertise, Alex completed a Ph. D. in medical data science where they gained experience in applying for funding and grants. Alex is also currently on the social mobility committee for Citi and is a mentor for Career Ready.
Sally Goldman (she/her)
Sally is a solicitor specialising in social welfare law with a particular interest in housing. Sally has previously acted as a consultant to Stonewall Housing.
Neal McCullough (they/them)
Originally from Northern Ireland, Neal began their career as a commercial disputes lawyer before moving into the charity sector in 2017 where they have worked - and continue to work for - for a number of advice giving charities where they provide advice across benefits, housing and debt. Neal was also a director and trustee of a LGBT+ listening charity. Outside of work Neal has a masters in Queer history, engages in Queer activism and regularly attends the theatre. This background coupled with Neal’s lived experiences allows them to bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the board of Star Support particularly in respect of service delivery and corporate governance.