Damaris Villanueva
Damaris Villanueva
Head of People and Safeguarding
Damaris is the Head of People at the International Office and a member of the Senior Leadership Team. The main focus of her role is ensuring that The Leprosy Mission maximises the value of our people, whether this is through high-quality recruitment, appropriate compensation, performance management, and learning and development. She is also responsible for ensuring that the International Office staff, cross-cultural staff, and Country Leaders (those without a local board) are managed in line with the charity’s Christian ethos and in compliance with best practice and employment law.
Damaris has a double degree in Psychology and Education and a Masters in HR. Before joining the International Office, Damaris had worked in various senior HR roles since 2000. She has journeyed various HR roles including consulting, and the private and third sectors. Damaris has been married since 2008, speaks Spanish, French, and English and has lived in Spain, Ireland, France, Congo, and the UK. She is passionate about her faith, coaching, people from difference cultures and backgrounds, gender empowerment and continuous learning and development.