Meet our Team
Yael Shainfeld
A law graduate from UCL and qualified HR Professional, Yael manages Work Avenue’s job placement service, supporting Work Avenue’s network of employers with their recruitment needs. Yael also runs regular workshops and individual mock interview practice sessions for the employment division.
What problem are you solving at Work Avenue? Bringing together job seekers and job vacancies, providing my colleagues with snacks
If you could write your own job title that best describes what you do here, what would it be? Job Matchmaker
Who would you most like to swap places with for a day? A surgeon – I’ve always been fascinated by medicine despite having the completely wrong skillset
Interesting fact about you? I am distantly related to our Director of Operations & Employment, Emma, by marriage
Yael Shainfeld
Head of Employment
Hannah Dahan
Hannah is a qualified Careers Adviser with extensive experience in providing careers advice in education settings and advice centres. She has a background in helping clients achieving their goals, including getting into university, apprenticeships, employment and work experience.
What makes you a great employment adviser? I have a level 7 Postgraduate Qualification in Careers Guidance as well as 10 years of experience in Careers Education, Advice and Guidance. I have previously worked in youth services and further education colleges. This has meant that I have advised on not only careers and job hunting, but also have a strong knowledge of the education system and how to apply for university and apprenticeships.
Favourite hobbies? I enjoy Pilates, going abroad (pre Covid) and spending time with my toddler
Where’s your favourite place in the world? That’s a tough one as I travelled a lot pre Covid, but I really loved Bali
Interesting fact about you? I stayed with a tribe in the Colombian Jungle for 5 days
Hannah Dahan
Employment Adviser
Richard Linden
With a number of years’ prior experience working for a welfare to work provider, Richard has a real passion for supporting people from all walks of life into employment. He is committed and enthusiastic about helping people overcome challenges and realise their potential. Richard is also a children’s entertainer, a keen snooker player and a lifelong Spurs fan.
What makes you a great employment adviser? The key to being great at your job is to love what you do – I enjoy helping, inspiring and motivating people, I always have. I see the positive in people and believe in their potential. My biggest reward is clients working hard and achieving their desired career goals.
Where’s your favourite place in the world? Standing at the top of Ben Nevis mountain in Scotland on a clear day will take some beating
Who would you most like to swap places with for a day? Probably Harry Kane, playing for Spurs against Arsenal and scoring the winning goal
An interesting fact about you? I once gave careers/employment advice to a former cast member of EastEnders
Richard Linden
Employment Adviser
Melanie Pearl
Melanie has extensive experience in coaching and supporting individuals to achieve their career potential. A MCIPD qualified HR professional and Career Coach, she works at senior level within the private, public and not-for-profit sectors combining her up-to-date industry knowledge with expertise in helping clients to find work and career opportunities.
As Employment Programmes Manager what do you do at Work Avenue? I review and develop our programme provision to ensure we are providing something for everyone as well as meeting clients on a one-to-one basis to help them to make realistic career choices, equipping them with the skills and confidence to secure a job that will further their career.
If you could write your own job title that best describes what you do here, what would it be? Listener, empathiser and facilitator
Who would you most like to swap places with for a day? I absolutely cannot sing so I’d love to be able to entertain a huge audience with my voice like Adele or Katherine Jenkins – but it’s so far from who I am so I’ll happily stick with the job I love doing where I get to meet new people everyday.
Interesting fact about you? My very first student job was waiting on tables in a fish and chips shop in Southend where I earned 60p an hour before moving on to something that couldn’t be more different, teaching kids at a local Cheder.
Melanie Pearl
Employment Programmes Manager
Melissa Athersych
Melissa is Work Avenue’s Job Placements Coordinator, supporting the activities of the employment team and providing a friendly and efficient service to our clients. Melissa’s background in Fashion Design means she brings creative solutions, drives collaboration and enhances client relationships. An advocate for community, social and environmental topics. Melissa has also studied Sustainability at UAL, volunteers for charities and most recently made scrubs for the NHS during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Favourite hobbies? Illustration, travel (pre Covid) and massive film buff.
Interesting fact about you? I sang in Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, West End productions!
Favourite place in the world? Italian Countryside – and anywhere I can experience new cultures and languages.
Melissa Athersych
Employment Pathways Coordinator
Sara Gatoff
Sara grew up in Newcastle and moved down to London for university, graduating with a Management Science degree. In Sara’s previous life before Work Avenue, she was a buyer in the Harrods pantry department and senior buyer at Tesco Plc, responsible for buying babygros, baby vests and baby bibs.
As an Employment Adviser & Events Manager, what do you do at Work Avenue? I analyse, review and develop the programmes we provide to ensure that we meet the needs of our client base so they can find employment to support them in earning a living.
Our client base is hugely interesting and diverse and so I am enjoying meeting clients on a one-to-one basis.
Where’s your favourite place in the world? Probably being on safari in Africa, the morning game drives are just so peaceful, you go out before light when the animals are still asleep…and are there when they wake up and start their day….
Favourite hobbies? Eating out with friends and family and travelling – I absolutely love going to new places –meeting new people and seeing interesting things – the more off the beaten track the better.
Interesting fact about you? I went to China and then Japan in 1991 to climb Mount Fuji….most people had never seen curly hair before and so didn’t think mine was real! People came out of their houses to look at me!