Madalena Massena

I’m a Fellowship Programme Officer with the Council for At-Risk Academics (Cara), coordinating with universities, research institutes, exam centres, and funding bodies to secure fee waivers, bursaries, and in-kind support for academics. I manage end-to-end cases with document due diligence, risk checks, and English language assessment, and I liaise with Fellows, host institutions, and legal advisors on visa-related matters. I also draft official correspondence and documentation with accuracy, compliance, and confidentiality at the centre.

Before this, I served as a Co-Creation and Policy Officer at Rooted Finance, where I supported lived-experience leadership strategy development and coordinated stakeholder panels and expert discussions. I’ve also worked as a Senior Project Support Officer and Project Support Officer, managing high-volume enquiries, processing referrals and financial support vouchers, and maintaining accurate records in case management systems.

Across my roles, I’m organised and detail-oriented, with strong communication skills and a proven ability to manage multiple priorities in fast-paced, highly regulated environments. I collect, analyse, and present monitoring data for internal reporting and funder submissions, and I provide structured, trauma-informed support throughout onboarding and placement.