Meet the team

Yinbo Yu, Head of Engagement and Partnerships

Yinbo joined UKCISA in 2019 where he leads the non-member engagement function, including stakeholder communications, international student engagement, UKCISA’s strategic partnerships function, the award-winning #WeAreInternational campaign and its student ambassador programme.  

Prior to that, Yinbo was elected as the International Students’ Officer at the National Union of Students UK (NUS) for two terms, representing around half a million international students in the UK. Yinbo was educated at Nanjing Foreign Language School in China before coming to the UK to study for a BSc in economics at the University of East Anglia and an MSc in urban economic development at University College London. 

Yinbo was a joint winner of the inaugural PIEoneer Awards Emerging Leader award in 2023.

Heather Knight, Head of Advice and Training

Heather became Head of Advice and Training in November 2020, having joined UKCISA as an Advice and Training Officer in 2016. She leads the Advice and Training team who monitor, analyse, and interpret legislation and policy that impact international students. She also manages the development and delivery of UKCISA’s advice and training services for member organisations. She is registered with the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) to provide immigration advice.

Prior to joining UKCISA, Heather worked at London South Bank University and was responsible for providing immigration and welfare advice to international students, their families and university staff. She holds a first degree in Thai and Southeast Asian studies from the University of Leeds and spent time as an international student at Chiang Mai University. She also holds a postgraduate research degree in Thai Studies from the University of Leeds, and as part of this was sponsored by the Thai Royal Embassy and Consulate to conduct research and translation work in Thailand on the theme of politics and social protest.

Shreena Dholakia, Head of Finance and Resources

Shreena joined UKCISA in 2024. As Head of Finance & Resources, she leads on financial planning and management, human resources and operations for the organisation, and acts as Company Secretary for UKCISA.  

Shreena is an FCCA qualified accountant with nearly 20 years of finance experience, including more than a decade in the not-for-profit and charity sector. 

As well as a wealth of expertise in financial management and strategic planning, Shreena brings her experience of studying as an international student in the UK.