Connecting with Alexa Charlton: The One who Connects Purpose with Pathways

Before becoming an influential figure who inspires generosity and raises millions for causes like scholarships, cancer research and PhD funding, Alexa was a girl who was rejected on A level results day.

At the time, distraught, and thought her life was over. “But actually, long term, I think it really helped because it makes you a bit more resilient to rejection. I think in the job I do now in philanthropy, you know, you do get a lot of people saying no, all the time” she says.

When Alexa started university, her priority was simply to complete her degree. In second year, she became a peer mentor; by third year she was asked to oversee all mentees on her course.

“Now I look back, I think that's what really sparked my interest in helping people and also in education.” Alexa says. The lesson Alexa learned is that life can surprise you but “everything's going to be okay afterwards” she says.

“How do you really know?”

After 13 years in one city, comfort sets in. Alexa had built strong relationships with donors and projects, but moving back to Newcastle meant taking a risk. “I think with any big move, it's like the fear of the unknown” Alexa says.

She sees risk as life changing-either it pays off, or you learn it isn’t for you and move on, making you closer to self-actualisation.

Childhood to now

Alexa was never one of those children who knew what they wanted to be when they grow up. In sixth form she considered teaching, spending a year in a primary school and another six months in another.

“I think the whole reason I wanted to be a teacher was that I was really interested in the education and the power of education” Alexa says.

However she realised she didn’t want to be the one teaching. Later on as a school governor she saw how it all worked. The finance, management, staff. This confirmed that every institution needs help, and that she wanted to provide it.

Balancing the emotion with strategy

Philanthropy is inherently emotional. Whether it’s cancer or Alzheimer’s research. “Most people want to give to something that's really emotional to them. Building the trust to understand that motivation can take years.” Alexa says.

Alexa’s best experiences are when a donor’s emotion ignites her own drive to make it happen, then strategy kicks in, aligning their motivation with the University’s needs.

“I'm always reminded that I'm working with some of the best researchers in the world so, if I'm going to fundraise for anything, I know they're going to make a difference.” Alexa says.

“It’s very hard to fake passion”

Alexa stepped out of her comfort zone with a nine-month cultural fundraising role in Manchester, covering the Manchester Museum, an art gallery, the John Rylands Library and Jodrell Bank. She swapped one-to-one conversations for organisational grants and competitive bids. It was unlike anything she’d done, but it broadened her skills and now complements her natural strength for genuine connection.

For Alexa, the goal isn’t money, it’s meaning. Making a meaningful difference motivates her daily. “It's better to have purpose in life than to be a success” she says.

The Geordie spirit

Alexa believes Newcastle University is worth giving back to because it is genuinely distinctive. From students to alumni, she constantly hears how friendly and welcoming the city feels.

“I think whether you've come from down the road and you're used to being in the city or you've come from halfway across the world, the city seems to somehow like embrace everyone and welcome.” Alexa says. She’s motivated by that civic pride every day. “I call it the Geordie spirit” she says.

Connecting Globally: From the Tyne to the Tropics

Working with global alumni is a highlight of Alexa’s role, and she feels blessed do it. This will be her fourth trip to Singapore and Malaysia for Newcastle She often meets graduates who haven’t been back for 20 or even 30 years, yet their pride in the University and the region remains strong.

“They speak so fondly about the university, the city. They all love the football club. I mean, I have to take NUFC scarfs merch out with me” Alexa says.
Encounters like these underline how deeply three years at university can shape lives.

What’s next, Alexa?

Alexa has found her purpose and is re-motivated every day to keep doing her work. Yet she’s still that girl on results day, unsure of the future.

“I've realised as I've got older, I am not someone who has it like all figured out, as they say” she says.

She didn’t know what to study, where life would lead after university, or which first job would land, and that openness lets her feel honoured to make a positive difference. What she does know is that working with inspiring people makes her happy, and she hopes to keep doing exactly that. In everything else, she says:

“I don’t 't know what the future holds and I'm not sad about that.”