With Gratitude and Grace: Honouring Alexandra Henderson’s Legacy at the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust

Institutions sometimes reach moments that call not just for reflection, but for pause—a chance to measure time by its impact rather than its passing. As Alexandra Henderson prepares to step down from her role as Chief Executive Officer of the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust, we find ourselves in such a moment—one filled with gratitude, admiration, and a gentle stirring of emotion.

To lead an organisation so profoundly connected to the hopes and futures of young leaders worldwide, and to the ambitions of passionate, visionary supporters striving for lasting change, is a task of great nuance and responsibility. Alexandra has met it with a rare blend of dignity and resolve—qualities that have quietly defined her remarkable tenure.

In a world increasingly governed by speed and spectacle, Alexandra brought a different rhythm to the Trust—one marked by careful listening, thoughtful stewardship, and the understated confidence that comes from deep integrity. The kind of leadership she embodies is not always trumpeted from podiums or splashed across headlines, but it is precisely the kind that endures.

When Alexandra assumed the role of CEO, the Trust stood at a crossroads. It needed to honour the visionary legacy of its founder, George Weidenfeld, while responding thoughtfully to a future defined by complexity and change. Navigating this delicate terrain required a rare sensibility: to steward the past without letting it calcify, and to welcome new energies—such as the principled generosity of André Hoffmann—without losing coherence. Alexandra did more than manage these energies; she wove them into a renewed whole.

Under her guidance, the Trust has grown not only in reach but in spirit. The scholarship has matured—intellectually, ethically, and personally—while remaining true to its founding ambition: to cultivate leaders of moral courage and public purpose. Thanks to Alexandra’s stewardship, the Trust has evolved into more than an educational programme—it is now a living community, a sanctuary of thought, fellowship, and belonging.

It is no small achievement that the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust now stands as the largest philanthropic scholarship programme supported by Oxford in the University’s 800-year history, founded to endure as long as the University itself. But even more remarkable is how it feels: principled, luminous, and quietly transformative. That is Alexandra’s imprint.

In all my years observing leadership across continents and causes, few have left as lasting and singular an impression as Alexandra. Her guidance shaped not only the way I think, but the way I guide others—and for that, I shall always remain deeply grateful.

Her legacy lives not in accolades but in our Scholars: in the Syrian doctor who is restoring hope to a shattered health system, in the South African advocate shaping human rights policy with conviction, and in the Afghan alumna who, with unwavering courage, stands for girls’ education where the odds remain steep.

Transitions, of course, are part of institutional life—but they are also deeply human. Alexandra is not one for fanfare, and she would undoubtedly prefer to step aside quietly. Yet it would be remiss of us not to honour the significance of her departure. Her steadiness has been a guiding light for many, particularly during the tumultuous years of the pandemic and the global reckoning that followed. She led with grace when it mattered most.

“Thank you” feels almost too slight. But it is also the truest thing we can say. Thank you, Alexandra, for your vision, your care, and your unshakeable belief in the transformative power of education.

Nadja Skaljic was the first WHT Alumni Advisory Board Representative 2020-2023