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Dr Lesley Sawyers

Director, GenAnalytics

Lesley brings wide experience from across the public, private, and voluntary sectors in business and economic strategy, knowledge and change management and strategic consultancy.

Prior to launching GenAnalytics, Lesley was Vice Principal and Pro Vice Chancellor for Business, Enterprise and Innovation at Glasgow Caledonian University and Chief Executive of the Scottish Council for Development and Industry, Scotland’s leading economic development think-tank.  She has also held senior leadership positions at ScottishPower, Royal Mail, CACI, Management Horizons and VisitScotland.

Lesley also holds several non-Executive appointments with a focus on equalities, social justice, and economic growth; she is currently a non-executive director of Crosswinds Developments Ltd and a Trustee of Smart Works Scotland.

As Scotland Commissioner, she also serves on the Equality and Human Rights Commission Board of Commissioners. On 29 September 2023 Lesley was appointed Interim Deputy Chair of the Board by the Minister for Women and Equalities.

Franceska van Dijk

Chief Executive Officer, One Stone Advisors Ltd

Fran is CEO of One Stone Advisors Ltd, a global strategy and communications team which helps companies become more successful sustainability leaders. One Stone is Scotland’s first B Corp.

Fran advises on managing opportunity and risk to build long-term value, helping companies future-proof their strategy and prioritise their sustainability goals for effective business planning and transition. Clients include Aggreko, Carlsberg Group, Coutts, Edrington, Electrolux, TUI Travel and SSE.

Fran holds Masters degrees from the University of Cambridge and the European Association for Environmental Management Education. She is co-author of Creating a Culture of Integrity: Business Ethics for the 21st Century.

Sophia Goring

Head of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), Business Stream

With over 20 years’ experience of working in corporate communications, including media relations, public affairs and stakeholder management, Sophia is currently Head of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) at UK-based water retailer, Business Stream. As part of her role, Sophia leads on the delivery of Business Stream’s sustainability agenda, which includes overseeing the company’s carbon reduction activities and delivering it’s community-based social value programme.

Sophia is passionate about delivering social value impact and currently works with a number of charities and social enterprises, including being represented on the Career Ready Edinburgh, Mid-Lothian and East Lothian Local Authority Board to support the social mobility charity’s strategic aims.

Martin Valenti

Director of Director of Investment & Sustainable Enterprise. South of Scotland Enterprise

Dr Valenti is an award-winning sustainability practitioner and serial disruptor, with extensive experience of strategic business engagement and innovation.

For over 30 years he has worked in a variety of senior management roles shaping and delivering inclusive growth initiatives and directing major collaborative projects.

Dr Valenti worked for SEPA for 17 years where he held a number of senior positions.

He played an instrumental role in setting up Scotland’s 2020 Climate Group and co-created the award winning 2050 Young Leaders Climate Group.

Martin joined South of Scotland Enterprise in July 2021.

Laura Young

Less Waste Laura

Laura Young is a Scotland‑based environmental scientist, award‑winning climate activist, and ethical influencer dedicated to inspiring sustainable change.

Seeking to bring younger voices into influential spaces, she sits on a variety of Boards, and advisory Committees and Councils including Circular Communities Scotland, Cycling UK Scotland, and the Evangelical Alliance, and has a number of formal Ambassador roles, including with Girlguiding, and Keep Scotland Beautiful, and she is a United Nations Association Scotland Earth Ambassador.

Laura has collaborated with major organisations including the BBC, Scottish Government, Eden Project, National Grid, and Volkswagen. A skilled presenter at events like TEDx Glasgow and COP26, she also contributed to BBC Bitesize and Sky News’ Daily Climate Show. From campaigning to ban disposable vapes to empowering youth at the Sky Up Academy, Laura brings her expertise into conversations about climate, waste, sustainability, and environmental justice issues. 

Mariam Ahmed

Chief Executive Officer, Amina Muslim Women’s Resource Centre (MWRC)/ EHRC Scotland Committee Member

Mariam is the Chief Executive Officer of Amina the Muslim Women’s Resource Centre (MWRC), a grassroots women’s rights organisation in Scotland dedicated to supporting and empowering Muslim and Ethnically Diverse women. Mariam provides leadership to Amina’s vital work with includes a leading helpline and domestic abuse casework service.

Mariam has committed her career to addressing gender-based violence, inequality, and the systemic barriers faced by marginalised women,  ensuring their voices are heard and issues are addressed through campaign and policy work.

Mariam also serves as a Scotland Committee Member for the Equalities and Human Rights Commission, championing equality and inclusive practices.

Caroline Cuthbertson

Operations Director, Crosswind Developments

Caroline is the Operations Director at Crosswind Developments, which progressing a large sustainable housing-led development on a 60-acre site in west Edinburgh. Prior to this role, Caroline worked in corporate banking for almost 30 years across a variety of roles. Caroline is a qualified Chartered Accountant (ICAS) and a Fellow of the Institute of Bankers. Caroline is also a Board member of Link Group , one of Scotland’s largest social housing landlords, and a Board member of LinkLiving Ltd which provides person-centred care and support services to people who have a wide range of reasons for needing support.

Sandy MacDonald

Executive Director, Head of Impact Assessment and Reporting, Scottish National Investment Bank

Sandy MacDonald is Executive Director, Head of Impact Assessment and Reporting, at Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB) – tasked with ensuring the Bank delivers measurable social, environmental and economic impact in line with its missions as a development bank. Previous roles include Director of Public Policy and Communications at Scottish Financial Enterprise, and Global Head of Sustainability at Standard Life and Standard Life Aberdeen plc.

He is also a trustee of UK financial inclusion charity, Turn2Us; Chair of Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) for Edinburgh, Midlothian and East Lothian; and an independent member of the Edinburgh Poverty Commission.