TRUSTEES
Karina Good (Chair)
Karina is the HR Advice and Transformation Manger at Baillie Gifford and is an experienced Business Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the financial services industry. Skilled in Consolidation, Managerial Finance, Accounting, Tax, Audit and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Strong finance professional graduated from The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ireland.
First Job:
Strongest memory of your first job:
Maggie McGeary
Maggie is a Business Transformation consultant who works as Portfolio PMO lead on large and complex business transformation projects. Her background was in the financial services industry, where she became qualified through Chartered Banker MBA, though these days she has branched out to other sectors and is currently supporting NHS and Scottish Government on part of their Covid response. Maggie has also trained as a Transformational Life Coach and provides 121 coaching and business mentoring for individuals and small businesses. Outside of work, Maggie enjoys the creative arts and the great outdoors.
First Job: I started at Safeway’s supermarket on my 16th Birthday as a checkout girl.
Strongest memory of first job:Although I was shy I enjoyed customer service, because you met so many interesting people. I was NOT so keen on the nylon striped shirt dress and American tan tights we were made to wear! I have been fortunate to have some fantastic managers and mentors in my career and recognise the enormous impact and encouragement that comes from having someone ‘on your side’.
Sara Cook
Sara is Director for Impact at Entrepreneurial Scotland, a Scottish charity who aim to inspire, develop and connect the entrepreneurial community. Within her role, she’s responsible for measuring and articulating the impact of the charity’s work. She also leads the charity’s fundraising and grant management activities. Prior to this role, Sara ran the organisation’s Next Generation function, supporting international businesses to recruit, retain and develop entrepreneurial talent. Sara has a passion for supporting businesses to realise the value of investing in teams to support growth.
In 2018, Sara took part in the prestigious Saltire Fellowship programme which saw her travel to Boston for three months to study at Babson College, the number 1 entrepreneurial university in the world. Whilst at Babson, Sara learnt from great business leaders on topics such as strategy, leadership, financing for growth, innovation, sales and marketing.
When she’s not working, Sara enjoys spending time with her family and recently became a mother for the first time in 2020. She also enjoys cooking, baking and travel literature.
Ashley Topping
Karen Lothian
Karen is a HR Consultant with over 20 years’ experience working across a wide range of industries in both the public and private sectors. She currently works for The City of Edinburgh Council and is the founder of Olren HR Consultancy. In both roles she specialises in cultural behaviour change, leadership development and wellbeing. Karen is also a qualified Transformational Life Coach and provides 121 and group coaching.
When she’s not working, Karen enjoys sending her time with her family, running and getting outside as much as she can.
Euan Chisholm
Euan is a Growth & Strategy Manager with over 15 years’ experience working in the electricity industry and is currently working for InterGen UK, an Edinburgh headquartered Independent Power Producer. Euan’s responsibilities include leading the development of energy projects as well as acquisitions with a focus on diversification into renewable energy and electricity projects to support the energy transition. Previous roles at Intergen and Scottish Power have been focused on energy trading where Euan optimised power generation and storage assets and managed market related risks. Euan has built and managed teams and is passionate about developing people and providing opportunities for growth.
First Job: I started in M&S stacking shelves and on the checkout at 17.
Strongest memory of my first job: Christmas at M&S was always really busy with everyone in to get their festive food and it was always interesting to see customers fighting over the last packet of potato croquettes! My time at M&S was great with colleagues mucking in to get jobs done and really taught me the strength of a team. I remember my first team leader who was really supportive when I was a nervous newbie and allowed me to build confidence quickly in my first job.
Rebecca Pierce
Rebecca is currently employed as the Widening Participation Officer for Girlguiding Scotland. Prior to this, she has spent most of her career within the third sector, particularly in the museums and heritage industry. She specialises in volunteering, engagement, and equality, diversity, and inclusion work. She has previously held posts at National Galleries Scotland, National Trust, and Keele University. She holds both a first-class BA in history and a Humanities MRes with Distinction from Keele University where she specialised in the histories of women and LGBT+ communities.
First Job: Working as a bartender at a nightclub.
Strongest memory of first job: The floors being so sticky (before the night even began) that I once lost a shoe walking up the stairs. It was on that day that I learnt the importance of a clean workplace…
When she’s not working: My interests include history, sewing, and cooking. In my free time, I like to go wild swimming, although I become considerably less enthusiastic about it in the colder months.