Fellowship

Louise believes that cross sector collaboration and community empowerment are key to creating the just and equal society we are striving to build. She is committed to creating space for diverse groups to be part of policy and decision making – respecting and fulfilling their rights as active citizens. Her commitment has been shaped by experiences and relationships made in community settings and national programmes in the public and third sectors across Scotland. It is this commitment that underpins Louise’s current work as DG Communities at Scottish Government and previous roles as Nations Director of the Institute of Directors in Scotland, and CEO of Young Scot, the multi award-winning youth information and citizenship charity. Louise was also Independent Co-Chair of the First Minister’s Advisory Council on Women and Girls; a Board member of the Scottish Parliament think tank Scotland’s Futures Forum, and past President of the European Youth Card Association (representing 41 countries and 7m+ young cardholders). She was awarded an OBE for services to the community in 2015.