Scotland Can Do Partners join Resilient Leadership Catalyst 2021

Entrepreneurial Scotland plays an important role in driving the success of Scotland’s entrepreneurial support landscape by leading and facilitating the Scotland Can Do Programme.

Scotland Can Do is a national initiative, funded by the Scottish Government, to accelerate entrepreneurship and innovation through collaboration, to help tackle our country’s biggest challenges. At the heart of Scotland Can Do is a joined-up, multisector community of over 70 partners who all support entrepreneurs or entrepreneurial endeavours across different sectors, sizes and geographies. Together known as the Can Do Collective, this community of like-minded leaders are on a mission to provide enterprise and skills support that will enable individuals, and businesses of all kinds, to make a positive impact in Scotland and beyond.


One of the key elements for growing a strong and thriving entrepreneurial community is investing in the leadership capacity of ecosystem partners. That is why Scotland Can Do is committed to deepening the skills, confidence and connections of Can Do Collective partners, so that the impact they deliver is amplified and positively influences not only their organisational contexts, but the growth of the wider ecosystem.

Following a successful pilot in Dec 2020 on the topic of Navigating Volatility, this winter the Scotland Can Do programme has launched a bespoke Resilient Leadership Catalyst programme. This unique, immersive learning experience will take place virtually across two cohorts, in November 2021 and March 2022. It has been designed for leaders who belong to the Can Do Collective and are ready to amplify their impact and positively influence their organisations, the entrepreneurial ecosystem and Scotland.

The Resilient Leadership Catalyst will provide a blend of structed and self-guided learning across 3-months for 10 Can Do Collective partners. The learning experience will stretch the boundaries of participants’ thinking, and enable them to apply new insight, learning and perspectives back into their organisation and their work in partnership across the ecosystem. The programme will enable the participants to learn from peers, share best practice, and connect with international experts in their field, whilst showcase the breadth and productivity of Collective partners.

Introducing the 2021 Can Do Cohort:

  • Caroline Wylie, Director of Finance & Projects, Challenges Group
  • Claudia Cavalluzzo, Director, Converge
  • Elizabeth Pirrie, Chief Operating Officer, Investing Women
  • Ghillean Macleod, Senior Project Manager, Highlands & Islands Enterprise
  • Howell Davies, Sector Engagement Manager, Interface
  • Kirsty Bathgate, Director, Gearing for Growth
  • Lindsay Wake, Head of Impact, Social Investment Scotland
  • Nick Murray, Co-Director, Startup Grind Scotland
  • Seemab Farooqi, Lecturer, University of Dundee School of Business
  • Rachel Wallace, Programme Manager, Entrepreneurial Scotland

We asked participants what attracted them to the programme and what they’re most looking forward to.

Visit https://cando.scot/ to find out more about the Scotland Can Do initiative and enquire about becoming a Can Do Partner.