Programme Manager of the Saltire Scholar Programme Team
Kelly’s role sees her connect high potential students from across Scotland’s universities with host companies in Scotland and Globally. Kelly joined Entrepreneurial Scotland in January 2020 after 20+ years in grassroots youth work, working in multiple communities across Scotland.
We’re delighted to welcome Kelly as she shares her passions, insight into her career to date and the privilege she feels to work with Scotland’s next generation of entrepreneurial leaders.
E.S:What is your role at Entrepreneurial Scotland?
K.G: "I am the Programme Manager of the Saltire Scholar Programme Team."
E.S What do you do at Entrepreneurial Scotland?
K.G: "In January 2020, I joined ESF to lead the Saltire Scholar Programme. The Programme is cyclical and each summer we connect high potential students, from across Scotland’s Universities, with Host Companies in Scotland and Globally. Saltire Scholars undertake summer internships, working on projects that have real commercial value and have tangible outcomes that benefit both the Host and the Scholar. My role is vast and varied; in addition to overseeing the Programme, I get to engage regularly with our various stakeholders which is my favourite part of my job!"
E.S What is your favourite quote?
K.G: "The future is not set. There’s No Fate but what we make for ourselves” - Sarah Connor, Terminator Franchise."
E.S: "What’s your background /past experience, for working in your position?
K.G: "I came to ESF after 20+ years in grassroots Youth Work, working in multiple communities across Scotland. Working with young people originated in my background in Community Arts and over the years I have worked with 8-25 year olds in sports, arts, skills development, training and learning. Young people are passionate, they all have unique potential and I can genuinely say that I always learn something along the way too. The beauty of youth work lies in its core principles of equal partnership, voluntary participation and valuing the individual in the here and now. Whether I was engaging with Youth Panels or Young Offenders, Sports Teams or Youth Theatres it was all founded on building meaningful relationships and the learning was complimentary to formal education. I think so many of these principles exist at the core of ESF and the Saltire Scholar Programme, and not just in the Student’s we work with, but in the ESF team and our wider partners and stakeholders too!."
E.S: What is your personality type?
K.G: "My 16 Personalities result tells me that I am an Assertive Mediator with the role of a Diplomat. The biggest surprise to anyone who spends time with me is that I am quite an extreme Introvert! I can lose myself for hours in a book, in thought or in my own imagination. I connect passionately and it's absolutely true that I will muse about the meaning and purpose of things, thinking of all the possibilities along the way."
E.S: What are the values that drive you?
K.G: "Courage: Be Brave.
Kindness: You don’t know anyone else’s story or experience so be Kind first.
Authenticity: Being able to be who you are and accepting others for who they are too.
Creativity: Do the best you can do with what you have available to you."
E.S: Your top 3 favourite Podcasts/Books?
K.G: "The High Performance Podcast. I found this Podcast through my love of Formula 1 however it is so much more than a “Sport Podcast”. The guests share their stories and reflections of Leadership, Mindfulness, Entrepreneurialism, Motivation and Self-Development with the understanding that the definition of High Performance is different to all.
The Martian by Andy Weir. A story of self-belief, determination, problem-solving and loyalty. It’s one of the few adaptations where I think the movie is as good as the Book.
F1 Beyond the Grid. Sometimes it's about the racing, sometimes the technology, sometimes the money & management but underneath that, it's always about the teamwork, the motivation, the drive to stay fresh and the desire to be at the top of the game."
Young people are passionate, they all have unique potential and I can genuinely say that I always learn something along the way too.
E.S: What do you like about working at Entrepreneurial Scotland?
K.G: "I love that no 2 days are the same! We are lucky enough to work with some of the brightest, highly talented, students and young people in Scotland and it’s a privilege to be a part of their Leadership journey. The Saltire Scholars that we engage with, both the current Cohort and the Alumni, are so inspiring, ambitious and have a real desire to make a difference, to help Scotland thrive and to give back."
E.S: What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
K.G: "I am a huge Science Fiction Geek and a lifelong fan of Formula 1. You are likely to find me in a coffee shop with a book or if it’s a race weekend you will find me glued to the TV!.
We are lucky enough to work with some of the brightest, highly talented, students and young people in Scotland and it’s a privilege to be a part of their Leadership journey.
E.S: What three items would you bring on a desert island?
K.G: "A good pillow, The Expanse series by James S.A Corey and being a redhead, a good moisturiser with a high SPF!."
E.S: If you could be in any film, what film would it be and what character would you play?
K.G: "I’d be Ripley in Aliens. Its one of my favourite films and I think Ripley is an ultimate team-player, who will do what needs to be done and she never gives up."
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