Our Board

She manages various areas, including student welfare and support, academic administration, recruitment, admissions, examinations, quality assurance and governance.  Suzanne’s strengths include strategic planning, policy development and project management.

Early in her career, Suzanne held several international positions in the private sector but found her calling in the third sector and has, for the last twenty years, worked to improve equality and opportunities for young people.

Suzanne joined the Board in September 2020 and is excited to support Capella in achieving its vision.

She currently works at the University of Edinburgh, where, over the last year, she has been bootstrapping a new research centre focused on growing capacity for data-led and digital research across the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.  She has led and contributed to a wide range of research and educational support projects, both national and international.  Over the last ten years, Lisa’s work has increasingly focused on adopting digital technologies in the educational context. Other key areas of expertise are strategic development and planning, proposal development, educational design, communications and community building.

Lisa joined the board in September 2020.  She’s delighted to have the opportunity to use her professional skills to support other families: she’s passionate about supporting learning opportunities for young people and, as a parent, knows how important good sleep support can be.

Hannah joins the organisation with a strong track record in both strategic and operational HR leadership, having held senior roles across a diverse range of industries, including construction, manufacturing, aviation and aerospace, technology, and higher education. Her breadth of experience and proven leadership will bring valuable insight and expertise to Capella’s governance and strategic direction.

As the Founding Director and Principal Consultant of Pragmatic People HR Consultancy, Hannah has built a reputation for delivering thoughtful, evidence-based, and practical people solutions. She has worked in partnership with organisations of all sizes to navigate the complexities of employment law, conflict resolution, people management, and organisational development – empowering businesses and their people to perform at their best.

Since leaving the corporate HR world in 2024 to establish her consultancy, Hannah has focused on becoming a trusted strategic people partner – guiding, advising, and supporting organisations to thrive amid the ever-evolving business and legal landscape.

A Chartered Fellow of the CIPD and active West of Scotland CIPD Branch Committee Member, Hannah holds a Master’s degree and Advanced Diploma (CIPD Level 7) in Strategic Human Resource Management and is currently pursuing Doctoral studies in the same field. Alongside her consultancy and professional commitments, she is also an academic tutor, supervisor, and assessor for undergraduate and postgraduate business students within the higher education sector. Her ongoing academic and professional development exemplifies a deep commitment to advancing the HR profession and building progressive, people-centred workplaces.

Beyond her professional life, Hannah is a keen equestrian, proud wife to Colin, enthusiastic traveller, Zumba fan, rugby fan, and a (good-ish!) baker.

Alison has held leadership roles in the public and private sectors, in organisations small and large. She has considerable experience in strategy, business development and managing change to grow resilient and sustainable businesses. She is Chair of ScotlandIS, the trade body for the tech sector in Scotland.

Alison’s son has learning disabilities and Autism and is a student at Teens+. She joined the board in 2022 and is keen to support the organisation to strengthen and grow to enable more young adults to live fulfilling lives as active participants in their communities.

Julia is experienced in project and programme management and leading a wide range of research initiatives. An early focus was to promote the participation of young people, their families and carers in informing the content and process of the research.

Much of her work has been directed at developing effective partnership environments to improve health and care outcomes for individuals, and she supported the national development of health and social care partnerships. Other key areas of interest include young people’s mental health, using research to inform policy development and exploring how we can best measure impact – how we know what we are doing and whether we are doing it well.

Julia joined the board in December 2020.

Maria has experience of over 20 years as a sleep scientist in clinical and research settings.  Her research work incorporates a variety of research methodologies and draws from psychological interventions, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia. The primary focus of her research aims to explore the onset and maintenance of sleep and circadian difficulties across the lifespan and their association with physiological and environmental factors.

Maria joined the board in May 2022 and hopes to support the organisation with her sleep research skills and her understanding of the dynamic interplay of sleep with mental health conditions, especially for children and young people. She is also a Senior Sleep Lecturer for the organisation, hoping to bring closer the training facilitators and the members of the board.

Established in 2002, Ekosgen are one of the UK’s leading independent companies providing economic and social research, analysis and consultancy advice.

Prior to Ekosgen, Marc was the Head of Research and Policy for ScotlandIS. ScotlandIS builds, supports, and enables the digital technology ecosystem in Scotland. They are at the heart of Scotland’s digital economy, shaping, changing and driving it forward. They work with members and partners to support the wider digital transformation of business and society. Marc spearheaded all Research, Policy and Public Affairs activity for ScotlandIS to Ministers, senior Civil Servants, Academics and private sector leaders.

Marc’s expertise is in Policy and Public Affairs with experience in the public and non-governmental sectors. He is skilled in Research, Political Analysis, Stakeholder Management and managing SPSS data.

Marc joined the board in January 2023 and is keen to strengthen and build new partnerships between the charity, public sector and private sector.

He is also keen to explore how Capella can be an example of third-sector environmental sustainability and demonstrate excellence in our environmental credentials.

Marc holds a Master’s with Merit Postgraduate degree from the University of Edinburgh in US Foreign Policy.

Colin started his career advising small companies looking to raise funding. He has since spent over 20 years investing in small and mid-sized businesses across Europe looking to grow.

He has also previously been treasurer of 2 small charities focused on fundraising to help children with additional support needs.

Colin joined the board of Capella in February 2022.

Ian has over 20 years working in Higher Education working as a lecturer, academic quality professional and now as a manager in curriculum transformation at the University of Edinburgh.

He is actively involved in shaping curriculum frameworks, leading the student internship programme and supporting senior leaders across the University in delivering a future curriculum which has, at its heart, enhanced accessibility.

Ian’s strengths include strategic planning, service design and process enhancement.

Ian joined the Board in 2024 and is excited to support Capella in its ambition to see our fantastic staff and students continue to thrive.

Janyce became an independent non-executive director on the England Athletics Board in 2018. Now in a second four-year term there, she is the Sustainability/ESG Lead, Chair of the Audit & Assurance Committee, and a member of the Governance Committee.

Alongside her professional career, Janyce has been actively volunteering in grassroots youth sports development for over 18 years, as well as food poverty alleviation projects, and has also been a trustee within the charity and further education sectors. Since relocating back home to Scotland in 2021, she now volunteers with the Edinburgh School Uniform Bank. Janyce also works as a mentor with a secondary school as part of an MCR Pathways programme. These volunteering activities align with Janyce’s strong belief that everyone should have the means and opportunity to reach their potential.

The role with the Capella Charity provides another area in which to reflect her interest in ensuring that the widest range of opportunities are available for those who find themselves facing barriers or in disadvantaged circumstances, whatever the cause.

Janyce recognises the valuable support which Capella provides to individuals, families, and the wider community through the core delivery arms of Sleep Scotland & Teens + and she is delighted to join the Board as the charity continues to develop this even further.

Janyce joined the Capella Board of Trustees in 2024.

Emma brings a wealth of expertise, insight and passion for improving sleep health. She has been working closely with Sleep Action through the Sleep Well Scotland project.

Dr Emma Gale joined the Board of Trustees in 2026.