Our staff team is made up of people with a wide range of skills and experience. We are committed to improving access, equality and inclusion for disabled people across Scotland.
Our work is delivered across different teams, each focusing on a key area.
Executive Team
Lucy Mulvagh
Chief Executive Officer
Lucy works with the team to ensure that Disability Equality Scotland promotes the value of and represents the opinions of disabled people. Lucy provides a strategic and operational understanding of access and inclusion in Scotland including establishing an evidence base that informs policy and best practice.
Douglas Bryce
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Douglas is responsible for managing a broad number of projects and initiatives. Douglas works closely with the CEO to implement the organisation’s strategy to work towards social inclusion for disabled people in Scotland.
Communication and Operations
James Davidson
Communications and Research Manager
James is responsible for sharing information such as news, events and consultations to our members in a clear and accessible manner. James is also responsible for the upkeep and population of all digital content.
Josephine
Operations Manager
Research and Projects
Pamela Tarrida del Marmol Perez
Project Development Worker
Pamela’s role involves support and further development of various projects. This currently focuses on Hate Crime and Scotland’s Hate Crime Charter. Pamela is also a registered nutritionist and comes from a background in public health, she has a strong interest in/is an advocate for closing the gap of health inequalities. Outside of work, she enjoys being active and doing yoga.
Ian Gallagher
Project Development Worker
Ian’s responsibilities are to ensure that evidence-based research methods underpin our work and are as inclusive as possible. Ian has previously worked on academic and action-based research projects, as well as working with NHS Scotland during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Andrew McKenna
Research Officer
Andrew works on research that shares the real-life experiences of Disability Equality Scotland’s members and the Access Panel Network. He makes sure our research is clear, accurate, and helps highlight the voices of disabled people in Scotland. Before joining the team, Andrew worked in academic research and teaching. Outside work, he enjoys watching films, visiting museums and cafés, and exploring Scotland’s scenic spots.
Access Panels
Chris Walker
Access Panel Network Team Lead
Chris leads the Access Panel Network Engagement Team and supports their work. He comes from a background in events, learning and engagement in a broad variety of heritage and museum settings, working alongside and co creating with diverse audiences. Outside of work he enjoys going to gigs, video games and spending time with his family.
Billi Allen-Mandeville
Access Panel Network Engagement Officer
Billi supports the Access Panel Network, drawing on varied experience in health and social care policy, project work, engagement, outreach, advocacy, and social work. She originally studied law, social work, and public policy, with a focus on disabled women’s health inequalities, and is currently studying journalism. Based in Glasgow, Billi enjoys spending time in nature, taking art and dance classes, going to the cinema, and discovering new cafés.
Emma Smith
Access Panel Network Engagement Officer
Emma supports the Access Panel Network, bringing a wide range of experience in research and educational support, particularly around disability, wellbeing, and neurodiversity. She has worked across academic, voluntary, and support settings, and is passionate about social justice. Emma is committed to helping improve accessibility and inclusion for disabled people through her role.
Sarah Graves
Access Panel Network Engagement Officer
Sarah works with the Access Panel Network, offering advice, training, and opportunities to connect and share knowledge. Her background includes advocacy, research, policy, training, and multi-agency engagement, with a strong focus on inclusion and accessibility. She’s passionate about ensuring that diverse voices are heard in decision-making. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys spending time on her allotment and with her family.
Easy Read
Shona McEwan
Easy Read Creator
Shona produces information in the Easy Read accessible format. Shona’s previous jobs have all involved working with adults with a learning disability, and she has always been a strong advocate of inclusive communication.
Claire Jagger
Easy Read Creator
Claire translates information into Easy Read. Her background is in Primary Education, with a focus on neurodiversity, inclusion and emotional wellbeing. She values Easy Read for the wider audience who can be reached with this style of inclusive communication.
Marit Fält
Easy Read Creator
Marit is one of our Easy Read Creators. She has worked as a musician, music teacher and a support worker, which has informed her passion for making art and information accessible to all. In her spare time, she likes hanging out with her nervous chihuahua and sharing trivia about the Eurovision Song Contest.
Training
Sonya Kunawicz
Senior Training and Development Worker
Sonya is our Training and Development Worker. Her job is to expand and deliver our Easy Read training course. This course helps organisations and individuals produce more accessible materials, using the Easy Read format. Sonya’s background is in education, language, and editing. Outside work, she reads a lot.
Lilly Kirchner-Wilson
Training and Development Worker
Lilly’s role involves developing and delivering a range of training courses, with a focus on Easy Read. Her role will support organisations and individuals to create more accessible materials. As an autistic person, she hopes to use her experience to support others with disabilities through her work. In her free time, she enjoys playing video games and crocheting.
Trustees
Agnieszka Davren
Agnieszka is an experienced HR professional with over 20 years in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. She is passionate about social justice and nature, and believes in creating opportunities for everyone to thrive while living in harmony with the environment.
Originally from Poland, Agnieszka has lived in Scotland for 25 years and now resides in Renfrewshire with her husband, two children, a cat and a rabbit. She has two disabilities and has learned to live with them while maintaining a fulfilled family life and a professional career.
She has held senior roles including HR Director, supported organisations through major change, and now consults in the public sector on strategic projects. Agnieszka is skilled in governance, change management, trade union relations and supporting Boards through complex transitions.
Derek Taylor (Treasurer)
Derek has over 25 years of experience in the financial sector across the UK, working with both large corporates and SMEs. Following a diagnosis of a rare neurological condition, he stepped away from the corporate world and now focuses on giving back.
As well as Disability Equality Scotland, Derek supports other third sector organisations and social enterprises that strive for equality. He is committed to working towards a society with fair representation, free from discrimination, and with good accessibility for everyone.
He follows a strict exercise regime and can often be found in the gym, or in Starbucks enjoying a coffee and cake.
Kenny McDonald
Kenny McDonald is a forward-thinking creative marketing and communications practitioner with over 25 years of experience. He specialises in tackling inequalities, poverty and injustice, with the aim of improving people’s lives.
He is driven by a lifelong passion for creating meaningful change that inspires real and positive impact for communities and people at all life stages.
Kenny has worked in central and local government, the NHS, public health and the third sector. He has also volunteered his time and served as a Board Member for a national social housing and care provider, a Development Trust Trustee, and a member of communications industry committees and boards. He has experience as a counsellor and mentor.
Kenny looks forward to using his experience to add value and leadership as a Board Member of Disability Equality Scotland, while continuing to listen and learn.
Lauren Asher (Vice Convenor)
Lauren is a full-time Youth Worker based in Dumfries and Galloway. Diagnosed with Asperger’s and mental health conditions, she is a passionate advocate for equality and inclusion.
Following the Global Changemakers Summit in 2018, Lauren set up Invisible Life, a personal blog sharing her experiences of living with Asperger’s. Her aim is to educate others and provide insight into her day-to-day challenges.
During COVID-19, Lauren set up Handprints of Hope, a social movement focused on providing friendship and positivity for disabled people during a challenging time.
Lauren is looking forward to being part of the Board and continuing to advocate for young disabled people.
Zara Todd (Interim Convenor)
Zara Todd is a disability activist, researcher, trainer and facilitator. She is based in Edinburgh with her husband and two cats.
Originally from London, Zara has been involved in disability activism since childhood and co-founded the European Network on Independent Living youth network. She is passionate about equality and inclusion, and is particularly interested in supporting disabled people and young people to engage with policy-making.
She has advised organisations including the British Council, UNICEF, the UK Government and the Fundamental Rights Agency on disability and accessibility.
Zara is a Churchill Fellow and is particularly interested in disability leadership. She is currently setting up her own organisation to support disabled people working in the not-for-profit sector.
As well as being a Trustee of Disability Equality Scotland, she is also a Trustee of Volunteering Matters. In her spare time, she and her husband enjoy travelling and have visited over 80 countries.
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