Debbie has an insatiable curiosity for how finance can be used to help vulnerable people and communities and has spent 20 years in the social investment sector. This journey began in Chicago at IFF one of the largest Community Development Finance Institutions in the US.
After coming to live in Scotland with her family in 2007, Debbie brought her international experience and personal passion to Social Investment Scotland where she spent 10 years, working to increase access to capital with communities across Scotland. With a keen interest in social impact and diversity and equality she has sat on various UK-wide social investment intermediary advisory groups and was instrumental in bringing Aeris (an impact investment credit rating for the CDFI sector in the US) to the UK.
She now brings her contagious energy, and positive demeanour to Inspiring Scotland to work on intandem supporting the charities to establish this national mentoring programme.
In her spare time, she loves walking her Border Terrier, running and is ‘slowly’ writing a family inter-generational cookery book.
More funding has been announced for the Scottish Government’s Autistic Adult Support Fund and is available to third sector organisations providing services to autistic adults – promoting wellbeing and helping them to understand what neurodivergence means for them. Since 2023, the Scottish Government has allocated £1.5 million to 15 organisations, including those helping autistic adults
Read More
Tackling climate change sometimes still involves spreadsheets! Our Specialist Volunteer Network (SVN) is home to a whole range of expertise and changemakers who stand ready to help Scotland’s charities. Our team are no stranger to quickly matching a charity with the right professional to get a problem solved. So recently, when Earth in Common, an
Read More
From Govan to the city centre, from children with learning disabilities to New Scots, people all over the city of Glasgow have benefitted from the opportunity to explore their creative side, led by their own communities. We recently hosted a workshop and reception to showcase the incredible talent and creativity fostered through our Creative Communities
Read More