Our Operational Volunteer Team

Our outstanding team of volunteers, the Operational Team, are responsible for developing and delivering our core work. Normally working ‘out-of-hours’, these dedicated volunteers have helped us to expand what we do and accelerate our future ambitions.

To get in touch with one of our volunteers, email them using the format [firstname].[lastname]@2050.scot.

 
 

Alex Stewart // Co-Chair of Leaders Network

Alex works as a Trainee Solicitor with Gilson Gray LLP, and before that was a student at the University of Aberdeen and the University of Dundee. He wrote his dissertation on environmental liabilities during the decommissioning process in the North Sea, and is looking to specialise in environmental law. When he's not working or volunteering with 2050 Climate Group, he loves climbing & hiking up the west coast of Scotland as a part of the Scottish Outdoor Young Team, and going to see live music.

Sofia Koukoura // Co-Chair of Leaders Network

Sofia works as an engineer and data scientist at ScottishPower Renewables. She has a PhD on wind turbine technology and collaborates closely with academia through her position as a visiting scholar at the University of Strathclyde. Sofia has a keen interest in interdisciplinary and intersectional approaches to tackling climate crisis. She hopes that by 2050 there will be more trees and stronger communities!

Alejandra Bustamante

Alejandra has a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Edinburgh where she currently works as an operations specialist. Previous experience includes supporting the Edinburgh Infrastructure and Investment Programme Board and financial and project management in the telecom and banking industry. She is particularly interested in sustainable finance and how to migrate from a profit system to a shared value system. Alejandra also loves to dance, hike, and learn other languages.

 

Georgios Neonakis 

Currently working as a Supply Chain Analyst with Lifescan Scotland. Georgios has Masters in Logistics and Supply Chain Management and a Bachelor in Data Science from Heriot Watt University, where he analysed and researched possible ways to reduce carbon emissions and improve processes within the supply chain.

Jean Stafford

Jean is a postdoctoral research fellow working in the field of dementia epidemiology and the mental health of older people. Prior to this, she completed a PhD in psychiatric epidemiology and an MSc in child and adolescent mental health at UCL. Jean completed the Young Leaders Development Programme (2022-2023), and has a particular interest in the impact of climate change on health, including cognitive and mental health. As part of the YLDP, Jean co-organised several 'Postcards To Our Future' craftivism workshops, funded by the 2050x Fund, which brought together participants from around Scotland to craft their visions for the future of Scotland, with a focus on climate change. Outside of work, Jean enjoys going to see live music, playing piano, reading and yoga.

Manas Disoriya

Manus is currently working as a Paralegal at Cycle Law Scotland. He have a Master's degree in Energy and Environmental Law from the University of Aberdeen. Manus participated in the Young Leaders Development Program 2022-2023 and has been a member of the 2050 network since. Manus believes in finding what you would die for and then living for it. For me, that's saving our Mother Nature.

 
 
 

Our Climate Action Leadership Programme (CALP)

Jill Bunyan Co-Chair of CALP

Jill works as a Clyde Marine Planning Partnership Officer and is based at NatureScot. She is working to deliver the first Clyde Regional Marine Plan which aims to balance environmental protection, economic and social growth, and sustainable development in the Clyde region.. She has a degree in Law from Strathclyde and a Masters in International Environmental and Climate Change Law from Edinburgh. Outside of work, Jill enjoys reading, watching rugby, cooking, hiking, and going to the theatre.

Abi Gardner

Abi is an ecological scientist working in policy to bring together solutions to the duel crises of biodiversity loss and the climate emergency. She holds a degree in Geography, and masters in Ecosystem Services, with experience in public engagement on the importance of nature-based solutions to climate change, particularly leading on youth participation and empowerment. Abi completed the 2019/20 YLDP, joining as an Operational Volunteer since.

Bella Manning
Bella is a performance maker and creative. They have a degree in Drama and Creative Writing and are now pursuing their masters in Theatre and Performance Practices. In their theatre practice, they are currently exploring human relationships with nature. Bella is dedicated to developing the connections between the arts and environmental fields to address the climate crisis as she believes the arts can be an incredibly valuable tool for celebrating the natural world, evoking hope, and inspiring action. In her free time, she loves being in nature, horse riding, dancing, practising yoga, and learning.

 

Ella Venermo

Ella is a BSc Sociology and MSc Environment, Culture and Society graduate. She holds a particular interest in the relationships between people and environment, and the many ways in which we connect to the world around us, both practically and creatively. Having worked in many people-based roles, she is passionate about community engagement. In her free time, Ella enjoys being out in nature, gardening and yoga.

Emily Foster

Having completed her undergraduate degree in Geography, Emily is now working towards her masters in Science Communication and Public Engagement at the University of Edinburgh. She does a lot of research around Scotland’s Climate Change Plan and it’s impact on local communities. She also works part-time as a graduate hydraulic modeller. Outside of work, Emily is interested in sports, such as netball and enjoys painting.

Kylie Kay

Kylie is a Communications Officer working for a Scottish regeneration non-profit. She has a Masters in Environment, Culture and Society, and loves working with communities to move towards a more climate resilient future.

 
 

Nick Hawkes

Nick works in campaigns and communications for one of the UK's largest nature coalitions. He has worked on actions related to land management, climate and nature policy, water pollution and species conservation and led RSPB Scotland's campaigns work at COP26. He joined the CALP team as a volunteer in 2024 after completing the Young Leaders Development Programme in 2023.

Lottie van Grieken

Lottie is a Senior Campaigns Officer for SAMH, having previously worked for the RSPB in campaigns and project roles, including coordinating the RSPBs involvement in COP26. She also has experience working in a variety of other NGOs and is passionate about tackling the nature and climate crisis and contributing to a fairer world. Lottie completed the YLDP in 2023 and joined as a volunteer in 2024.

Rebecca Mackay

Rebecca spent the last three months of 2023 in Mexico, travelling around, eating some good food and learning about the plants. She graduated from college in June 2023 with a HND in Horticulture. Pre-pandemic Rebecca was a dog walker which was a great career but am now exploring the world of horticulture.

Our Policy Team

 

Izi Robe // Co-Chair of Policy

Izi works at the University of Edinburgh delivering operations and communications for climate research and partnerships. Prior to joining the University of Edinburgh, she worked as Sustainability Officer on an award winning waste reduction and climate change engagement project at Edinburgh College Students’ Association. She has worked in student representation in multiple higher education institutions, alongside volunteering with climate change organisations across Edinburgh, including completing the YLDP in 22/23. In her spare time she loves reading and finding joy in trying to learn gardening!

Molly Coyle // Co-Chair of Policy

Molly is a PhD student at the University of Glasgow. Her research takes an intersectional approach to improving working-class diversity and inclusion in environmentalism in the UK. Prior to this she completed her MRes in Public Policy Research with a focus on Community-Led Climate Action in Scotland. Molly completed the Young Leaders Development Programme (2022-2023) and carried out a collage-making activity to encourage people to talk about climate change in a more open and accessible space.

Abi McLean

Abi has a background in Marine Biology & Conservation from the University of Stirling and the University of Aberdeen. They are currently completing their master’s degree in Public Policy back at Stirling, and working towards a job within environmental, climate change or social policy areas once graduated. As Co-Chair of the Policy Sub-Group, and newly representing 2050 Climate Group within the Marine Litter Strategy Steering Group: they are keen to address marine-related policy aspects within the Policy Sub-Group whilst also helping with other targetted issues.

 

Elspeth Nicholson

Elspeth works in the public sector where she helps universities and colleges reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to climate change and act more sustainably. She completed the YLDP in 2022-23. Outside of work she likes walks in graveyards, baking sourdough and listening to Taylor Swift.

Eneyi Oshi

Eneyi is a MasterCard Foundation Scholar currently pursuing a Master's degree in Food Security at the University of Edinburgh. Dedicated to deepening her understanding of global food systems, she explores solutions to address the challenges of climate change and food insecurity. As the Co-founder of Agrisiti, Eneyi is passionate about empowering young people to embrace agriculture and drive sustainable food production in Nigeria. Eneyi also seeks to empower young people to become advocates for environmental protection and climate action, amplifying their voices in the climate change sector. She is committed to creating a brighter, more sustainable future.

Gabriel Sanson Gomez

Gabriel is a researcher in the New Economy team of Generation Climate Europe (GCE), the largest coalition of youth-led climate initiatives at the European level. With his insights from this role, and empowered by the tools gained as YLDP graduate, he wants to bring discussions of rethinking economics beyond growth into Scottish political discourse, and draw stronger links between European climate movements and the Scottish climate space. He is entering his final year of his International Relations MA program at the University of Edinburgh, and joined the policy subgroup in 2024.

 

Sarah Barnard

Sarah works in the University of Edinburgh's Department for Social Responsibility and Sustainability, supporting operations and governance arrangements. Her background is in the book industry and she's not lost the reading habit, though it's more committee papers than bestsellers these days. She is particularly interested in public transport and active travel policy. In her spare time she likes to plan long distance walking routes which are accessible by train or bus.

Thembi Chihambakwe

Thembi is an Offshore Development Graduate for ScottishPower Renewables where she works on consenting for Offshore wind energy projects in Scotland, England and mainland Europe. She has a degree in Environment and Development from the London School of Economics and also studied Environmental Science, Policy and Management at UC Berkeley in California with a focus on energy policy and economics. Thembi is particularly interested in environmental philosophy, international environmental politics and political ecology. She loves cooking, rock climbing and producing electronic music in her spare time.