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Meet the IYS team
Get to know the people behind the work
Meet the team who make it all happen! Our staff are passionate about supporting young people, tackling inequality, and creating real change. Each brings their own skills and experience, but together they’re here to listen, guide, and empower you.
We were once young people too!
Meet Our Staff
Sadia
Acting Director
My background is in Education, with a strong focus on anti-racist work. Much of what I do is shaped by my own experiences as a South Asian, Muslim woman born and raised in Scotland. I’m passionate about challenging inequality and uplifting young people’s voices. When I’m not working, you’ll usually find me camping in the west of Scotland, getting lost in a good book, or spending time with family and friends.
Sarah
Finance Manager
I enjoy walking my dog, spending time with loved ones, and indulging in coffee and cake. I have a deep love for classical music - Ludovico Einaudi is my favourite, and Experience is my favourite piece. If I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be - only worry about things when they happen!
Shazia
Office Admin
I’m passionate about promoting equality and inclusion for everyone, and I’m proud to be part of work that brings people and cultures together. I believe in creating welcoming spaces where differences are respected and celebrated. When I’m not working, I’m busy raising and spending time with my family, especially my two young children, who inspire me every day.
Felicity
Mental Health Manager
I feel passionate about equality and mental health. We all deserve appropriate and responsive mental health care. My background is working with refugees and people seeking asylum. This really inspired me in creating a bilingual and culturally responsive mental health intervention for Intercultural Youth Scotland. I'm really excited about this new opportunity I have. I also like dogs and synthesizers. And I visit my mum once a week! Mum's are important!
Grace
Education Coordinator
I am a mixed-race Black woman of Jamaican, English and Irish descent. I have lived in Scotland since I was 14. I've worked in many roles supporting young people, including as an outdoor activity instructor in climbing, abseiling, bush craft and hillwalking. I am passionate about challenging misconceptions and creating transformative experiences for growth. I love travelling, swimming in the sea, and I’m in a band.
Chiraz
Education Officer
With a background in psychology, education and community-based work, I’m passionate about creating inclusive spaces where young people feel supported, valued and confident in who they are. I’m particularly interested in wellbeing and am always down a rabbit hole of books, podcasts and articles on the topic! Outside of work, I love spending time with family and friends, exploring nature and experimenting with herbal remedies.
Sidra
Youth Work Coordinator
I studied criminology and went on to work in youth work and whole family support. I am a trauma responsive practitioner focussed on inclusivity anti-racism. I love hearing people's stories, understanding them and getting alongside them. I hold young people at the centre of all I do and always question what more can we do to get it right. In my spare time, I connect with loved ones, exploring new places. I need a tea in the morning and coffee in the afternoon to keep me functioning! My knees may be weak, but if I hear a good beat, I'll be the first on the dance floor!
Arran
Youth Work Officer
Originally from the Highlands, I’m passionate about youth work and participation, shaped by supporting care-experienced young people in Edinburgh and engaging with asylum seekers and refugees. I create spaces where young people feel heard, valued, and empowered. Before youth work, I studied Business Management and worked as a chef, which still shapes how I connect with people today. Whether through conversation, cooking, or sports, I enjoy bringing people together, building trust, and creating community.
Avril
Fundraising Coordinator
I’m Avril, and I’m passionate about bringing people together to support meaningful causes. I enjoy being involved in fundraising that makes a real difference in local communities and for young people. I’m motivated by creating positive change, whether that’s helping organise events, supporting others to get involved, or simply doing what I can to make an impact. I value teamwork, energy, and making sure everyone feels included in the process.
Meet Our Trustees
Omer Hamid
Chair
Omer Hamid is Chair of the IYS Board of Trustees. He brings experience in public policy, corporate governance, strategic oversight and organisational development.
Omer has a legal and public sector background, with experience supporting decision-making, accountability and governance in complex environments. He is committed to working with fellow trustees and the IYS team to support the organisation’s mission and its work with young people and communities across Scotland
Ez Tabra
Ez joined IYS Board of Trustees in April 2026, bringing a strong blend of financial expertise, governance insight, strategic planning experience and a deep commitment to mission-led organisations.
A Certified Management Accountant (CMA) with Master’s degree in Finance, Ez offers more than 30 years of diverse experience across finance, budgeting, financial reporting, accounting, governance and project management. His career has been primarily rooted in the non-profit sector, including higher education, research and healthcare, where he has supported organisations to strengthen financial stewardship, accountability and long-term sustainability.
Ez has held several leadership and senior management roles, working closely with Boards of Directors and executive teams to provide clear financial reporting, practical analysis and evidence-based advice to support informed decision-making. He is recognised for his analytical approach, collaborative leadership style, sound judgement and ability to translate complex financial information into meaningful insight for leaders and stakeholders.
Ez believes strongly in the value of Scotland’s non-profit and charitable sector and is keen to contribute his skills, experience and energy to support charity leaders and the communities they serve. He is particularly motivated by the opportunity to help organisations build resilience, strengthen governance and make the best possible use of their resources to achieve lasting community impact.
Jamie Wells
BIOGRAPHY
Odunayo Ogunsanwo
BIOGRAPHY
Murrin Huarachi
Murrin Huarachi (she/her) joined the IYS Board of Trustees in April 2026. She is an early-career researcher and intersectional disabled leader, drawing on lived experience and feminist, trauma-informed practice to champion inclusion, intersectional advocacy, and community-led organisational change.
Murrin is commencing her postgraduate studies in Global Health and is a member of the Disabled Leaders Network. She sits on the UN Global Research & Action Network's Expert Working Group on Disabilities, Intersectionality & Eco-Social Contracts.
As a Trustee of IYS, Murrin is passionate about ensuring that young people's lived experiences shape the spaces built for them. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her rescue dog and being in accessible outdoor spaces.
Aisha Abbas
Dr Aisha Abbas is a Social Researcher, Community Educator and a writer. Drawing on her research and facilitation experience, she brings a systems-thinking perspective to questions of inclusion, impact and youth development. She is particularly interested in how organisations generate, use and learn from evidence to improve outcomes for the communities they serve. As a Trustee of IYS, she supports the organisation in strengthening its long-term approach to monitoring, evaluation and learning, ensuring that our impact is meaningful, measurable and sustainable.
On rare non-rainy days, she is usually out hiking somewhere across the central belt.
Daniela Onyewuenyi
Hello! I am Dani and I am currently a law student with many passions such as human rights, languages and politics. I am so proud of being part of a team that have the common goal of making our society a safe place for young BAME people through our welcoming spaces and anti-racism work. This is extremely important during high times of tension in our cities, and it highlights that what we do has never been more needed. During my free time, I love listening to music: from techno to Igbo highlife, my music taste does not discriminate!
Aisha Ahmed
I am a professional chef and content creator with a passion for food, creativity, and community engagement. Through my work, I create culinary experiences and digital content that inspire and connect people from diverse backgrounds.