Meet the Delegates: Special Edition
We love to showcase the brilliant people we're lucky enough to work with at TRC. Today, the spotlight is on this year's Special Edition group.
Special Edition is TRC's professional development programme for ambitious women in digital looking to take their career to the next level. Running across a period of six months, Special Edition offers formal training to boost confidence, improve entrepreneurial skills, expand professional networks and progress your career in digital.
Here are the brilliant delegates of this year's programme.
Leigh Dobson - Client Services Director, Signal
Leigh Dobson is Signal’s Client Services Director. She has responsibility for managing the
Client Services team in delivering digital marketing campaigns and web development
projects for clients such as RBS, The Fringe, Baillie Gifford and Nando’s.
As part of Signal’s management team, Leigh is also responsible for managing senior client
relationships as well as operational and commercial management.
The best part of my job is…
Meeting so many different kinds of people and helping solve a diverse mix of client problems - no two days are ever the same.
My favourite quote/saying is…
“Pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick, and pull yourself together” Elizabeth Taylor
My top desert island disc would be…
In My Life - The Beatles
Justine Leahy - Head of Production, ISO
Justine Leahy is the Head of Production working across ISO’s commercial and research projects. She brings to ISO over twenty years’ experience in the TV and film sector as Line Producer and Production Manager working across numerous ground-breaking and award-winning productions (Emmy, BAFTA, Grierson). Justine has also produced BAFTA award-winning short drama.
If I could give one piece of advice to myself at 15 it would be…
your exams results did not influence your career.
I got into digital...
to explore & learn about new ways of storytelling though different formats, whilst at the same facilitate my professional growth & learning,
The best thing I've ever seen is…
My children, every day.
Laura Thomson - Creative Content Strategist, Front Page
After discovering a passion for writing at art school, Laura graduated with a BA(Hons) in Sculpture only to become a copywriter two years later. Specialising in tone of voice, branding, and strategic campaign planning, Laura has written for clients like L’Oréal, Disney, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Glasgow 2018 European Championships, and Netball World Cup Liverpool 2019. Earlier this year, she founded Jot – an initiative aimed at creating a community for people who write.
My favourite saying is...
“Someone’s always watching.” Not in the creepy, murderer-in-your-cupboard way. In the sense that you never know where your next opportunity will come from. Always be the best version of yourself because someone will notice. It’s something my dad has always said to me.
The best part about my job is...
when I figure out the solution to a problem. Whether it’s a line of copy, a campaign idea, the ideal strategy for a client, or even how to deal with a difficult situation – the process of actually solving the problem and then coming up with the answer is what excites me the most.
Someone I admire is...
Frida Kahlo. She overcame such difficult – some seemingly impossible – circumstances and tragedies. What a resilient, beautiful soul.
Serina MacDonald -Associate Director of Data and Analytics, iProspect
Serina MacDonald, Associate Director of Data & Analytics for the Edinburgh office of iProspect, takes responsibility for the planning, implementation and delivery of campaign tracking, reporting and optimisation, centrally across all digital channels. Particularly passionate about efficiencies in the workplace, she also spearheads the management of streamlining processes and developing workflow solutions throughout the business.
Something people would be surprised to learn about me is...
I have a real passion for horror movies; the gorier the better!
If I could give any piece of career advice it would be...
don't be afraid to ask questions wherever you go! Be inquisitive; it only proves that you are genuine, interested and motivated!
The best thing I've ever seen is...
my baby developing into a functioning human being; it reminds me what is important!
Kari Yoshime - Senior Designer, LEWIS
As Senior Designer at LEWIS, Kari is responsible for creating immersive digital solutions at the intersection of business goals and user needs - all whilst championing great UX, Human Centred Design and crafting beautiful UI. With a degree is Graphic Design from Edinburgh College of Art, Kari has over 8 years' experience designing, art directing and consulting on a wide range of projects for clients such as National Museums of Scotland, See Me, ScottishPower and Santander. Outside of work, Kari mentors design students and spends a healthy amount of time away from the computer playing and creating with the simple medium of paper.
If I could give one piece of advice to myself at 15 it would be…
Stop comparing yourself to others.
I got into digital because…
I love how fast-paced and interactive it is ,and it feels like the possibilities are endless. Digital isn't just websites anymore. If used properly, I can be an incredibly cost-effective mechanism to help deliver solutions to many of the world's problems (obviously not all though!).
Something people would be surprised to learn about me is…
I'm a bit of a trekkie and sci-fi geek. I used to be incredibly embarrassed about it but the older I get the less I care!
Alanna Innes - Product Owner, xDesign
xDesign have been delivering award-winning mobile and web applications for over 7 years. Offering bespoke consultancy, the team have developed products for a variety of different clients and sectors including PayPal, MoneySuperMarket and the NHS. Alanna Innes is a Product Owner with the responsibility for shaping client ideas to deliver innovative digital solutions. She also manages the planning and delivery process that are core to building apps that meet the team vision. As part of the xDesign family, Alanna is keen to deliver mobile software that is transformative and accessible, by helping clients realise their digital potential.
My favourite quote/saying is…
"I never worry that my team know more than I do. I expect them to educate me."
This was quoted in the TRC presentation for Special Edition (at Women Who Code) and it really resonated with me. After feeling like an imposter for so long, it was the trigger that encouraged me to apply.
The best part of my job is…
working alongside such talented and inspiring people. Working in digital, usually means I learn something new everyday and that's really motivational for me. I never want to feel "stuck" or complacent.
If I could give one piece of advice to myself at 15 it would be…
stop straightening your hair!
Anne Greieve - Associate Creative Director, AmazeRealise
Anne Grieve is an Associate Creative Director responsible for developing creative concepts for a broad range of brands and projects across a wide-ranging consumer client base that includes travel, technology, finance and food brands. As part of AmazeRealise’s Creative management team Anne is keen to shape and influence both the agency and its output, helping them to continue to grow.
If I could give any piece of career advice it would be...
Know what you want to achieve then hang on in there for dear life. It will happen eventually but not if you give up on your dreams.
I got into digital because...
Print died just around the time I got my first copywriting job.
The best part of my job is...
creative problem solving.
Iris Winter - Senior Developer, Wyoming Interactive
Wyoming Interactive have been improving digital performance for clients in the Life Sciences, Finance and Technology industries for over 10 years. Iris Winter is a Senior Developer responsible for leading the software development on client projects, mentoring, contributing & improving internal workflows as well as developing client relationships.Always looking for new ideas and approaches, Iris strives to further develop her talents and expertise.
The best part of my job is...
learning something new every day.
A perfect day would be...
On a Caribbean beach with my family
If I could give any piece of career advice it would be…
Every job or company could be a great opportunity.
Find out more about Special Edition here, or keep up with the delegates' progress over the next six months by checking our hashtag #TRCsped