New Oversight Board Members

Andrea trained as a nurse in London and studied Bioengineering in Glasgow. 

For more than 30 years, she has been researching 'what works for wounds'— mainly chronic leg ulcers, foot ulcers and bed sores. Her research has influenced clinical practise internationally, impacting the care of millions of people living with chronic wounds and their complications. She has held leadership positions at the University of Leeds and now at Glasgow Caledonian University where she is currently Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and a Professor. 

Andrea is looking forward to contributing to the huge ambitions of the promise through serving on the Oversight Board. She is keen to bring her health, education and research leadership experience to the team, to learn from the diverse and rich experience of colleagues on the Board, and to give back through service.

Doctor Barry Black is an education researcher with a deep commitment to equity in education. His PhD explored the influences on young people's subject choices within Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence.

His research has informed national policy discussions, and he has given evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Education, Children and Young People Committee.

He grew up in kinship care with his auntie and uncle and you'll usually find him in his seat at Pittodrie, following Aberdeen.

Donna is a values-driven NMC registered health professional, and a long-term foster carer with over 25 years experience across the Scottish Government, NHS and third sector.

She has a strong background in upholding professional standards and governance across operational service, with further developed skill in trauma-informed practice, public protection and leading rights-based, person-centred services at a national level.

Her work has influenced policy and practice across public services.

She joined the Oversight Board to assist in assuring that The Promise delivers on the commitments made to children, young people, and families. As a foster carer, she has first hand experience of the importance of listening to the views of children and young people especially where they fell let down or excluded and the devastating effects this can have on their development and progression.

Jennifer Rodgers MBE is a Scottish nurse leader, renowned for her unwavering commitment to paediatric care, patient safety, and person-centred healthcare. In August 2024, she was appointed Director of Nursing and Family Support at Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS), where she oversees nursing and family support services across hospices, hospitals, and homes throughout Scotland.

A pioneer in person-centred care, Jennifer initiated the "What Matters to Me?" project, encouraging children to express their needs and preferences through drawings and writings. This initiative became integral to the Scottish Person-Centred Care Collaborative and the international "What Matters to You?" movement.

Jennifer's contributions have been widely recognised. In 2012, she became the first paediatric nurse to complete the Scottish Patient Safety Fellowship. She was named Scottish Nurse of the Year in 2013 and received the Scottish Woman of the Year award in 2019 for her outstanding work in children's medicine. That same year, she was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to healthcare.

Lucy has dedicated most of her career to child protection and children's rights. With extensive experience within the Scottish Children's Hearings System, both as a Children's Reporter and in her current role as a Safeguarder, she is deeply committed to fair, compassionate, and child-centred decision-making. 

She serves as a disabilities-qualified member Social Security Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland, where she works as part of a multi-disciplinary panel hearing appeals relating to disability benefits. She is also a former music teacher, with a lifelong passion for working with children.

Stephen is a software engineer working in the public sector, where he builds accessible digital applications for use by hundreds of thousands of people across Scotland. He is also a keen photographer, freelance web developer, and co-founder of a popular Edinburgh-based tourism and community interest online platform, where content viewing figures regularly reach the hundreds of thousands.

In addition to his public sector role, Stephen has provided technical support and rebuilt websites for third sector organisations across Scotland, using his skills to strengthen the digital presence of groups working for social good. He also consults and provides expertise to organisations supporting care leavers elsewhere in the UK, particularly in England.

Stephen spent 11 years in care across a range of settings, including kinship care with extended family, residential schools, children’s homes, and short-term respite placements. These experiences have shaped his perspective and fuelled his commitment to improving outcomes for care experienced people.

He served for several years on the Board of Trustees at Who Cares? Scotland, contributing to the charity’s governance and strategic direction. At work, he is an active member of the Corporate Parenting Champions Group, where he has helped design and deliver corporate parenting training, supported internal and external communications, and contributed to the creation of employment opportunities for care experienced people, including the co-design of a digital internship specifically for people with care experience.