We are pleased to announce our three new Fellowship Councillors, following the resignation of Claire Doran (South-East), Matthias Hilner (Central), and Tony Sheehan (Ireland) due to relocation and work commitments.
The Fellowship Council serves as a crucial link between RSA staff and our global network of Fellows. Councillors actively support core area activity, ensure the Fellowship’s voice is heard and support the charity through their expertise.
As with previous vacancies, all roles were openly advertised through our regular newsletters, and we received 52 applications. The recruitment process was conducted in partnership with existing Fellowship councillors, including the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Fellowship Council, and approved by the Nominations and Governance Panel (which includes representatives from the Fellowship Council and the Board of Trustees).
Introducing the new Councillors
Julie Samuels has rich experience across web and digital development, having worked for organisations like ITV and the BBC before moving into academia. Currently, she is Digital and Diversity Lead at an Arts and Heritage charity based in Lincolnshire and an Honorary Research Fellow at Lincoln International Business School.
She is the author of Adoption in the Digital Age: Opportunities and Challenges for the 21st Century and leads The Augmented Society Network at the RSA. She is enthusiastic about engaging with Fellows in the Central region, describing it as “a hive of activity with untapped opportunities to inspire and make positive changes that benefit us all.”
Michael Dunlop, award-winning Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) Trainer and Master Practitioner, is CEO of Power of Choice. Michael aids leaders and organisations in enhancing their effectiveness and confidence, and is also involved with Ulster University Business School, the Northern Ireland Chief Executives' Forum and The Health & Social Care Leadership Centre.
Michael emphasised the benefit he has experienced himself and how he hopes to hardness the collective energy. “Since becoming a Fellow of the RSA, I have very much appreciated and valued benefiting from the openness, ideas and perspectives of other RSA Fellows from Ireland and Northern Ireland.”
Jordan Meade made history in 2015 as the youngest Councillor in Gravesham. In his role representing Gravesend East at Kent County Council, he is particularly involved in initiatives to support Ukraine, including aid distribution and assisting displaced Ukrainians in the South East of England.
Over the years, he has worked extensively to connect younger councillors committed to public service across political lines. He is currently a member of the People and Places Board of the Local Government Association andis also the National Vice Chairman (Trustee) of the Maritime Volunteer Service (MVS).
Looking ahead
The new councillors will begin their duties at the quarterly Fellowship Council Meeting on Thursday 20 June.
For more information about the Fellowship Councillors and their roles, visit the Fellowship Council page.
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