Scottish Women's Wellbeing Summit
Bold Women Brave Futures
15th November
Scotland's First Wellbeing & Leadership Summit
Meet the Founder:
Lesley Canis
“Women’s wellbeing cannot be separated from women’s leadership. We need to start talking about lived experience as strength not weakness.
If we fail to support women through every stage of life — from menstrual and maternity care to menopause — we lose talent, innovation and leadership that drives us forward.
Lesley Canis
Founder Scottish Women’s Wellbeing Summit
OUR FORMAT
On the
Main Stage
Scotland’s most influential voices in women’s leadership and wellbeing unite for a one-day Summit. On the Main Stage, you’ll hear from Dr. Jo Salter MBE, formerly PwC’s Global Advisory of GenAI. Dr. Debora Kayembe, international human rights lawyer and former Rector of the University of Edinburgh, on equity, justice, and inclusion; and Dr. Heather Currie MBE, leading gynaecologist and former Chair of the British Menopause Society, on evidence-based support for women’s health in the workplace. Main Stage sessions offer inspiration, lived experience, and practical guidance.
Expert-led Breakouts
You will join interactive expert led breakouts, designed to fuel your wellbeing. Highlights include doctor-led sessions on women’s health and longevity. A pharmacist-led workshop on obesity, weight management, and GLP-1s. Other sessions, led by leading medical herbalist Klayr Hunter, explore Herbal Medicine for Women’s Vitality, Hormonal Nutrition for Menopause with Tina Lond-Caulk one of the UK's leading nutritionists. Self-Guided Lymphatic Drainage with Jen Wilson. Marysol James tackles Narcissistic Abuse, at home and in the workplace. Linda Stewart of Hot Yoga Glasgow will be on hand to teach SOMA breathwork, these workshops give practical tools and insights to strengthen wellbeing and leadership.
Networking &
Collaboration
The Scottish Women’s Wellbeing Summit brings together women from all backgrounds to shape the future of women’s wellbeing and leadership. Build meaningful relationships and collaborate to create spaces where women can thrive.
Immersive
Wellbeing
Start the day with Kundalini Yoga at sunrise, followed by a refreshing sea dip, an opportunity to awaken your senses, quiet the mind and come home to yourself before the world stirs. Enjoy wild sauna sessions throughout the day, to restore balance, grounding, and calm. Conclude with a ceremonial firewalk, embodying courage and collective spirit.
Leadership
Dinner
Residential ticket holders are invited to a Gala dinner, The menu takes inspiration from the Earth, the sea, the land.
Summit Celebration
Residential ticket holders are invited to a summit celebration with live music, to unwind and finish off this amazing day. This exclusive evening provides an opportunity to connect with speakers, peers, and influential women from across Scotland in a welcoming setting.
OUR SPEAKERS
Dr Jo Salter MBE
Dr Jo Salter MBE is a trailblazer in aviation and leadership, celebrated as the first female fast jet pilot in the Royal Air Force. After her RAF service, Jo transitioned to the corporate world, holding senior leadership roles at PwC, including Director of People & Organisation, Director of Risk Technology Strategy, and Director of Global Transformational Leadership, culminating in her role as Global Advisory GenAI, where she guided AI integration across PwC’s international network.
Kate Muir
Kate is a writer-activist, filmmaker, and former investigative journalist who has transformed the conversation around women’s health, particularly menopause and contraception. She wrote and produced two influential Channel 4 documentaries on menopause, presented by Davina McCall, which led to over a million additional UK women accessing HRT. Building on this, she created Davina McCall’s Pill Revolution, where her work illuminated systemic misinformation on contraception and catalysed national discussions on its mental health effects, while pioneering conversations about male contraception advances.
Lee Donald
Lee Donald is a multi-award-winning fitness entrepreneur, Everest summiteer, and motivational speaker who has helped thousands of women improve their health and confidence since 2011. Based in Aberdeen, Lee empowers women to achieve lasting results—without restrictive diets or gym memberships—by focusing on wellbeing, resilience, and sustainable progress. Having overcome a 15-year eating disorder, addiction, and depression, Lee brings first-hand insight into building a healthier body and positive mindset. Her lived experience drives her passion for helping others achieve sustainable, life-changing progress. Lee continues to inspire women to reclaim health, confidence, and resilience. Into the Death Zone – From Rock Bottom to the Top of the World In her keynote, Lee will share her journey from rock bottom to Everest’s summit, offering a powerful perspective on overcoming adversity. Delegates will gain practical strategies for building resilience, wellbeing, and strong leadership—empowering them to navigate challenges and foster a resilient organisational culture.
Dr Debora Kayembe
Debora Kayembe is a renowned human rights lawyer, linguist, and activist, recognised for her resilience and global impact. Nineteen years ago, Debora fled the Democratic Republic of Congo and rebuilt her life in Scotland as an asylum seeker. She became a Fellow of Harvard Kennedy School, a lawyer-linguist fluent in seven languages, and Principal of her own consultancy, advising global organisations. Debora has served with the International Criminal Court and the Scottish Refugee Council, advancing education and opportunity for refugee minorities. In 2021, she became the first person of colour and third woman elected Rector of the University of Edinburgh, and the youngest Dr. Honoris Causa in Congolese history. Debora’s journey from refugee to Rector is a testament to courage and equality. She inspires with her message that dignity, resilience, and justice drive change.
Elizabeth Spencer
Elizabeth Spencer, social entrepreneur and Oxford alumna, uses her experience to promote dignity and opportunity. As founder of Aberdeen Ethnic Minority Women’s Group CIC, she empowers women as equals. Her programmes help survivors, refugees, and single mothers gain skills and confidence, earning recognition including the Scotland StartUp Award. A former Head of Design for global fashion labels, Elizabeth advocates for sustainability and brings creativity and rigour to every project. She supports inclusive education, including Aberdeen’s first Catholic secondary school, and champions accessible schools. She tackles racism, poverty, and exclusion by building practical pathways to empowerment.
Dr Heather Currie MBE
Dr Heather Currie MBE is one of the UK’s leading clinical voices on menopause and midlife women’s health. She is Associate Medical Director and Gynaecologist at NHS Dumfries & Galloway and Founder of Menopause Matters, the award-winning education platform trusted by patients, clinicians, and workplaces. Heather is Co-Editor of Post Reproductive Health, the official journal of the British Menopause Society (BMS), and served as BMS Chair (2015–17). She helped shape national standards as Clinical Advisor to the Scottish Government’s Women’s Health Plan and as National Clinical Lead for Modernising Gynaecology Outpatients. In 2021 she received an MBE for services to healthcare.
Sharon Miller Joyworks
Sharon Miller is the founder and director of Joyworks!, Scotland’s multi-award-winning hub for laughter yoga, creative arts, and wellbeing. With over 30 years’ experience across education, training, and the arts, Sharon combines a background in primary education with professional acting training from the Welsh College of Music and Drama, and certification from Dr Madan Kataria, the founder of laughter yoga in India. Her career began as a television presenter before moving into theatre, where she devised and directed projects for the National Theatre of Scotland, Scottish Opera, and rehabilitation programmes in women’s prisons. Today, through Joyworks!, she delivers transformative events and training for organisations including Coca-Cola, the NHS, the Scottish Parliament, and the Scotland Football Team, helping individuals and teams reduce stress, build resilience, and experience the power of joy. A sought-after keynote speaker and media contributor, Sharon is passionate about making wellbeing accessible, uplifting, and unforgettable. Sharon Miller will kick off proceedings at the Summit with her unique brand of wellbeing, setting the tone and energy for the day. Through her work with Joyworks!, she has demonstrated how even “manufactured joy” can foster genuine bonds, boost morale, and enhance working relationships. In her opening session, delegates will experience firsthand how joy and laughter can break down barriers, foster inclusion, and lay the foundations for resilient and connected leadership. Sharon’s session will remind us that joy is not a luxury in the workplace — it is a strategic tool for wellbeing, collaboration, and sustainable success.
Councillor Sally Pattle
Sally Pattle has been the owner of Far From The Madding Crowd, Linlithgow’s award-winning independent bookshop, since 2015. Passionate about literature and community, she is also the founder of two literary festivals: The Further From Festival, a ticketed annual event each January, and The West Lothian Schools Festival, a free festival designed to promote access to books and authors for local schools. A dedicated community leader, Sally balances her public and literary work with family life, theatre, music, and walks with her beloved beagle.
Host Ionica Adriana
Ionica Adriana brings warmth, authenticity, and energy to every room she enters — from BBC political programming to community events. As our host, she’ll guide the Summit from day into evening, keeping momentum high, conversations open, and connections alive. Drawing on her own journey through adoption, her work as a presenter on BBC Politics, and her roles in theatre and community storytelling, Ionica will anchor our gathering with insights into belonging, diversity, and mental health. She reminds us that when people feel seen, heard, and included, leadership and wellbeing flourish — and that joy and purpose are essential to strong, inclusive organisational culture. Expect Ionica to set the tone with her signature blend of honesty and energy — greeting the day with intention and helping carry the spirit forward into every session and evening gathering.
WHY SWWS?
GET EMPOWERED
The Scottish Women’s Wellbeing Summit is where inspiration meets action. You’ll hear from women who are redefining leadership and wellbeing. The lived experience, stories, insights, and strategies will help you gain clarity, confidence, and courage — regardless of your role or sector.
DRIVING THE CHANGE IN WELLBEING & LEADERSHIP
This Summit is about solutions. Our speakers and workshop facilitators are living proof that women in their power live and lead with equity, justice, and resilience. You will gain the tools needed to put your own health and wellbeing at the centre of success.
BUILD CONNECTION
Connection is central to the Summit. You will meet with women from all walks of life, each with the same goal. You'll build meaningful relationships while enjoying wellbeing sessions, great food and activities,. The summit is designed to encourage interaction and build lasting relationships. This is an opportunity to connect with women from across Scotland each with a shared goal.
WHERE IS IT?
Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa
Old Station Rd,
St Andrews
KY16 9SP
