Our People

Heather’s role as SAIC CEO involves developing the organisation’s strategic vision, leading the executive team, ensuring a focus on delivery and outcomes, representing the organisation at national and international level, and maintaining an extensive network of relationships in aquaculture around the globe. She founded WiSA in 2019.

Teresa has a degree and PhD in biology and biochemistry from the Autonomous University of Barcelona. With previous experience in academia, she has now been working in the aquaculture industry for 10 years from both perspectives – producer and supplier. Her special area of interest, however, has always been fish health and disease prevention, with the view of making the industry more sustainable.

Hazel has a degree in Business Languages and Business Management from Napier University and has 15 years of marketing and communications experience, specialising in events. She helps manage the WiSA events and provides social media, website and other marketing support for WiSA, in addition to her role at SAIC. She is also a member of the WiSA advisory group, providing strategic input on events and communications campaigns.

Lindsay is Head of Sustainability at Salmon Scotland. She is tasked with driving forward the commitments made in the sector’s Sustainability Charter, including encouraging a diverse and inclusive culture across the sector. Lindsay has previously held a range of roles covering commercial, technical and sustainability in the aquafeed business. She has a Ph.D. in aquaculture from the University of Stirling.

Matilda is the Biology and Cleanerfish Coordinator for The Scottish Salmon Company. She lives in the Isle of Harris so the importance to Scottish communities of employment through aquaculture was made even clearer when she joined the industry as a newcomer in 2014. Matilda is passionate about providing inclusive and empowering spaces for girls and women.

Donald is a Charted Fellow of the CIPD with over 30 years' experience in developing people and talent acquisition. He is very excited to be part of the WiSA group and is looking forward to continuing to attract and develop women in aquaculture.

Dr Helena Reinardy is a marine biologist and ecotoxicologist with extensive experience in biology of fish and marine invertebrates applied to various industries such as aquaculture, fisheries, environmental risk and safety, industrial waste management, and regulatory toxicology.

Originally from Norway, Benedikte has spent more than half of her life in Scotland. Her PhD from the University of Stirling followed on from a BA (1st Class) from Liverpool Uni. Before joining SAIC in 2018, she was Communications Manager at Robertson Group, and also worked for many years as a freelance translator within the aquaculture sector.