New co-chairs announced for Women in Scottish Aquaculture.
After more than four years as chair of Women in Scottish Aquaculture (WiSA), Dr. Teresa Garzon is stepping down, with Matilda Lomas, Rhianna Rees, and Dr. Ingrid Kelling taking over as co-chairs. The shift to a three-person leadership model reflects WiSA’s collaborative approach and aims to strengthen its impact on the sector.
Dr. Garzon, newly appointed Chief Sustainability Officer at SeaQure Farming Group and co-founder of the start-up TinyFish, will remain on the WiSA advisory group. Host organisation Lantra welcomed her continued involvement, citing the value of her industry experience in shaping future initiatives.
“I have loved chairing and working with WiSA for the past four years, it has been a time of growth, figuring things out as we went, and most importantly, building a strong and supportive community for women in Scottish aquaculture,” Garzon said.
The incoming co-chairs bring diverse expertise spanning salmon farming, seaweed sector development, and academia.
Matilda Lomas, veterinary practice and cleaner fish manager at Bakkafrost Scotland, has experience working in remote aquaculture communities and is involved in youth development through girl-guiding leadership.
Rhianna Rees, business development manager and a key figure in the Scottish Seaweed Industry Association, has been instrumental in promoting the Blue Economy and ensuring seaweed is included in industry discussions.
Dr. Ingrid Kelling, Director of the Fair Food Hub and Assistant Professor at Heriot-Watt University, leads research on alternative economic and financial models to support fair and sustainable economic development.
WiSA’s new leadership structure aims to build on the organisation’s work in supporting diversity and inclusion within Scotland’s aquaculture sector.
