People

Staff

Mark Dowey

Network Lead

Mark is a Chartered Architect who has shifted his focus to climate change through a Masters in Environmental Management. Recent work in the environmental and climate sector include as a Built Environment specialist with CoMoUK (shared transport charity) and working on Architecture and Design Scotland’s Climate Action Towns project. 

mark@eccan.scot

Victoria Briones

Member & Events Lead

Victoria has dedicated the past decade to community engagement within the Scottish third sector, focusing on supporting marginalized groups of diverse intersectionalities. Her previous work in climate action projects with Edinburgh’s displaced and migrant communities demonstrates her commitment to fostering community connections and sustainable living.

victoria@eccan.scot

Kaz Lyon

Operations Lead

Kaz qualified as a chartered accountant while at consultants KPMG, and has worked in audit, risk and systems automation at pensions at investments company Aegon. He has been a trustee at the Scottish Refugee Council and other charities, and currently is a trustee at Community Energy Scotland.

kaz@eccan.scot

Eirini Chatzidaki

Communities Climate Coordinator

Eirini is a Circular Economy advocate who worked as a recruiter before making a career change through a Masters in Environmental Sustainability. In recent years she has worked and volunteered with a number of organisations in the sustainability sector in roles relating to community engagement, operations and business development.

eirini@eccan.scot

Adrian Barbascumpa

Treasurer

With a robust background in finance, accounting, audit, and legal document review, Adrian brings invaluable expertise to the table. He works to safeguard organisational interests and ensure sound financial management and legal compliance.

Rachel Pidgeon

Trustee

Rachel is an Edinburgh resident and programme manager at a health equity funder, currently leading work to build awareness and agency for people most impacted by air pollution. Rachel has a background in strategic communications and campaigning across a range of social purpose initiatives in the UK and internationally. 

Nicola Cooper

Trustee

Nicola is Technology and Digital Innovation Lead at Scottish Care and brings systems-thinking expertise to the organisation. She has held a leadership role for 15 years, working in the third and independent sectors, with colleagues across health, housing, public sector, academia, and industry.

Rebecca Hoffman

Trustee

Originally from Fife, Rebecca is an Edinburgh West resident. She is the National Policy Lead at LGBT Health and Wellbeing where she works alongside the LGBTQ+ community to support the development of equitable and inclusive social policy in Scotland. Rebecca holds a strong belief in the power of intersectional community-led action within the climate justice movement.

Mike Banks

Trustee

Having recently retired from a career as a Mechanical Engineer Mike has 40 years experience across the energy landscape. More recently he gained a second degree in Environmental Management and Technology from the Open University to explore his interest in sustainability. This has led Mike to become involved in a range of renewable and sustainability orientated projects in Europe & Africa.

Volunteers

Josie Bell

I’m an Environment, Culture & Society MSc graduate interested in sustainable food production and urban planning. I’m excited to meet and ECCAN’s members and support in the creation of a more climate and community-focussed Edinburgh.

I joined as a new volunteer with ECCAN in 2024, hoping to get involved in lots of community activities and initiatives. I’m also a member of staff within Edinburgh’s Public Library Service, and I always try to find ways to bring my interests in local volunteering and public art projects to my day job. 

Isabella Claydon

I came to Edinburgh from the west coast to study and have just finished a master’s in environmental humanities. I’m excited to volunteer for ECCAN to act on my studies and contribute to climate action in Edinburgh – Isabella

Gaurav Sharma

I am an architect and interior design who has always had a keen interest in sustainability. I am excited to begin volunteering with ECCAN and want to contribute towards community-led climate action as I strongly believe that big changes happen when we work together as a community.

Harriet Dyke

Hello! My name is Harriet and I volunteer at ECCAN. I moved to Edinburgh to study for an MSc Environmental Sustainability and I stuck around afterwards because I love it here. I’m excited to work with ECCAN to support community-led, environmental action. I hope to help Edinburgh become greener, more resilient, and more climate-conscious.

Athene Robertson

I am a recent graduate from Edinburgh University in English literature and French with a passion for environmental and social justice. I love the city of Edinburgh and cannot think of any better way to start fighting for a brighter future than with the incredible communities and natural world that I have found here. – Athene

Mary Omengala

I’m Mary Omengala, I moved to Edinburgh after my masters from university of Dundee where I studied Environmental law. I am excited to join ECCAN to support Edinburgh community action to achieve friendly and sustainable environment as part of the global climate initiatives.