Sarah Lean

Mother Club

Bellshill Curling Club

Business and/or Corporate Governance Experience and Skills

Through my professional and voluntary roles, I have developed a strong understanding of business operations, corporate governance, and risk-aware decision making. In my professional career, I work closely with senior stakeholders to align technical solutions with organisational strategy, balancing commercial objectives, risk management, and long-term value. This requires clear accountability, transparency, and an understanding of how decisions impact reputation, finances, and stakeholders.
I am comfortable reviewing information critically, asking constructive questions, and working collaboratively to support sound governance and strategic oversight.

Specific Experience

Do you have experience in any of the following fields

Commercial Partnerships and Sponsorship

My experience in commercial partnerships and sponsorship has been developed through community leadership, event delivery, and stakeholder engagement rather than through formal sales or fundraising roles. As founder and long‑term organiser of the Glasgow Azure User Group, I have built and sustained a community that relies on positive relationships with commercial partners to remain viable and accessible.
This has included identifying and engaging potential sponsors, agreeing mutually beneficial arrangements (such as venue provision, event funding, and in‑kind contributions), and ensuring those relationships align with the values and purpose of the community. I have experience setting clear expectations, maintaining transparency, and balancing sponsor involvement with the interests of the community.
Professionally, my roles have given me significant exposure to partnership-led working. In my current role, I help organisations find technology solutions that address their challenges. I regularly collaborate with sales teams, delivery partners, and customers to align technical solutions with organisational objectives. I understand that commercial relationships are built on trust, clarity, and long-term value rather than short-term gain. This includes being mindful of reputational risk, conflicts of interest, and the need for robust governance in all commercial engagements.

Women in Curling

I bring relevant and transferable experience supporting women’s participation and progression through my work in the technology sector, where women remain under‑represented at all levels.
As a content creator and someone who runs a technology-focused user group organiser, I have seen first‑hand the impact that representation, supportive networks and positive visibility can have on confidence and long‑term engagement. This experience has shaped my understanding that participation is not just about access, but about culture, belonging, and sustained support.
In a sporting context, I believe many of the same principles apply. Supporting women in curling means ensuring welcoming environments at club and national level, promoting visible role models, encouraging progression into coaching, officiating and governance roles, and listening to the lived experiences of women and girls in the sport.

Safeguarding and Wellbeing

No

Coaching, Technical & Elite Performance

I have extensive experience of mentoring and developing people within a professional and voluntary setting. In my current and previous leadership roles, I actively mentor new and junior members of my team. I support their technical development, confidence, wellbeing and progression. This has helped me gain an understanding of development, feedback, and creating a safe and inclusive environment.
I am also an active volunteer with The King’s Trust and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in Scotland, helping to encourage young people in exploring a career in technology and sharing my experiences within the industry.

Digital Media

I bring a strong background in practical digital media experience through both professional roles and independent content creation.
Since 2014, I have been creating content online, in the form of a technology blog, and YouTube channel. I produce educational content on cloud computing, career development, and technology best practices, reaching a global audience online at https://www.techielass.com and https://www.youtube.com/techielass . My monthly reach across my YouTube channel and blog is 15,000. I am also very active on social media platforms and have over 22,000 followers collectively.
Through all these activities, I have first-hand experience of content strategy, audience engagement, consistent messaging, and the reputational responsibility that comes with publishing under a personal and professional brand. I also have created my own brand merchandise that I wear when attending technical conferences to help identify who I am to others.
Professionally, I have held two roles where my role has been to create, and deliver content including blogs, online talks, webinars, videos, and social media communications to engage global technical communities on behalf of my employer. I worked closely with marketing, communications, and product teams to ensure messaging aligned with organisational values, strategic priorities, and governance expectations, while remaining authentic and community focused.
Across these roles, I developed an appreciation for the governance considerations associated with digital media, including safeguarding, inclusive communication, accessibility, moderation of online spaces, and reputational risk. I understand the importance of clear tone, responsible use of social platforms, and ensuring digital channels support, rather than undermine trust in an organisation.

Finance

No

Personal Statement Video

Proposed by:

Name: Gillian Haggart
Club: Bellshill Curling Club
Position in Club: Secretary