Artemis Pana
Artemis joined SRA in April 2020.
Originally from Greece, Artemis moved to Scotland in 1995 and feels very lucky to call the Isle of Raasay her home. She has worked for a major funder, the Scottish Government and several charities in the fields of equalities, homelessness and addictions. For a while she was self-employed, supporting youth participation projects in Scotland and across Europe.
Artemis helps run a small playgroup in Portree and is Treasurer of the Raasay Development Trust. She has recently gained a Masters in Sustainable Rural Communities from the University of the Highlands and Islands.
You can contact Artemis on artemis@sra.scot
Christine Fairbairn
Christine joined SRA in June 2023.
Originally from Caithness, Christine has lived on the Moray coast for over 20 years. She has worked for third sector organisations as well as the local authority in roles relating to homelessness, mental health, employability, mentoring and adult & family learning. When taking time out to be an at home parent she ran a franchise and managed a team of franchisees throughout the Highlands and Moray.
Christine is Treasurer and Trustee of the Findochty and Buckie Development Trust and is part of a team who run a community hub to support those affected by the cost-of-living crisis in Buckie. She is currently studying for a degree in Community Education through the University of Dundee and is a member of the Community Learning and Development Standards Council.
You can contact her on christine@sra.scot
Irina Protasova
Irina joined SRA in May 2024 but had previously worked with the team as an independent contractor for the SRIP 2023 project.
Originally from the European north of Russia, part of the Arctic zone, Irina moved to Scotland to pursue her Master's degree at the University of Strathclyde. After graduating, she decided to make Scotland her permanent home.
Irina has spent the last five years running a marketing agency and working as an independent marketing consultant. Across all her projects, she focuses on initiatives that aim to make life better for people. Her passion for public health drives her work, and she recently graduated from an Integrative Nutrition and Lifestyle Coaching Postgraduate course, with plans to further contribute to the health and well-being of local communities.
You can contact Irina at irina@sra.scot.
Mia Lalanne
Mia joined SRA in October 2024.
Originally from France, Mia grew up on a 98 acre farm in the USA before moving to the UK in 2018. After living in Stirling and the Park Ecovillage Findhorn, she now lives in rural north Argyll in the coastal village of Appin. Formerly a project manager in the media industry, she completed a MSc degree in Net Zero Communities at the University of the Highlands and Islands (“UHI”) in early 2024, while also working as a research assistant on Just Transition projects and as an employer engagement officer for UHI.
Mia’s calling is to support and amplify multigenerational communities, their projects, and their priorities across rural Scotland and beyond. In her spare time, Mia is an enthusiastic member of her local skiff club, and also volunteers with several member-led organisations including Reforesting Scotland, Scottish Communities Climate Action Network, and the Forth Valley and Lomond Youth Local Action Group.
You can contact Mia at mia@sra.scot.
Nikki Brown
Nikki joined SRA in October 2024.
Originally from Southern England, Nikki moved to Argyll in 2012 to take on a remote hill farm partnership in Glendaruel on the Cowal Peninsula. During the 10 years of co-running the farm, Nikki was involved in developing an innovative farm diversification business in food production, supplying ready meals and catering services to customers across Scotland. Having run her own business, combined with working in diverse and varied community development roles in Cowal and Bute - primarily in the community woodlands sector – Nikki understands the many challenges and opportunities facing local communities.
Nikki is passionate about applying her diverse knowledge and skillset to the dynamic rural movement in Scotland, working closely with communities at grassroots levels to unlock the many opportunities that exist. Now living in the heart of Tighnabruaich with her two young daughters, Nikki enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, running or cycling to explore the beautiful Scottish countryside on her doorstep.
You can contact Nikki at nikki@sra.scot.