Our Team
We are hugely grateful to Peter Airlie who has covered the interim Strategic Manager post over the last year.
Core team
Executive Director, Sarah Randell
Sarah Randell was appointed Executive Director in March 2026. Sarah has spent her working life in the charity sector, mainly in development roles in health, arts and education where overcoming barriers to access is a common theme she is passionate about. Most recently, for nearly seven years, she led Teapot Trust, a charity providing art therapy to chronically ill children.
Finance Lead, Matt Rondina-Scales
Matt Rondina-Scales has been involved with MYDG since 2019, taking on the permanent Finance Lead role in 2024. Matt began his career in corporate banking before moving into the not-for-profit sector. While he works in a behind-the-scenes capacity, Matt takes great satisfaction in ensuring the financial health that allows MYDG to continue its vital and impactful work across North Edinburgh.
Operational Manager, Chris Thomson
Chris Thomson is Operational Manager and has been working at MYDG for 17 years. While at school Chris attended MYDG’s youth groups, then started as a volunteer and gained experience in outdoor learning before joining the staff team. Chris has spent a lot of his time over these years sharing his passion for the outdoors with young people in North Edinburgh.
Senior Youth Development Worker (boys lead), Brandon Mullen
Brandon Mullen leads on boys’ development work. He has long links with MYDG, first as a young person participating in activities, then as a volunteer and staff member for 9 years. Brandon has built trusted relationships with young people and is a stable influence in their lives. He enjoys taking boys to sports matches and creating opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have.
Youth Development Worker (girls lead), Charlene Fraser
Charlene Fraser is MYDG’s Youth Development Worker with a focus on girls and young women's work. Charlene started this role March 2026, but she previously worked with MYDG and knows the community well. She is passionate about this work and hopes to build positive and lasting relationships.
Pilton Retreat Manager, Lesley Ross
Lesley Ross has long connections with Muirhouse and MYDG having gown-up here and been a Youth Worker previously. Now, she manages our Pilton Retreat near Ratho - a youth-hostel style ‘escape’ for young people from north Edinburgh who need space and time to enjoy a break in a rural setting with provision for outdoor education.
Sessional workers and trainees
MYDG employs 7 sessional staff who run youth programmes: Lynda, Sophie, Paul, Skye, Cassie, Demmi and Dan.
We regularly recruit trainees who progress to sessional roles. Our current trainee is Breck.
Trustees
As a registered Scottish charity (SC028495) MYDG is supported by trustees who bring a rich mix of skills including legal, financial, HR, and outdoor education. Collectively, they have strategic oversight and hold responsibility for financial stability, the management of risk and ensuring good governance. Current trustees are Julia Hodgson (Chair), Charles Sweeny (Finance), Carol Van Beusekom, Colin Powers and Gillian McLean. Peter Airlie left MYDG’s board in 2025 to become interim Strategic Manager and will rejoin the board later in 2026 after an appropriate gap.
Vacancies
Closing at 9am on 30 March is a vacancy for a Community Coordinator post to work with Team Around the Community in north Edinburgh. It’s a pilot project funded by Edinburgh Council for one year initially with a salary of £37,000. The lead partner is R2 and the job is based at MYDG’s office at Craigroyston Community High School. More information, including how to apply, is in the advert and job description.
MYDG staff vacancies are usually promoted on Good Moves. If you’re interested in trainee or trustee roles please contact chris@mydg.org.uk (trainee roles) and sarah@mydg.org.uk (trustee positions).