Click on my name above and you’ll be taken to a PDF of my CV.
Professional Problem Solver.
Content Creator, Trainer, Facilitator, Consultant, Speaker.
Speaker Bio:
Lynn Pilkington is a professional problem solver and pivoter on a mission to create an inclusive world where everyone belongs. Combining her expertise of equalities and engagement, her value lies in building inclusive, meaningful and impactful workplaces, communities and learning experiences.
Lynn is an authentic and unique media contributor, along with being an educational and engaging speaker, trainer, facilitator and consultant. She is a multidisciplinary professional with an insatiable thirst for learning. A natural networker, her heart sings when sharing her insights and supporting individuals, teams and organisations to make actionable change. Her love of ideas is equally matched by her love of to do lists.
Underpinned by a drive to transform business and learning, her education and professional experiences encompasses many sectors, subjects and situations. Equally comfortable pitching policy to politicians and handing out flyers at Freshers Fairs, her key strength lies in being able to truly ‘speak’ the language of her target audience and bring them along for the journey.
Overview of work history:
Public Appointment: Planning and Strategy Lead, Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland, Oct 2023 - Present
Appointed to the statutory committee advising Scottish Ministers on issues concerning accessible transport and mobility for disabled people.
Childcare Support Worker/ Play Practitioner, Clarkston After School Service · Part-time, Jan 2023 - Present
At 7:30am, I serve children cheerios and a splash of encouragement for their school day. When the bell goes at 3pm, I facilitate play opportunities and arts and crafts (risk assessed), in a safe and inclusive environment.
I'm an out-of-school practitioner and full time play and education enthusiast. I learn from our youngest and brightest minds. These lessons inform how I train and facilitate grown-ups.
This is Milk - Inclusion and Engagement Consultant (2021-2023)
Embedding equalities into all areas of business; workshop design and delivery; neurodiversity and accessibility expert for EdTech development; content creation; designing and executing culture and HR strategy.
See Me, Social Movement Support Officer and Workplace Consultant (2018-2020)
Drawing on engagement, volunteer management, community development, facilitation and influencing skills to empower people with lived experience of mental health issues to challenge stigma and discrimination at a local and national level. Lead on volunteer engagement and digital adaptation of social movement during COVID-19.
City of Glasgow College (2016- 2018), Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officer
Supported all aspects of legal duties under Equalities Act 2010; engaged with a staff body of 1,400 on ED&I issues and tailored messages to suit audiences; organiser and secretary to monthly thematic working groups.
BCTG Construct, Equalities Subject Matter Expert (2017-2018)
Consultant on all equality matters relevant for site supervisors in the construction industry. Collated information equality and diversity issues, co-designed a two-hour online module and produced. scenarios and assessment.
Thought Leadership.
Publications:
‘What does improv have to do with psychological safety, a key part of good workplace culture’, Scotsman business comment, 20/8/22.
‘Keep things simple when dealing with stress’, Agenda feature, The Herald, 14/4/22.
‘Let’s create a better working world for all of us’, Scotsman, 27/12/21.
Featured as part of ‘Glasgow Lives’ Series, ‘Tonight Lynn tells us about her passion for a multi-disciplinary life-long learning experience and how she wants to "entertain people for an hour, and then give a call to action that creates change'" (24/2/22).
‘Diversity and Inclusion: Beyond the Buzzwords’, interview with Tremis Skeete, 2021. You can see the full article over on the This is Milk blog.
‘How not to do online training’, Neve Learning, Jan 2022.
LinkedIn articles
I’m an avid sharer of resources and thoughts on LinkedIn. I’d love to connect with you.
Past posts include, ‘How to survive the festive season: Neurodiverse Edition’ and ‘Disabled by Design?’.
Blogs
I regularly write and publish blogs on various topics, such as inclusion, engagement, creativity, culture and leadership. All of these can be found over on my blog.
In January 2021, I ran a remote inclusive behaviour change programme to help kick-start the year with an inclusive bang. You can read more about our New Year’s Inclusion Resolutions.
Interviews and Speaking Engagements
Tom McCallum - WhatComesNext
Tom facilitates WhatComesNext.Live - a podcast recorded and broadcast live featuring a thirty-minute conversation with an inspiring leader.
We had a lively chat for 30 minutes (and we chatted for much longer after that), which felt like a meeting of kindred spirits. Topics covered include flow, adaptable communication, cognitive diversity, flow mindset, growth mindset, inclusive language and recovering from perfectionism.
Syme Drummond Spotlight
Here' I’m interviewed by Katie Drummond, founder of Syme Drummond, HR and L&D recruitment consultancy, as part of her ‘Spotlight on HR’ Series. This series is chance for the ‘people’ people, ie those with a responsibility and interest in the employee experience, to share knowledge that would help colleagues during this tough time. The topic of my spotlight was equality, diversity and inclusion.
‘Taking charge of your executive functioning in 2022’, Talk at UX Glasgow meetup.
Podcasts :
Interviewed on the ‘Leaders in Business’ podcast by the Institute of Directors around diversity and inclusion and what this has to do with effective leadership. Their introduction was too generous but lovely, ‘She’s a passionate individual with a different voice within the business community. Her attitudes are addictive and hearing her journey is truly an inspirational story in taking the road less travelled to success.’
Lynn In Action (press ‘play’):
This is Milk - Inclusion and Engagement Consultant (2021)
Host for 3@3 recorded interview on the topic of digital accessibility with Morgane Tanguy.
Participants during a ‘Dyslexia Week 2021 Lunch and Learn’.
This is Milk - Inclusion and Engagement Consultant (2021)
Host for 3@3 recorded interview on the topic of inclusive learning.
This is Milk - Inclusion and Engagement Consultant (2021)
Host for 3@3 recorded interview on the topic of Pride Month with Davey Shields, of MenTalk Health.
Other workshops and training that I have facilitate:
Working with ADHD and ASD.
Digital Accessibility.
Meeting, Presentation and Facilitation.
Introduction to Inclusive Language.
Equalities Subject Matter Expert - BCTG Construct Intro (2017)
Equalities Subject Matter Expert - BCTG Construct Example Module Video (2017)
See Me, Social Movement Support Officer (2021)
Lead facilitator on the ‘Growing the Movement’ workshop all about influencing for change.
See Me, Social Movement Support Officer (2021)
Host for online discussions on mental health as part of Mental Health Awareness Week 2021.
Training and qualifications
Online Teaching: Creating Courses for Adult Learners (12-week microcredential, Masters Level, The Open University).
Fearless Organization/Psychological Safety Scan Accredited Practitioner (The Fearless Organization, May 2022).
First Class (Hons) degree from Open University in law, social policy and politics (2019).
Further and higher education courses in: visual communication, psychology, philosophy, sociology, film and TV.
Facilitation Essentials (2020).
Applied Suicide Prevention Training (2019).
Completed first year of Human Relations and Counselling Diploma. (2020)
Scottish Mental Health First Aider and Instructor. (2015)
Gained Certificate of Professionalism in Innovation Practice. (2017)
CMI qualification in Leadership and Management. (2017)
Qualified Citizens Advice Bureau Advisor. (2013)
Volunteer experience includes:
Member of the Appeals and Regulations Sub-Committee and Admissions Committee (Law Society of Scotland, Jan 2018 – Jan 2020; May 2015- Dec 2016
Previous training delivery and feedback:
‘Inclusive Online Engagement Express’: two 1.5hrs workshops to empowers participants with key principles on inclusive and accessible events, meetings, communications and language.
Feedback:
‘I found your passion on the topic to be so infectious and it really got me motivated to learn more about it. I also found it really good that you were so open and not judgemental about people learning and asking questions.’
‘Excellent food for thought, excellent information sent out in advance, engaging and personal delivery.’
Scottish Mental Health First Aid: 12-hour courses that equip people with skills to support those in mental health crises.
Feedback:
‘Fantastic delivery of very difficult subjects. Very knowledgeable'.’
‘The course delivery was excellent. Uncomfortable topics were dealt with sensitivity but fairly.’
‘Friendly, engaging and made the course interesting and enjoyable'.