Bridging Communities - The Extended Edition

Collaborating for Change 

A one-day event to bridge communities, spark connections and inspire action.

Enough stuffy networking events and brain-numbing conferences – it's time for action! At Bridging Communities, we’re bringing together individuals, communities and business networks to collaborate and create a more connected society.

Building on the momentum of our previous events, our goal is to shift perspectives on how our communities and networks make their mark on our wider society. It’s not just another conference: this is your space to explore tangible change and real-world impact.

What to expect:

• Co-designed discussions: Dig into conversations that challenge the status quo, inspiring you to think differently about your role in your community.

• Creative spaces: Experience hands-on sessions that encourage you to actively shape the communities you're a part of.

• Insightful stories: Hear from those who've successfully collaborated for change, sharing actionable insights and inspiring stories.

Inspired by individuals, driven by community

Our journey began with a simple yet powerful idea – to create a space where empathy, trust and connection flourish. This ethos has resonated through our sold-out events across Scotland. As we gather in Glasgow this April with our partners The Social Hub, Glasgow City Innovation District and The University of Strathclyde, we're celebrating the sparks of individual inspiration that ignite community-driven change.

What this gathering is and what it isn’t:

✅An opportunity to co-create across communities and business networks

✅A space to share ideas that inspire action

✅Embracing the power of individual stories and collective wisdom

✅Connecting over food and drink

✅Meeting people beyond your usual circles

❌Just another passive conference experience

❌Limited to surface-level interactions

❌Focusing solely on conventional community concepts

❌Awkward networking

Confirmed Speakers:

Andrew Dobbie, MadeBrave
Andrew Dobbie, 43, is a creative entrepreneur and CEO of MadeBrave - a Strategic Brand & Creative agency based in Glasgow and London – recently named Agency of the Year by Marketing Society Scotland. A true creative at heart, Andrew began his career as a designer and photographer after studying Multimedia Systems at the University of the West of Scotland. Now considered one of the UK’s leading branding experts, Andrew believes strongly in brands that live their purpose and that the best brands are built from the inside-out.

Since launching MadeBrave in 2012 on a shoestring budget of just £1000 when his son, Fin, was just two weeks old, Andrew has grown MadeBrave into a multi-million-pound global agency - creating award-winning work for many of the world’s leading brands, including Nestle, Medtronic, Pfizer, Diageo, Hard Rock Hotels, First Group Plc, VELUX and KPMG. Andrew believes that through driving a positive workplace culture, exceptional work is born. This philosophy has led to numerous award wins for MadeBrave, including Campaign's Best Places to Work award and a ranking on The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For List in the UK.

Zakia Moulaoui Guery, Invisible Cities 
Zakia is the founder and CEO of Invisible Cities, an award-winning social enterprise that trains people who have experienced homelessness to become tour guides. Awarded Traveller of the year 2024 by National Geographic she has also worked for the BBC as a TV and radio presenter, discussing subjects of travel and sustainability.

After a career in events, and working all around the world, she decided to set up her own business here in Scotland so she could make an impact locally. Invisible Cities trains people who have experienced homelessness to become tour guides of their own city. Welcome customers from around the world, they have been featured on UNILAD, Huffington Post UK and BBC Stories amongst others.

Kristy Docherty, Edinburgh Futures Institute
Kristy is the Director of Public Services and Sector Engagement Lead at the Edinburgh Futures Institute. She is responsible for leading on strategy and engagement with public, private and third sector organisations involved in the delivery of public services. This specifically involves creating, brokering and building relationships and partnerships in order to create the conditions for effective collaboration and to facilitate data driven innovation – all in support of addressing intractable and systemic societal issues.

Prior to her role at the Futures Institute, Kristy was a Lecturer in Leadership, Strategy and Organisational Behaviour. Her higher education experience and PhD in Collaboration is underpinned by 20+ years’ in practice, spanning the public, private and third sectors where she has held Consultancy and Director level positions for organisations in the Social Housing, Urban Regeneration and Renewable Energy fields.

Leah Black, Regenerative Futures Fund
Leah Black is the Co-Head of Regenerative Futures Fund for Edinburgh, which is hosted by Foundation Scotland. Regenerative Futures Fund is a new 10-year £15m pooled fund for Edinburgh that shifts power to communities to make decisions and collaborate across sectors to lead systemic change tackling the root causes of poverty, racism and climate injustice. 

Prior to joining the Foundation Scotland team Leah spent two years seconded to EVOC from her role as Chief Executive of WHALE Arts in Wester Hailes, leading the development phase of Regenerative Futures Fund. Previously Leah has worked in a funding with Creative Scotland, as Director of Spring Fling and Upland CIC in Dumfries and Galloway, has been a board member of Craft Scotland, The Stove Network, a Warden of the Incorporation of Goldsmiths of the City of Edinburgh and has recently joined MCR Pathways as a mentor to a young person.

Samuel Agbede, JP Morgan 

Samuel is Software Engineer at JPMorgan in Glasgow passionate about promoting an inclusive culture within the workplace. One of his core beliefs is that "talent is equally distributed; opportunity is not," and this drives his passion to create fair talent pipelines for underrepresented minorities. He actively advocates for intentional hiring from diverse backgrounds and mentor those seeking opportunities in technology.

Beyond his professional role, he is an advocate for storytelling's power, as demonstrated by his podcast, "Stories That Shape Us." This platform delves into personal journeys and lessons from diverse individuals, going beyond celebrating achievements or failures. The podcast features two series: "Black Change Makers" and "How I Got Started," sharing insights on vital topics like racial discrimination and promoting empathy. Through this podcast, he aims to democratise crucial insights on salient topics affecting humanity e.g. racial discrimination, and foster a sense of shared humanity, unity and empathy amongst his listeners.

Who should attend?

This event is open to all sectors and for those who believe in the power of action – Join a diverse group of thinkers, doers and leaders passionate about creating change and making a positive impact for people and the planet. Let’s harness the power of our diverse communities and networks to create a more prosperous, connected and collaborative Scotland.

Join us at Bridging Communities. Be a part of something bigger. Let’s build bridges, one conversation at a time.