Associates & Faculty

Dr. Ana Paula Fonseca is an Associate Professor in Sustainability and Management at Heriot-Watt University’s Edinburgh Business School, where she directs the MSc Human Resource Management programme. She is a distinguished academic leader and sustainability specialist with over a decade of experience in higher education, industry collaboration, and international consulting. Her work bridges academic theory and practical application, emphasising corporate social responsibility (CSR), sustainable development, systems thinking, and leadership. She has directed numerous postgraduate programmes, secured government research grants, and established strategic partnerships across sectors and regions.

Academic and Leadership Roles

• Associate Professor, Heriot-Watt University (2024–present): Programme Director for the MSc Human Resource Management, responsible for curriculum design and industry engagement.
• Associate Professor, University of Dundee (2022–2024): Directed the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) and Global MBA programmes, providing strategic academic leadership.
• Lecturer & Programme Lead, Edinburgh Napier University (2020–2022): Led university-wide sustainability and employability initiatives across the business curriculum.
• Lecturer, University of Dundee and University of the West of Scotland (2015–2020): Taught modules in strategy, project management, and operations management at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Research and Publications

Dr. Fonseca’s research centers on sustainability and organizational leadership, with a focus on integrating the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals into business practice. She has been a co-investigator on Scottish Government-funded projects advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (with over £70,000 in funding support). Her publications span topics such as systems thinking, ecopreneurship, water security, climate resilience, and CSR in small and medium-sized enterprises. She has disseminated her work through major academic publishers including Springer, Routledge, and Elsevier, as well as in peer-reviewed journals such as Sustainability.

Selected recent publications exemplify the scope of her scholarship. In 2025, she co-authored an article on systems thinking for sustainability in the Journal of the Operational Research Society, and contributed a chapter on nature-based drought management strategies in an Elsevier handbook on climate resilience. She also published a study on corporate social responsibility in a family-owned hospitality business in the journal Sustainability (2021).

Industry and Consultancy

• Project Co-Lead – Clean Growth Programme Evaluations (2024–25): Co-led evaluations of a Clean Growth initiative in collaboration with Cardiff University and Swansea University.
• Project Manager – AstraZeneca (previous): Managed projects in the pharmaceutical sector, overseeing cross-functional teams and process improvements.
• Managing Director – Brazilian Tech Sector (previous): Held a senior executive role leading a technology firm in Brazil, focusing on strategic growth and operations.
• UK President – Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP): Serves as the UK President of CSCMP, fostering professional development and industry engagement in supply chain management.

Supervision and External Roles

Dr. Fonseca supervises PhD and DBA researchers in the areas of sustainability, leadership, and innovation. She contributes to academic quality assurance as an external examiner for MBA and DBA programmes at other universities. In addition, she is a peer reviewer for scholarly outlets, including the journal Sustainability, the British Academy of Management, and the Entrepreneurial Business Review.

Awards and Recognition

Her contributions have been recognized through several awards, including:

• Pioneering in Education – Global Teaching Team Award (2025)
• Sustainability Champion – Team Award (2025)
• Best Learning and Teaching Feedback – University of Dundee (2024)
• Industry Best Practice – CEED “SDGs in SMEs” Award (2023)
• Above and Beyond – Edinburgh Napier Staff Recognition Scheme (2022)
• Green Champion – Resource Efficient Scotland Award (2020)

Deniz Günaydın is an experienced management consultant and executive coach with over two decades of strategic advisory experience across Turkey, the Middle East, Russia, and the Turkic Republics. She specialises in organisational culture, experience transformation (EX, CX, HX), and leadership development—delivering impact-driven interventions for Fortune 500 companies, public institutions, and entrepreneurial ecosystems.

Founder of Collective Minds, Deniz leads a consultancy dedicated to cultivating organisational power through the alignment of people, purpose, and experience. She has designed and facilitated more than 1,500 days of leadership and cultural transformation programmes, coached over 2,500 hours with senior executives, and mentored over 500 hours with entrepreneurs and startup founders.

Her approach is grounded in behavioural science and systemic thinking, integrating both operational and human factors to drive sustainable transformation. As a certified coach in Co-Active Coaching (ICF Accredited, 2024) and the Marshall Goldsmith Executive Coaching framework, she brings rigour and depth to her coaching practice. She also holds qualifications as an EFQM Certified Assessor and IMS Internal Auditor.

Areas of Expertise

• Organisational culture design and transformation
• Employee and customer experience strategy (EX, CX, HX)
• Executive and leadership coaching
• Startup mentoring and career transitions
• Systemic change and value chain development
• Facilitation of strategic and experiential learning

Professional Impact

• Founded Collective Minds, operating across Türkiye, Qatar, and the UAE
• Recognised for results-driven programmes with awards from ATD, GPTW, TEGEP, and Altın Pusula
• Developed HelloDeniz.com, a platform offering coaching, online programmes, and insight sharing for personal and professional transformation
• Active contributor to thought leadership in transformation, leadership, and the future of work

Certifications and Recognition

• Co-Active Coach (ICF-accredited, 2024)
• Marshall Goldsmith Certified Executive Coach
• EFQM Certified Assessor
• IMS Internal Auditor
• Multiple accolades for excellence in organisational development and experience transformation

With her unique blend of consulting expertise, coaching acumen, and cross-cultural insight, Deniz Günaydın brings a deeply human and strategic perspective to the Stirling Centre’s learning and innovation mission.

Charlotte Kemp is a leading voice in futures thinking and strategic leadership, dedicated to helping individuals and organisations navigate change, design innovative futures, and stay relevant in an uncertain world. Based in Cape Town, South Africa, she is the Founder of Futures Alchemist, where she works as a futurist, keynote speaker, and executive coach. Her work equips leaders with the tools and mindsets to think beyond the present and make conscious, informed decisions about the future.

Charlotte is the current President of the Global Speakers Federation (GSF) and a past President of the Professional Speakers Association of Southern Africa (PSASA). She is also the Chief Relationship Officer at Voices Into Africa, supporting the development of African voices on global stages. A professional member of the Association of Professional Futurists (APF), Charlotte is deeply engaged in shaping the discourse on future-readiness and leadership.

With over two decades of experience, Charlotte has delivered impactful workshops and keynote addresses globally. She is known for translating complex futures concepts into accessible, practical strategies. Her work includes tailored futures thinking programmes, strategic coaching, and leadership development, designed to foster futures literacy and anticipatory thinking.

Charlotte is also a published author of several titles including:

• Become the Conscious Futurist the World Needs Now
• Futures Alchemist
• Futures Literacy: The Professional Development Skill We Are Missing
• I’m Not Afraid of the F Word

Charlotte’s approach is not just about prediction—it’s about preparation, exploration, and transformation.

Iva specializes in digital marketing, guerrilla marketing and event management. She got a PhD in the field of marketing at the Faculty of Economics in Osijek, Croatia. Recipient of prestigious scholarships from the Robert Bosch Foundation, University of Osijek, Goethe Institute, and Bavarian Ministry for Science and Arts.

Was Visiting Professor at Stuttgart Media University (Faculty of Electronic Media) leading own course called Guerrilla Marketing, at University of Zagreb (Catholic Faculty of Theology) leading own course called Marketing and Management for Cultural Goods, University of Osijek (Faculty of Economics and Business and Postgraduate study Public Communication and Communicology) leading own courses called Marketing in Retail, and Image and Branding.

Contributing to global scientific conferences and panels as keynote speaker, organizer, member and president of Scientific Committees. Reviewing scientific papers in the field of economy (marketing and management). Bringing over a decade of international academic expertise.

Michelle Fenech Seguna is a seasoned executive communication expert, leadership coach, and educator with over two decades of senior experience in human resources, leadership development, and strategic communication. She is the Founder and Director of Speak to Move, Malta’s leading boutique consultancy for executive communication and public speaking, where she empowers professionals to speak with clarity, confidence, and impact.

Her professional practice integrates advanced techniques in behavioural psychology, neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), and influence science, equipping business leaders with the tools to lead with presence, persuasion, and purpose. Her work is particularly focused on helping leaders navigate high-stakes communication contexts, boardroom presentations, and executive influence.

Michelle holds a Master’s degree in Training and Human Resource Management from the University of Leicester, where she graduated with distinction. Her academic background in sociology and her 21-year career at Marriott International—including as Director of Human Resources and Leader of Talent Development—have given her deep insights into organisational culture, leadership behaviour, and strategic people development.

Academic and Leadership Contributions

Michelle has designed and delivered accredited public speaking and leadership programmes through Speak to Move, with certification recognised by Malta’s national qualifications authority (MFHEA). She is a sought-after trainer, speaker, and panel moderator, and has delivered executive education and keynote addresses at national and international events across the hospitality, technology, and public sectors.

Her leadership experience includes serving on the Board of the Foundation for Human Resources Development (FHRD), where she also acted as Vice President. She continues to contribute as an assessor for the HR Quality Mark in Malta and as a masterclass speaker at HR and leadership conferences.

Areas of Expertise

• Executive communication and public speaking
• NLP and influence-based leadership training
• Organisational coaching and talent development
• Employee engagement and performance management
• Change leadership and strategic HR

Michelle has also worked with senior leadership teams on culture transformation, associate engagement, and strategic planning, drawing on both qualitative and quantitative insight to facilitate sustainable growth and people-centred excellence.

Professional Recognition

Michelle’s contributions have been recognised through numerous awards, including:

• Legacy Award – The Westin Dragonara Resort (2023)
• HR Quality Mark – Foundation for Human Resources Development (2023)
• HR Special Recognition Award – Marriott International (2018)
• Excellence in Training & Development Award – FHRD (2006)
• Multiple accolades from Marriott and FHRD for employee engagement, performance and reward, and learning & development excellence

Thought Leadership and Influence

Michelle contributes regularly to MaltaCEOs.mt, writing on leadership, influence, and communication in the modern workplace. Her passion lies in shaping articulate, confident, and inspiring leaders who move people and organisations forward.

Dr. Mona Ali is an accomplished strategic communication consultant and certified international trainer with over two decades of experience in public relations, protocol management, and media communication across the Middle East and North Africa. Her professional practice spans diplomacy, government communications, and public sector training, with a distinguished track record in delivering over 500 training programmes in digital public relations, institutional branding, and stakeholder engagement.

She holds a PhD in Public Relations from Cairo University, where she previously earned both her master’s and bachelor’s degrees in mass communication. Dr. Ali’s academic and practical expertise positions her as a leading voice in bridging traditional communication practice with modern strategic approaches, particularly in the context of national identity, diplomacy, and public messaging.

Professional Experience and Academic Contributions

Dr. Ali currently serves as a Public Relations Consultant at Orab Scope in Riyadh, where she manages strategic communication plans and media relations for high-profile initiatives. She also holds a diplomatic role as Public Diplomacy and PR Officer at the Embassy of Yemen in Cairo, leading official communication and cultural protocol.

In parallel, she is a Certified Corporate Trainer with GIA for Consulting & Training (Saudi Arabia), where she delivers advanced PR and communication workshops to executive-level professionals across the public and private sectors. Her academic leadership includes serving as Head of the Public Relations Department at the American University in the Emirates (2014–2022), where she led curriculum development, faculty mentoring, and institutional outreach.

Dr. Ali also contributed as a Cultural Media Advisor to the Mohammed bin Rashid Digital Foundation, where she guided content development and media strategies aligned with UAE national objectives.

Areas of Expertise

• Public and governmental communication strategy
• Diplomatic protocol and event management
• Institutional reputation and media relations
• Digital PR and audience engagement
• Executive coaching in public speaking and crisis messaging
• Designing and delivering high-impact training programmes

Awards and Recognition

Dr. Ali’s professional excellence has been recognised across the region, including:

• Best Trainer of the Year – Emirati Training Institute (2022)
• Shield of Academic Excellence – Cairo University (2021)
• Media Training Excellence Award – Arab Administrative Development Organization (2020)
• Honorary Recognition – Mohammed bin Rashid Digital Foundation (2019)
• Multiple Certificates of Appreciation – UAE academic institutions (2014–2020)

Languages

• Arabic – Native proficiency
• English – Full professional proficiency

Dr. Rab Nawaz Lodhi is an accomplished academic and strategic management expert serving as Associate Professor at Hailey College of Commerce, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan He is also a Visiting Research Scholar at the Muma College of Business, University of South Florida, and a recognized PhD supervisor approved by Pakistan’s HEC.

Academic Career and Leadership Roles

• Associate Professor, Hailey College of Commerce, University of the Punjab — current faculty role, in addition to prior positions at UE Business School, University of Central Punjab, University of Engineering & Technology, and COMSATS University
• Visiting Research Scholar, Muma College of Business, University of South Florida, USA (2020–2022)
• Guest Editor for the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology (SSCI, Scopus Q1, Impact Factor 5.576) on a special issue exploring qualitative research in hospitality and tourism

Research Focus & Contributions

Dr. Lodhi specializes in strategic management, business analytics, e‑business/ERP, hospitality & tourism management, and both quantitative and qualitative data analysis. He is a certified trainer in advanced research tools like NVivo, MaxQDA, Atlas-ti, SPSS, AMOS, SmartPLS, and MPlus, having trained scholars and professionals across continents.

With over 54 publications in reputable journals, including SSCI and Q1 outlets, his research spans topics such as ERP systems, technology adoption, hospitality management, customer relationship management, and energy transitions.

Global Training & Consultancy Engagements

Dr. Lodhi has delivered training, workshops, and consultancy services worldwide across academic and research institutions such as:

• University of South Florida (USA)
• King Abdul Aziz University (Saudi Arabia), under a Harvard-USA sponsored project
• Multiple universities in Malaysia, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Brunei, and Pakistan.

His expertise in qualitative research methodologies and grounded theory training has been highly sought after internationally.

Educational Background

• PhD in Management Sciences (Cum Laude, CGPA 3.75), Bahria University, Islamabad (2011–2016)
• MS in Business Administration, Superior University, Lahore (2008–2010; CGPA 3.97)
• Honours BCom, Hailey College of Commerce, University of the Punjab (2004–2008)

Dr. Lodhi’s profile blends academic rigor, global engagement, and leadership in research methodology—making him a vital faculty member for executive education, doctoral supervision, and research collaborations at the Stirling Centre.