Board

John Dougan
Chair
John is a native of Stranraer but now lives in Dumfries with his family. He has worked both in the third and public sector and previously managed a drug rehab centre near Kirkcudbright. He has also worked for Alex Fergusson MSP, and as a councillor with Dumfries and Galloway Council. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Relationships Scotland Dumfries and Galloway, a charity offering family support, counselling, mediation, and child contact services, along with counselling for carers.
Jo Shearer
Vice-Chair
Jo has lived and worked in Dumfries and Galloway for over 30 years. Although Dumfries is now her base, her heart remains in the west of the region. Recently retired from her role as a strategic planning manager for children’s services with the Council, she is keen to use her knowledge and experience on the Board to further support better partnership working for the Third Sector. On a personal basis, she is a keen advocate of disability rights and ensuring families get the right support.
Phil Stewart
Treasurer
Phil Stewart lives in Dumfries with his wife, Tracey. He is the Chief Executive Officer for Dumfries and Galloway Citizens Advice Service having previously been a Police Officer for 30 years and Work Experience Co-ordinator at Dumfries and Galloway Council. He is keen to develop partnership working to ensure that all those in need throughout the region get the help support and assistance they need to live without fear of poverty. He enjoys watching rugby, playing golf, and walking his dog.
Kim Dams
Kim is a new Scot living in rural Galloway. She is a board member of Scottish Rural Action, chairing the risk committee; and a director of DG Voice, a charity that gives disabled people across Dumfries and Galloway a voice and is on the board of Inclusion Scotland. Kim has a professional background in finance, risk, strategy, change management and compliance and has a passion for equality and human rights. She is engaged in her local community, keen to address rural issues, inequality and poverty.
Wendi Cuffe
Wendi lives in Ardwell and has worked with the Stranraer community for the past 25 years. She is a former employee of Dumfries and Galloway Council with Economic Development Services, managing community and capital projects to support the regeneration of Stranraer and Loch Ryan. Previously, Wendi was a community development practitioner with NHS and voluntary sector organisations. Since retiring in 2016, she has worked as an independent consultant with third sector organisations.
Jason Railton
Jason was born and raised in Dumfries and Galloway, and worked as a Project Manager with Langholm Initiative for five years with a key focus on employability, rural poverty and digital inclusion. He has significant experience in fundraising, stakeholder engagement, partnership management and community development. He is currently Chair of OutPost Arts in Langholm, as well as a Trustee of Dumfries and Galloway Befriending Project. He now works as a Digital Inclusion Development Officer with SCVO.
Carolyn Kennedy
Carolyn has lived in Dumfries and Galloway for 30 years and has experience in business and project management in private and third sector. She has worked with Better Lives Partnership since 2017 and been involved strategically with the development of the Bridge to Employment Programme and new strands offering more choice to young autistic people. Carolyn is keen to ensure people have a voice and is passionate about developing partnerships to ensure people can access appropriate support when and where needed.