Alumni Committee Members
The Alumni Committee members are former Saltire Scholars who offer a valuable perspective to the Saltire Foundation's Advisory Board members. They represent the Canadian alumni community and support the growth the Saltire Scholar Internship Program, creating more opportunities for Scottish university students in Canada. They connect and strengthen the alumni group by promoting professional growth and a strong global network.
Jasmeen Hayer
Jasmeen has a strong foundation in engineering and business acumen, holding a degree in Meng(Hons) Chemical Engineering with Management from the University of Edinburgh. One of the highlights of her degree was co-authoring a published research paper on lithium extraction technologies: Lithium Harvesting Study. In 2021, she was selected as a Saltire Scholar and completed an internship with Suncor Energy, gaining valuable experience in finance and strategy. After graduating from the University of Edinburgh, Jasmeen decided to further her education in Canada by pursuing a Master’s in Management, Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Queen’s University.
Olivia Byth
Olivia is in her honours year at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) studying Accounting. Upon completion of her final year, she has the goal to work towards becoming a Chartered Global Management Accountant. In 2022, she interned as a Saltire Scholar at Candu Energy, SNC Lavalin in Mississauga, Canada. Her role was a Commercial and Procurement Analyst intern, and she also had the opportunity to work within the finance team. She is now a Brand Ambassador to the Saltire Programme and has supported the 2023 candidates from the application stage through to the candidate pool.
Olivia currently volunteers at the Beyonder Involve charity in Glasgow and is part of the UWS Accounting Society. She loves meeting new people and forming new connections. She has a passion for getting out of her comfort zone to create the opportunity to grow on a personal and professional level. Olivia is looking forward to what the future holds for the Saltire Foundation Canada alumni community.
Peter Hourston
Peter is a researcher at the Institute for Government, a non-partisan think tank working to make government more effective. He specialises in devolution and currently researches the UK government's English regional devolution programme. In this role he regularly interacts with civil servants, parliamentarians, regional representatives and business leaders to share understanding on how to improve the devolution arrangements between central government and local and combined authorities within England. He has previously examined the evidence on policies to support regional and local growth and has also spent time in the Institute's busy communications team, focusing on website development, social media and events production.
Peter completed a virtual internship with A. Brown + Company Ltd. through the Saltire Programme in his third year of university where he worked on a client project focused on corporate restructuring. Peter holds a Master of Arts (Hons) in Economics and International Relations from the University of St. Andrews and is now based in London, UK.
Sophie Kibble
Sophie is currently in her final year at Heriot Watt University, Scotland, where she is studying a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Mathematical Studies. Here, she studies a mixture of mathematical, statistical and actuarial courses.
In Summer 2022, Sophie interned in Toronto, Canada, as part of the Saltire Scholar Internship Programme. She interned as a Data Science Analyst at KPMG Canada.
Anya Stuart
Anya is a 4th and final year Physics and Astronomy student at the University of Glasgow. She is a motivated and dedicated student with interests in data analytics, physics and astronomy.
As a Saltire Scholar she spent the summer of 2022 in Toronto, Canada, interning at KPMG as a data science analyst for 8 weeks thanks to Entrepreneurial Scotland and the Saltire Canada Foundation.
Niamh O’Neill
Niamh is in her Masters year at the University of Strathclyde, studying Aero-Mechanical Engineering. In 2024, she interned as a Consulting Intern with P1 Consulting in Toronto, Canada. Niamh is returning to Canada, upon completion of her degree, to start her engineering career.
Niamh is now volunteering as a Brand Ambassador, acting as Co-Lead Liaison, for the University of Strathclyde, to the Saltire Scholar Programme, and is supporting 2025 candidates through the process!
She joined the Saltire Foundation Canada Alumni Committee to stay connected with the Foundation, connect with fellow alumni, and help to develop and grow the community! She loves connecting with new people and is always excited to share her internship experience and the life-changing opportunities which are available to future candidates!
Aidan O’Riordan
In 2024, Aidan interned as a Saltire Scholar at Black & McDonald in Toronto, Canada. He was working as an Estimation intern as part of the ICI Electrical Construction team. Aidan has just graduated from the University of Strathclyde with a Master's Degree in Electronic and Electrical Engineering.
He is now volunteering as a Brand Ambassador to the Saltire Programme while starting a graduate job in Glasgow! He hopes to return to Canada soon and make sure other students get the chance to experience the life-changing opportunity he had.
Aidan joined the Saltire Foundation Canada committee to help achieve this, and is passionate about connecting with and developing the alumni community. He is always willing to have a chat about his experience and what it meant to him!
