Board of directors
One sentence summary: Deborah Macrae is a retired paediatrician originally from Northern Ireland but she has lived in Inverness since 1991.
Brief career overview: As Dr Deborah Shanks she worked in Raigmore Hospital as a Consultant Paediatrician and was the hospital Lead Doctor for Child Protection
Proud career or personal achievements Deborah has always been committed to improving childhoods for all children. Since retirement in 2019 as well as being on the Safe, Strong and Free Board she has volunteered with the Action for Children In Tandem mentoring project. She also enjoys taking part in lots of outdoor activities such as tennis, hiking and golf.
Norma Holm is a friendly face and a dedicated figure at Safe, Strong and Free as a director.
Norma has an extensive career in childcare, particularly in early years, and was previously a Project Worker with Safe Strong & Free. Her career spans from being a nanny, childminding, EYP in nursery settings to older years, such as her current role as a PSA at Fortrose Academy.
Throughout her career, Norma has experienced many proud moments, including achieving her SVQ as a mature student. Finally, Norma is a creative thinker, pursuing various hobbies such as knitting, cross-stitch, and sewing when she isn't chasing after the grandchildren!
Yvonne Ross is a Child Protection Officer working in Education in the Highlands.
Yvonne has worked in a bank, been a mortgage advisor, then worked as a Youth Development Officer before studying to get her qualifications in Child Protection.
Proudest achievements are volunteering within the community previously as a Guide Leader, Youth Worker, Community Councillor and Provost. We started the Dornoch Hogmanay Street Party in 2000 which now attracts visitors from across the globe with attendance of more than 3,000 people every year which brings trade to the town in the quieter months.
Councillor for Inverness Millburn Ward | Older People’s Champion, Highland Council. Isabelle MacKenzie has proudly served as a local elected Councillor for the Inverness Millburn Ward since 2017.
Before entering public office, Isabelle’s career was varied and people-focused. She worked locally with South Forrest Solicitors, guided cruise ship visitors who docked at Invergordon, and even took on seasonal work at Marks & Spencer while re-entering the workforce. Earlier in life, she spent over 20 years in London, working with both global corporations and small businesses. One of her proudest achievements was founding and running a baby goods retail business for 15 years, a venture sparked by the birth of her first child and driven by a passion for supporting families.
Apart from being a proud mum to four sons, aged 23 to 33, a personal highlight was completing a Marie Curie Fire Walk, stepping well outside her comfort zone to raise funds solo, and exceeding her target, and professionally she was honoured to act as Highland Council’s Children & Young People’s Champion, and more recently helped establish the role of Older People’s Champion, a position inspired by Age Scotland’s campaign to ensure older citizens have a strong voice in local government.
Kerrie Maclean is a resident of Inverness – she emigrated to Scotland from Australia with her family in 1992.
Kerrie qualified as an Occupational Therapist in Australia. She worked in both Australia and Scotland as an Occupational Therapist, in both adult and children’s services. Kerrie’s final post, before retiring, was as Practice Education Lead for Allied Health Professions in NHS Highland. Kerrie also undertook volunteer duties as a member of the Children’s Panel, Scotland.
Kerrie has a great interest in Scottish Highland culture and language – and is proud to have achieved a level of fluency in Scottish Gaelic. She enjoys foraging in the Highlands - her pantry shelves displaying a variety of bottled jams, chutneys and juices all made from foraged plants.