The SDF would like to welcome our new incoming chairs of the London region, Saire Jones and Albina Shashyna.
We’re very excited to have Saire & Albina on board as between them they’ve got a real breadth of experience within Higher Education and Organisational Development that they can bring to the London region.
Saire’s Bio:
I have worked in the UK Further and Higher Education sector for over 30 years, am a qualified teacher and experienced staff developer. I have practical and consultation experience of team, middle and senior leadership and management roles primarily gained whilst teaching and progressing through middle and senior management positions in further education, leading large teams of teaching and technical staff and then as a consultant / interim manager.
In 2012 I moved to a specialist staff learning and development role in the Organisation Development team at Westminster University, providing a professional development support service for academic and research staff, a role that played to my strengths and experiences as a teacher, education leader and manager and a learning and development professional.
Since 2017 I have been the Education Development Partner in and Manager of the Centre for Education and Teaching Innovation (CETI) at Westminster – supporting the strategic leadership of professional academic development, embedding and expanding the provision of professional and career development for the University’s academic community and coordinating the operational management and governance of CETI.
Current work includes supporting and developing the growing number of Communities of Practice – Westminster’s Learning Communities and embedding our new Education Strategy. I am a member of the Women of Westminster Network (WOW) and co-chair WOW’s Working Group for Equality and Progression and am also the Project Lead for WOW’s Mentoring Group, leading the design of an informal mentoring scheme for WOW members.
Professionally I have Fellowship of the HEA and am working towards Principal Fellowship. I am a member of the CIPD, an ILM accredited facilitator an ILM accredited action learning set facilitator and am working towards the Level 5 Coaching and Mentoring.
Albina’s Bio:
Albina Shashyna has two roles at the London School of Economics and Political Science; Joint Head of Organisational Learning and Co-chair of LSE Power, Women’s Professional Network.
Previous SDF experience includes being a Treasurer and Executive Member to the Staff Development Forum (SDF) from November 2016 to January 2020.
Over the years, Albina has been researching, developing and advising on individual, team and organisational development; looking at leadership, organisational change, culture, influence and collaboration. Her experience ranges across Hospitality, Higher Education and Retail industries worldwide.
Albina is passionate about building communities and driving continuous improvement through the implementation of innovative learning interventions that modernise the way we work.
She is never happier than when on the dance floor (her happy place) or exploring new cities and cultures. She enjoys going on adventures and loves a challenge, especially embarking on new experiences, meeting fascinating individuals and pushing her personal boundaries.
If you’d like to make contact with Saire or Albina you can find their contact details on the London Webpage