As a small charitable organisation, the skills and knowledge of our Board of Directors plays an important part in the successful operation of all our services and the strategic management of North Ayrshire Women’s Aid. Outline CVs for the current Board are shown below:
Patricia Gibson (Chair since February 2026)
Patricia joined the Board of North Ayrshire Women’s Aid in April 2024.
Formerly an English Teacher for 23 years, Patricia also served as MP for North Ayrshire & Arran from 2015 until 2024 and became Vice Chair of the Board in September 2024.
Rhona Hotchkiss
From West Dunbartonshire, Rhona has lived in Ayrshire for 20 years. After 20 years as a nurse, she joined the Prison Service & was Governor of Dumfries, Corton Vale & Greenock until her retirement in 2019. A life-long feminist & women’s rights activist, she served on the Board of Stewartry Women’s Aid, before becoming Chair of NAWA in 2022
Caroline Murray
Caroline has lived locally in Ayrshire since birth and is dedicated to supporting her local community which she grew up in. Caroline has been a Geography teacher since leaving University and is currently a Depute Head Teacher in the local community. Caroline is committed to supporting the young people in her care and their families in our local community. She is dedicated to working with stakeholders across the community to ensure equity for all. She hopes to bring this experience to supporting women across North Ayrshire through NAWA.
Lynn Agnew
Lynn has worked as a store manager for 20 years which lead onto other opportunities to project manage and support other areas within her role. Lynn has been involved in other volunteering roles previously with VSS.
Lynn Benevento
Lynn is from North Ayrshire and lives in Dalry. She works as Head of Office for Ruth Maguire MSP where she has worked for 8 years. Shed won Political Staffer of the Year at the Holyrood Political Awards 2025. She has been involved in various local community roles and discussions including being a community councillor and efforts to set up a group to run St Margarets Parish Church, Dalry, as a community trust after its closure in December 2025.
Emma Stirling
Emma has worked in NHS Scotland since 2006 as a registered Physiotherapist. Having experience in a variety of different clinical roles across Ayrshire and Arran, Emma realised her passion was for Intermediate Care and Urgent Care whilst working within community rehabilitation. Emma has been a leader in operational and strategic roles within North Ayrshire HSCP before becoming the Director of AHPs in 2019 and subsequently moving to the Scottish Ambulance Service in November 2022 as Director of Care Quality and Professional Development. Emma’s focus and motivation lies in delivering the best possible quality care and improving the lives of people in Scotland. Emma is the Executive Lead for Gender Equality and Whistleblowing within the Scottish Ambulance Service and has a keen interest in ensuring people feel safe, valued, and able to speak up when at work or at home.