Dona Milne Appointed as Chair of YouthLink Scotland

YouthLink Scotland is delighted to announce the appointment of Dona Milne as Chair of the Board 

Dona brings a wealth of experience spanning youth work, community education, public health and governance. Beginning her career as a volunteer and youth worker, she went on to qualify in community education and work across both the voluntary and statutory sectors. She later joined the NHS, leading the Healthy Respect programme before retraining as a Consultant in Public Health and serving as Director of Public Health in both Fife and Lothian. 

Alongside her professional career, Dona has maintained a lifelong commitment to youth work and has held a number of significant leadership roles, including Chair of the Children’s Parliament, LAYC, Youth Scotland and the Scottish Youth Work Research Steering Group. 

YouthLink Scotland would like to thank Angela Leitch CBE, who stepped down as Chair in November 2025 after a successful three-year tenure, and Bill Stevenson, Treasurer, who served as Interim Chair and provided strong leadership and continuity during the transition period. 

We look forward to working with Dona as we continue to champion the vital role of youth work in supporting Scotland’s young people and communities. 

Dona said: 

“I am delighted to be appointed as Chair of Youthlink Scotland by the Board and members of Youthlink. I have seen the huge impact that youth work has on the lives of young people, and I am committed to supporting efforts to increase the provision of youth work across Scotland. At a time when the public, voluntary and community sectors are increasing their efforts on prevention, it is important to recognise the central role of youth work in preventing negative outcomes for young people. Our youth work research has demonstrated the positive contribution that youth workers, as local trusted adults, can make to young people’s lives, including increasing educational attainment, confidence, employability and improving health outcomes”.