Meet Our Team 👋🏼

Mala Jayhindaran - Founder & Chairperson

Mala is the Founder and Chairperson of Springburn Unity Network., with over 40 years of service in community development and more than 15 years of active political involvement. Her career has been defined by collaboration with diverse communities, grassroots organisations, and government bodies, establishing her as a visionary leader dedicated to social justice and empowerment.

Her extensive experience has shaped her into a dynamic leader with strong strategic insight and a steadfast passion for building inclusive, resilient communities. As a full-time volunteer, she invests her time and energy into driving S.U.N.’s mission forward, strengthening its reach, and expanding its impact both locally and globally.

Mala’s remarkable achievements have been recognised with prestigious honours. In 2013, she was awarded The Most Esteemed Order of the Defender of the Realm by His Majesty, the 14th King of Malaysia, Sri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong. In 2019, she was further recognised with the CEMVO Ethnic Minority Impact Award in the Health category in Scotland.

A tireless advocate and changemaker, Mala continues to champion meaningful opportunities, uplift voices, and deliver lasting positive change for the communities S.U.N. serves.

Jane Horne - Vice Chairperson

Jane has been a qualified Community Worker since 2012 when she graduated from University of Glasgow with a BA in Community Development. Jane has worked with a wide variety of organisations, ranging from Youth Work, working with Refugees & Asylum Seekers, to lecturing at University of Glasgow. Her passion is working with refugees and asylum seekers and volunteers with women and children from Afghanistan. She is also an active member of her own community where she volunteers with the local Community Development Trust.

Jane works full time in Glasgow Kelvin College where she teaches Community Development. She currently teaches on numerous Community Work courses. She also teaches Communications to young people who have previously disengaged from the education system. In 2022 she gained her teaching qualification (TQFE) from the University of Aberdeen. Jane loves music, reading and spending time with her family and friends.

Shawn Nicholas Fernandez – Founder & Managing Director

Shawn is the Founder and Managing Director of Springburn Unity Network. He is a dedicated Community Learning and Development (CLD) practitioner with a strong track record of impactful community work. Drawing on his background as a former police officer and over ten years of experience in community development, he has led and supported initiatives across Glasgow that promote unity, inclusion, and empowerment.

As a CLD practitioner, he plays a key role in influencing policy and bringing CLD values to the grassroots level. He acts as a bridge between communities and decision-makers, ensuring that the voices and needs of grassroots communities are heard, represented, and reflected in both practice and policy.

He is also a human rights and anti-racist activist, as well as a public speaker. Known for his ability to bring diverse groups together, Shawn has spearheaded initiatives such as Cybercrime Awareness and Prevention Workshops, helping to protect vulnerable groups from online scams while building digital confidence. His leadership, vision, and ability to connect people continue to drive positive change in the communities he serves.

After many years of experience working within the community development sector, and through ongoing observation, reflection, and research into community development practice, Shawn was invited to present a workshop entitled “Embedding Ethics and Values at the Heart of Community Development Practice.” He delivered the workshop at the 2026 World Community Development Conference, organised by the International Association for Community Development (IACD) in partnership with the University of Glasgow on 30th of June 2026. The workshop explored the importance of embedding ethics, values, and reflective practice at the heart of community development, drawing upon his practical experiences of working alongside communities and supporting grassroots-led change.

His commitment has been recognised through several awards, including Volunteer of the Year at the SCVO Scottish Charity Awards 2021, a UK Parliament Certificate of Commendation in 2020, and being shortlisted as a finalist in the Education category at the 2019 CEMVO Ethnic Minority Impact Awards.

Shawn holds an HNC in Community Development from Glasgow Kelvin College and is currently pursuing a BA in Community Development at the University of Glasgow. Alongside his studies, he continues to deliver crime prevention and online safety workshops, organising beginners English classes and overseeing various projects, while managing the day-to-day operations of Springburn Unity Network. He remains deeply committed to building safer, more connected, and inclusive communities, guided by his vision of breaking barriers and fostering equality.

Jacob Sony - Honorary Secretary

Jacob began volunteering with the Springburn Unity Network in August 2023. He has a strong interest in cycling. He volunteer's as a British Cycling coach and a qualified Ride Leader. In the past, he has been actively involved in a range of community development initiatives with Scottish Cycling, Clyde Cycle Park, NG Homes, and the Springburn Unity Network itself.

He is deeply committed to promoting cycling among both young people and adults, viewing it as a powerful tool to foster community development, wellbeing, and unity. He greatly values the positive impact that the Springburn Unity Network has within society, and he is eager to support the organisation in continuing its mission to strengthen unity within the local community. 

Keerthana Ganta - Treasurer

Keerthana has been volunteering with the charity for the past year and a half, supporting the organisation with its accounts and financial administration. She brings previous experience in banking and currently works in the retrofit sector, combining her financial and professional expertise with a passion for making a positive difference in the community.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and a Master’s degree in Advanced Construction Technologies and BIM. Through her diverse professional and educational background, she brings valuable organisational, financial and technical skills to her role as Treasurer. She is committed to supporting the charity’s growth and ensuring its finances are managed responsibly and transparently.

Bnar Sabri - General Trustee

Bnar  has four years of interpreting experience and has been volunteering with various organisations since 2021. She is currently pursuing Level 5 ESOL at Glasgow Kelvin College and also has experience in childcare. In addition, she has previous accounting experience from her home country.

Joseph Baker - General Trustee

Jo is a Trainee Clinical Psychologist with NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde and the University of Glasgow. He currently works in a Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service. He is particularly interested in prevention, early intervention and community-led approaches to addressing mental health and wellbeing.

Jo first learned about Springburn Unity Network at the end of 2025, when he read in the news about the work they were doing to address community cohesion and racism in Springburn. When he attended his first S.U.N. event, he was struck by how the community was picking up the pieces of years of underfunding and cuts to health and social care services.

Jo believes that S.U.N is a vital part of the health and wellbeing of the local community and should be supported and funded as such. He feels that health care professionals and politicians can learn a lot from organisations like S.U.N, their team and community members. He contributes his experience of working in health and social care systems to funding applications, as well as decision-making about programs and organisational strategy. 

Adam Ahmed Gomaa Zayed  - General Trustee

Adam is 44 years old, married, and a father of three children. He graduated from the Faculty of Education at the University of Bakht Al Ruda, Sudan, with a Bachelor's degree in English and Geography. He has 13 years of teaching experience and has worked as a teacher of English, Mathematics, Arabic, Geography, and Religious Education at Sudan.

Adam represents the Sudanese community in Glasgow and has volunteered with Springburn Unity Network for almost two years. Throughout his journey with the organisation, he has demonstrated strong commitment, leadership skills, and a willingness to support and contribute to the wider community. He looks forward to contributing his knowledge, experience, and skills to future community initiatives and opportunities.