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Scottish North American Community Conference
December 5th, 2025

Scottish North American Community Conference December 5th, 2025 Scottish North American Community Conference December 5th, 2025 Scottish North American Community Conference December 5th, 2025

Conference Program, Friday December 5th, 2025

10:00am - Registration

10:10am - Introduction

10:15am - Keynote: Charles, Lord Bruce

Lord Bruce gives his perspective on taking the reins at the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs and plans for their interface with us North American Scots.

Prerecorded Keynote.

10:45am - Leadership in the Making: Clans Preparing for Generational Change

A panel of Clan heirs discuss the importance of the Heirs Project and other important preparatory experiences as Clans encounter generational change.


  • John Cochran, FSA Scot (Vice President, Council of Scottish Clans & Associations, COSCA/ Sennachie, Clan Cochrane Society) - Moderator
  • Lord Archilbald Cochrane - Online speaker
  • The Hon. Alexander Fraser, Master of Saltoun - Online speaker
  • Daisy MacNab younger of Macnab - Online speaker
  • The Rt Hon. William Murray, Viscount Stormont - Online speaker

11:15am - Leadership in the Making: The Perspective of Young Scottish American Leaders.

A panel of Young Scottish American Leaders discuss the importance of Mentoring and other important preparatory experiences as Organizations encounter generational change.


  • John Cochran, FSA Scot (Vice President, Council of Scottish Clans & Associations, COSCA/ Sennachie, Clan Cochrane Society) - Moderator
  • Adam Campbell, Board of Trustees, Clan Campbell Society NA. - Online speaker
  • Ethan MacDonald (Regional Commissioner, COSCA/ Herald, Clan Donald, USA/ President, Kalamazoo Valley Scottish Society) - Online speaker
  • Emma Saggers, Ph.D. (Regional Commissioner, COSCA/Regional Representative, Clan Forsyth Society)
  • Aliana Shephard (President, Scottish American Women's Society, SAWS/ Council Member, American Clan Gregor Society)

11:45am - Scottish Connections, Universities and Alumni

A panel of Scottish University & Business Leaders discuss the exciting opportunities open to the Scottish American Community, connecting Scotland to the diaspora.


  • Camilla G. Hellman, MBE (President, American Scottish Foundation) - Moderator
  • The Rt. Hon. Viscount Dunrossil (Vice Convenor of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs/ Scottish Connections Advisory Panel) - Online Speaker
  • Rory Hedderly (Head of Business Development, Saltire Foundation USA)
  • Mart Martin (US Ambassador, Eric Liddell Community) 
  • Brian Smith (Director, University of Strathclyde USA Foundation)

12.15Pm - Women in Scottish Societies, Associations, & Organizations

A panel of women from leadership in Scottish organizations discuss the importance of women's representation in the Scottish American community, along with mentoring for the younger generations.


  • Camilla G. Hellman, MBE (President, American Scottish Foundation) - Moderator & Panel Member
  • Dr. Jessica Beymer (Trustee, St. Andrews Society of Los Angeles) - Online speaker
  • Fiona Newton, MSc (Nonprofit Consultant for Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, North America External Relations )
  • Susan Bryant Thomas (Administrator, Scottish Heritage USA) - Online speaker
  • Aliana Shephard (President, Scottish American Women's Society, SAWS)

12:45pm - Heritage and Culture as a Tool of Connection

A panel of Heritage & Culture Leaders discuss the importance of heritage engagement at Scottish events, and how heritage outreach has been a proven success for sustaining community engagement.


  • The Rt. Hon. Viscount Dunrossil (Vice Convenor of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs/ Scottish Connections Advisory Panel) - Moderator & Panel Member- Online Speaker
  • Camilla G. Hellman, MBE (President, American Scottish Foundation)
  • Betty Johnson  (Board Member, Scottish Heritage USA) - Online speaker



1:15-1:45 - LUNCH: A Light Lunch Box served for Attendees.

1:45PM - Scots, Stars & Stripes – celebrating America250 with the Scottish Government

Deputy Head of the Scottish Government in the USA, Eilidh MacKinnon, will give a presentation on how the Scottish Government plans to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the shared history between Scotland and the USA. Their “Scots, Stars and Stripes” campaign, which launched in July 2025 and will run throughout 2025 and 2026, is highlighting Scottish-USA connections across history and heritage, business and trade, education, and culture, covering the period from 1776 to the present day. Find out more about how you can get involved in sharing the story of Scotland and America in this special anniversary year. 

2:00pm - Greetings from Visit Alexandria & Dundee

Camilla Hellman, MBE introduces short greetings from both Alexandria, VA and Dundee, Scotland, twinned cities under the Dundee Alexandria Twinning Association.


  • Paul Anderson (Vice Chair of Dundee Alexandria Twinning Association, Alexandria)
  • Anne Cant (Vice Chair of Dundee Alexandria Twinning Association, Dundee)

2:15pm- The Rt Hon Henry McLeish

Introduced by Gus Noble OBE (President & CEO, Chicago Scots), the Rt. Hon Henry McLeish will discuss and spotlight the work of Alzheimer Scotland, the leading Scottish dementia charity, supporting people living with all forms of dementia, and their family and carers across Scotland - Online speakers.

2:45pm- Scottish American Organizations: Our Challenges

A panel of community leaders from Scottish American Organizations will discuss their biggest challenges. 


  • Camilla G. Hellman, MBE (President, American Scottish Foundation) - Moderator & Panel Member
  • Gus Noble, OBE (President & CEO, Chicago Scots) - Online speaker
  • John King Bellassai (President, Council of Scottish Clans & Associations, COSCA)
  • Bob Giles, (President Emeritus, Detroit Scots/St. Andrews Society of Detroit) -Online speaker
  • Aliana Shephard (President, Scottish American Women's Society, SAWS)

3:15pm - Scottish Events: The Challenges to Maintaining Highland Games

A panel of Highland Games Events Leaders discuss the challenges of establishing and maintaining Scottish Highland Events, the lessons learned, and how to maximize on marketing and community engagement.


  • Michael Reid (Board of Directors, American Scottish Foundation) - Moderator & Panel Member - Online speaker
  • Alex Duncan (President, Virginia Scottish Games)
  • Gerrard McStubi (Brooklyn Games)

3.45pm - St. Andrews Societies

A panel of Leaders from St. Andrews Societies discuss the challenges faced by the organizations and their plans to engage the Scottish American community, now and in the future. A selection of popular programs and other examples of 'what works' will be highlighted.


  • John King Bellassai (President, Council of Scottish Clans & Associations, COSCA/ Past President, St. Andrews Society of Washington DC. - Moderator
  • Gus Noble, OBE (President & CEO, Chicago Scots) - Online speaker
  • Dr. Jessica Beymer (Trustee, St. Andrews Society of Los Angeles) - Online speaker
  • John H. Blankley (President, St. Andrews Society of the State of New York) - Online speaker
  • Bob Giles (President Emeritus, Detroit Scots/St. Andrews Society of Detroit) - Online speaker
  • Chris Humphreys (President, St. Andrews Society of Washington DC)

4.30pm - Wherever the Saltire Flies and Charitable work, Scotland

A presentation of Charitable work supported by Scottish & American Community Organizations.


Camilla G. Hellman, MBE (President, American Scottish Foundation) - Presenter

  • Kids OR USA, Surgery for Children.
  • Eric Liddell Community - Sport as Heritage Connection
  • Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice, Glasgow
  • Autism Charity
  • Other TBC

4:45pm - 250th Anniversary of The United States of America

As the United States of America celebrates its 250th Anniversary, on the 4th of July 2026, this segment brings together the exciting Scottish American events that are taking place in the community to mark the occasion.

5:00pm - Upcoming in Scotland

A roundup of the events taking place in Scotland over the coming year.

5:15pm - Closing & Roundup of the Day

Short concluding words presented by the conference organizers. 

5.30pm - 7.30pm - Conference Reception.


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Scottish NA Community Conference

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