Welcome to 2025 Scottish North American Community Conference
The Scottish North American Community Conference (SNACC) 2025 will be hosted in Alexandria, VA on the December 5th, both online and in person. Now it its 23rd year, the conference, which is hosted annually, brings together the Scottish American diaspora community for a collaboration of experience and knowledge. This year’s conference will concentrate on ‘Connecting Hearts and Minds: The Way Forward,’ with shared discussion panels on strengthening the collective Scottish heritage of the diaspora community. As the community faces technological and generational change, the conference aims to bring together the Scottish American community as an anchor of shared challenges and experiences, promoting collaboration and mentoring for future generations. Charles, Lord Bruce, will open as Keynote speaker, talking from his perspective as new Convenor of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs, giving us his insights into his plans of strengthening the connection with the Scottish American community. The Heirs Project, an initiative of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs, is also represented with a panel discussing the importance of mentoring and preparatory experiences, with John Cochran FSA Scot, Vice President of the Council of Scottish Clans and Associations (COSCA) joined by heirs, The Hon. Alexander Fraser, Master of Saltoun, and Lord Archibald Cochrane.
Young Leaders from Scottish organizations will join a panel to discuss their shared experiences as they emphasize the importance of mentoring, with representatives from the Council of Scottish Clans and Associations (COSCA), the Scottish American Women’s Society (SAWS), and Clan Campbell Society NA. ‘Scottish Connection’ brings together exciting opportunities open to the Scottish American Community, with Rory Hedderly, Head of Business Development, Saltire Foundation USA, joined by Brian Smith, Trustee of the University of Strathclyde, and Jonathan Jack, NA Opportunities Manager at the University of St. Andrews. Among the many engaging panels are ‘Women in Scottish Societies, Associations, & Organizations,’ ‘Heritage and Culture as a Tool for Connection,’ and ‘St. Andrews Societies.’
Gus Noble, OBE, President & CEO, Chicago Scots, will introduce The Rt. Hon. Henry McLeish who will discuss and spotlight the work of Alzheimer Scotland, introducing a later thread of how the Scottish American Community can contribute to a better society with philanthropic engagement. The conference organizations will discuss the challenges they face in the changing social landscape, giving their valuable insight and knowledge to the community, Camilla G. Hellman, MBE, President of the American Scottish Foundation, with be joined by Gus Noble, OBE, President & CEO, Chicago Scots, John King Bellassai, President, Council of Scottish Clans and Associations, Bob Giles, President, St. Andrews Society of Detroit, Susan Bryant Thomas, Administrator , Scottish Heritage USA, and Aliana Shephard, President, Scottish American Women’s Society.’
Together, Leaders and Organizations from across the Scottish American Community come together in collaboration to share, mentor, and secure the way forward for the future. This educational and inspiring day will be followed by whisky tasting and reception.
We invite organizations to look to gather members to act as a hub, joining us online and adding their voice to the conversation. www.scottishleadershipconference.com/home
