Winners
Student of the Year Award

Ellie Pickering is a Project Manager at the University of Exeter who manages the PROTECT operations team to deliver a complex medical research portfolio of work involving digital development, clinical trials, data management, and project management. This includes the 25-year, large cohort study, PROTECT: Platform for Research Online to Investigate Genetics and Cognition in Ageing. PROTECT research is delivered through three online platforms in the UK, Norway, and Canada with over 30,000 people participating across all sites; it provides valuable information about brain health to find out how we can prevent devastating conditions such as dementia. Ellie is proud to contribute to this important research aiming to understand how genes and lifestyle factors (such as exercise or education) affect the way our brain ages. Ellie also manages remotely delivered clinical trials like VitaMIND which aims to find out if vitamin D supplementation can improve brain health in people at risk of developing dementia. Ellie has overseen the growth of a large multidisciplinary operations team and her focus for leading the team centres around collecting and curating excellent quality research data in all activities from participant support to website development.

Ellie’s work has been recognised by the University of Exeter through Bronze and Silver Above and Beyond awards and both personal and team nominations for Professional Services Recognition awards.

Ellie holds a CMI Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership & Level 5 Apprenticeship Certificate (Distinction) in Operations or Departmental Manager from Exeter College, UK; an MSc (Distinction) in Advanced Methods of Taxonomy & Biodiversity from Imperial College, UK; and a BA in Biology (Cum Laude) with minor degrees in Chemistry and Japanese language from Linfield College, Oregon, USA.

Ellie has held various roles including teaching English in Japan, financial administration at the Institute for Public Policy Research, and administrative roles at the University of Exeter Medical School. She joined the PROTECT team as a research administrator in 2017 and progressed through the role of research coordinator to become the project manager in 2021.

In her spare time Ellie enjoys exploring the Devon countryside with her family and dog, gardening, running, reading, and learning languages (Japanese, French & Norwegian).

I have just recently graduated from the University Of Brighton with a first-class honour's degree in Business Management with Marketing. Now that I have graduated, I look forward to applying what I have learnt to a challenging role in a business environment in addition to exploring the world.

Linda McKendry is a dedicated and compassionate professional who has devoted the last 24 years to improving the quality of life of young people and adults with learning disabilities and autism. She currently holds the position of Director of Services at CAN (Compass Advocacy Network) in Ballymoney, a voluntary organisation renowned & recognised for its outstanding holistic support for individuals with additional needs and their families and carers.

Throughout her extensive career, Linda has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to empowering and improving the lives of those with learning disabilities and autism. Her profound understanding of their unique challenges, coupled with her genuine empathy and determination, has been instrumental in shaping the success of CAN’s initiatives.

Under Linda’s visionary leadership, CAN has flourished as an organisation dedicated to providing holistic support to its beneficiaries. Her strategic planning and innovative approach have resulted in the development and implementation of numerous programs that cater to the diverse needs of the people that she supports. These initiatives encompass vital areas such as education, employment, independent living, social inclusion, and overall well-being.

Linda’s exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to foster strong relationships with individuals, families, and the wider community have been instrumental in establishing CAN as a trusted and respected organisation. She works tirelessly to ensure that the voices of those with learning disabilities and autism are heard, advocating for their rights and promoting equal opportunities.

In addition to her remarkable professional achievements, Linda is a staunch advocate for continuous learning and professional development. She has continued to enhance her own learning experience and has recently completed her CMI Level 7 in Strategic Leadership and Management as well as achieving Chartered Manager status which concretises her belief in lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Linda enjoys and remains up-to-date with the latest research and best practices in the field, often incorporating them into CAN’s programs and services to ensure they remain at the forefront of excellence.

Linda McKendry’s unwavering dedication, profound knowledge, and compassionate nature make her an invaluable asset to CAN and the community it serves. Her tireless efforts have positively impacted the lives of countless individuals with learning disabilities and autism, empowering them to achieve their full potential and live fulfilling lives all whilst remaining true to her roots and background. She personifies the qualities of a genuine and authentic leader, always developing and learning and who lives her strong ethos, values and vision through her work performance on a daily basis. She leads by example and is now a confident mentor and coach to younger members of her team, whom she is preparing to take up the helm and lead the organisation in the future.