Tressa Burke – Chief Executive

One of GDA’s founder members, Tressa has been CEO since 2006, steering GDA from its fledgling vision of supporting disabled people’s voices and tackling social isolation in 2001, to the multi-award-winning community of 5000 it is today. For over 25 years, Tressa has held senior leadership roles in third and public sector organisations developing people led programmes which build on disabled people’s strengths and increase capacity to participate and contribute to their own lives, communities and wider society.

A disabled person herself, Tressa has expertise around equalities issues, particularly disability equality as well as the cumulative impact of multiple discrimination e.g. disabled women and disabled LGBT people.

Through GDA, Tressa acts as strategic collaborator with and advisor to both Glasgow City Government and Scottish Government across a range of areas including inclusive participation. She is currently a member of the National Group working on Local Governance and Democracy and is Deputy Chair of the Disability and Carers’ Benefits Expert Advisory Group and Chair of the related Assessment Workstream Group providing independent advice to the Cabinet Secretary for Social Security. Tressa represents disabled women and girls on the First Minister’s Advisory Council and is currently a dedicated Board member of Inclusion Scotland, the national voice of disabled people.