Emma MacLennan transitions from Director General of EASST
After 17 years of leadership, EASST’s founder Emma MacLennan is transitioning from her role as Director General, continuing in her position as President. It is a moment that calls for both gratitude and genuine excitement about what lies ahead.
Emma founded EASST with a conviction that people in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia deserved the same right to safe roads and sustainable mobility as anyone else. From that founding vision, she built an organisation that today operates across 13 countries through a vibrant alliance of local NGOs, and is recognised as an authoritative voice on road safety and sustainable transport.
Under her leadership, EASST has grown into an independent UK-registered charity with consultative status at the United Nations and active partnerships with major international institutions including the EU, World Bank, EBRD, FIA Foundation, and UK government. She has also been instrumental in establishing the Eastern Partnership Road Safety Observatory, strengthening the quality of road safety data across the region.
Beyond EASST, Emma has made a wide contribution to the road safety and transport sector. She is a founder member of FIRE AID, served as President of Make Roads Safe Hellas, and as member of the Global Fleet Champions Standards Committee. She has also served for many years as Alumni Organiser of Delft Road Safety Courses, supporting knowledge-sharing and capacity building across the field.
Emma’s approach has always been grounded in collaboration and local expertise, working with and through partners rather than imposing solutions from the outside. That philosophy is embedded in how EASST operates, and it will endure.
Emma will remain at the heart of our work in her role as President, lending her experience to selected strategic projects and continuing as Deputy Head of the Eastern Partnership Road Safety Observatory.
From 7 April, Emily Carr will serve as Acting Director General while we conduct a thorough search for a permanent appointment. Emily brings more than 20 years of experience working with NGOs and partners across the region, including over a decade in operational leadership within EASST. She has a deep knowledge of our programmes, partners and networks. The values, relationships, and reputation that define EASST remain unchanged, and we look forward to your continued partnership.