Team Members

Pete Preston is the CEO of Culture and Harmony International, a charity organisation that works to promote understanding and respect between people of different cultures through an experiential format based on Storytelling, Music,Clothing, Food, dramatic performances and curated keynote speakers. He has been working on the format and concept for nearly 12 months.

Diversity is a fact and Inclusion is a practice. He believes that everyone has something to offer, regardless of their background. He is committed to creating a world where everyone feels welcome and respected.

Under Pete’s leadership, Culture and Harmony Experience is developing a series of innovative programs and initiatives. These programs will help to bring people from different cultures together and have created a more understanding and inclusive society.

Pete is a speaker on the topic of diversity and inclusion. He is also a regular contributor to social media outlets, where he shares his insights on how to create a more tolerant and accepting society.

Pete is a strong believer in the power of education. He believes that education is the key to breaking down barriers and building bridges between people of different cultures. He is committed to providing educational opportunities to people from all backgrounds.

Pete is a tireless advocate for social change. He is committed to creating a more just and equitable world. He is a role model for others who are working to make a difference in the world.

Here are some of Pete Preston’s accomplishments:

.Grew Culture and Harmony Experience into a national leader in its field .Developed a number of innovative programs and initiatives to promote understanding and respect between people of different cultures

.Speaks at conferences, schools, and other events across the country on the topic of Culture and Harmony

.Shared his insights on how to create a more tolerant and accepting society through media outlets .Is a strong believer in the power of education and is committed to providing educational opportunities to people from all backgrounds

.Is a tireless advocate for social change and a role model for others who are working to make a difference in the world

.Pete is also the Emeritus President of Lions Club Aberdeen.

.A fierce supporter of his beloved city, Aberdeen.

Kesiena Eleanor Owivri is a multi-talented individual with a diverse range of experiences and accomplishments. While she is renowned as a Counselling Psychologist, she has also made significant contributions in various fields.

For the past 11 years, Kesiena has dedicated her skills as an Educationist to the Delta State Government in Nigeria. During her tenure, she spearheaded numerous projects in the Public Private Partnership Department, leaving a lasting impact on education in the region.

Additionally, Kesiena is the International lead on fundraising and curating the storytellers for Cultural Harmony International, a prominent organisation focused on raising funds for local charities through experiential cultural events. Her role involves strategically mobilising resources and organising captivating storytellers to engage audiences and support the organisation’s noble cause.

Denis is a consultant with formerly 22 years’ experience at BP with extensive commercial and engineering skills in flow measurement and hydrocarbon allocation often considered as a subject matter expert on these topics.

Denis was Chairman of the EI Aberdeen Highlands & Islands Branch from 2003 to 2011 and has been an active volunteer on many activities ever since often as the Chair, Vice Chair or initiative lead.

He is also helping new business start-ups some via Net Zero Technology Centre

Of significant note are Denis’s voluntary achievements as:-

1. EI AHI Branch’s Youth Champion and his role as an EI Council Member which included helping develop young members in all UK and International Branches. This was done by establishing the first branch of the EI Young Professionals Network (EI YPNback in April 2011. He then used this in the preparation of a relevant set of guidelines of how this can be achieved in practice I other parts of the UK and overseas based on his success at the local level.

2. In addition to his “day job” and his work for the EI Denis finds time to serve on the Advisory Board of the Association of Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE-UK). He was actively involved with setting up their Scottish Branch in 2012. He has been involved with helping them organise their events in particular their mentorship scheme and was an active member of the AFBElive! 2022 Conference Planning team since Oct 2020. Currently working on the next conference in 2024.

3. He is also a board member of the Diversity & Inclusion, AXIS Network Aberdeen since 2017, where is he is involved with their mentoring scheme.

4. He is Area Leader for NE Scotland for the Federation of Small Businesses.

5. Denis has also been instrumental in the Scottish Universities “Best O&G MSc Project” competition for many years and is a mentor to many students and young professionals, all voluntary.

Wanja Nyaga is a UK Registered Associate Nutritionist and a Kenyan Licensed Clinical Nutritionist, known for her remarkable dedication to promoting cultural harmony. She holds a BSc in Food Science, Nutrition, and Dietetics from the University of Nairobi, Kenya, and an MSc in Human Nutrition from the University of Aberdeen, UK.

Currently serving as an Assistant Academic Officer at the NNEdPro Global Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health, Wanja’s work revolves around her unwavering focus on Global Nutrition Implementation and Equity, while simultaneously fostering cultural harmony.

With her expertise in policy formulation and nutrition advocacy, Wanja actively contributes to the development of sustainable global food systems. She firmly believes that cultural diversity is an invaluable asset that can bring about positive transformations in the world.

As a proud member of the Diversity and Inclusivity Forum at NNEdPro, Wanja actively promotes the power of cultural exchange and inclusivity. Her vision encompasses a world where individuals from different cultural backgrounds come together, embracing their unique traditions and knowledge, to create a more peaceful and prosperous future.

Residing in Aberdeen, Scotland, Wanja carries her Kenyan heritage with pride, using it as a source of inspiration in her mission to cultivate cultural harmony. Through her work, she aims to inspire others to appreciate and celebrate cultural diversity, fostering an environment where individuals can learn from one another and build a harmonious global society.

Wanja Nyaga’s passion for cultural harmony serves as a driving force in her efforts to create a world where cultural exchange thrives, leading to a more inclusive and vibrant future for all.

Sasha Chetal is a Project Manager with over 8 years of experience in the biotechnology, life sciences, and pharmaceutical industry, focused on securing the successful translation of non-clinical studies into clinical trials. She holds a MSc. in Veterinary Microbiology and a BSc. in Veterinary Biosciences.

Sasha currently serves as a Trustee/Board Member to the charity organization, The Friendship Cabin, based in Glenrothes, Fife, which aims at tackling social isolation in the community. She is also a strong supporter of a UK-based charity, Bid to Save a Stray, which is focused on the rescue of animals from public shelters in Romania.

As an immigrant, not only to Canada, but also the United Kingdom, she has always been a strong advocate for cultural diversity and values the importance of experiencing other cultures.Promoting diversity is important to her because she believes it leads to growing acceptance, diminishing discrimination and true inclusion and acceptance. In her current role in a world-wide diverse company, she truly understands and values cross-cultural understanding and can see firsthand how the blending of different backgrounds can deliver successful results.

Her aim would be to create a space where all different cultural background and individuals from varying walks of life, can come together, embrace their strengths and weaknesses, share their knowledge,expand their horizons, and create a harmonious and successful environment for every individual to thrive.