Meet Wendy Hennem, DYW School Coordinator

Introducing Wendy Hennem
Wendy Hennem has been a DYW School Coordinator for over three years and runs her own business, Smart Media Scotland. As a mother of three grown-up children and a grandmother to three wonderful grandsons, Wendy balances a busy family life with her professional roles. With a background in performing arts, her love for music and theatre continues to fuel her creativity and lift her spirits. Although Wendy no longer performs herself, she’s still inspired by a good musical or concert, and her passion for the arts runs deep.

Inspiration
Wendy draws inspiration from many aspects of her life. Seeing her children grow up and be happy and make their own way in life brings her immense joy. Professionally, she thrives in environments where she can learn new things, be part of an encouraging team, and work alongside people who are passionate about what they do. Over the years, she’s been fortunate to work with incredible individuals who have not only taught her a lot but also helped her progress in her own career. Their support and mentorship continue to inspire her today.

What Wendy Enjoys Most About Being a DYW School Coordinator
For Wendy, one of the most fulfilling aspects of being a DYW School Coordinator is engaging with young people. She finds it invigorating and humbling to see the world through their eyes and listen to their hopes, dreams, and challenges. Supporting their future journeys and giving back through her work is what drives her. Wendy loves connecting employers with young people, broadening their horizons, and helping them explore the many pathways available to them after school. She’s passionate about showing them the vast array of opportunities in the working world.

Looking Ahead to the New Academic Year
This academic year, Wendy is looking forward to taking on a new role supporting the core team and DYW School Coordinators across the region. No longer based at a specific school, she’ll be focusing on helping deliver a regional programme designed to inspire students and guide them toward their futures. The busy and exciting nature of the new school year is something Wendy always looks forward to, and this year will be no different as she works to create meaningful opportunities for young people.

Wendy’s Journey: #NoWrongPath
After leaving school, Wendy pursued her dream of a career in performing arts, focusing on acting and dancing. She followed her passion for a while and loved every moment of it. Eventually, she transitioned into marketing, where she still applies the communication, teamwork, and resilience skills she learned in the arts. Wendy believes that putting yourself out there and following your dreams is essential, and her journey reflects that spirit of courage and ambition.

Advice for Her Younger Self
If Wendy could offer advice to her younger self, it would be to embrace every opportunity and step outside her comfort zone. She encourages listening to others’ advice but emphasises the importance of trusting yourself and following your intuition. Wendy’s message to her younger self is to take chances, believe in her dreams, and confidently seize the opportunities that come her way.

Wendy’s commitment to helping young people find their path, along with her own rich and varied career experience, continues to shape her approach as a DYW School Coordinator. She’s excited to help guide and support the next generation as they navigate their own journeys into the world of work.

Contact Wendy today…

…if you’d like to explore opportunities at a regional level you can connected with Wendy at wendy.hennem@dywich.co.uk

Or visit our DYW Inverness & Central Highland - What's on - get involved (padlet.com) platform to get a full picture of our programme of activity across our 14 secondary schools and get in touch today to find out more!