About Mems Ayinla
Mems Ayinla is a committed advocate for student influence and the civic role that higher education can play in public life. With extensive experience in policy and governance, she has spent her career widening participation in democratic systems and ensuring young people have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect them.
After over a decade working across government, including roles at the Department for Education and within House of Commons Select Committees, she moved into the higher education sector to strengthen student representation at a strategic level. She is now Director of Student Influence at Sheffield Students’ Union, where she leads a multi-disciplinary directorate spanning democracy, academic advocacy, advice services, and policy partnerships, shaping approaches that enhance accountability and embed inclusive leadership.
Alongside this role, Mems serves as Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee at Young Minds, the leading national charity for young people’s mental health. She has played a key role in supporting governance transformation and promoting leadership practices that prioritise representation and responsibility to the communities served.
