Caribbean Digital Summit Participants 2023

Participants 2023

The Caribbean Digital Summit features digital leaders from the Caribbean governments and industry.

Please see below for 2023 participants

Marva Howell

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology, Barbados

Marva is a career Public Servant, having spent thirty (30) years in the Public Service of Barbados serving in different capacities.

On April 17, 2023 she was assigned to the Ministry of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology (MIST) to manage the digital transformation process first for the Public Service and then for Barbados.

Ms. Howell holds a MA (Econ.) Development Administration and Management from the University of Manchester, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Social Protection from the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus and a B.Sc. Management Studies from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus.

While new to the role of the ICTs sector, Marva understands the importance of the Government moving with some level of agility to improve the quality of services it offers to its citizens and potential investors. This has many meanings—improving the way business is conducted, cutting down and if possible, eliminating the need to stand in lines to conduct business or to access a service. Therefore, an important priority is the introduction of an efficient, safe, and secure e-Service platform. The roll out of digital infrastructure must be island wide, thus allowing communities, businesses and houses to have easy access to the internet and Wi-Fi. Of equal importance, the need to create a culture that inspires and allows for innovation, thereby ensuring that Barbadians can design and offer cutting edge ICTs, software, and information systems to further develop Barbados.

Femi Badejo

Head of ICT Department, Sint Maarten

Femi Badejo is a seasoned ICT professional with over two decades of experience in the field. Currently serving as the Head of the ICT Department for the Government of Sint Maarten, Femi has made significant contributions to the digital transformation, standardization, and modernization efforts within the government.

Femi has played a pivotal role in shaping the Government’s Digital Strategy and Roadmap, demonstrating his ability to translate emerging trends into actionable strategies. He serves as the Technical Lead of the Digital Leadership Team (DLT), responsible for overseeing the implementation progress, evaluate recommendations, and provide strategic guidance for the Digital Transformation Agenda.

Femi has led a successful overhaul of the ICT Department, realigning it with the strategic and business needs of the Government, optimizing infrastructure, implementing cutting-edge technologies, and ensuring cybersecurity resilience. He’s also led a cloud adoption and has played a pivotal role in strategically standardizing business application development within the Government.

Before assuming his current role, Femi served as the lead ICT System and Network Engineer for the Government of Sint Maarten, where he undertook several transformative projects, including network architecture redesign and cloud migration. His extensive experience includes enterprise architecture, system administration, network management, IT support, and quality assurance coordination.

Femi’s commitment to excellence, strategic thinking, and technical expertise have made him a driving force in the digital transformation of government operations and beyond. With a strong track record of accomplishments, he continues to lead the way in leveraging technology to enhance organizational performance and service delivery.

Kees Barneveld

Chief Information and Security Officer, Ministry of Governmental Affairs, Planning and Public Services, Curaçao

Kees started his career in 1989 with Bull Netherlands as a programmer on the then emerging open Oracle and Unix platforms. He migrated to Curaçao in 1996, joining SQL Integrator as Senior IT Consultant. In 2000 he became General Manager for the company, a position he held until 2012.

Kees then worked as an independant consultant advising different organisations both private and public.

Missing the more technical side of IT, he joined the government of Curaçao and became policy advisor and the governments first Chief Information Security Officer in 2017. This is still his current position.

Kees was chairman for the local IT community – the Curaçao Information and Communication Association – from 2002 to 2012.

Clifford Bostic

Director, Digital Infrastructure, Ministry of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology, Barbados

Mr. Clifford A. Bostic currently holds the position of Director Digital Infrastructure within the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Smart Technology, in The Barbados Government. He joined the Government Service in December 2012.

Clifford has held various positions in the Telecommunications industry (from 1986 to the present) spanning over thirty-seven (37) years. He has served as Chief Telecommunications Officer, Deputy Chief Telecommunications Officer, Telecommunications Engineer, Manager Retail Sales and Services, Manager Projects and Programs, Team Leader Development, Coordinator – Service Management, Training and Development Officer, Part – Time Lecturer and Teacher during an illustrious career in Telecommunications in Barbados.

He is the holder of a Masters of Sciences Degree (MSc) in Project Management and Evaluation (2003), a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Sciences (2000) majoring in Management Studies, Economics and Accounting, holds the Bachelor of Science Degrees (BSc) in Natural Sciences (1985), majoring in Physics, Mathematics and Computer Sciences at the University of the West Indies.

He is very committed to ensuring that Barbados and the Caribbean Region reach their full potential in the area of ‘Information and Communications Technologies and Telecommunications’ to support sustainable economic development. He serves as a Director for the Barbados External Telecommunications Limited Credit Union in Barbados. He is married with one son. Relaxes through weekend gardening, cycling, site seeing, national geographics and Formula 1 motor sports.

Nicola Callender

Chief Digital Technology Officer, Ministry of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology, Barbados

Nicola Callender is the Chief Digital Technology Officer in the Ministry of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology; with responsibility for guiding the design, development and implementation of ICT policies, strategies, legislative, regulatory and enforcement frameworks, and driving Government’s digital transformation agenda.

She has over twenty-three years’ experience in implementing and supporting IT systems, change management coordination, project management and extensive training in Cyber Security. This is reinforced by a BSc in Computer Science and Accounting, a post graduate qualification in Public Service Management and studies in Project Management, Financial Management, and Master Class training as a Certified Information Systems Security Professional. As Director, Information Systems (DIS) in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs- Treasury Department for the last nine years, Nicola led the IT Team with responsibility for the GOB’s Human Resources, Payroll, Debt Management, Financial & Supplies Management IT Systems. In Oct 2020, a few months into the covid era, Nicola while still in her role as DIS, undertook the role of Project Manager, and lead her team to successfully implementing a new cloud based Financial and Supplies Management System for Central Government and key state-owned enterprises.

Nicola is not all work though, she is an active member of the International Association of Lions Clubs, where in addition to being a past president of her home club in Barbados; she is currently serving as Cabinet Secretary/Treasurer of District 60B which includes most regional territories with active Lions clubs. She also finds time to serve as a Director on the Board of Directors of the Barbados Public Workers Cooperative Credit Union. When she is not in a work,Lions or other meeting, Nicola can be found curled up under a tree at the beach with the latest John Grisham/ James Patterson novel or enjoying quality time with her son Shaquille.

Emilia Connor-Thomas

Secretary General, Ministry of General Affairs, Sint Maarten

Emilia Connor-Thomas, a native of St. Maarten, embodies unwavering dedication to public service, astute leadership in the realm of digital transformation, and a strong commitment to her family. With over 33 years of experience in the Government of St. Maarten, she has honed her expertise in public administration and governance, currently serving as the Adj. Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of General Affairs and the manager of the Public Service Center Department.

Emilia plays a pivotal role as a member of the Digital Leadership Team (DLT), leading the charge on public service aspects within this team. The DLT operates under the auspices of a Project Oversight Committee, chaired by the Prime Minister of Sint Maarten and Minister of Finance. Collectively, their mission is to oversee the implementation progress, evaluate recommendations, and provide strategic guidance for the Digital Transformation Agenda.

Emilia’s academic achievements include an Associate’s Degree in Executive Management from Johnson & Wales University, a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in Marketing from Columbia Southern University, and a Master’s Degree in Organization Leadership, also from Columbia Southern University.

Proudly native to St. Maarten, Emilia is a dedicated public servant, a loving wife, and a caring mother to her son. Her rich experience, academic achievements, and passionate pursuit of progress make her an exemplary figure in the Caribbean Digital Summit community.

Kevin Cunnington

Former Director General, Government Digital Service (GDS), United Kingdom, and Expert Advisor, Global Government Forum

Kevin was Director General of the International Government Service and Digital Envoy for the UK from August 2019, until April 2021. Prior to that, he was the Director General of the Government Digital Service from August 2016 to July 2019. Kevin left the UK Civil Service in April 2021.

Kevin has led a variety of large scale, and global, digital transformation programmes. He spent his early career in programming and IT consultancy. More recently he was the Global Head of Online for Vodafone Group and Business Transformation Group Director General at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Kevin now advises Global Government Forum, and leads the Global Government Digital Leaders’ Study.

Colin Fergus

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communication, Works, Labour and Energy, Montserrat

Colin is a dedicated public servant with over nineteen years of experience in Montserrat’s Public Service. He has held several significant roles within various ministries and departments, reflecting his commitment to public service and expertise in government administration.

Currently serving as the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Communication, Works & Labour since November 2019. Colin also served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, beginning his tenure in March 2018. His roles have involved contributing to the effective functioning of government services on the island.

Colin’s career started in 2001 as a Systems Administrator in the Treasury Department and the Department of Information Technology and E-Government Services (DITES). Over the years, he has assumed positions such as Public Service Reform Manager at the Public Service Reform Unit (PSRU) in 2006, Assistant Secretary in the Office of the Premier in 2010, and Budget Director at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management in January 2013.

Colin’s educational background is solid, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from the University of the West Indies, Barbados, and two Master’s Degrees—one in Management Information Technology from the University of Sunderland and another in Economics and Finance for Development from the University of Bradford. He has also earned two postgraduate certificates in Project Planning Appraisal and Management, as well as Finance.

Colin Fergus’s contributions to Montserrat’s public sector are a testament to his dedication and expertise. His modest approach and commitment to public service have played a pivotal role in enhancing government operations on the island.

Lisa Agard

Chief Executive Officer, Telecommunications Services, Trinidad and Tobago

Lisa Agard is currently the CEO of Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago Limited, the largest and most advanced provider of integrated communications solutions to the residential and commercial markets. Its leading-edge products and services are designed around an IP-based core infrastructure. She has extensive legal and executive management experience in the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors both locally and regionally. Prior to her current role, she was the General Manager of Amplia Communications which was acquired by TSTT in 2017, and which was prior to that part of the Massy Group of Companies, one of the largest regional conglomerates. She was an integral part of the launch of Massy’s High Speed Broadband and TV to residential customers in Trinidad and Tobago in 2016. Before that she was the Managing Director of Guardian Media Limited, one of the largest media companies in Trinidad and Tobago.

She has just over 25 years telecommunications experience having started her telecommunications career when she joined Cable and Wireless in 1998. While there she served in various regional capacities including Director Legal Services and Executive Vice President, Legal, Regulatory and Carrier Services., with responsibility for the Company’s legal and regulatory affairs across 12 business units. Ms Agard played a significant role in the liberalisation of the telecoms sectors across the region and the negotiation of the end of C&W’s exclusive operating Licences in many Caribbean territories.

In 2004 Ms Agard was initially seconded to Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (“TSTT”), to assist it in its preparation for competition from a legal, regulatory and carrier services perspective. During her initial 8-year tenure at TSTT she held several senior management positions, including profit and loss responsibility for two of TSTT’s largest lines of business, Fixed and Mobile generating over a $1 bn and $1.5bn respectively in revenue at the time.

Keisha Grant

Senior Manager – New Systems Development, Ministry of Digital Transformation, Trinidad and Tobago

Keisha Grant is a management specialist who has focused on business transformation for the past 7 years. After 25 years in the technology sector, her interest and love remains because technology is ever-evolving, challenging, but never boring. With specialised knowledge in transformation and change management, business process management, and strategic HR, she is currently the Senior Manager- New Systems Development at the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Trinidad and Tobago. She is responsible for managing transformation and service deployment across Government.

Keisha’s prior experience in the industry involved leading the execution of the Organizational Realignment and Transformation Programmes. She held roles such as Senior Manager Transformation and Change; Manager, Customer Experience and Process Optimization; Business Lead- Customer Excellence Improvement Programme, and Project, Manager, Service Delivery Improvement.

Personal development and continuous improvement is the driving force behind everything she does both professionally and personally. Keisha is a lifelong learner as evidenced by her most recent achievement, academic distinction in business studies with membership in Delta Mu Delta and Golden Key international honour societies; while pursuing a doctorate in business administration. Her dissertation topic is: “Exploring Sensemaking Practices Towards E-Government Adoption in the Public Sector”. An energetic and fun-loving individual, Keisha’s pastime is laughing and she never avoids the opportunity for a good ‘lime’ with friends. A good movie or Netflix series is part of her tested stress management techniques. Since another of her philosophies is living for new experiences- she recently started golf lessons.

Roger Hennis

Chief Executive Officer, Avvant

Roger Hennis focuses on helping Caribbean organisations transform for the better, and Caribbean people achieve their fullest potential! He is the CEO of Avvant – an advisory firm he started in June 2022 – that provides bespoke services to regional government and private sector clients. Before starting Avvant, Roger was the Senior Manager, Consulting at the Deloitte Barbados firm, where he led advisory services in the areas of strategy, technology and human capital. Roger led the delivery of the Government Digital Strategy for St. Kitts and Nevis, as well as some of the digital transformation roadmap projects. He also led the delivery of a Digital Strategy for Barbados Government in 2016, followed by individual transformation strategies for cloud, payments and information management.

Roger has been in the ICT industry for over thirty-five years, in organisations such as IBM and Fujitsu. An experienced digital transformation expert, he has most recently worked as an independent consultant for the Barbados Government on its Digital Strategy. He is also finishing up a contract for UNDP to deliver a Digital Skills Strategy Action Plan for Jamaica, focused on the Tourism, Agriculture and Transportation sectors.

When not working with commercial clients, Roger works tirelessly to support the development of Caribbean innovation and entrepreneurship. Since 2016, he has worked as a mentor for both TEN Habitat (Barbados) and the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship (Jamaica).

Daryl Jackson

Telecommunications Consultant, Telecommunications Division, Antigua and Barbuda

Daryl Jackson is the Telecommunications Consultant in the Ministry of Information Communications Technologies (ICT’s) , Utilities and Energy. He is a Senior Advisor to the Minister on Telecommunications regulations and ICT Policy. He is a former executive of C able & Wireless, where he held several senior positions including Chief Operating Officer-Eastern Caribbean; Chief Executive – St. Vincent and the Grenadines Business Unit; and Vice President Mobile, Data and Internet – Antigua & Barbuda. While at Cable & Wireless he also served on as a non-executive director for the Cable & Wireless Grenada Business Unit and represented the Eastern Caribbean countries on the Cable & Wireless International Technology Council.

Jean James

Project Manager, Digital Leadership Team, Sint Maarten

Meet Mr. Jean James, a distinguished leader at the forefront of digital governance, poised to leave an indelible mark at the Caribbean Digital Summit in Barbados. With a career dedicated to advancing government digitalization, Mr. Jean James has consistently showcased a profound commitment to innovation and excellence.

Mr. Jean James’s journey through the technology landscape began during the mainframe era at Belastingdienst (tax authorities). Over the years, he has evolved from a programmer to a system analyst and ultimately to positions of high influence as a Project Manager, Architect, and Business Analyst. His unwavering passion for process redesign, strategic vision, and enterprise architecture has been the driving force behind his outstanding career.

In the ’90s, Mr. James pioneered as an Information Manager at the Netherlands’ Belastingdienst, Division Grote Ondernemingen. In 1994, he took the helm at Sint Maarten’s Receivers Office, where he ignited the formation of the Automation Committee that transformed the ICT landscape.

One of Mr. James’s significant milestones was his authorship of an Information Plan for the Government of Sint Maarten in 1996, laying the foundation for digital transformation. His impact extended to contributions to the 2008 BAK/USONA VGO project.

From 1997 to 1999, Mr. James served as the Director of Resources, where he spearheaded ICT management and led the Millennium Preparedness Committee, driving systems upgrades and technical fortification.

Mr. James’s legacy includes the enduring GEFIS tax collection system and dedicated work on E-gov projects from 2011 to 2014, spanning base registries and the Government Online Portal.

In 2014, he directed the development of E-gov products, introducing the Government portal, Online Taxes, and the Business License System (BLIS), enhancing government-citizen interactions.

Though funding constraints temporarily paused his involvement, Mr. James’s journey embodies transformative contributions at the intersection of IT, governance, and strategic evolution. His wealth of experience and visionary leadership make him a respected authority in the field.

Join us in welcoming Mr. Jean James to the Caribbean Digital Summit and seize the opportunity to engage with this visionary leader who has left an enduring impact on the world of digital governance

Ramy Khalil

Director, International Business Development – Caribbean, Canadian Bank Note Company Limited

Ramy Khalil serves as the Director of International Business Development – Caribbean, at Canadian Bank Note Company (CBN). CBN is a globally renowned security solutions provider, specializing in the design, development, and delivery of state-of-the-art secure identity and payment solutions.

Over the past twenty (20) + years, CBN has been a staple partner to a wide array of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) states in providing and supporting critical solutions as it relates to Secure Identity and Border Management.

Since joining CBN in 2013, Ramy has supported CBN’s business solutions across the Globe by assisting in understanding and identifying each customer’s individual needs, through a comprehensive partnership-based approach.

Mr. Khalil holds an Honorary Degree in International Relations and Political Science from Carleton University, based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Marlon Narcisse

Director, Public Sector Modernization, Ministry of Public Service, Home Affairs, Labour and Gender Affairs, Saint Lucia

Mr. Marlon Narcisse, a senior member of the Department of Public Service currently serves as the Director of the Division of Public Sector Modernization. He oversees the strategic direction of the government’s Digital Transformation agenda and is also tasked with providing leadership and coordination for the development, implementation and monitoring of Public Sector Modernization Programme. As the director, he has been instrumental in establishing a variety of strategic reform initiatives, policies and legislative and regulatory frameworks to improve the overall management of the Public Service.

With 22 years of extensive experience in public sector modernization, Mr. Narcisse has progressed through a number of positions within the Government of Saint Lucia (GOSL). He began his journey as an Information Technology Manager within the Ministry of Education and was responsible for coordinating the design and development of the Education IT Policy and establishing the framework for ICT within the education system. This included the establishment of computer labs in primary and secondary schools and the implementation of turnkey ICT solutions for the Technical Vocational subject areas.

In September of 2006, he was appointed as Director of eGovernment within the Ministry of Public Service, with responsibility for developing a strategic vision and e-governance roadmap to enhance the use of Information and Communications Technology ICT in the Public Service. He’s responsibilities included the development of plans, budgets, and schedules to bring the strategic vision of the e-Government Unit to fruition. In 2008 he was influential in establishing the governance framework (National ICT Office) which was tasked with the responsibility of managing GOSL’s ICT assets and total cost of ownership with specific focus on the modernization of the public sector. In recognizing the need to strengthen the existing legislative framework, he played an active role in re-shaping GOSL’s digital government regulatory framework which resulted in the passing of several laws including Electronic Crimes Act of 2011, Computer Misuse Act of 2011 and the Data Protection Act of 2011.

Over the past decade Mr. Narcisse has spearheaded more than ten (10) large scale national and regional ICT projects supporting GOSL’s digital transformation agenda. He has implemented a Government Island-wide Network (GINET) to provide free Wi-Fi to middle and low income communities and the Community Access Programme (CAP) which has resulted in the establishment of ten ICT Centres across the island.

Mr. Narcisse also negotiated the E-Government for Regional Integration Project (EGRIP), and the Caribbean Regional Communications Infrastructure Program (CARCIP). Since 2019, he has been the driving force and champion behind the implementation of the two key digital transformation projects, the Caribbean Digital Transformation Project and the GOSL Digital Integrated Services Platform (digiGov), a one stop government shop designed to allow for the online application and payment of one hundred and thirty-four (134) high impact services.

Mr. Narcisse has amassed a vast skillset throughout his career, which includes knowledge and leadership in systems implementation, integration and deployment, policy development, ICT governance and strategy implementation and organizational development. He holds a degree in Computer Information Systems and is a Chartered Director with the Caribbean Governance Training Institute

Craig Nesty

Executive Director, National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, Dominica

Craig Nesty has been the Executive Director of the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission for the past 11 years. He is responsible for the overall stewardship of the organization and routinely deals with regulatory matters such as spectrum management, dispute resolution, anti-competitive issues, and retail tariff regulations.

During his tenure, he implemented the Universal Service Fund, worked with the World Bank to establish NTRC Dominica as a Mobile Hub in the Pitch IT project where Dominican Entrepreneurs were trained to develop and pitch mobile applications to investors. Under his watch, the Dominica Internet Exchange Point (DANIX) was created to help increase the efficiency of the internet traffic on the island. He also worked with CISCO to introduce a cisco academy at the Dominica State College and collaborated with the Internet Society to start the Dominica Internet Society Chapter. Under his leadership the NTRC applied for and won the FRIDA Grant and SKYE DFID grant which sought to further increase digital skills within the island. Craig is of the firm view that digital content creation is one of the opportunities available to small island states which is under explored and hopes to see the day when islands like Dominica can fully exploit the internet to create a thriving digital economy and sustainable livelihoods.

Apart from seeking ways to drive digital creation projects, Craig has sought to increase internet penetration through a series of Community WIFI projects some of which are funded through the Universal Service Fund and Others through the Internet Society. Prior to joining the NTRC, Craig worked as a Telecommunications Engineer and was the regional IP and Data manager for Cable and Wireless now Flow.

When not working he enjoys playing chess and exploring the beaches, rivers, and waterfalls in Dominica with his family.

Kartik Mehta

Chief Solutions Architect, eGov Solution, Netclues

Stanley Mourillon

Business Analyst, Digital Leadership Team, Sint Maarten

From optimizing processes at Centric Netherlands BV to shaping ICT strategies for the government of Sint Maarten, Stanley C.J. Mourillon stands out as a skilled Business/Informational Analyst. With a career rich in diverse roles and achievements, Stanley’s entrepreneurial spirit is a testament to his drive. Beyond his professional accomplishments, his vibrant personality consistently lights up any room, with laughter and smiles always close at hand. Yet, amid these milestones, Stanley cherishes his roles as a devoted husband and doting father of three above all. Dive into Stanley C.J. Mourillon’s world, where professional prowess meets an undeniable zest for life.

Rodney V. Payne

Project Manager, Ministry of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology, Barbados

Rodney Payne is a Project Manager with 17 years’ experience working with projects and programmes within the Government of Barbados’ Public Sector Investment Programme, which spans various sectors. He is currently the Project Manager for the Public Sector Modernisation Programme, which is Government’s Forty Million United States Dollars, Digital Transformation Initiative. The last three (3) years have been spent building the foundation, developing the frameworks and working with various stakeholders for the Government to operate within the digital space and upskill public sector employees to embrace this change.

Rodney joined the Public Service of Barbados in August 1996 and was able to work with several ministries, departments and agencies, including town and country planning, finance and economic affairs, education, health, environment, international transport and international business. In his roles as Administrative Officer, Project Analyst, Senior Administrative Officer, Chief Project Analyst, Project Coordinator and now Project Manager allowed him to grasp the intricacies of the Public Service. He would have also engaged and built local and global relationships while supporting the Government in its development programmes with the European Union, the Caribbean Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation.

His is skilled in managing and integrating teams, project budgeting and cost control, project formulation and preparation, project monitoring, strategizing and negotiating, and is results oriented.

Rodney holds a Bachelor of Science in Management Studies from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, a Masters of Science in Financial Services from the Surrey European Management School, University of Surrey and a Postgraduate Certificate in Project Planning, Appraisal and Management from the University of Bradford.

Cheryleann Pemberton

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Communications, Technology and Posts, St Kitts

Cheryleann Pemberton, a national of St. Kitts, is an accomplished professional. She is a career public servant with over twenty (25) years of work experience in the administrative field. She started her career in an administrative role in the private sector, then transitioned to the Public Service of St. Kitts, serving in different capacities, including Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of ICT, Entrepreneurship, Entertainment, and Talent Development where she was responsible for establishing and developing these new departments (Entrepreneurship, Entertainment and Talent Development) which involved laying the foundation, defining goals and objectives, creating a structure, and implementing various activities to fulfill the ministry’s purpose.

Cheryleann has had a successful career promoting the country for economic investment and has played an integral role in the economic development of her country during her years of service as Head of the Citizenship by Investment program (2011 – 2016) under the Office of the Prime Minister.

She has always had a passion for helping people, especially young women, and previously served as President of the Business and Professional Women’s Club (St. Kitts) advocating on behalf of women.

She is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts (Boston) with a Bachelor of Science in Management (Hons) and a minor in Political Science. She is also a graduate of the University of the West Indies with a postgraduate diploma in management. She attained her MBA at Florida International University.

In her current role as Permanent Secretary, she is also responsible for the timely implementation of the whole of government strategy as the government continues its digital transformation journey.

Arthur Prats

Strategic Solutions Manager, Canadian Bank Note Company Limited

Arthur Prats serves as the Strategic Solutions Manager at Canadian Bank Note Company (CBN). Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, CBN renowned for its specialization in the design and production of state-of-the-art secure identity solutions. Established in the 19th century, CBN has a storied history of serving governments, central banks, and commercial organizations across the globe with offerings ranging from sophisticated currency and payment systems to identification and authentication technologies, including digital ID solutions. Since joining CBN, Arthur has been involved in providing strategic direction for the development and integration of advanced technologies in the Civil Identity Space for National and Electoral identity solutions. Mr. Prats is part of the Standards Council of Canada in the ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 17 (Cards and personal identification) group.

Jessie Ragbir

Projects Coordinator, Telecommunications Authority, Trinidad and Tobago

Jessie Ragbir a national of Trinidad & Tobago, has accumulated over 20 years of work experience in the Telecommunications Industry from leading Operational and Project Management activities, through which he has amassed a wealth of knowledge and experience with ICTs and Telecommunications technology. In addition to being PMP Certified, Mr. Ragbir holds a BSc in Computing & Information Systems (London Metropolitan University) and a Master Executive MBA from the Formato Educativo Business School.

Mr. Ragbir currently works with the Universal Service Fund targeting projects aligned with the Telecommunications Authority’s Universal Service Framework and the Universality Policy of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago that promote the use of competitive market forces in funding communities and population groups in the access gap.

Cynthia Reddock-Downes

Chief Executive Officer, Telecommunications Authority, Trinidad and Tobago

Cynthia Reddock-Downes is Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, by profession a Chartered Accountant she also has a BSc Degree in Industrial Management from the University of the West Indies and certifications in Systems Analysis and Design and Telecommunications Regulation. Cynthia has worked at the Authority since its inception in 2004 and in so doing, has facilitated the development of ICTs in Trinidad and Tobago including the development of a competitive Telecommunications and Broadcasting Industry.

Cynthia also has experience in an operating environment, having worked at the Telephone Company, the incumbent in Trinidad and Tobago for over ten years in various positions including as Project Accountant on the Capital Development Programme as well as Senior Manager with responsibility for the implementation of financial systems. Since joining the Authority, she has worked closely with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) and since 2013 she has represented Trinidad and Tobago as the Vice Chair of the ITU Regional Group for Latin America and the Caribbean – Study Group 3, responsible for developing International Standards in the areas of Policy, Economics and Accounting. Cynthia was also member of the ITU Focus Group on Digital Financial Services (DFS) the focus group responsible for the development of international standards for DFS which are now published. In May 2022 Cynthia also commenced the Chairmanship of Working Party 4 of ITU-T Study Group 3.

Carol Robertson

Senior Business Development Partner & Caribbean Government Lead, C&W

Carol is a results-driven professional with over 35 years of experience in Jamaica’s technology industry. During this time, she has become synonymous with innovation and has driven many of Jamaica’s firsts such as the transition from manual book-keeping to computerized accounting systems in many large enterprises, hand-painted billboards to digital colour printing, digital document management and on-premises data centre deployments.

In her current role as CWC’s Senior Business Development Partner & Caribbean Government Lead, she is responsible for enabling Caribbean organizations to leverage the next generation of technologies brought to market by CWC and its partners.

Robertson’s mission is to transform the Caribbean public and private sectors with innovation through a consultative and strategic premier sales force. Before joining supporting C&W’s regional teams, she had responsibility for the Government and enterprise market segments in Jamaica. Carol Joined C&W after working at Columbus Communications, Fujitsu Caribbean (Jamaica) Limited, Infotech Caribbean (Jamaica) Limited and Xerox Jamaica Limited.

Carol is an ordained Minister of Religion and the founder of the “Red Shoe Mission”, a mentorship programme that supports young women between the ages of 15 and 25 years. She is a director of the Caribbean’s first Aviation College, Chairman of the Board of the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf and Deputy Chairman of the Board of the National Council on Drug Abuse. Robertson is also a certified sign language interpreter.

Sigmund Sasso

Senior IT Policy Advisor, Ministry of Governmental Affairs, Planning and Public Services, Curaçao

Sigmund Sasso is a highly accomplished IT expert with a distinguished career spanning nearly three decades in the public sector. He has held key positions and played a pivotal role in shaping the IT landscape of the local government.

After having earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics from the State University of New York, he went on to complete his Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Corporate Information Management Systems at the New York Institute of Technology.

Sigmund then embarked on his remarkable journey in 1994 when he returned to his home country of Curaçao and began his tenure as IT expert with the Government of the Netherlands Antilles. In this capacity he participated, coordinated and managed many government wide IT projects. These include the introduction of a Government wide Personnel Information and Registration system, Job evaluation system and Document registration system, to name a few. In 2001, Sigmund fulfilled the role of head coordinator for a mayor E-government initiative which succeeded in constructing a digital highway within the central government. This project also introduced the first (Netherlands Antillean) Government wide email communication system with basic intranet and website functionality.

Until 2010, Sigmund was employed at the Directorate Personnel, Organization & ICT, as ICT Policy Officer where he collaborated and assisted with the development of IT and automation policies in which the E-government vision, mission and strategy for the government of the Netherlands Antilles were developed.

As active member of the Curacao Information Society platform representing the government sector, he assumed a co-leading role to produce a white paper in which the vision, strategy and role of information management and ICT was defined. As co-sector leader he guided the process of completing a Master plan which aims to develop Curacao as knowledge society by involving all sectors of the community.

After the dismantlement of the Government of Netherlands Antilles in 2010, he assumed the role of Senior IT Policy Advisor within the Government of Curacao at the Ministry BPD, a significant milestone in his professional journey. In this capacity, he has consistently leveraged his expertise to influence the government’s IT policies and strategies. His contributions in his current role have been instrumental in shaping the technological landscape and the strategic direction of the Government of Curaçao. His notable contributions include Vision and Strategy Development, Cloud Migration Policy, Digital Transformation and IT Organization Development.

Sigmund’s career has been marked by unwavering commitment to the development and modernization of IT policies and practices within the Government of Curaçao. His vast experience, solid educational background, and leadership makes him a significant contributor to the region’s IT and digital transformation landscape.

Anika Shuttleworth

Acting Chief Executive Officer, eGov Jamaica

Mrs. Anika C. D. Shuttleworth possesses over eighteen (18) years of experience in the Information Technology industry, of which fifteen (15) have been spent with eGov Jamaica Limited. Her background includes Strategic Management, Business and Product Development, Project Management, Business Analysis, Software Development and Quality Management. She wholeheartedly believes in nation building, delivering efficient and effective service to customers, as well as empowering young people to achieve their fullest potential.

Mrs. Shuttleworth, who is a Professionally Accredited Director, holds the degrees of Master of Science in Computer Based Management Information Systems, and Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, both from the University of the West Indies (Mona). In addition, she is a Fellow of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in eGovernment for CARICOM Countries, and also holds certifications in Project Management, Lean Six Sigma, Strategic and Corporate Planning, and Budget Preparation and Management.

Prior to her appointment as Acting Chief Executive Officer on December 1, 2020, she was Senior Director of the Business Solutions Services (BSS) Division from September 2018. Before that, Mrs. Shuttleworth was Department Head for Research and Innovation. She previously held the post of Department Head for the Business, Product Development and Strategic Planning Department for approximately six (6) years.

Despite the foregoing, Mrs. Shuttleworth, who is a devout Christian, considers her greatest accomplishments to date to be those of wife and mother.

Peter Spratt

Regional Director, B2B Cloud Solutions, C&W

Peter Spratt is a commercial product director with C&W; he leads a regional team responsible for managing all Data Center, Cloud & Continuity products. Peter is Irish by birth, but after 16 years in Cayman, he now calls those Islands his home. He has over 25 years of experience working with many global Fortune 500 companies in technology and telecommunications. He is registered with the UK Engineering Council as a Chartered Engineer and a Chartered Management Institute member. He holds an undergraduate degree in Computer Science and two master’s degrees in science & business. He is also an active army reservist in the Cayman Islands Regiment.

Mark Sullivan

Director of Digital Services, Canadian Bank Note Company Limited

Mr. Sullivan is the strategic lead in the digital identity space for CBN, a secure identification solutions provider with experience implementing systems in over 80 countries around the world and a longstanding contributor to international standards. With over a decade of experience developing identification systems, Mr. Sullivan manages CBN’s digital identity solutions and serves on the Standards Council of Canada as an accredited expert contributing to digital identity standards, models, governance, and implementation strategies.

Jordanna Straker

Head of Solutions Mapping, Accelerator Lab, United Nations Development Programme

Jordanna has a background in the private sector, having worked in brand strategy on portfolio management and consumer trend analysis. At the UNDP Accelerator Lab in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Jordanna focuses on identifying, mapping, and growing grassroots solutions to development challenges in categories such as fisheries, waste management, renewable energy, and sustainable tourism. Jordanna holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and World Religions from McGill University, Canada, and a Masters in Journalism from Carleton University, Canada.

Twitter: @j_tenneb

Rodney Taylor

Secretary-General, Caribbean Telecommunications Union

Mr. Rodney Taylor, a national of Barbados, was appointed as CTU Secretary General from 1st March 2021.

He was formerly the Chief Digital Technology Officer with Barbados’ Ministry of Innovation, Science and Smart Technology (MIST), where he was the technical lead on Barbados’ digital transformation, improving public sector service delivery through strategic use of innovation, science and SMART technology.

Mr. Taylor’s over 20 years of professional experience includes management of the Information Systems Unit in Barbados’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and its overseas missions. He also previously served between 2010 and 2014 as the Business Development and Operations Manager at the CTU, where he worked with regional governments in the development of policies to govern information and communications technology (ICT) and represented the region in many international ICT conferences. He also led the work to operationalise the CTU’s Caribbean Centre of Excellence, to offer consultancy services to the Member States and others.

Mr. Taylor is an advisor on Internet Governance and has published research on e-Commerce diffusion in small island developing states in the Journal of Information Systems for Developing Countries. He is an Ethical Hacker and a founding member and former Chairman of the Barbados Chapter of the Internet Society, an organization whose aim is to promote the open development, evolution, and use of the Internet for the benefit of all people throughout the world.

Mr. Taylor holds a Masters in Management and Information Systems from the University of Manchester, UK, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Sector Management from the University of the West Indies.

Shamar Ward

Head of Experimentation, United Nations Development Programme

Dr. Shamar Ward is currently the Head of Experimentation at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Accelerator Lab for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean. Prior to this, he gained 10+ years’ regional experience in the technology space with organizations such the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), University of the West indies Cave Hill Campus and The Caribbean Institute for Meteorology & Hydrology (CIMH).

With his keen interest in knowledge creation and sharing, Dr. Ward has published research in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and The Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) focusing on smart technologies. Additionally, he has given presentations at the Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon and at the IAEA United Nations (UN) headquarters in Vienna Austria and at a European Alliance for Innovation (EAI) conference in Hangzhou China on green computing. The computer science expert has completed several innovation and technology-related fellowships with the Internet Society (ISOC) and the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), and the Internet Cooperation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). Most recently, he was the recipient of the 2023 Royal Academy of Engineering Leaders in Innovation Fellowship.

The former Barbados Youth Ambassador to CARICOM (2015 – 2018) has participated in regional and local Internet Governance initiatives such as CARICOM Girls in ICT Day and was a panelist at the 2018 and 2019 Barbados Youth Internet Governance Forums (IGFs). His passion is in low-cost technologies for good in Small Island Developing States (SIDs).

Kenva Williams

Director General, TCI Telecommunications Commission, Turks and Caicos

Mr. Kenva Williams, the Telecommunications Commission (Commission) Director-General, is a telecommunication professional with over twenty (20) years of work experience in engineering and technology. Mr. Williams joined the Turks and Caicos Islands Telecommunications Commission team in 2006 as the Spectrum Engineer, 2009 the Director of Technology, and in 2019, he was appointed the Director-General to manage the day-to-day operation of the Commission and advise the Minister and the Board of Telecommunications on matters affecting the telecommunications industry.

Over the years, Mr. Williams developed a solid academic and regulatory background by obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree (Hons) in Electronic Engineering and Technology, a Master’s degree (MBA) in Business Intelligence and Analytics Management, and a host of certificates relating to Management, Information Communications Technology (ICT’s) and Regulatory which enables him, to execute the Commission’s objectives by establishing telecommunications policies successfully.

Charles Cyrus

Director – Science, Market, Research & Innovation, Ministry of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology, Barbados