Anguilla

As a true optimist, my favourite quote is “Don’t frown as younever know who is falling in love with your smile.” I believe that there is noproblem which cannot be solved with strong faith, optimism, leadership, teamwork,diligence and dedication. I utilize this philosophy in all facets of my life.

I am a long time advocateof youth development and community work. In my teens I was involved in numerousextracurricular activities and as a youth ambassador represented Anguilla atnumerous workshops and conferences regionally and internationally. The mostlife changing experience during this time was participating in the CanadianRacism Stop It Tour (2000) which engaged young people from across the world inthe international struggle against racism and gave youth a voice in the fightagainst racial discrimination. This tour of Canada opened my eyes toinequalities in this world and further solidified my decision to give back tomy community in any way I could.

I am actively involved in a number of youth based initiatives and afew will be highlighted. I currently hold the position President Designate forthe Optimist Club of Anguilla whose motto is ‘Friend of Youth”. I am also veryactive in the church and I take my role as a lieutenant and role model in the GirlsBrigade Organization very seriously.  I alsoform part of the Production Team responsible fororganizing and executing the National Conference on Youth and Development.

I hold a Bachelors of Commerce: Hospitality and Tourism Managementwith a minor in Communications from Ryerson University and a MSc in InternationalManagement from the University of Exeter. Professionally, I am employed withthe Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, Investment, Commerce and Tourismand I also teach part time.

My term as Regional Youth Caucus (RYC)representative has been very rewarding. I have been given a tremendousopportunity to be a champion/voice for youth development in Anguilla. I haveactively been able to contribute to the strengthening of youth networks and havealso been allowed to contribute to and create opportunities whereby youngpeople can actively participate in governance, planning and decision making atthe national level. I hold firm to the belief that young people are not onlythe future but they are the present and the time to listen to them is now asthey have a lot to say about many of the pertinent issues affecting our nationand our world.