Mrs. Amanda Serrant-Edmead is an educator for 28 years in St. Kitts and Nevis, serving in roles such as Geography teacher, Deputy Principal, Education Officer,  National Focal Point for the UNICEF funded, Child Friendly Schools Programme and the National School Safety Programme.   

Mrs. Edmead currently serves as the Ag. Director of the Curriculum Development Unit where she is leading the Curriculum Enhancement Project, which involves not only charting the transformation of the national curriculum from primary to secondary school to meet twenty first -century standards, but also revolutionizing the assessment practices within the Federation.  She also serves as the Country Lead for St. Kitts and Nevis for the OECS PEARL project and the Focal Point for Curriculum and Assessment component of the same project.  Mrs. Edmead is guided by the motto that is plastered on her office wall, which states ‘Every Student can Learn, just not in the same day, or in the same way’.

Andrea Baptiste is an Educator and has worked at almost all the sectors of the educational arena. She was a teacher at Primary and Secondary schools in Barbados and she was a Lecturer at the T. A. Marryshow Community College in Grenada. She has functioned in the role of Senior Teacher/Year Head at a Secondary/ High School and has acted as a Guidance Counsellor and Education Officer also. She has also taught at the Erdiston Teachers’ Training College in her homeland.

She has also taught in the undergraduate Educational Management Programme at the University of the West Indies, Open Campus and was a Course Coordinator there. She has served as a primary school principal and is currently a principal at The Ellerslie School, a sixth form Barbadian school. 

Andrea holds a Masters in Educational Management and a Certificate  in Guidance and Counselling. She has also earned a Bachelors in History (Honours) from the University of the West Indies and distinction in the Diploma of Education at the Erdiston Teachers'​ College in Barbados.

She has trained teachers at the Erdiston Teachers’ training College, Guidance counsellors and Principals in Anguilla, St. Kitts and Nevis in Health and Family Life Education. She has also has been part of the CARICOM review team which revised the Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) Teachers’ Training Manual in 2012.  

This former national outstanding Schools' Toastmaster's debater(1988), loves working with young people and enjoys writing poetry and stories: She received three awards at the prestigious Barbadian, National Independence Festival of creative Arts (NIFCA) for her works.

Angel Caglin is the Executive Director of the Caribbean Innovation & Leadership Lab (CILL) and a dynamic speaker known for her engaging presentations on educational innovation, leadership, equity and inclusion. She currently leads the IDRC funded project ‘Capacity building for gender equity and inclusion in Caribbean Schools’ which aims to improve gender responsive and inclusive teaching and learning by creating safe learning spaces for boys and girls. With over 20 years of experience Angel has served in various roles, including teacher, instructional coach, and Curriculum Specialist.  Her work spans several impactful educational initiatives, such as supporting the Peace Corps Eastern Caribbean Primary Literacy Project and serving as a National Focal Point for the OECS/USAID Early Learners Programme (ELP). Additionally, she coordinated the IDRC-funded "Social Innovation in Education in the Caribbean" project, which led to the establishment of the Caribbean Innovation & Leadership Lab. Through CILL, she supports initiatives administered by the OECS Education Development & Management Unit, and by partners committed to the transformation of education.

Angel is an accomplished presenter who has delivered keynote speeches, workshops, and training sessions at conferences and seminars across the Caribbean and beyond. Her approach to speaking is both informative and relatable, often incorporating personal stories, case studies, and fostering inclusive dialogues that engage her audience and inspire action. Her passion for education and commitment to improvement resonate deeply with diverse audiences, from educators and policymakers to community leaders and students. Angel Caglin holds dual master’s degrees in Elementary Literacy and Reading and in Educational Leadership, Management and Emerging Technologies, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Instruction & Assessment. She is a Doctoral student at the University of the West Indies, engaging in a qualitative exploration of the transformative practices of school leaders in the Caribbean.

Born and raised in the rural community of Port Mourant, Guyana, Anjalie developed most of her personality traits and cultural instinct as an active Hindu. She was born in the early 2000s and was later diagnosed with a visual impairment. However this didn’t stop her from gaining what she aimed for. With her impairment she gained the top student position for her school at the National Grade Four Assessment, and a position at the esteemed President College.

Five years later, Anjalie graduated high school with a number of grade ones and was also honored at the National Award Ceremony 2018. Four years after, she received her Bachelors Degree in Social Work from the University of Guyana.

Anjalie is now employed by the Ministry of Education as a school's Guidance and Counselling Officer, while actively being involved with the International Foundation for Electoral System IFES Guyana, GCOPD, Guyana Council of Organisation for Persons with Disability, as a disabled people right advocate and Women's Empowerment Advocate. Some of her interests includes musical entertainment, art, body building and a greater interest in mental health and development.

Anjalie is currently a second year student at the University of Southern Caribbean ( USC) pursuing her Masters in Counselling Psychology.

Anjalie is also the GPE youth ambassador representing Guyana. It is no doubt that she is a woman who seeks opportunities to not only develop herself  but to aid in the development of her society. Anjalie's aim is to be the voice that can generate positive change in Guyana.

Dr Anton De Grauwe is an internationally recognized expert in educational policy, planning, and management. He started his career as a secondary school teacher in Grenada (between 1986 and 1989), and worked for some 25 years, until 2021, at the UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning, as a researcher, a trainer, a facilitator, a project manager, and a resource mobilizer.  Through technical support and strategic advice to many governments and through academic research, he has gained expertise in various themes, such as school supervision (the topic of his PhD thesis), monitoring and evaluation, decentralization, and the effective functioning of educational administrations. Much of his recent work consists in collaborating in the design and implementation of education policies and plans, playing an active part in policy dialogue, between policy-makers and technical staff, and between national and international officials. He has world-wide experience, with his most recent work taking place in Cambodia, Guinée, Ethiopia, Fiji, Macedonia, Guyana and the Windward Islands.

As a proud citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, Mrs. Antonia Tekah-De Freitas has served the nation’s education system as a primary school educator for thirty-four years. Active involvement in education trade unionism for the past twenty-five years has allowed Mrs. Tekah-De Freitas the opportunity to represent educators and students at various levels. In her tenure as First Vice President of the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association (TTUTA), she was instrumental in expanding the scope of professional development and leadership training programmes for educators. She eventually served in the office of President of TTUTA, with the distinction of being the organization’s very first female President. Meaningful collaboration on the creation and implementation of education policy has been the bedrock of her service.

As the President of the teachers’ union, Mrs. Tekah-De Freitas collaborated closely with local trade unions to prevent the exploitation of educators, and service and industry workers alike, at the onset of the Covid 19 pandemic. While a member of the Leadership Council of the Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM), Mrs. Tekah-De Freitas was actively involved in publicly promoting safe working conditions for workers during the Covid 19 pandemic as well as regional advocacy against vaccine mandates for workers. She was a tireless proponent for a tripartite approach to addressing challenges affecting the education sector’s recovery after the pandemic, and for this approach to be used to facilitate the stabilization of local employment during this period. She is also a foundation member of the Women’s Group of the JTUM, consistently articulating for the ratification and implementation of conventions of the International Labour Organization on equality and equity.

As the First Vice President of the Caribbean Union of Teachers Mrs. Tekah-De Freitas has used her skills and expertise in training and development to create diverse pathways for regional educators to access professional development offerings and participate in professional discourses on matters that affect the regional educational system. 

She is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and holds a Masters in Human Resource Management. She also holds qualifications in Government, Politics, International Relations Training and Cooperative Studies. 

In 2019 she co-founded the company JOZAID General Services Limited, a human resource and industrial relations consultancy firm.

Asha Bailey is a dedicated educator and leader with over 20 years of experience in the field of education. Currently serving as the Principal of St. George’s Anglican Junior School in St. George’s, Grenada, Asha has a passion for fostering academic excellence and creating inclusive learning environments. 

Asha holds a Master of Arts in Leadership in Education and a Bachelor of Science in Youth Development Work. She is also certified in teaching, teacher evaluation and school leadership. Asha has pursued further professional development in areas such as blended learning, distributed teaching and learning, special education and conscious discipline.

Asha has undergone leadership training with the Inter-American Leadership program and the Regional Organization of Women in Leadership (ROWL). She also serves as a local team member for OECS PEARL and is a member of her District Supervisory Team. She has led the implementation of several school wide initiatives inclusive of the Learning Recovery and Enhancement Programme (Let’s Reap) and the creation of an Outdoor Interactive Language Wall.

In addition to her work as an educator, Asha is an advocate for lifelong learning and has played the roles of a Life Skills Trainer and Scout Leader, contributing to the personal development of young people beyond the classroom.

Asha’s vision as a principal is to create a supportive and dynamic learning environment that prepares students for future success while empowering teachers to continuously grow in their profession.

Barbara Landon is a clinical neuropsychologist (pediatrics), community psychologist, and co-founder of Saving Brains Grenada and the Caribbean Center for Child Neurodevelopment at the Windward Islands Research and Education Foundation (CCCN @ WINDREF) in Grenada, where she is a research fellow and emeritus professor at St. George’s University. As an implementation researcher, her work is focused on early childhood neurodevelopment and the prevention of adverse childhood experiences, including corporal punishment and gender-based and family violence. As a clinician she has worked in numerous settings including counseling, neurorehabilitation, hospital, and private practices. As an educator she has taught graduate courses in psychology, bioethics, and behavioural science; she is a founding faculty member of SGU’s Master’s in Clinical/Community Psychology program, and a guest faculty member at Anton de Kom University’s Master’s in Caribbean Psychology in Suriname. She is an internationally certified Conscious Discipline (CD) instructor, and has taught a Caribbean version of CD, a brain-based, trauma-informed adult education curriculum, to teachers and parents in Grenada and several other island nations since 2009.   She is co-author of the Grenada Learning and Memory Scale (GLAMS), the first neuropsychological measure developed by Caribbean nationals in and for the Caribbean region, and co-editor of the upcoming special issue of the Caribbean Journal of Psychology on decolonizing behavioural science. Although born and educated in the US, she feels more at home in the Caribbean, and has lived in Grenada since 2008.

Assumed the post of Director General, of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) in May 2014.  In this capacity he is responsible for driving the regional integration thrust towards a single economic and social space involving eleven Eastern Caribbean States.

He served as a Board Director for Latin America and the Caribbean  on the Global Partnership for Education and is a current member on the UNESCO Board.

Dr. Jules has had extensive regional and international experience, most of it focused on education, social policy and organizational transformation.  He served as Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Caribbean Examinations Council (2008-2014) leading a thorough modernization of the Council.  He has also served as Vice President Human Resources Cable and Wireless St, Lucia (2005-2008); Permanent Secretary for Education & Human Resource Development St. Lucia (1997-2008) as well as Permanent Secretary for Education and Chief Education Officer in revolutionary Grenada from 1981-1983.

He has provided consultancy services to national governments, regional and international organizations in the Caribbean, Africa, Europe and North America.  He chaired the World Bank’s Vision 2020 Committee on Education in the Caribbean and has served on many private sector, educational, and philanthropic boards that include the:

• Caribbean Center for Educational Planning of the University of the West Indies Mona School of Education.
• The CARICOM Task Force for the New Caribbean School (Chairman)
• Knowledge, Innovation and Exchange (KIX) program
• Chancellor’s Commission on Governance Reform for the University of the West Indies
• Campus Council of the University of the West Indies Five Isles Campus, Antigua & Barbuda
• Caribbean Climate Accelerator
• CARICOM Education Commission, Co-Chair
• Caribbean Science Foundation
• Fortune Global Panel Advisor

He holds a BA (hons) from the University of the West Indies Cave Hill, an MSc in Curriculum & Instruction and a PhD in Educational Policy and Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Wisconsin-Madison as well as a MBA from the University of the West Indies Cave Hill.

Mrs. Dionne Gill is currently the Data Analyst in the Ministry of Education, Barbados. She has worked in this capacity for close to twenty years; gaining valuable experience in managing, advising on and providing solutions for data collection, collation, analysis and reporting for decision-making.

Mrs. Gill holds a BSc. Computer Science and Mathematics from the University of the West Indies (Cave Hill) and a MSc. Decision Modelling and Information Systems from Brunel University (London). Her training and knowledge over the years have been focused on the enhancement of the education sector and have been augmented by her skills in Information Technology. These skills have lent support to several projects undertaken by the Ministry of Education during her tenure, as she is recognised as valuable to many solution-seeking efforts. Her contributions have included the provision of technical input and insights to projects and initiatives sponsored by international developmental agencies such as the Inter-american Development Bank (IDB), the World Bank Group (WBG), Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and other United Nations bodies.

Mrs. Gill’s professional accomplishments include:

• leading the design, creation, deployment, training and technical support for the Electronic Data Collection Tool, which replaced the traditional paper-based forms used by schools to capture and submit education data; 
• coordinating the data reporting component of the Education for All 2015 National Review Report for Barbados; 
• managing the technical input required for the design, production, launch, dissemination and training regarding the Secondary School Performance Report Card (an initiative sponsored by the IDB Skills for the Future programme to assist public secondary schools in monitoring students’ Literacy and Numeracy) and providing similar oversight for the Primary School version; 
• managing the technical input required for the design and production of the revised Digest of Statistics on Education; and 
• providing technical advice on the procurement and implementation of the ‘OpenEMIS’ application.

Mrs. Gill is a wife and mother of an adult daughter and teenaged son, who treasures her family and spirituality dearly. She enjoys most genres of music, art and sports as well as engaging in fun activities that build camaraderie and create lasting, pleasant memories.

Elena Smith has been a teacher for the past thirty nine years at St. Ignatius Roman Catholic Primary School in Belize City. Immediately upon entering the profession, she joined the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU). A few years later, she was elected to serve as Secretary of her district branch of her union and six years later, as the Branch president. She served on that Executive for twenty consecutive years after which she was elected as the union’s National President from 2017 to 2023. Smith also served as Administrative Secretary then General Secretary of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize(NTUCB). She has represented the BNTU on the Belize Teaching Service Commission, the Belize Board of Teacher Education as Vice Chairman, the National Council on Education as Vice Chairman and as its Lead Negotiator with the Government of Belize. Smith also served as Senator representing the NTUCB from 2016 to 2024 where she was a member of two Senate Special Select Committee investigations and member of the Public Accounts Committee. Additionally, she has represented the Congress on the Wages Council, The National Council on Technical and Vocational Training as well as the OSH Committee. Smith has represented her union regionally and internationally. She has been recognized with numerous awards including Teacher of the Year, Trade Unionist of the Year and most recently Member of the British Empire, a recognition given by the Government of Belize. Smith currently serves as an Administrator at St. Ignatius School. She holds a Master’s degree in Education with a focus on Reading from Bridgewater State University in USA.

Germain Anthony is a Senior Technical Specialist – Education at the Education Development Management Unit (EDMU) within the OECS Commission. He is an educator with 32 years’ experience in the sector. Mr. Anthony is a trained teacher and holds a degree in Computer Science and Management. He completed a Master’s program in Design for Interactive Media in London (2012). Mr. Anthony served as the National Focal Point for the Commonwealth of Learning in Saint Lucia for several years.

In his former role as Curriculum Specialist – Technology Integration within the Department of Education, He led and supported several Technology in Education initiatives in Saint Lucia and the region, including policy development for ICT in Education (ICTE), teacher ICT capacity development, technology-based reading and numeracy interventions, ICTE project implementation and monitoring, digital content development, automation and digitisation of national and regional assessment activities and the introduction of computer coding and robotics in the curriculum. In his present role, he leads the coordination of the Giga project in the OECS, digital learning content development at the EDMU and he also leads and supports the coordination of several initiatives under the joint OECS/UNICEF Inclusive Education programme.

Mr. Anthony is an advocate for the mainstreaming of OER as a means of improving equity and access to learning resources. His vision is that all learners, particularly the younger ones, will be able to take advantage of digital technologies to contribute meaningfully to society and to their own success.

Dr. Hector Montenegro, President/CEO of Montenegro Consulting Group, LLC, has been a Senior District Advisor for the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) and currently works with districts and administrators nationally and internationally on systemic implementation of SEL and parent engagement. He is also a Senior Associate for Margarita Calderon and Associates (MC&A) and provides training on instructional strategies for English Learners (EL), leadership development for administrators, language and literacy, instructional coaching, and parent engagement. Dr. Montenegro has been a math teacher, principal, Chief of Staff for the DC Public Schools and Superintendent of three school districts in Texas. He is an internationally recognized speaker and presenter of 100s of workshops, leadership development seminars, retreats, keynote speeches and webinars on SEL and on effective instructional strategies throughout the US and abroad in over 23 countries. He has been an educational advisor to Chile, Peru, Guatemala and Saudi Arabia through the U.S. State Department and Ministries of Education. He also serves on several national boards including New York City's Leadership Academy (TLA), Transformative Educational Leadership (TEL board chair) and the Parent-Teacher Home Visits (PTHV) program. Dr. Montenegro was one of the founding members of the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS) and is the Co-Facilitator of the ALAS Superintendent's Leadership Academy (SLA). He is a volunteer for the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation working on tree planting projects in Brazil, El Salvador, Peru, Guatemala and Uganda. He obtained his masters from Stanford University and doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin.

Joseph South is the Chief Innovation Officer at ISTE + ASCD. He is an internationally recognized educational technology leader focused on evidence-based learning transformation. Joseph leads cross-sector initiatives that include helping thousands of educators prepare the next generation of AI designers, increasing the quality of ed tech products in classrooms by working with both solution providers and education leaders to make better buying decisions, and certifying educators in the ISTE Standards. He serves on the steering committee of TeachAI.org and the advisory board for AI4K12.org.

He formerly served as director of the Office of Educational Technology at the U.S. Department of Education. In this role he advised the Secretary of Education, developed national educational technology policy, formed public-private partnerships to assist state and local education leaders in transitioning to digital learning, helped school districts expand the use of openly licensed educational resources (OER), and collaborated to nurture a robust ecosystem of edtech entrepreneurs and innovators.

In addition to his leadership roles, he is also known for his thought leadership in the field, frequently speaking at conferences and contributing to discussions on the future of education. His work is highly influential among educators, policymakers, and technology providers who are committed to improving education through innovative approaches.

He holds a doctorate in instructional psychology and technology from Brigham Young University.

Joshua Andall is a transformative leader at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into education across the Caribbean. As a key contributor to UNESCO's policy guide on AI in the Caribbean, Joshua has played a critical role in shaping how AI is applied responsibly in education to meet the region’s unique needs. His innovative approach has helped ensure that AI supports inclusivity, access, and quality education, particularly for underserved populations.

As the founder of EduBots AI, Joshua has revolutionized the way educators interact with technology. He has developed subject-specific chatbots tailored to the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) syllabus, providing teachers with powerful tools to create lesson plans, quizzes, and learning materials. These AI-driven solutions enhance teaching efficiency and student engagement, supporting the overall learning experience. His work has agrnerd the support of  CXC and other  minsters and CEOs across the region. Hence, EduBots AI is now being positioned as an essential resource in classrooms across the region. Joshua is also committed to ensuring that AI benefits special needs education, having created a chatbot for them as well making learning more accessible for all students.

In addition to his impact in education, Joshua is a CARICOM Youth Ambassador. Through this role, he has championed mental health, crime prevention, and reproductive health education across the Caribbean, working with youth leaders, governments, and civil society organizations to address critical social challenges.

Beyond his contributions to education, Joshua is a digital transformation specialist and AI chatbot architect, focusing on creating AI-powered chatbots that streamline operations for organizations and businesses. His solutions optimize workflows, enhance customer service, and improve operational efficiency across sectors.

As a digital marketing expert, Joshua has extensive experience in web development, social media management, and ad campaign execution. He has provided end-to-end digital solutions locally and internationally, helping businesses elevate their brands and achieve measurable results.

With over five years of experience running a digital agency, Joshua has successfully helped corporate organizations, credit unions, and government institutions embrace digital transformation, ensuring they are future-ready and competitive in the evolving digital landscape.

Joshua is committed to ensuring education is accessible and fun for all.

He is US Navy Veteran, Aviation Ground Support Equipment Technician with over 20 years of experience in the education and training sector with a wide range of experiences from Instructor to Campus President  leading to executive (C-Suite) leadership servicing as Divisional Vice President of Operations overseeing eleven (11) college campuses  across Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona and New Mexico in the United States of America.

Dr. Thompson, previously served as Chair of both the Finance and Occupational Standards Subcommittees of CANTA,  where he advocated for a continuous and robust focus on the development of Regional Occupational Standards (ROS) for the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) with a clear focus on developing a globally competitive, highly skilled and certified regional workforce.

As the Chair, CANTA, he is laser focused on ensuring CANTA’s continued growth and development with special emphasis on financial sustainability while ensuring CANTA continues to be relevant and effective in promoting TVET and regional workforce development.

With a passion for youth empowerment, leadership and organization development, Latoya Swaby-Anderson has over twenty (20) years’ experience in education, learning development and project management, with a mandate to unearth and strengthen individual competency and optimize organizational capacity and impact.

Currently, Latoya is the Education Programme Officer at the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean and in this capacity, has responsibility for programmatic work with emphasis on the national and regional imperatives, as well as multi-sectoral and cross-country programme activities and initiatives, across twenty (20) Caribbean territories. This includes the management and coordination of projects and initiatives geared towards transformative change in education and learning through policy improvement, technical guidance, and capacity and institutional strengthening.

Before joining UNESCO, Latoya garnered significant experience in programme design and execution, leadership development, as well as the management of programmes and projects of national and regional significance, through her work engagement at the Management Institute for National Development (MIND). Of note, was the management of Government of Jamaica’s (GoJs) Public Sector Senior Leadership Development Programme (PSSLDP), alongside her engagement as a lecturer, trainer facilitator in Human Resource Management and Development.

Prior to this, Latoya was engaged in earlier assignments with unattached and underserved youths, as Deputy Director for Community Services at the National Youth Service (NYS) and a lead facilitator under the Jamaica Teaching Council’s Mentorship Programme for Beginning Teachers.

Latoya holds a Master’s Degree in Education and Development, a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management, and is an alumni of the Caribbean Leadership Project’s (CLP) Community of Practice. Among others, Latoya is certified in Programme and Project Cycle Management as well as holds specialized certification in Educational Leadership for education transformation from the UNESCO International Institute for Education Planning (IIEP-UNESCO).

At her core, Latoya is an educator, whose believes that learning and development is an esteemed human right; with a purpose and passion to inspire and enrich everyone she has the opportunity to encounter.

Dr Lidon Lashley has been working in the field of teaching and teacher education for the past 21 years. He is a Senior Lecturer, Department of Foundation and Education Management and an immediate past Assistant Dean in the Faculty of Education and Humanities. Dr Lidon Lashley is currently the Director of the University of Guyana’s Early Childhood Centre of Excellence (UG-ECCE). He is the Chairman of the University of Guyana Inclusivity Diversity and Equity Task Force. Lidon is the holder of a Trained Class One Grade One Teachers’ Certificate from the Cyril Potter of Education where he graduated in the top percentile of his cohort. He also returned to the college and lectured for a while. Lidon has a Bachelor of Education (Distinction) from the University of Guyana; Masters of Education (GPA 4.0) - Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Guyana; Masters of Arts - Special and Inclusive Education (Merit) from the University of Roehampton, United Kingdom and a PhD Special and Inclusive Education (Pass Without Corrections) from the University of Roehampton, United Kingdom. Lidon is a Commonwealth PhD Scholar and also a Certified Accounting Technician, Institute of Commercial Management, United Kingdom. Lidon’s research interest lies in the area of Early Childhood Education, Curriculum Development and Special and Inclusive Education. Dr Lidon Lashley is also the independent author of Two books namely, Guyana’s Child Fighting to Be Free and Computer Aided Instructions In Mathematics. He also co-authored a third book with Dr Michelle Semple-McBean on Sociodramatic Play in Guyana and a Fourth book on Inspirations for the Guyana Conference of Seventh Day Adventists. In addition, Dr Lashley has over twenty-five (25) research papers published in international peer-reviewed academic journals. Dr Lidon Lashley and Dr Michelle Semple-McBean created the Mock Teaching Model being utilize by the University of Guyana and Cyril Potter College of Education for Teachers’ Practicum. Dr Lashley also have written several technical reports on education development in Guyana. He co-lead the team that that wrote the University of Guyana’s Inclusivity, Diversity and Equity Policy. Dr Lashley designed the Southern Inclusion Framework and the Inclusive Education Checker. As an educator, Dr Lashley continues to pioneer special and inclusive education innovations in Guyana.

Dr. Lois George is a Senior Lecturer at The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus in Jamaica, where she teaches mathematics and mathematics education courses within the School of Education. She also serves as the Programme Coordinator of mathematics education at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

In 2000, she began her higher education journey at The UWI Mona, where she pursued a BSc in Mathematics with Education. She also holds graduate degrees in Mathematics Education from the University of Southampton in England and Measurement, Testing and Evaluation from The University of the West Indies, Cavehill Campus in Barbados. 

Additionally, she has over two decades of combined experience in mathematics education as a teacher, researcher, educational leader, consultant, and author, and she has been recognised for her notable contributions to the Caribbean. In this regard, she was awarded the Principal’s Research Award for Most Outstanding Research Activity for ‘Publications in Mathematics Education in Academic Year 2020/2021’ in 2023 and Teacher of Year in the Commonwealth of Dominica on two separate occasions. She was also nominated for principal of the year (secondary school) in Dominica in 2011 and awarded the prestigious Commonwealth Scholarship from 2013-2017 to pursue doctoral studies in the United Kingdom. 

Dr. George’s research focuses on improving mathematics teaching, learning, and assessment across the Caribbean. Her current projects include Numbers in Everyday Life, engaging young children, their parents and teachers in real-world math activities, and ACT: Advancing Caribbean Teachers in Math Education, which aims to strengthen the mathematical knowledge of primary teachers in the Eastern Caribbean. Her publications explore key topics such as large-scale mathematics performance data, STEM education, the development of mathematical understanding through the Pirie-Kieren theory, and the impact of affective factors like attitudes and anxiety on math achievement. 

Dr. George is committed to fostering culturally relevant and technologically enhanced mathematics education, contributing to the transformation of classrooms and empowering teachers across the Caribbean by developing innovative pedagogical strategies to help learners better understand and enjoy Mathematics.

Dr. Maria Ziegler currently works as a Gender Specialist at the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).  At CDB she focuses on integrating gender equality considerations into infrastructural investments in sectors such as water, roads, energy, agriculture and education.  Dr. Ziegler also gained gender expertise working for the German KfW Development Bank. For KfW, her professional portfolio also covered other intersecting and cross-cutting themes to include human rights, inclusion of persons with disabilities and poverty and inequality.  At both institutions she worked on developing strategy and tools as well as building capacities and advocating for gender equality internally and at the client level. Before working as a Gender Specialist, Dr. Ziegler was employed by the Think Tank German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), formerly called Deutsches Institut for Entwicklungspolitik/German Development Institute and served in this position as policy advisor to the policy planning staff of the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development advising on inter alia the overall development concept of the Ministry “Minds for Change” and the Sustainable Development Agenda.

Dr. Ziegler is a German National and studied Public Policy and Management at the Universities of Konstanz, Germany, and Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, France. Her Master studies focused heavily on development policy and politics and culminated in her Master thesis focusing on multisectoral poverty reduction policies in Bolivia. Furthermore, she received a Doctoral degree in Economics from the University of Goettingen. During her doctoral studies, she focused on the effects of institutions on inequality and development and developed her passion for gender equality. She formed part of a team that developed OECD’s first version of the Social Institutions and Gender Index, an aggregate measure which ranks countries according to the level of discrimination against women.

Melissa Bradley is a dedicated educator with over 23 years of experience in Belize's educational system, significantly shaping policies and practices. She holds a Master's in Educational Leadership from the University of North Florida and is nearing the completion of her PhD in Language Literacy and Culture at Oklahoma State University. Her academic journey has fueled her commitment to educational reform and innovation. Melissa's leadership extends beyond the classroom, with roles on the school board and as an executive member of the Belize National Teachers Union. She has actively participated in various committees, advocating for equitable education. As a published author and artist, she brings creativity and intellectual depth to her work. Through "Literary Luminaries," a literacy club she founded, Melissa fosters a community that views literacy as a transformative experience. Her leadership, scholarship, and creative endeavors inspire colleagues and students toward academic and social excellence.

Neil is passionate about helping governments, development partners, and educational institutions to reform education systems to enable people and societies to achieve their full human potential. Having worked in education in developing countries across the globe for over 30 years, Neil recognizes that there are no simple formulae for educational reform; each context is unique, as are the people who inhabit it. Thus, providing service to initiatives focused on education reform requires willingness to listen and understand what is most important, combined with a patient conviction that transformation, no matter how difficult it may seem, is possible. Neil has travelled extensively through the developing world conducting research on educational policy, higher education, TVET, distance education, education management information systems (EMIS), and educational technology for a range of organizations, governments, and donors. He works with OER Africa as the project’s OER Strategist and is also currently consulting to the World Bank and the inter-American Development Bank on a range of project activities across Africa, Asia the Pacific, the Caribbean, and Eastern Europe.

Dr. Neva Pemberton is a passionate education planner dedicated to transforming education in the Caribbean. She spearheaded education planning in St. Kitts and Nevis from 2011-2020, developing the highly-regarded 2017-2021 Education Sector Plan. In 2020, Neva received an Exemplary Leadership Award from the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis for her valued contribution to education development. Currently, Neva is a self-employed consultant providing full-time education specialist services for the Caribbean Development Bank, where she lends expertise on Bank-financed education projects at the national and regional level. Prior, she worked as a technical specialist for the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Commission Education Development Management Unit. As a consultant, Dr. Pemberton has undertaken several education planning consultancies with the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), the World Bank, UNICEF, and UNESCO International Institute of Educational Planning (IIEP). Dr. Pemberton holds a Ph.D. in International and Comparative Education from UCLA and a Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Education Sector Planning from UNESCO IIEP.

Prof. Paloma Mohamed is the eleventh Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana. She is a full Professor of behavior and strategic communications noted as a futurist scholar for her work on change in both humans and human systems. Her recent work on the effects of technology on human life systems is of international interest. She is the first woman to lead the University in its 61-year history. She is also the first woman to be appointed Vice Chancellor at any University in the Anglo-phone Caribbean. Her visionary leadership spearheaded UG’s dynamic Blueprint 2040 which is leapfrogging the University into an academic entity of national and regional criticality. Prof. Mohamed has authored 9 books and produced over 25 films and documentaries. Prof. Mohamed been awarded two Presidential Medals in 2012 and in 2015 as well as A City of New York Award for Culture in 2013. In 2015, she became the first woman Caribbean Laureate for Excellence in Arts and Letters, considered the Nobel prize of the Caribbean. Prof Paloma Mohamed Martin is a beloved teacher and humanist who has been variously referred to as a servant leader and a Titanium Butterfly.

Hailing from the multi-island state of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Rianka Chance is of Garifuna descent and deeply rooted in her cultural heritage, which has shaped her commitment to addressing both global and local issues affecting vulnerable communities. A recent graduate of the SVG Community College, Rianka is a passionate advocate for youth empowerment, mental health, education, and climate change, with a strong dedication to creating lasting societal change.

Rianka served as the Key Club President at the St. Joseph's Convent Kingstown, where she developed leadership skills and led community projects. In 2022, she was selected as a U.S. Youth Ambassador, amplifying her voice in international advocacy. She also founded a debate society at a secondary school in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, encouraging critical thinking and public speaking among students.

Currently, as a Global Youth Leader with the Global Partnership for Education, Rianka advocates for accessible and equitable education, particularly in marginalized communities. She is also actively involved with the United Nations Youth Advisory Group for Barbados & the OECS, where she serves as both a member and the Secretary, collaborating on initiatives related to but not limited to citizen security, health, and youth engagement.

Having personally experienced the challenges of navigating mental health and recovery, Rianka is also the UNICEF and Let's Unpack It Mental Health Focal Point where she co-authored the Young Caribbean Minds Mental Health Workbook and channels her passion for mental health advocacy by working to create supportive systems that cater to the emotional well-being of young people.

In addition to her mental health advocacy, Rianka is committed to addressing the global climate crisis. She understands the link between mental health and climate change, recognizing how environmental disasters disproportionately impact the mental well-being of youth in vulnerable regions like her home country. She pushes for climate action that not only focuses on sustainability but also incorporates mental health support in disaster preparedness and recovery.

With a strong voice in global conversations, Rianka Chance is dedicated to uplifting communities and driving change. Her work reflects her belief that young people have the power to shape a better future for all. Through her advocacy, she aims to create a world where everyone can thrive, regardless of their background.

Sabine Rieble-Aubourg is a Principal Sector Specialist at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) with over 25 years in international development. She led efforts to rebuild Haiti’s education sector after the 2010 earthquake and managed education support across Latin America and the Caribbean during the COVID-19 pandemic as Acting Division Chief of the education division managing a team of 60 IDB staff and consultants. She worked in the Bank’s country offices in Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago for eight years. Her work has focused on expanding quality early childhood, primary and secondary education, and technical and vocational training. She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from Indiana University.

Vanessa Burke is a distinguished leader in youth development, serving as the CARICOM Youth Ambassador for the Cayman Islands and the Dean of the Regional Corps. Raised in the Cayman Islands, Vanessa has dedicated over five years to advancing initiatives that empower and uplift the youth of her community and beyond.

She holds an associate’s degree in Business Hospitality Management from the University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI) and a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of Liverpool. These academic credentials provide Vanessa with a strong foundation in strategic development and digital innovation, essential for her work in youth advocacy.

Vanessa is presently engaged with the Cayman Islands Government’s Department of Communications, where she leverages technology and data to highlight government policies and initiatives. Her experience in integrating digital tools and strategic communications equips her with an understanding of how technology can drive effective governance and address complex challenges.

Her dedication extends beyond her professional sphere into community service. She actively advocates for policies related to youth, sports, sustainability, and development. Her representation of the Cayman Islands in national and international youth dialogues showcases her commitment to addressing the diverse needs of young people.

Vanessa Burke believes that navigating the fast-evolving digital world requires a strong commitment and action to advancing education and lifelong learning. Her career reflects this belief, as she continuously advocates for innovative solutions that help both current and future generations adapt and succeed in a world that’s always changing.

With over 22 years as an educator, Dr. Verna Knight works as a full-time lecturer with the University of the West Indies at the Cave Hill Campus, with responsibility for the development, review and delivery of educational programmes in Social Studies, as well as the post graduate programme in Social Context and Education Policy. She also serves as the Coordinator for the Bachelor of Education programme both in the School of Education franchised through the Teacher Training Colleges in St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines; as the newly appointed Academic Coordinator for the Associate Degree in Education programme of the Eastern Caribbean Joint Board of Teacher Education.; as the Assistant Coordinator of the Caribbean Educational Research Center (CERC) at the UWI, Cave Hill Campus; and as the current Co - Chair of the Caribbean and African Studies in Education (CASE) SIG in the American Education Research Association (2023-2025).

She has a passion for education development in the Caribbean region, and enjoys publishing and serving in areas that will help advance this goal.