Meet the 2025 Judges
Dr. Shelly Cameron- Author, Leadership Coach
Chief Judge- Ignite Caribbean 30 Under 30 Changemakers
Dr. Shelly Cameron is an author known for her insightful nonfiction works. She is an authority in the fields of success, Personal Growth, and inspiration with nine published books on the subject. She spent 2 decades in the global pharmaceutical/healthcare industry, leading and coaching accomplished professionals at all levels. Dr. Shelly is the Founder and president of the Global Coaching Corner, where she shares her expertise in leadership, people management and personal development.
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A pivotal moment in Dr. Cameron’s journey came with the publication of “The Leadership Challenge: Success Strategies of Caribbean American Leaders in the USA.” The innovative research was based on a phenomenological study conducted with Nova Southeastern University, which was published in the Journal of American Academy of Business (JAABC). The study, revealed the hidden secrets of successful leaders, which she now uses to inspire others to succeed and achieve their own goals.
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In 2024, Dr. Shelly was recognized for Exemplary Public Service. She is not only a seasoned author but also an authentic speaker, leadership transition coach, and an award recipient. Her commitment extends to nurturing first-time authors, aiding them in the writing and publishing process. Armed with advanced degrees in Education, Organizational Leadership, Health Administration, HR Development, and Business Management, she stands as a model of multifaceted expertise.
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Outside her professional pursuits, Dr. Shelly is deeply engaged in philanthropy. She serves as President of the Writers Group of South Florida, 4-term Vice President on the Board of the Hospitality & HR Association of Broward County, Florida. Additionally, she contributes as a dedicated member of the Volunteer Program Board of Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS), Washington DC, where she serves as the Chief Judge/Advisor for the 30 Under 30 Changemakers’ Program since its inception. Dr. Cameron was also a NSU featured Book Coach 2025.
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A passion for self-development, Dr. Shelly stays connected to the South Florida’s International Coaching Federation (ICF), South Florida Writers of Color, and is also a member of the Port St. Lucie Business Club. Through these initiatives, Dr. Shelly is committed to elevating her craft and her community.
Her Mantra is: Success: Define it for yourself.
Dr. Romario Simpson, J.P
Judge- Ignite Caribbean 30
Under 30 Changemakers
Dr. Romario Simpson; JP is a registered medical doctor, optimist, social entrepreneur, philanthropist and advocate who is passionate about the sustainable development of Jamaica and the wider Caribbean region. He is the founder of the Destiny of Hope Foundation of Jamaica, which he launched in 2017, which has a transformative mandate for poverty reduction, access to quality education, access to quality healthcare, advocating for the social inclusion of persons living with disabilities and mitigating the effects of climate change.
As a result of his proven track record he is the recipient of numerous local, regional, and international awards to include : the Prime Minister Youth Award for Excellence, the Governor-General’s Achievement Awards, the Ignite Caribbean 30under30 Awards, and most recently a Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work.
Dr. Janeala Morsby- PhD
Judge- Ignite Caribbean 30
Under 30 Changemakers
On May 12, 2023, Dr. Janeala Morsby completed her PhD at the University of Notre Dame, focusing on utilizing novel near infrared probes to monitor hypoxic regions of tumors. Throughout her doctoral work, she published a total of 7 research articles, with 3 of them stemming from collaborations on separate projects involving the use of liposomes for drug delivery. The remaining 4 publications are first-authored and concentrate on their main research projects in diagnostics and imaging. In addition to their scholarly contributions, Dr.Morsby secured a T32 fellowship and a research grant from the Walther Cancer Foundation, leading to a new collaboration in the lab of Dr. Bradley Smith, resulting in their 8th publication in the prestigious Chemical Science journal.
During their time pursuing their PhD, Dr. Morsby served in several leadership roles within the Graduate Student Government, including as the quality of life chair, vice president, and ultimately president. Her academic excellence and community service were recognized with nominations for the Governor General’s Award in Jamaica, which they received for the Parish of Portland, as well as for the 30 Under 30 Ignite Caribbean Award for Leadership and Research Excellence, an honor she was selected for.
Building on her achievements, Dr. Janeala secured a post-doctoral fellowship at the renowned St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, where they currently work in the Department of Molecular Oncology on Pediatric Osteosarcoma. Beyond her professional endeavors, she served as the student president of the non-profit organization Passport to College (PTC) for 3 years and now continues to contribute as a mentor and member of the professional development committee. PTC played a crucial role in Dr. Janeala’s journey to college in the United States. Additionally, they mentor graduate and undergraduate students independently of their role in PTC, and they are also involved as a mentor in Afrinet and as a reviewer for the Graduate Women in STEM Fellowship.
Dr. Lisa K. Soares – PhD
International Development Consultant
Judge- Ignite Caribbean 30
Under 30 Changemakers
Dr. Lisa K. Soares is an international development consultant and sustainable development policy expert with18+ years of extensive interdisciplinary experience in academia, non-profit organizations, for-profit companies, and government. Dr. Soares has committed herself to the development interests of the Caribbean, particularly by advocating and advancing the social and economic development of underserved and marginalized communities.
Dr. Soares holds a BA (Cum Laude) in Marketing and Psychology from Eastern University, USA; a MSc (Distinction) in Global Affairs, specializing in International Business, Economics and Development from New York University, USA; and, a PhD in Politics and International Studies, specializing in the Sustainable Development, the Blue Economy, and Oceans Governance from the University of Warwick, United Kingdom. She is originally from Jamaica but currently based in Barbados.
Ms. Maxine Barnett- CEO of Soft Skills Services
Judge- Ignite Caribbean 30 Under 30 Changemakers
Maxine Barnett is the Founder/ CEO and Principal Coach of Softs Skills Services LLC, an organization dedicated to helping leaders hone their soft or relational skills to achieve their leadership goals, whether they are seasoned C-Suite Executives, Entrepreneurs or Business Owners. Her clients include Leaders and Teams from technology, public health, banking, academia, tourism and the diplomatic sectors. This is a global coaching and training service with a client reach that includes the Caribbean, United States, UAE, and West Africa.
A former corporate executive and Organization Development Consultant, she has transposed her expertise and diverse human skills background to coaching and training leaders individually and collectively.
She is also an Associate of Smart Coaching and Training (UK and SPAIN), a GLEAC Global Human Skills Mentor in Dubai, a Program Board Member of the Washington DC-based Institute of Caribbean Studies.
Ms. Barnett is the Co-Founder of the Human Resources Association of Trinidad and Tobago and has served on the Board of Directors on this and other Boards in the non-profit sector. Her commitment to human resource development in all its forms and her contribution to the birth and growth of the HR profession in Trinidad and Tobago is recognized as a Legacy Award has been named in her honor…
MAXINE BARNETT AWARD for HR EXCELLENCE.
Very passionate about youth development, she is a Mentor to many young persons in her sphere of influence in the Caribbean, the US and across the globe.
She has served on the panel of Judges for the Ignite Caribbean’s 30 Under 30 initiative in Washington DC since its inception and as Co-Chair in previous years.
For Executive and Career Coaching, you can reach Ms. Barnett at
Ms. Miranda Alexander-
Founding President, Caribbean Community Philadelphia
Judge- Ignite Caribbean 30
Under 30 Changemakers
Uprooted at the young age of 23 years old, Miranda Alexander was thrust into a leadership role as a pastor’s wife and migrated from Trinidad to serve the people of Antigua and Barbuda for 6 years and continued in this
leadership position for 6 more years after migrating to the United States. In this role she developed her progressive, thought leadership skills as a strategic, visionary multitasker with servant leadership skills. Since December of 1999, she has made Philadelphia her home and she’s the mother to an adult son, Jonathon Alexander.
Miranda is a trained and certified, Early Childhood Education Montessori Pre-Kindergarten Teacher and has been a career nanny for a combination of 28 years. She is passionate about child development and remains connected to education at a local elementary school in the city of Philadelphia, working as a Support Services Assistant
Kindergarten to 2nd grade. Miranda’s background is also in Interior design and she has designed after-school and
community-based curriculum and diaspora programs. She the founding president and strategic project director of Caribbean Community in Philadelphia since 2013.
She has served on the Mayor’s Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs for 10 years and is a Welcoming Steering Committee Member with the Office of Immigrant Affairs. She was the past president of the United Nations Association of Greater Philadelphia, a former USCIS Citizenship Ambassador, a 2023 the city of
Philadelphia Welcoming Award recipient and awarded the US Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023.
Ms. Abby Ria Charles- Director at the Institute for Public Health Innovation; Student of Harvard University (T.Chan School of Public Health
Judge- Ignite Caribbean 30
Under 30 Changemakers
Abby Charles is a senior public health professional who serves as a Director at the Institute for Public Health Innovation (IPHI), The public health institute for Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia. In this role, she manages an extensive portfolio of public health programs. Abby is also the founder and Creative Director of Bene Caribe, a fashion brand born in Trinidad and Tobago and made in the Caribbean for people who want to make an impact.
Abby serves on the boards of the Well Project, the Bishop Anstey High School Alumnae Association of Washington, DC, and the Trinidad and Tobago Diaspora Association’s Network (TTDAN). She is a graduate of George Washington University with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and a Master of Public Health. She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Public Health at the T. Chan School of Public Health at Harvard University.
2025 Honorees
We are proud to present this year’s Emerging Leaders and Change Makers
Brittny Dawkins
Jamaica
Mona Lisa Smith
Jamaica
Chelsea Wright
Jamaica
Shamar Wedderburn
Jamaica
Tashae Bowes
Jamaica
Ronald Taylor
Guyana
Shaquiel Rodney
Guyana
Velonique Bowen
Jamaica
Devika Uditram
Guyana
Nikoya Alleyne
Guyana
Maliek Harris
Jamaica
Corinne Paul
Haiti
Kurdane Eccleston
Jamaica
David Thomas
Jamaica
Imran Bacchus
Guyana
Lashawn Mills
Jamaica
Sarfraz Yacoob
Guyana
Hananel Valerie
Dominica
Patrice Sterling
Jamaica
Melina Best
St. Lucia
Mikayla Moncrieffe
Jamaica
Justyn Allen
Jamaica
Termario Daniels
Jamaica
Delroy Sparkes
Jamaica
Rashi Pearce
Jamaica
Deshawn Cooke
Jamaica
Jody-Ann Knight
Jamaica
Judian Nicholson
Jamaica
Romario Hastings
Guyana
The Ignite Caribbean Team
A dynamic group of young innovators dedicated to driving positive change throughout the Caribbean region.
Stephanie Simon
Social Media & Website
Bradley Downer
Co-Chair
Our 2025 Sponsors
Empowering Dreams: A Heartfelt Thanks to Our Esteemed Sponsors
Contact us
Institute of Caribbean Studies
Washington, DC