Celebrate June!
Heritage: Haiti
Student Leader
Verida Leandre has been dedicated to medical science since the age of 6. A PhD student in Bio-medical Science at Brown University, Verida is on a mission in researching ways to eliminate obesity by developing a cell based therapy. In addition to her research at Brown, she is a volunteer in an underserved elementary school in Provdence and is an accomplished musician.
© 2026 Ignite Caribbean, Caribbean American Heritage Month and Institute of Caribbean Studies, Washington, DC. Designed by: Sagient Systems
Charmaine Gravesandy is a management professional with over fifteen years of experience in strategic planning, project management, business development, non-profit organization development, financial management, and information systems management.
She is Certified in Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and Business Analysis, and trained in ISO 20700 Guidelines for Management Consultancy Services. She has attained certificates in Data Analytics from Business Analysis Excellence, Pty Ltd., Australia, and is a Certified Organisation Development Professional. Ms. Gravesandy is currently pursuing ISO 42001:2023 Artificial Intelligence Management Systems (AIMS) Lead Implementor Certification.
She is the current Vice President of the Board of the Caribbean Institute of Management Consultants, and a member of the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA®). For over ten years, she has been instrumental in the design, planning and execution of the annual Caribbean American Heritage Month, Ignite Caribbean 30 Under 30 program, the Caribbean American Heritage Awards, and the Invest Caribbean Agri-business/Climate Change Conference, in Washington, DC.
As a current Director of the Jamaica Customer Service Association, she has oversight responsibility for the management of Information systems, online conferences and training.
As the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Development Foundation of Jamaica (NDFJ) and a Director of the Small Businesses Association of Jamaica (SBAJ), Ms. Gravesandy played an integral role in the country’s Small Business Policy and was part of the team responsible for establishing a national database of SMEs and the CARICOM Regional Harmonization Policy for MSMEs. Ms. Gravesandy holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, with a specialization in Management Information Systems from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and a Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting major, from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.
Dr. Claire Nelson is a futurist and sustainability engineer who helps organizations and people think about and see the future more clearly and then design a map for their journey to the future they want. As a storyteller and keynote speaker, She helps people feel the future. She is a creative strategic thinker and change agent, and the founding curator of TEDxIDB. And she adds the first Jamaican on the moon. She tells this in “Moon Runnings,” her evolving One Woman Show that she brings to your meeting, conference or retreat. As a consultant, she engages opportunities in the public and private sector Boards of Directors where her expertise in strategic foresight and sustainability engineering are utilized.
Experiences include: pioneering development equity and strategic foresight in development assistance at the Inter-American Development Bank; leading the identification and development of technical assistance in innovation portfolio in renewable energy, stock exchange development, health care, IP and privatization across the Caribbean and Latin America.Specialties include: Strategic Foresight; International Development Project Design; Sustainability Engineering; Scenario Analysis; Stakeholder Consultation; Futures Explorations Design & Facilitation; Storytelling in business.
Proven social innovator: established leading Caribbean American advocacy organization, the Institute of Caribbean Studies. Established Annual Congressional Forum on Capitol Hill on US/Caribbean relations & Pioneered White House Briefing for the Caribbean American Community in 1999. Commended in the US Congressional Record as a leader and the architect of June as National Caribbean American Heritage Month. Listed on Forbes as one of the Top 50 Female Futurists in the world, Keynote speaker & Ideation leader on the future e.g.: From Future Shock to Future Sense; Future of Wellbeing; Industry 4.0; Future of the American Dream. Experience includes conferences such as Bellagio Consultation on the UN World Conference Against Racism; UN High Commission on Human Rights; the Salzburg Seminar on Moral, Ethical And Spiritual Leadership.
Kimberly Campbell, born and raised in Jamaica, is the reigning Ms. New Hampshire Petite 2026 and a dedicated mental health therapist. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Grambling State University and a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University. A proud 14-year member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, she has been honored with both the Gold and Bronze Presidential Service Awards for completing over 500 hours of community service. A QPR Certified Gatekeeper in suicide prevention awareness, an advocate for bullying prevention, a mentor, and a certified body language coach, her passion is deeply rooted in her life experiences—shaped by the love of her father, the loss of her mother at a young age, and the strength she found in becoming a mother.
No stranger to the stage, Kimberly brings over six years of pageant and modeling experience. She is a former Ms. New England Petite 2023 and Ms. Massachusetts Petite 2024, and currently holds the title of Ms. New Hampshire Petite 2026. A graduate of the New York Performing Arts Academy, she trained in acting, singing, and dance before placing 3rd runner-up in modeling and acting at the International Models & Talent Association (IMTA) competition. She has walked in New York Fashion Week, Rhode Island Fashion Week, Boston Caribbean Fashion Week, and Boston Fashion Week. As the founder of D.A.R.E. To Be Different, Kimberly has impacted over 4,000 youth across New England, empowering them to build confidence, navigate emotions, and embrace their individuality while continuing to expand her mission of mental health advocacy and youth empowerment.
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.
Guided by the spirit of Ubuntu—“I am because we are”—Vanessa Butler Andrew, founder of Black Pearl Management Group, LLC (BPMG), is a strategic partnerships leader operating at the intersection of global partnerships driving economic development, policy advancement, and workforce development pipelines. She drives measurable impact across the United States, the Caribbean, and Africa by mobilizing cross-sector collaborations that advance economic mobility, infrastructure development, and workforce transformation.
A Lifetime Member, Board Director, and 2025 Impact Award recipient of Tuskegee Airmen Inc., she serves as a legislative lead for Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day, working with Congressional leaders including Eleanor Holmes Norton and Lisa Blunt Rochester to advance national proclamation and recognition efforts. She also engages on Capitol Hill to advance STEM and aviation workforce development policy, cultivating the next generation of leaders who carry forward the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen.
Vanessa leads cross-sector international public-private partnership initiatives, working with the Caribbean Community diplomatic corps and corporate partners to deliver sustainable, scalable impact. She has actively served on regional and international task forces and strategic initiatives, where she brings a distinct ability to align strategy, policy, and execution, transforming collaboration into impact. Her work reflects a broader commitment to building scalable partnerships that expand opportunity, strengthen communities, and create lasting, inclusive growth.
She has coordinated numerous humanitarian relief and recovery efforts. Most recently, in response to Hurricane Melissa, she spearheaded efforts in coordination with the Commonwealth of Virginia to oversee the donation of over 300 pallets of aid to Jamaica, work that reflects her broader ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder environments and deliver outcomes at scale.
Dylan Wong is a strategic operations professional based in Washington, D.C., with over five years of experience optimizing workflows, managing vendor relationships, and driving organizational initiatives across a range of industries from clean energy and finance to nonprofits and education. He specializes in building systems and processes that help teams work smarter, and has a track record of managing budgets, leading cross-functional projects, and turning operational challenges into scalable solutions. Outside of work, Dylan mentors young Asian American leaders through AALEAD, a Washington, D.C. based youth organization. He holds a Master’s in Social Entrepreneurship and Change from Pepperdine University and is a Certified Associate in Project Management.
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.
Maxine Barnett is the Founder and Principal Executive and Career Coach of Soft Skills Services LLC…a
global coaching and training service that helps leaders maximize, amplify and leverage their soft or
‘power’ skills to achieve their leadership and business goals, whether they are budding or seasoned
executives, entrepreneurs or business owners. A former HR Executive and Co-Founder of the Human
Resource Management Association of Trinidad and Tobago (HRMATT), her career spans decades in talent
acquisition, management training, people and organization development and transformation while growing and mentoring future HR leaders along the way.
A Certified Master Coach and a Certified International Protocol/Etiquette Consultant, Maxine Barnett is
the holder of a Master of Science in Organization Development, Leadership and Transformation. She has
served as Resident Coach and Global Human Skills Mentor with the GLEAC Tech organization based in
the UAE, a Program Board Member of the Washington DC-based Institute of Caribbean Studies and
Adjunct Faculty at the Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business. More recently, she has been invited to
be the Soft Skills Subject Matter Expert at the UK-based MCFM Global Academy and the US-based
Association of Black Professionals in International Affairs (BPIA) where she serves as a leader on the
Protocol Committee and as a Mentor for its Madam Ambassador Program that prepares young women and girls to navigate the international affairs arena.
An active Diaspora Liaison, Maxine is a member of the Women’s Roundtable Action Platform of Trinidad
and Tobago diaspora (WRAP TT) from its formative years serving initially as Co-Vice Chair and
subsequently as Chair of the International Women’s Day (IWD) annual signature event and Lead Mentor in the Mentorship program for women and girls. Her work in the wider Caribbean diaspora includes the
Caribbean American Heritage (CARAH) Award committee as Honoree and VIP Liaison since 2012.
Additionally, Maxine is also one of the Organizers and a member of the panel of Judges for the Under 30
Caribbean American Emerging Leaders Program from its inception ten years ago.
Ms. Barnett’s life’s work has been investing in the next generation by providing access, giving back or
paying it forward with her time, talent and wisdom. Her Mentees can be found not only in Trinidad and
Tobago, the Caribbean and its Diaspora but also in the US and around the world. Her commitment and
contribution to people development is recognized by the following organizations: HRMATT that has
named a Legacy Award in her honor….. Maxine Barnett Award for HR Excellence and WRAP TT that has
honored her with the Woman of Distinction Award.
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.
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. 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.www.ccahr.com
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.
