Ignite Caribbean

Meet the 2024 Judges

Dr. Shelly Cameron

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.
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.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.

Outside her professional pursuits, Dr. Shelly is deeply engaged in philanthropy. She serves as President of the Writers Group of South Florida, Vice President on the Board of the Hospitality & HR Association of Broward County, Florida, for four terms. 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. An active Member of South Florida’s International Coaching Federation (ICF), South Florida Writers of Color, she is also member of St. Lucie HR Association, SHRM, and the FWA. Through these initiatives, Dr. Shelly is committed to elevating her craft and her community.
You may find her on LinkedIn, Instagram as well as

www.ccahr.com

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

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- MSc BA CPC

Judge- Ignite Caribbean 30 Under 30 Changemakers

Maxine Barnett is the Founder 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

www.softskillsservices.com

Ms. Kimberly Campbell –
Miss Massachusetts Petite

Judge- Ignite Caribbean 30
Under 30 Changemakers

Kimberly Campbell earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Grambling State University and is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Kimberly also earned her Master’s from Lesley University in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Certificate in Introduction to Family Engagement from Harvard University (HarvardX). She is a QPR Certified Gatekeeper in suicide prevention awareness and an advocate for bullying prevention.

No stranger to the pageant world, Kimberly Campbell’s pageant, and modeling history span more than 10 years. She is the reigning Ms. Massachusetts Petite 2024 and the former Ms. New England Petite 2023 where she received the Bronze Presidential Service Certificate for her community service initiatives. Kimberly graduated from New York Performing Arts Academy in 2017 where she received training in acting, singing, and dance. She later went on to compete at the yearly (IMTA) International Models & talent, where she received the commercial print award and scholarship. Kimberly has served as a Guest Speaker, Redcarpet Host, and Pageant Judge and has walked in New York Fashion Week, Rhode Island Fashion Week, Boston Caribbean Fashion Week, and Boston Fashion Week.

As a Mental Health Counselor, she combines the benefits of therapeutic interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), with self-care principles, such as mindfulness, goal setting, and positive self-talk. Through her initiative “D.A.R.E. To Be Different”, Kimberly believes in the importance of giving back and making a difference in the world around her. She is passionate about Mental Health Awareness and strongly believes that everyone can achieve self-actualization.

Ms. Miranda Alexander-
Founding President, Caribbean Community Philadelphia

Judge- Ignite Caribbean 30
Under 30 Changemakers

Miranda Alexander is a change agent, progressive thought leader and social entrepreneur with diasporic connections to the land of her birth, Trinidad and Tobago. She is the mother of a 23year-old son, Jonathon Alexander. She’s a strategic, visionary multitasker at heart. She is a trained Early Childhood Education Montessori Teacher with 27 years of combined child development in teaching Pre-Kindergarten, child care experiences and a K-2 Support Services Assistant at a local elementary school.
Miranda is a certified Interior designer with the Atlanta School of Interior Decorating. She has created many African-centered programming, camps for teens (Man Up in2 Manhood and Wake Up in2 Womanhood) and adults (OURstory Rites of Passage), a Pan-African tour of Philadelphia and other community programs, ‘Voices in the Community’.
She’s enthusiastic about developing and leading programs that connect children, young adults and adults to their fullest potential. She shares a love for human service, human rights and advocacy, and is the president of the United Nations Association of Greater Philadelphia.
She is the Founding President and Strategic Project Director Caribbean Community in Philadelphia, a non-profit, grassroots, organization of 10 years. She works within intersectional spaces with many community-based orgs to help improve the quality of life for the underserved community by reframing the narrative about and for our Caribbean and minority populations. She’s Pan-African and feels deeply connected and indebted to all things Philadelphia. She’s a Caribbean American living in Philadelphia for 24 years and a lover of all things Philadelphia.

Ms. Abby Ria Charles- Director at the Institute for Public Health Innovation

Judge- Ignite Caribbean 30
Under 30 Changemakers

Abby Charles is a senior public health professional who currently serves as the Chair of the Steering Committee of the Trinidad and Tobago Diaspora Association’s Network, a network of associations and organizations aimed at advancing the Trinidad and Tobago diaspora in the US and propelling Trinidad and Tobago toward its National goals. She 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. In her full-time role, Abby 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 works with a variety of sectors and stakeholders including elected officials, health departments, planning agencies, community-based organizations, and other key stakeholders to design and implement policy, systems, and environmental changes aimed at improving public health. Representing the Caribbean at all times, Abby founded and serves as curator of “District of the Caribbean” where she highlights the contributions of Caribbean people and businesses to the advancement of the DC, Maryland, and Virginia region.