Getting to the Top!

Helen Gradstein is the Regional Digital Finance Specialist and representative covering the Eastern Caribbean for the United Nations Capital Development Fund, based in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

She is an expert in digital finance and financial inclusion and is passionate about ensuring that financial inclusion policies and programmes protect consumers, empower women, and support financial capability, with experience as a Financial Sector Specialist in the World Bank's Financial Inclusion and Payments team.

Helen has shared her extraordinary path to success on “Getting to the Top!” in the hope that either inspire others on their leadership journey to shoot for bigger and more transformational change or to help those potential leaders to chase C-level or managerial positions, aiming to close the gap in the most needed diversity at the top of all of our organizations in search of a better world.

Karen McDonald Gayle is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF) a regional umbrella environmental fund that uses a flexible structure to facilitate innovative solutions and consolidate regional conservation impacts.

Karen is a Jamaican national with over 25 years of experience in civil society participation, public sector policy development, and project design, Karen is a regional Conservation Trust Fund (CTF) management expert.

She has served on multiple national boards, is a founding member of the Jamaica Institute of Environmental Professionals, and former CEO of Jamaica’s largest environmental grant-making institution – the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ) working regionally with the United States Agency for International Development and the United Nations Environment Program.

Karen McDonald Gayle is sharing her extraordinary journey with us on “Getting to the Top!” a space dedicated to showcasing the career paths of transformational leaders in the hope that we can either inspire others on their leadership journey to shoot for bigger and more transformational change or to help those potential leaders to chase C-level or managerial positions, aiming to close the gap in the most needed diversity at the top of all of our organizations in search of a better world.

Dr. Auliana Poon is the Managing Director and Chief Strategist of Leve-Global – cooperatively elevating Tourism, Trade and Lives. She is a trained Economist, management consultant, and strategist with a focus on sustainable and responsible tourism, climate adaptation, and sustainable economic development. She has a proven ability to liaise responsibly with senior officials of the government and social partners globally, with her extensive experience conducting economic assessments and sector reviews in over 50 countries worldwide, focusing on emerging economies in Africa, Central America, and the Caribbean.

She consulted more than fifty countries worldwide including Abu Dhabi, Australia, Barbados, the Bahamas, Iceland, Indonesia, Jamaica, Mauritius, Mozambique, Singapore, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, and Switzerland.

Dr. Auliana Poon is with us on “Getting to the Top!” to tell us about her extraordinary story and inspire us in our journey. Please subscribe!

Solange Govia has established a remarkable reputation over the last 10 years, bringing quality products to the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival scene, wholesome cultural experiences, and outstanding service shaped by the TRIBE Family.

Sculpting her distinctive jewelry design style into creations tailored for the confident diva-masquerader, Solange Govia crafts fantasies that align with current trends and cater to the needs and aspirations of her clients, who drive her insatiable desire to ensure their happiness year after year.

Solange Govia is one of the very few women who has dedicated her career to the celebration of women, Caribbean artistry, and immersion in Trinidad and Tobago Carnival Culture, and she joined us on “Getting to the Top!” to inspire other women to venture into the male-dominated fashion industry and Carnival artistry.

“Getting to the Top!” is available on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Audible, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and my YouTube Channel.

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Rueanna Haynes is an international climate law and governance specialist, with over a decade of experience in the UN Climate process and a TEDx 2020 speaker.

A former Trinidad and Tobago diplomat, Rueanna has negotiated for the Caribbean Community as well as the Alliance of Small Island States, including in the development of sustainable development goals.

At present, she is the Senior Legal Adviser at Climate Analytics and the Director of the Climate Analytics Caribbean office in Trinidad and Tobago.

Rueanna provides strategic, technical, and diplomatic advice to island states in climate change negotiations and training for officials new to the UN Climate process.

Rueanna Haynes is a truly transformational leader and has come to “Getting to the Top!” to inspire us with her career journey.

“Getting to the Top!” is available on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Audible, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and my YouTube channel.

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Dr. Stacy Richards-Kennedy is the Regional Manager for the Caribbean at the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF).

Dr. Richards-Kennedy has over 25 years of experience in multilateral negotiations, development management, and international finance. Her diverse experience includes forging strategic partnerships, leading multi-disciplinary teams, and marshaling resources for the successful execution of projects in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

Dr. Richards-Kennedy formerly served as Pro Vice-Chancellor for Global Affairs at The University of the West Indies, which is ranked among the top 1.5% of universities globally. She also has extensive experience working in multilateral development agencies. She was Assistant Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Curaçao and St Maarten; Chief Technical Advisor, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB); Consultant, The World Bank, Washington DC and Programme Specialist, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris.

Dr. Richards-Kennedy has served on several national as well as international boards and committees and has received various awards and recognitions, including the IDB Martin Luther King Award for outstanding contribution to the promotion of social inclusion, American University’s Ernest M. Aiken Award to Outstanding International Scholars, selection as one of the 50 Most Distinguished Alumni of The UWI Institute of International Relations, and many others.

Cathe Reams serves as a strategist and program manager responsible for designing, managing, and measuring an integrated communications program and supporting campaigns to raise awareness and engagement on Siemens' sustainability agenda and environmental goals.

She drives the overall corporate brand and reputation in the U.S. and develops communications strategies to demonstrate the company's leadership in sustainability. Reams also works to highlight the status of Siemens' achievement of net-zero commitments and milestones as well as Siemens' innovation agenda and the role of technology in achieving climate reduction targets for its customers.

She serves as a communications business partner to the U.S. Sustainability Officer (CSO), providing strategic counsel and support as well as managing an executive visibility program for the CSO and U.S. Sustainability Team.

A seasoned communications professional, Cathe has worked in all facets of the communications profession from advertising agencies to online platforms; and across myriad industries from entertainment and grocery to real estate and technology.

Cathe also serves on the Board of Directors for Rainbow Village, a transitional housing community, is active in her church and dotes on her five beloved godchildren.

Join me today on “Getting to the Top!” to learn How to thrive by taking risks and embracing new opportunities, from this fantastic leader.

On this episode:

00:10 Introduction of Cathe Reams

02:00 Cathe Reams' Career Path

5:00 The Importance of Curiosity and Reading in Career Growth

11:00 Cathe Reams' Career Journey

18:00 Taking Risks and Nurturing Relationships

24:00 Navigating a Big Company

26:00 Cathe Reams on Adaptability and Resourcefulness

40:00 Working towards bettering the planet

42:00 Leadership and Career Advice

41:00 The role of servant leadership in creating a positive work environment

“Getting to the Top!” is available on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Audible, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and my YouTube Chanel.

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Racquel Moses, Strategic Transformation.

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Antoinette Vermilye is a passionate advocate who explores the intricate connections between the ocean, plastics, gender, and overfishing, with a keen focus on addressing social injustice, human health, and environmental concerns. Her impactful work includes:

1. Collaborating with migrant refugees from Africa to understand how EU subsidies for EU fisheries affect migration patterns from Africa.

2. Co-founding a Twitter campaign aimed at empowering citizens to engage with airlines regarding their policies on transporting shark fins as cargo.

3. Serving as the Co-Founder of SheChangesClimate, with the goal of promoting gender equality within COP leadership teams in the UK, Egypt, and the UAE to ensure balanced and inclusive climate policies.

4. Co-founding the Gallifrey Foundation, an organization dedicated to translating research into action, with a mission to advance marine protection and social enterprise.

5. Initiating the "WTF: Wheres The Fish?!" campaign to encourage citizens to advocate for sustainable fishing practices and combat overfishing on both national and international waters.

6. Curating "Voices from the Ocean," an educational podcast series that offers insights from ocean creatures, giving them a unique perspective.

7. Creating awareness campaigns highlighting the impacts of chemicals and plasticizers on human health, the environment, and social justice.

8. Co-creating "Plastic Free Campus," a series of online modules designed to assist schools and individuals in critically assessing plastics and waste, ultimately reducing their plastic footprint in educational, home, and community settings.

Antoinette Vermilye is a transformational leader who champions diversity as a means to combat climate change. You can learn more about her journey to success and philanthropy on "Getting to the Top!" podcast.

Sue Reynolds (@carminemedia) is a certified Executive Coach with a degree in Organizational Leadership and over twenty years of corporate and non-profit leadership experience.

Sue specializes in corporate, nonprofit, and small business digital marketing, as well as coaching and empowering women to succeed in the workplace.

She is a speaker and trainer on business, social media marketing, and leadership. She's also the author of the book "Leadership Linguistics" and the creator of the "Leadership for Women" course.

She recently shared extraordinary insights about leadership and diversity on "Getting to the Top!" that can guide you toward success. Join us today to learn from this transformational leader.

Susan Boyea is the Vice President of Group Insurance at Sagicor Life Inc. She oversees the strategic and operational aspects of the company's Group Insurance business, focusing on innovation, business value, and customer experience.

With over 25 years of experience in Insurance and Financial Services, Susan modernized the Information Technology division into a world-class Shared Services IT Unit that serves 16 Caribbean territories. Later, she led the strategic relationship between Technology and Business Operations at Sagicor, leveraging her IT expertise to drive technology adoption for competitive advantage.

She is actively involved in various professional associations, serving on the Technology Council at LOMA- one of the largest trade associations in the US Insurance industry, and chairing the Digital Society at the #Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Susan is a passionate advocate for women in #STEM fields and mentors women to enhance their #leadershipskills.

Join me on Getting to the Top! to inspire your journey with this extraordinary transformational leader story.

Getting to the Top is available on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Audible, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and my YouTube Channel.

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Apple Podcasts:

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Racquel Moses, Strategic Transformation.

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