Dr. Sharlon Lewis is a UWI St. Augustine Graduate who now calls the BVI her home. After several years in public service with the BVIHSA, she is now in private practice and is the Medical Director of The Wellness Center Medical Clinic, where she aims to bring a holistic approach to disease management, treating body, mind and soul. After completing her Post Graduate studies via the University of South Wales, she has dedicated her focus to treating metabolic disorders like Obesity and Diabetes.

She is the president of the BVI Diabetes Association and had also been part of the first response to the Covid Pandemic working with the BVIHSA, and then the national sensitisation effort around the Covid-19 vaccines. She is always willing to provide education to the public regarding health issues, especially related to Obesity and Diabetes, whether in schools, churches and businesses- acts of service in the community which earned her recently being granted a Paul Harris Fellowship by the Rotary Club of Road Town, BVI.

All of this while being the best mother she can be of two wonderful boys, and an avid fitness enthusiast. As an added bonus, she is fluent in Spanish having spent some “younger” years in Cuba. She can often be found cutting the rug on a dancefloor, especially to the sweet sounds of soca music!

Thomas Edison once said “The doctor of the future will give no medication, but will interest the patient in the care of the human frame, diet and in the cause and prevention of disease”. Dr Lewis is certainly a doctor of the future.

Simone Martin is a non-conventional regulator with over 20 years of experience, having commenced this career in 2000 with the BVI Financial Services Commission. Her diverse experience encompasses several sectors (fiduciary services, insurance, and investment business) in both the BVI and Anguilla. During her career thus far, she has materially contributed to legislative reform towards ‘right-touch’ regulation, the conduct of prudential and AML/CFT compliance inspections as well as created and delivered training for local, regional and international regulators and other financial services professionals.

From 2008 – 2019, Simone served as the Secretary of the Joint Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Committee of the Virgin Islands and was a member of the National Risk Assessment Steering Group of the Virgin Islands (2014 - 2016). In addition, she has participated in a mutual evaluation as a Financial Expert with CFATF and contributed to multiple FATF Working Group papers. Simone was also a core member of the Working Group for Trust and Corporate Service Providers, established by the Group of International Finance Centre Supervisors, that developed the international standard for supervision of Trust and Corporate Services Provider.

Simone holds a Masters’ degree in Business Administration and an undergraduate degree in Accounting. She is a Fellow of The Chartered Governance Institute, UK, a Fellow of the International Compliance Association of the UK and a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

Simone has facilitated diploma and certificate courses in Compliance, AML and GRC, and mentored students seeking AML/CFT focused financial services qualifications for over a decade.

In keeping with her passion for compliance and the learning process, Simone founded IGNUS SOLUTIONS LIMITED in 2021 – a platform created empower compliance professionals through its membership – CHASING COMPLIANCE, podcast, compliance courses and other media.

April Tia Glasgow is a writer and mother living in the Virgin Islands. While working in government communications for over a decade, April recalibrates or 'comes back to center', with poetry and music. She is the founder and member of the Callaloo Poets and Artists Collective, representing the BVI at CARIFESTA X (2008) in Guyana, and was a participant for the premiere Moko Writers Workshop in 2018. Her poems have been published in three anthologies: “VI Callaloo: Poems from the Caribbean”, “The Caribbean Writer: Volume 23 (2009)” and “Where I See the Sun: Contemporary Poetry from the Virgin Islands”. She also curateas poetry events, including ‘Microphone Messenjahs’, the BVI's first big stage poetry event, Open Mics at Mellow Moods Café, and now monthly readings at Rose Duck N' Dive.

Mr. David D. Archer Jr. follows the belief that success comes to those who are not afraid to take risks and simply take on new challenges.

Mr. Archer's love for people and business led him to attain an Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management and Business Administration (double major). His passion for people has seen his elevation to the role of Director of Human Resources for the Government of the Virgin Islands. He has served as the Permanent Secretary to the Deputy Governor where he provided policy advice and oversaw various departments that fall under the Governor's Group. Along with his undergraduate degrees, he also possesses a Master’s Degree in Human Resources Management and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA). He was also appointed as the Senior Liaison Officer to the Governor, providing strategic advice on the Governor’s portfolio of subjects.

Mr. Archer currently serves as the Deputy Governor of the Virgin Islands where he assists the Governor in the exercise of his functions relating to matters for which the Governor is responsible under section 60 of the Constitution. As Deputy Governor, Mr. Archer’s primary role, in support of the Governor, is to oversee the management and development of the Virgin Islands Public Service; to lead the Public Service to ensure the effective delivery of the Government’s programme, and to maintain the highest standards of service delivery and good governance.

Mr. Archer is also a certified Organisational Development Specialist, and a trained facilitator and speaker, helping to build people, businesses, governments, and nations. He is also the author of the books Pioneering Greatness “The Empowerment Experience” and Pioneering Greatness II “Be Ballast” and is married to Dr. Allison Flax-Archer and has a daughter named Alexia Archer and an 18 year old son named Prince-David Archer. He is an active member of several service organisations, including Rotary, and exercises his entrepreneurial spirit in businesses related to arts, entertainment, hospitality, and real estate.

Dr. L. Sauda Smith is the Executive Director of Unite BVI Foundation. She is an alumna of Wesleyan University, the University of Wisconsin – Madison and Warnborough University.

She is the former Vice President, Associate Vice President and Dean of Arts and Sciences of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College where she worked for twenty-one years. She serves as the Chairperson of the Non-Profit Organizations Regulatory Board of the Virgin Islands, and the Deputy Chair of the Board of Governors of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College. She is a Fulbright Hayes Scholar, Marshall Scholar and Phi Theta Kappa International Leadership Facilitator and Instructor.

She is the author of three textbooks: Introduction to Literature, The Mercury Reader, and Essential Grammar; and was a presenter at the 50th anniversary symposium on African Studies held in Wisconsin in April of 2019. She was also a presenter at the symposium in honor of Dr. Henry Drewal at the Smithsonian Museum of African Art in Washington, DC in 2020.

She is an independent researcher who lectures in African Linguistics, African Cultural Studies, African retentions in the Caribbean and the Artistic Traditions of the Lukumi. She has resided in the British Virgin Islands for twenty-five years.

Born in Canada, degree in history from UBC (1963), lived many years in UK and Europe, travelled widely.

Lifelong interest in early human history and the evolution of human societies and civilizations.

Lifelong focus on self-development.

Early experience of developing and using management methods to encourage participation and cooperation.

Over fifty years as an entrepreneur starting and developing high-tech scientific businesses including automatic test systems for electronics manufacturers, algorithmic trading for financial markets, semiconductor distribution.

Last business, sold in 2018, developed scientific software used worldwide by major infrastructure operators (railway stations, airports, sports stadia) and event organisers (Olympic Games) to optimise venue designs and operating procedures for crowd behaviour (complex system modelling with virtual people).

Full-time resident in the British Virgin Islands since March 2020.

Lorna Smith, OBE, is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of LGS & Associates. Lorna has several decades of experience at the highest levels of the public service in the British Virgin Islands and has spent the last decade supporting Caribbean Governments, corporations and individuals in various commercial ventures. She spent the last two and a half years establishing BVI Finance, a public private partnership devoted to business development and promotion of the financial services industry. She is currently Vice Chairman of Bank of Asia.

Over the course of her senior-level public service, Lorna has developed extensive relationships with leaders from the business community, international NGO’s and government leaders from around the world. She has been one of the key ‘engineers’ behind the BVI’s rise from relative obscurity to its present position as a top-flight tourist destination and one of the premier centres for global finance. Her unique experience and expertise serving as a facilitator between the public, private and non-profit worlds both within the BVI and between different nations gives her special insights into the challenges and opportunities facing organizations seeking to operate in the BVI and across the Caribbean.

Lorna was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for her contribution to Public Service in the British Virgin Islands and is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow for her contributions to Rotary.

Mr. Clarence M. Faulkner Jr, BComm, MBA (Hons), is the Founder and Managing Director of the PMI Group of Companies (collectively, “PMI”) that provides Consultancy, Management and Administrative services for social protection systems, private wealth management and other investment relates services. Our drive is to continue the evolution of redefining the way such systems are designed, managed, and administered by Governments, Plan Sponsors and Administrators.

The satisfaction of the communities and the people of the Caribbean Region is paramount. The customization of financial solutions, inclusive of pensions structures and investment portfolios must be based on the needs of the holders of such assets. Over the last 25 years we have been involved in numerous projects aimed at addressing the concerns of both formal and informal sectors of an economy whilst highlighting the key components of an individual’s replacement rate.

Abby has branched out into several fields since returning to the BVI after studying and working in Europe for ten years. These include, Event Management and a Territory Wide Vermicompost Solution for Organic Waste to name a couple.

The Scuba Diving and Swimming Instructor has always been a Water Sports enthusiast and has been a Regatta Sailor since childhood. Abby currently serves as a Director on the Board of Directors of KATS (Kids And The Sea). The Non–Profit was founded in the BVI in 1990 to teach Basic Sea Skills, Swimming and Rowing to youth in the BVI. Abby has been an instructor with KATS since she was 14.

Abby’s first qualifications are in Fashion Design. She worked in Marketing and & Public Relations in Europe between 2002 and 2007, having most recently completed studies in Advertising, Public Relations and Print Journalism.

In 2013 Abby Co-Founded the BVI Wine & Food Festival which staged its first annual event in November of 2013 featuring world renowned and award winning chefs Francois Payard, Cesare Casella, Ron Durpat and Jennifer Carroll.

Abby is currently the Vice President of the Rotary Club of Tortola.

Originally from the Virgin Islands, I am currently studying medicine at Swansea University. I participate in a number of organisations including Swansea's Rural and Remote Health in Medical Education track, Clinical Leadership for Improving Patient Services Society and Swansea University dance society. In my spare time I sing and dance (although not at the same time) and I enjoy participating in performing arts. My ambition is to use the medical and life skills I'm gaining during my studies to improve the provision of health services in the Virgin Islands.

Born and raised in the Virgin Islands, I am a proud Islander. I earned my Bachelors of Science degree in Graphic Design & Illustrations in 2010 at the Arts Institute of Pittsburgh, PA, where I then returned home to use my skills to the best of my ability in my community. My work spans from branding and editorial design to art direction, layouts & illustration. Through taking the inherent personality and condition of a project into consideration, I try create powerful aesthetics that form a life of their own. Overall, my aim is to create great experiences and real connections through my designs, and be able to explore various fields through collaboration with other professionals in art industry. In my free time when my creativity is at rest I enjoy going to the beach, though I can not swim and going to the gym as I absolutely enjoy trying new foods (a little too much!).

Asiyah Grant is on disability leave from Scotia Bank, where she was a Relationships Manager. She was in a near fatal car accident on February 1, 2014. It is by the grace of God that she is here today. As a certified Civil Engineer, she also worked for the BVI Ports Authority as the Ports Engineer.

Asiyah is a proud Rotarian and before her accident was slated to be the 2015 secretary of the Rotary Club of Tortola. She has held a few positions as well:

• Sergeant at Arms 2013-2014
• Committee member of Hospitality for District conference Tortola 2013
• Director of Service Projects 2012-2013
• Committee member for production of Grand Affair 2012 (raising $100K for Autism)
• Producer of Jail & Bail fundraiser 2012 (raising $14k for Crime Stoppers BVI

Asiyah received a Bachelors of Science in the field of Civil Engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo. With that degree she moved (a.k.a drove) all over the United States with the Federal Highway Administration where she worked to install roads, tunnels, and bridges. Her favorite assignment was when she worked in NJ as part of the team to implement the EZ pass system in NYC.

She is a native New Yorker who always wanted to explore the world. She took her first adventure when she went away to college and then a second adventure when she took her first job out of college. They both moved her all over the country. But her latest adventure was to move to the BVI where she got married and decided that the warmer climate worked best for her.

Danika Stoutt is a Special Educator who currently works with the McLain Association for Children in Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia. In addition to working in the BVI, she has also held teaching positions in California and the BVI.

What excites you about TED?

Based on my work over the years in education, I have come to believe that there are two important things that can inspire people to create change: curiosity and connection. How much does this topic make you want to learn more about it? How does this topic relate to your life? By allowing for a variety of speakers and locations, all linked through one forum, TED has created experiences that continuously encourage people--no matter where you are-- to be curious, and to make those connections.

Boasting sixteen years experience in the Caribbean and NCIDQ certification, her designs are proven sustainable solutions. Carson’s portfolio reflects a vast range including the main offices for Conyers Dill & Pearman, KPMG, the new renovation for YCCS, Nanny Cay and Brandywine developments along with numerous others in all facets of commercial, residential and hospitality design.

From producing interior architectural documentation, and site-work to procurement, her firm has expansive relationships with fabricators, suppliers and resources that are sure to be vital to any design project.

Debi is a well sought after artist in our region. You can find her artwork displayed in Commercial Offices, Private Collections in the US and throughout the Caribbean, and Hospitality installations such as Peter Island. Her piece “Neon Energy” was selected to represent the BVI in the Pan-Am Olympics in 2015. Her latest installation is the Gallery at IAC here in Road Town.

Debi has a passion for art and design, and you can often find her in our community teaching art to children, the young at heart or in search of the next great opportunity to collaborate in creative projects.

Photography has always been a passion for me John F. Black, a 4th generation photographer with over 11 years experience.

With the introduction of video in the DSLR cameras I embraced and incorporated videos into my portfolio five years ago.

My main genres are events of any kind, especially weddings, portraits, drone photography (my passion) and real estate villa promo videos.

My two greatest pieces of work to date are two amazing drone videos featuring beautiful BVI sceneries from the series DRONELIFEBVI received enormous feedback worldwide. To the tune of over 220k views on my fb social media page https://www.facebook.com/jblakx1/.

For more of my work visit my website http://johnfblackphotos.com

Kaletha Henry is a city gal with southern roots on a journey through the Caribbean world. A proficient writer and communicator, she is the owner of Media Matters – a media, communications and public relations agency based on Tortola that provides first-rate communications services to companies, small businesses and individuals seeking to build and promote their brand, product, or service.

Kaletha is a visual artist who has a thirst for learning and discovering. Passionate about the arts, she has become a collector of paintings, photography, and illustrations from artists in Latin America and the Caribbean. She believes traveling offers a well-rounded educational experience that exceeds the confines of a classroom, and she believes everyone should have access to free and exceptional higher learning opportunities.

As a radio host she’s able to address issues facing teens and young adults through a roundtable discussion and open questions from callers within the community and overseas.

She holds an extensive writing portfolio that includes articles published in lifestyle, entertainment, business, and women’s magazines.

Kaletha believes food is a key connection to breaking barriers and writes about culinary experiences. She is currently working on a documentary photography project.

Lavina Liburd is the founder and Principal of TigerQi Architecture, a boutique design firm based in the British Virgin Islands, with current projects in the BVI and St. Kitts-Nevis. Her work includes commercial buildings, luxury residential developments, and single family homes, as well as corporate, medical, and retail interior fit-out projects. Prior to founding TigerQi Architecture, Lavina was a lead designer and Project Architect with OBMI (BVI) for seven years.

After receiving her professional degree in Architecture from Florida A&M University, Lavina practiced in the San Francisco Bay Area for seven years before moving to the BVI. While in the Bay Area, she worked on significant civic and institutional projects including the San Francisco International Airport, the San Francisco Youth Guidance Center, and the design of two Outpatient Clinics for the Santa Clara Valley Health and Hospital System. She was also an active member of the Organization of Women Architects, achieved First Kyu in Cuong Nhu at the Tuyet Tan Dojo, and earned a Master's of Science from the University of California at Berkeley, College of Environmental Design.

Lavina became a Rotarian at the Rotary Club of Road Town, BVI, in July 2008 and was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow by her club in June 2009. Over the following years she has served on the board of her club as Vice President, twice as Membership Director, and most recently as Public Relations Director. She was also a member of the Public Relations Committee for the 2013 Rotary District 7020 Conference in the BVI.

A native of St. Kitts-Nevis, Lavina attended the Basseterre High School, and was part of the inaugural class of the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College of Further Education. There she sat University of Cambridge ‘A’ Levels and was awarded the State Scholarship on graduation.

An avid reader, Lavina loves but avoids the boating culture of the BVI as she gets horribly sea-sick. So at home or on the beach she reads Science Fiction and Fantasy for its reflection on, and analysis of human values and cultures, and it's attempt to imagine beyond.

Reymar Gooding has been advising businesses, organizations, and individuals on how to use both web and mobile technologies to automate and streamline their operations since graduating from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, with honors in 2006. During his final year, Reymar launched Picture2Life, a popular online photo editing application which has been featured in PC World Magazine, September 2008 issue and has gained more than 100 million page views to date.

Reymar’s career objective is to bring his technical and analytical skills to benefit progressive organizations and businesses around the world. Reymar can be contacted at me@reymargooding.com or by visiting his LinkedIn profile at http://www.linkedin.com/in/reymargooding

Mavis Small Abednego moved to the British Virgin Islands over 20 years ago. She teaches high school English. Mavis has shared her love of English, Literature and Communication Studies with students from middle school level up to the university level. She holds a BA in Political Science from the University of the Virgin Islands and a MSc in Reading Education from CUNY.

Over the years, Mavis has come to appreciate TED as a learning resource for both her students and for herself.In true TED addict fashion, she started with a few interesting videos and now consistently consumes talks on topics ranging from poetry to science to design and more, in video format and in podcasts.