Less than a two-hour flight from New York, Bermuda fosters a collaborative business culture that sees government and industry working together for the jurisdiction’s commercial success with the active engagement of independent regulators. That history has created a highly respected and successful financial center recognized for worldwide compliance, regulation, transparency, and infrastructure standards. Combined with its stability and convenient location, Bermuda’s continued relevance in an era of change can be attributed to the same fundamental principles underpinning its development as a blue-chip jurisdiction for the last 70 years. 

Experience four (4) days of luxury and rich content showcasing distinguished speakers  and special guests from the FWA, its corporate sponsors, and Bermuda’s public and private sectors. And if that isn’t enough, this conference will include tours, networking, delicious meals, breathtaking views, and, yes, relaxation – all with an island flair!

• Day 1, October 23, 2023 - Welcome / Doing Business in Bermuda featuring keynote addresses from business and government leaders.
• Day 2, October 24, 2023 - Banking and Finance Reimagined featuring a keynote address and two panels. Topics will include Reinsurance, Coinsurance, and Insurance; and Securitization, Securitized Products, Supply Chain, Trusts, Wealth Management, and Corporate Investment Banking.
• Day 3, October 25, 2023 - The Changing Role of Finance featuring another dynamic keynote speaker and three sessions. Topics will cover The Changing Role of a Financial Center; Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), Sustainable Finance, Climate, and Impact Investing; and Anti-Money Laundering, Compliance, Risk and Regulations. 
• Day 4, October 26, 2023 - The Changing Workplace and Opportunities featuring more keynotes and distinguished speakers on panels. Topics will include Fintech, Information Technology (IT), Cyber, Digital, Crypto, Innovation, Blockchain, and Artificial Intelligence (AI); the Economy; and D, E, & I (How Can We Be Better Allies).

The agenda is subject to change.

Registration is still available!

Registration fee for the 2023 FWA IBC includes:

• Four days of conference content
• Dinner with the IBC delegates on October 23, 2023 and three meals per day with the IBC delegates from Oct. 24 through Oct. 26, 2023
• Transportation to and from the FWA IBC activities/tours (from Oct. 23 through Oct. 26, 2023)

(further details below)

 

COST*

You asked, and we're delivering! The below registration pricing has been extended:

$2500* FWA Member | $3500* Non-Member

Additional Option - can't join us for all four days? Come when you can via a day pass (or two or three)!

• Day Pass – $950* – attend one day of the IBC conference in Bermuda (includes that day’s activities)

*Airfare and hotel accommodations denoted below are the responsibility of each delegate and are not included in the FWA 2023 IBC Registration Fee

*This pricing includes transportation in Bermuda and meals, but does not include airfare and hotel accommodations. See below for suggested airlines and hotel accommodations.

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3 Simple Steps:

1. Register for the conference by making a payment (click here)

2. Book your airfare

3. Book your hotel room at the Hamilton Princess (click here)

Airline opportunities:

• American Airlines
• Delta Airlines
• JetBlue
• United Airlines
• BermudAir, a new business-class airline, now flies from Bermuda to the East Coast, including service from Boston, New York, and Fort Lauderdale to Bermuda
• If traveling from outside the U.S., other airlines include Air Canada, British Airways, and Westjet

Note: Airlines to Bermuda typically leave in the morning only. Therefore, it is recommended that all registrants arrive a day early (i.e., October 22, 2023). The official first day of the FWA's international business conference will start at 12pm (Bermuda local time) on October 23, 2023.

Accommodations: Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, Hamilton, Bermuda

The FWA has blocked rooms at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, a Fairmont Managed Hotel, for a limited time (September 29, 2023).

Click here or copy and paste the below ‘passkey' link into your browser to book your hotel accommodation via the blocked room(s) option at the Hamilton Princess. 
https://book.passkey.com/e/50627636

View the below 3D models to see the blocked rooms:

• Fairmont Room
• Deluxe Room
• Fairmont Luxury
• Fairmont Gold
• One Bedroom Harbor View Suite

Blocked room pricing is guaranteed for up to 8 days - so come early and stay late!

• Arrive as early as October 20, 2023
• Leave as late as October 29, 2023
• Hotel, food, transportation, and excursions associated with the pre-and post-conference (i.e., Oct. 21, 22, 28, and 29, respectively) are optional and the responsibility of each traveler/delegate and are not included as part of the FWA’s IBC content and pricing covering Oct. 23 thru Oct. 26th)
• Breakfast on October 23rd is the responsibility of each delegate
• The official first day of the FWA's international business conference will start at 12 p.m. (Bermuda local time) on October 23, 2023.

Join the FWA from October 23 through October 26, 2023 for what is sure to be an international business trip to remember!

We look forward to seeing you in Bermuda!

Hermina 'Nina' Batson      FWA President 2021-2023

Marcia Mayne      FWA IBC Co-Chair

Victoria Anderson      FWA IBC Co-Chair

 

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Special Guest

The FWA is proud to announce that Her Excellency (HE) Ms. Rena Lalgie, the Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Bermuda, will attend the FWA's International Business Conference in Bermuda!

Appointed by Her Majesty the Queen, Her Excellency (HE) Ms Rena Lalgie was sworn in as the Governor and Commander-in-Chief in December 2020. As Governor, HE serves as His Majesty’s representative and is responsible for external affairs, defence, and internal security (policing).

Before becoming Governor, HE was Director at HM Treasury where she was responsible for implementing and enforcing financial sanctions. HE’s previous experience includes drug policy, public spending, regulatory policy, international trade, economic growth, and national security having worked in various UK government departments.

Governor Lalgie was an active member of her community in London where she served as a magistrate for many years, was the Deputy Chair of the Board of Governors at a primary school, and a member of her church finance committee. Governor Lalgie is living in Bermuda with her husband Jacob and their two daughters.

 

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Speaker Bios

The Hon. Kim N. Wilson, JP, MP, Minister of Health brings a wealth of experience and expertise spanning education, law, health advocacy, and reform to her distinguished career. Her journey, marked by a deep commitment to public service, has touched various facets of Bermuda's social and legal landscape.

Kim Wilson's legal career began in 1995 when she was called to the Bermuda Bar. Over the years, she demonstrated her versatility by handling a wide range of legal matters, from criminal and civil litigation to estate planning, Wills, and Probate. Her dedication to addressing crime and its societal implications has been a consistent theme throughout her professional life. She possesses a unique perspective, having served both as a Defense Counsel and as an Acting Magistrate in the lower courts, giving her invaluable insights into the challenges faced by the judicial system.

Beyond her legal work, Minister Wilson has played pivotal roles on numerous boards and committees, including the Human Rights Commission, E-commerce Advisory Board, Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, and the Board of Governors for Cedar Bridge Academy. 

In the realm of politics, Minister Wilson has been a tireless advocate for Bermuda. Her political career has seen her serve in various capacities, including as a Government Senator in the Upper House from October 2006. During this tenure, she held the additional responsibilities of Junior Minister of Finance and Education. In December 2007, she assumed the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice role. In 2010, she was appointed Minister of the newly established Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry. The following year, she returned to the position of Attorney-General and Minister of Justice while also serving as the Government Senate Leader.

As Attorney General, Kim Wilson played a pivotal role in pioneering legislation aimed at enhancing Bermuda's legal framework to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. Her expertise in this area led to her appointment as Supervisor of the Statutory Barristers and Accountants Anti-Money Laundering and AntiTerrorist Financing (AML/ATF) Board, where she provided guidance and regulation for law firms and accounting firms to ensure compliance with Bermuda's AML/ATF Regulations.

In December 2012, Minister Wilson was elected to Parliament to represent the constituents of C34, Sandys South Central, solidifying her commitment to public service.

Kim Wilson's enduring interest in health issues is a testament to her dedication to the well-being of Bermuda's people. Before becoming Minister of Health, she was the Shadow Minister of Health and Seniors, advocating for healthcare improvements. During the challenging period of the Covid-19 pandemic, Minister Wilson and her team led Bermuda with steadfast determination. They successfully implemented stringent precautionary measures, established an aggressive testing and vaccination program, and built a robust contact tracing system. These efforts ensured that Bermuda navigated the pandemic with resilience, mitigating its emotional, physical, and economic impact on the community.

Health and wellness remain at the forefront of Minister Wilson's agenda. She is deeply passionate about engaging and educating the community on the lifelong benefits of adopting healthy lifestyle choices, including exercise, nutritious eating, and mental health care. These initiatives align with the government's commitment to Universal Health Coverage, a forward-looking agenda that places personal responsibility for health choices at its core.

Kim is married and resides in Sandys Parish with their two children.

 

Cheryl-Ann Lister, OBE, CFA, MBA, BSc Cheryl-Ann Lister is currently the Acting Financial Secretary within the Bermuda Government, a position she has held since March 8, 2021. In this role, Mrs. Lister, under the policy direction of the Minister of Finance, is now responsible for the administration and operation of the Ministry of Finance, which oversees the economy of Bermuda and provides a framework for the Bermuda Government’s fiscal and financial management.

Mrs. Lister has taken a leave of absence from her work as Chairperson of Bermuda’s National Anti-Money Laundering Committee (NAMLC) (since 2008) and consultant to the Minister of Finance on anti-money laundering/combating the financing of terrorism matters. NAMLC is the body responsible, among other things, for providing recommendations and coordinating activities in relation to the development and implementation of an effective and compliant AML/CTF framework in Bermuda.

Mrs. Lister was previously the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Bermuda Monetary Authority, Bermuda’s integrated financial services regulator. She attended university in Canada and completed a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Probability and Statistics at Queen’s University and a Master in Business Administration (Finance) degree at the University of Toronto. She is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). Regarding her contributions to sound and effective regulation, Mrs. Lister was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in 2008.

Mrs. Lister was a founding member and President of the Bermuda Society of Financial Analysts and served as a Governor for the Association of Investment Management and Research (now the CFA Institute), a global body that, among other things, promotes ethics and excellence in the investment profession. She also served as President of the International Society of Financial Analysts.

 

Kendaree Burgess

Kendaree is an accomplished professional with a career spanning various sectors. She currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Bermuda Business Development Agency (BDA), where she oversees operational strategies, resource allocation, and efficiency.

Before joining BDA, Kendaree held the position of CEO at the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce for ten years, where she revitalized the organization from a financially challenged entity into a prominent voice for the business community.

Kendaree's professional journey is characterized by her diverse experience in healthcare, insurance, and hospitality, where she has held several executive-level positions. She holds an MBA and a Certificate in Company Direction from the Institute of Directors.

Beyond her corporate responsibilities, Kendaree serves as the Deputy Chair of the Bermuda Liquor Licensing Authority and is actively involved in charitable and governmental boards. She is also a founding member of The Bermuda International Film Festival and WeSpeak, an organization dedicated to helping women find their voices.

 

Yvette Pierre, Chief Policy and Strategy Officer, Policy Development, Strategy and International Affairs, Bermuda Monetary Authority

As Chief Policy and Strategy Officer in the Policy Development Department, Ms Pierre leads both the strategy and policy functions at the Bermuda Monetary Authority (Authority or BMA), including overseeing the annual strategic planning process to identify and execute opportunities to enhance the Authority’s capacity for sustainable success; as well as ensuring effective policy development that supports this, among other duties. Ms Pierre has oversight of the international affairs function at the BMA coordinating and managing BMA’s international work across financial services.

Ms Pierre was heavily involved in developing the policy framework for Bermuda’s financial services and the BMA’s engagement with international groups and regulators on matters such as: Solvency II equivalence; the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ Qualified Jurisdiction and Reciprocal Jurisdiction assessment and Bermuda’s economic substance initiative for investment funds with the European Commission.

Yvette has over 30 years’ experience in financial services spending the last 18 years in financial services regulation at the Bermuda Monetary Authority and the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority. She previously worked as a casualty underwriter and life and health insurance underwriter.

Ms Pierre holds a number of degrees in strategic planning, economics and law as well as qualifications in accounting, insurance, anti-money laundering and fraud.

 

Greg Wojciechowski is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bermuda Stock Exchange (BSX). He is also the Chairman of the Financial Intelligence Agency in Bermuda, sits on the Board of Directors of the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE) and the Bermuda Business Development Agency (BDA) and is a member and past-Chairman of the ILS Bermuda Ltd Steering Committee.

Prior to assuming the role of President and CEO in January 2002, Mr. Wojciechowski was the Exchange’s Chief Operating Officer. In this capacity, he was responsible for the development of the Exchange’s regulatory and operational infrastructure as well as the day-to-day running of the Exchange.

Prior to joining BSX in 1993, Mr. Wojciechowski, over a period of several years, held management positions at three large US brokerage firms. During this time his attention was focused on brokerage administration and operations in the global equity and fixed income capital markets.

Mr. Wojciechowski received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He studied International Business at The University of Copenhagen under Denmark’s International Studies Program and French and International Relations at the Universite D’Aix-Marseille (Institut Pour Etudiants Etrangers) in Aix-en-Provence France. In 1998, Mr. Wojciechowski attended and completed the Young Managers Programme at INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France.

 

Geoffrey Scott B.Comm, M.B.A., C. Dir

Geoff has built his career in financial services by combining his knowledge of risk and return with a passion for finding creative solutions. Having started his career as a bank teller, Geoff understands the needs of clients, employees, and key stakeholders from the ground up. He is well-regarded for creating an environment of teamwork and open communication in his many leadership roles.

Geoff is the Chief Executive Officer of the Bermuda Bankers Association, where he represents the banking industry with advocacy, education, and communications aimed at a range of stakeholders.

Prior to joining the BBA, Geoff was Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at the Insurance Corporation of Barbados Limited. In this role, he led Barbados’ largest composite insurance company with a staff of nearly 200 and annual revenues exceeding Bds$100 million. Under his leadership, ICBL transitioned successfully to a digitally enabled, product-driven, and customer-centric business with leading market share in its core products.

Geoff has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, including leadership roles in client relationship management and risk management. He assumed progressively senior positions as a commercial banker with leading Canadian banks, culminating in an executive posting as the head of a significant and profitable commercial banking team. He transitioned to Barbados in 2012 as the Chief Risk Officer at a leading Caribbean commercial bank, where he successfully led several change initiatives, which strengthened the risk culture and alignment with business strategies.

Geoff has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto, an M.B.A. from McGill University and Manchester Business School, and is a Chartered Director accredited by the Caribbean Governance Training Institute. He joined the Board of Directors of National Commercial Bank of Anguilla Ltd. in April 2018 and currently serves as Chairman. He served as a Director on the board of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto from 2007 to 2012, where he also served on the Finance and Governance Committees. Geoff lives in Barbados with his wife and their teenage daughter.

 

Suzanne Williams-Charles is the Director of Policy and Regulation, Corporate Secretary, and Data Privacy Officer of the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers. Williams-Charles joined ABIR, with over 25 years of industry experience, to manage ABIR’s policy development work. In her role, she is involved in every aspect of the Association’s work including corporate organization, data privacy, government and industry relations, and financial management.

Before joining ABIR, she served as Head of Reinsurance Compliance at Hiscox Re and spent over a decade in increasing roles of responsibility at the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA), culminating in her role as Deputy Director of Insurance Supervision.

Williams-Charles began her career with KPMG as an auditor. She is a Certified Public Accountant and Privacy Officer and has achieved several insurance industry designations. Williams-Charles also serves as a Director on the Board of WeSpeak Bermuda.

Louise Twiss West was appointed Head of Wholesale Banking (“WSB”) in August 2021.

In her capacity as Head of WSB, Louise is responsible for leading and developing the WSB team, with full credit and operational risk oversight and responsibility for the formulation and implementation of business strategy. She also serves as a Director for HSBC Global Asset Management (Bermuda) Limited.

Louise joined HSBC in 2006, where she held the position of Senior Relationship Manager in Corporate Banking and then Vice President, Corporate Development. In 2009, Louise was appointed Head of Business Development and client service for HSBC Global Asset Management, Bermuda. She assumed the role of Associate Director in the Financial Institutions Group (“FIG”) in 2012, and from 2015, she held the position of Head of FIG, responsible for a dedicated team handling global business development and risk management for a portfolio of (re)insurance clients. Prior to joining HSBC, Louise held roles in management consultancy and technology firms in New York.

Louise graduated Cum Laude from Princeton University and holds an MBA from Columbia University and London Business School.

 

Peter Hendel is Head of Strategy, Technology, and Disruptive Innovation at Bacardi-Martini, based in Bermuda. Over his 25+ year career, Pete has leveraged his engineering roots to deliver business value and drive transformation. His specialties include advanced project management, strategy, supply chain, finance, business/digital transformation, ERP, business intelligence & analytics, distributor systems, and he has built deep business expertise across Technology, Digital, Data, Analytics, Finance, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Commercial, and Shared Services by establishing and leading to successful completion large mega projects and programs. With a broad base of cultural, leadership, and communication capabilities, Pete can interact at the highest levels of an organization, making complex concepts simple. Pete recently jumped into a new stretching responsibility, leading Strategy and Disruptive Innovation (beyond the bottle) for Bacardi, relocating to Bermuda.

Pete has completed an Executive program with Bacardi at Harvard Business School, complementing his technical experience with cultural and leadership training. He also has an external certification as a Professional Engineer and PMP. On the personal side, Pete is passionate about sports (ice hockey, skiing, hiking), technology, cooking, and spending time with his wife, son, and daughter, ideally in the mountains. A Canadian and Swiss citizen originally from Brampton, Ontario, Canada, Pete has worked & lived in three regions (NA, WE, and CEEMEA), and has earned a Civil and Environmental Engineering degree at the University of Waterloo, Canada.

 

Jesse A. Reid, Jr., Head of Institutional Clients - North America Helaba, Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen, New York Branch

Jesse Reid (Jesse/Mr./He/Him) is a 30-year experienced manager and international corporate banking professional. Over his career, Jesse has completed over U.S. $50 Billion in credit financings and is the co-architect in building and maintaining Helaba’s US $5 Billion financial institutions credit portfolio. Jesse has been successful in delivering client service, managing teams, developing advanced credit strategies, and originating/closing new business opportunities. Helaba’s financial institutions clients are headquartered in the U.S., Canada, Bermuda, U.K., and Eurozone.

Jesse initiates executive-level, client-facing relationships with decision making corporate CFO, Treasury, and Capital Markets staff. His expertise is in originating and structuring new credit products for insurance industry clients (property/casualty, life/health, reinsurance, and Society of Lloyds) and selected financial institutions (clearinghouses/exchanges and NBFI’s).

Jesse has focused his efforts on financial institutions for his 16 years at Helaba and for 13 years at Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi. Jesse also has U.S. municipal finance investment banking experience from his years at Smith Barney (1991 – 1994).

Jesse has a Master of Business Administration degree (Concentration in Finance/Marketing) from Columbia Business School and a Bachelor of Science degree in Systems Engineering from The University of Virginia.  

 

Timae Flood - Assistant Director - Supervision (Insurance) Bermuda Monetary Authority

As Assistant Director, Supervision (Insurance), Timae Flood is responsible for managing the Bermuda Monetary Authority’s (the Authority) relationship with the Captive market via engagement meetings with companies, service providers, and associations. Ms. Flood also leads a team monitoring limited purpose insurers’ activity through review and analysis of complex insurer returns, applications, and financial and prudential filings, as well as overseeing regulatory compliance with laws, regulations, codes, plans, licence restrictions, and procedures.

Ms Flood joined the Authority in 2005 as an Analyst in the Supervision (Insurance) Department. In this role, among other duties, she analysed Bermuda’s regulated insurance companies. Ms Flood was promoted to Assistant Director in 2015.

Ms. Flood holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Hartford in Connecticut and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. Additionally, Ms Flood earned the Associate in Captive Insurance designation with the International Center for Captive Insurance Education.

 

Katie Duguay, Deputy Director, Supervision (Anti-Money Laundering/Anti-Terrorist Financing)

Katie Duguay is a Deputy Director in the Supervision (Anti-Money Laundering/Anti-Terrorist Financing (AML/ATF)) Department at the Bermuda Monetary Authority (Authority or BMA). Katie leads a specialised team that conducts AML examinations, guides prudential staff in connection with AML/ATF-related matters and training to internal staff as well as industry personnel throughout Bermuda

Katie’s background is in securities and AML/ATF compliance, having worked in AML and banking for over twenty years. Katie Duguay is ACAMS certified and holds a Master’s in Business from Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia and her B.A. from Queen’s University in Ontario.

 

Aqsa Zubair Assistant Director, Supervision (Financial Technology)

Aqsa Zubair is an Assistant Director in the Supervision (Financial Technology) Department at the Bermuda Monetary Authority (Authority or BMA); she is responsible for leading the regulatory authorisation and supervision efforts under the Digital Asset Business Act 2018 and licensing and authorisation under the Digital Asset Issuance Act 2020.

Alongside leading the BMA’s efforts with the Global Financial Innovation Network, Aqsa is responsible for instigating and advancing Financial Technology innovation and the digital asset regime in Bermuda, one of the world’s first and only jurisdictions with a regulatory framework for digital assets.

 

Jennifer Hanson Crockwell – SVP, Head of Trust and Family Office

Jennifer joined Clarien in October 2020, as Senior Vice President, Head of Trust and Family office. As Head of Trust and Family Office, Jennifer plays an integral role in the strategic development of Clarien Wealth Management with a focus on ultra-high net worth and Family Office clients under the direction of the Chief Wealth Management Officer.

Prior to joining Clarien, Jennifer was Chief Financial and Administration Officer for a Private Company in Bermuda. Previously, she held the post of Senior Manager at Arthur Morris and Company Limited specializing in providing accounting, fiduciary, compliance and corporate services to a broad range of clients, including trusts and investment companies. Jennifer moved from Canada to Bermuda in 1998 with Deloitte progressing to the position of Senior Manager and taking a lead role on many of the offices trust, corporate and accounting services clients.

Jennifer has been involved in Bermuda’s trust industry for over 20 years. In all her prior roles, Jennifer has worked closely with ultra-high net worth clients and their financial, tax and legal advisors as well as with bankers and investment advisors.

Jennifer is a Chartered Professional Accountant from Canada (CPA, CA) along with a Trust Estate Practitioner (TEP). She holds a Bachelors degree in Accounting with Great Distinction from University of Saskatchewan in Canada. She is also a member of the Institute of Directors.

 

Dr. Michelle St. Jane is CEO and Co-Chair of Our World Two (OW2) Bermuda and is responsible for Bermuda's pilot logistics. Michelle is an intergenerational collaborator and community creator who candidly shares her experiences as she leaves her footprint in the digital sands of the wisdom economy.

Michelle has had five diverse careers with roles ranging from general legal counsel, ecosystem builder, advisor, board member, trustee, project manager, social enterprise founder, volunteer, c-suite executive, and impact investor.

A climate-conscious professional committed to the relationship of alliances for green global transformation, Michelle inspires individuals to simplify daily practices that help build a healthier, more stable, and sustainable future in this decisive decade.

Michelle is a 2022 best-selling Amazon author, a 2021 TEDxWoman speaker, a member of the Societies & Voluntary Association in Bermuda, a 2020~2022 video podcaster, a 1700~1900 secret society historian and researcher, a grandmother of four, and a coal miner's granddaughter, with a core value is wisdom.

 

Juanita Jones, owner of Bermuda Island Tours & More, is a native Bermudian, a Certified Tourism Ambassador, and has operated her own transportation company for over 30 years.  

Juanita attended Dutchess Community College, one of the 30 community colleges within the State University of New York system and obtained an associate degree as a Medical Office Technician.  Over the next 10 years, Juanita held the following positions: Officer Manager for Poughkeepsie Pediatrics, where she managed four doctors and eight other medical staff; Medical Claims Adjuster for Handel Group Insurance Company, also in Poughkeepsie, New York; and Administrative Assistant to the General Manager of the Sonesta Beach Hotel (Sonesta) in Bermuda where a strong passion for the hospitality industry was ignited.  At Sonesta, Juanita’s promotion came quickly. She served as the Payroll Mistress responsible for payments for over 400 staff. Before stepping out in faith on her entrepreneurial journey, Juanita joined the Bermuda Police Service, where she thoroughly enjoyed serving the people of and in her community (and visitors alike).  On June 1, 1990, Bermuda Island Tours & More (formally KAOS) was born and is still operating. 

Juanita is the mother of two. Her son lives in Florida with his family, and her daughter is a Ph.D. student in Fashion & Textiles at Huddersfield University in the UK.

 

Zayne Sinclair is the founder of Sinclair’s Seed Sowing. This agricultural consulting business assists a range of clients with the creation and management of their edible landscapes. His passion for sustainability emerged through these business endeavors and working alongside organizations like BUEI, their Eco-Schools programs, and the Youth Climate Summit.

Zayne serves as a youth ambassador for OW2 Bermuda. This start-up is dedicated to connecting Bermudians from all walks of life to the global sustainability movement. He was appointed the Rotaract Bermuda vice president, a Rotary branch that brings people ages 18–35 together to exchange ideas with community leaders, develop leadership and professional skills, and have fun through service.

Zayne is pursuing an associate's degree in business and administration at Bermuda College while conducting an international independent study focused on sustainable entrepreneurship. This summer (July–August 2023), Zayne traveled to Germany to attend the Technical University of Munich's International Summer School Program, where he was awarded credits to add to his degree.

Zayne's mission is to champion, support, and service sustainable development in Bermuda and beyond its borders.

 

Ed Christopher, Town Crier, Hamilton, Bermuda

Mr Christopher has been Hamilton’s town crier for almost 30 years and is one of Bermuda's greatest ambassadors.

He recently returned to Bermuda with five awards after competing in an international competition in the UK, where he took part in the Amada Cup and won the best-dressed town crier while coming in third overall in the Cries Competition and the overall first-place winner in the Kingsbridge Competition where he also won the Ambassador Trophy. Mr. Christopher also tied for second in the overall Amada Cup held in Dartmouth. Town crier awards are nothing new to Mr Christopher, who was named the International Town Crier Champion in 2018 and the Dartmouth Town Crier Champion for 2018 and 2019.

To see Mr. Christopher in action, join us for the FWA's 2023 international business conference in Bermuda as he will welcome the FWA!

 

With a career spanning more than four decades, Karla has made it her life's mission to bridge divides and foster unity among individuals, businesses, and communities. With roots in Bermuda and an upbringing in the United States, she firmly believes that understanding unique perspectives and treating others with respect are the cornerstones of achieving organizational goals and objectives.

Currently, Karla serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI), a role she has held since January 2021. In this capacity, she is responsible for charting the course of the Institute's strategic plan, ensuring that its operations are aligned with organizational objectives. Overseeing an annual operating budget of approximately $3 million for this registered non-profit, Karla's leadership has been transformative. BUEI has experienced a significant boost in its local and international visibility, solidifying its position as an essential and collaborative community partner.

In 2021, Karla introduced the annual Youth Climate Summit, establishing BUEI as a crucial partner for the Island's international business community, government ministries, and environmental nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). In 2022, she launched an acclaimed series of virtual talks focused on innovative ocean sustainability strategies undertaken by NGOs in Island nations worldwide. This engaging series reinforces shared challenges and collective connections to UN Sustainable Development Goals while cementing BUEI's status as the hub for ocean-centric dialogue.

Before her role at BUEI, Karla served as the Chief Operations Officer of the Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA). There, she directed operational and administrative functions, overseeing finance, IT, human resources, and more. Karla was instrumental in implementing hospitality industry service standards, enhancing stakeholder communication, and expanding community outreach. Under her guidance, the BTA achieved unqualified audits and earned its Destination Marketing Program (DMAP) Accreditation. With responsibility for a $30 million budget and oversight of Bermuda Visitor Services Centre Ltd. (BVSC), she played a pivotal role in managing new facility construction, navigating challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and introducing new revenue streams. Transparency was a core principle during her tenure, and she also served as the PATI Officer (Public Access to Information), ensuring organizational values were aligned with performance management.

Prior to her role at the BTA, Karla was the CEO of the Bermuda Hospitality Institute (BHI), an organization created by the Government to reengage the local population in the tourism and hospitality industry. She transformed BHI into a constructive industry partner and introduced initiatives aimed at attracting Bermudians to the sector, including the impactful 'Hospitality Skills = Life Skills' initiative.

During her time in California, Karla connected people through her work in writing, culinary programs, and community initiatives. She created the Jr. Chef Central program, which has trained over 30,000 young people, teaching them to make healthier lifestyle choices and using food as a bridge across cultural, social, and economic divides among youth.

Karla Lacey's executive-level positions have included Senior Vice President responsible for strategic communications and HR at Butterfield Bank, where she oversaw a pivotal rebranding effort during a phase of international acquisitions. She also served as Vice President of Communications at the Bermuda Telephone Company (BTC) during a continuous period of industry deregulation.

Karla holds an MBA in Leadership, Coaching and Mentoring from York St. John University and a MSc in Global Operations from Salford University.

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About the FWA
With a rich history since 1956, over 800 members and numerous corporate, government, and academic allies, FWA is ideally positioned to address the challenges facing women today and help realize a world in which they have equitable representation and recognition across all levels of the financial community.

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