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Get ready for an impactful CHIEF 2026! View our impressive roster of speakers for this year’s event will with new announcements happening on a rolling basis.
Dr. Bridget Baumgartner is co-founder and CEO of ReefStarter, a coastal resilience company developing submerged breakwaters that protect shorelines while creating vital reef habitat. A molecular biologist and experienced R&D leader, she has managed more than 70 conservation technology projects and directed $15 million in research funding. Her work now brings science, innovation, and climate adaptation together to help safeguard the coastal ecosystems and destinations on which Caribbean communities and hospitality depend.
What is STUSH in the BUSH? It is a love story. It is the combination of Rastafari and Chic. It is the blending of Ital farming and exotic vegetables. It is the love of mother nature and the love of fine dining. It is rustic and it is gourmet. It is “Sexy Vegetarianism.” It is the first and the last ingredient on every bottle, in every meal, in all we do… love and affection. It is Chris and Lisa—our love story.
Together, the Bajan, New York foodie, Lisa, and the Jamaican, Canadian Rasta, Christopher, own and operate STUSH in the BUSH, aptly named to combine Lisa’s “stushness” – a Jamaican word implying sophistication and an appreciation for finer things – with Christopher’s “bushness.” Their venture began in 2009 by selling produce, breads, pepper sauce, and jams from their 17-acre holistic garden.
Today, STUSH in the BUSH offers a travel-inspired, locally defined, eight-course gourmet plant-based dining experience. This experience draws foodies from all over the globe. Located in their home and regenerative garden in Free Hill, 2000 feet above sea level in St. Ann, the experience is marinated in the Jamaican foodway known as Ital – a spiritual and political ideology from the Rastafari faith celebrating food’s connection to life-force energy and livity. The experience is more accurately described as a “seed to table” process, exposing guests to Jamaican and Caribbean foodways via planting, germination, harvest, and preparation. Christopher Binns notes this practice is a return to their ancestors’ way of living on this ancestral land, which has a history centered on growing and eating locally. Lisa brings flavors and things she and Chris enjoy from the land to their table, including unique Ackee preparations like a plant-based “cheese” dip and smoked Ackee ravioli. Together, they aim to transport guests through their food story, sharing the inspiration behind the ingredients and what they mean.
Lisa and Christopher are actively working to reclaim plant-based Ital, showcasing that vegan food can be flavorful and vibrant. They have been leading the way in the farm to table vegetarian/vegan movement in Jamaica since 2014. Lisa agrees that to truly understand American foodways, one must trace roots back to the Caribbean, including Barbados and Jamaica. For her, food is ignited by love; when sharing food, they are sharing love, intimacy, authenticity and creating for you, “a place at the table.”
STUSH in the BUSH is a multi-award-winning culinary destination. Most recently, it was nominated for Jamaica’s Best Restaurant at the World Culinary Awards (2024), after winning the title three years in a row in 2020, 2021, and 2022. The restaurant has also consistently earned recognition at the Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards, with wins in 2021–2025, and previous accolades in 2020, 2019, 2018, 2016, and 2014. At the 25th staging of the awards in 2024,
STUSH in the BUSH received both the Global Culinary Ambassador Award and Best Place for Vegetarian/Plant-Based Fare Award. STUSH in the BUSH has garnered widespread acclaim across global media, with features in esteemed publications, blogs, and television shows. Most recently featured in Travel + Leisure (2025), which named it one of the most beautiful places in the Caribbean (2023), with additional recognition in Forbes (4 features) and Vogue Italia (twice, including 2024)., Condé Nast Traveler, T Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, National Geographic Traveler UK, and The Huffington Post. The experience has also appeared in MACO Magazine, The Business Year – Jamaica Edition, mic.com, Royal Caribbean, and was prominently featured in the Assouline coffee table book Jamaica Vibes by Lisa Lovett-Smith and Novia McDonald Whyte. On screen, STUSH in the BUSH has been showcased on programs such as 2 Sisters and a Meal, The Ainsley Harriott Show and Bong Appétit, further cementing its reputation as a must-visit culinary destination.
STUSH in the BUSH has catered for some of the world’s most celebrated artists and cultural icons, including Adele and Angelina Jolie at the prestigious Ian Fleming Villa at GoldenEye. Notable guests to the farm include Idris Elba, Sheryl Lee Ralph (on multiple occasions), Alicia Keys, Letoya Luckett, Alicia Silverstone, Shaggy, Rohan Marley, Chronixx, Protoje, Koffee, and Tarrus Riley among many others.
Cooking internationally, STUSH in the BUSH has participated in “Italy Meets Jamaica” a curated Jamaican experience for the Milanese in 2024 and will feature there in November 2025. That same year, they held a month-long residency at Flavors Café, the culinary space at WSA (Water Street Associates) in Lower Manhattan. The Barbados Food & Rum Festival welcomes their garden to table approach to 13 Acres farm this year under the Caribbean Tradishon banner as they did last year at The Local & Co.
STUSH in the BUSH is not just a destination – it’s a philosophy, a love language, and a way of life. It redefines what it means to eat well and live fully. Here, every plate tells a story, every ingredient has a purpose, and every experience is a journey into the heart of the Caribbean. Come for the food, stay for the love because at STUSH in the BUSH, you’re not just eating, you’re coming home.
Crescenzia Biemans is the Managing Director of Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort and Tara Eco Supplies, the Secretary of Stimami Sterilisami Foundation, and of the Bucuti Tara – GMC Nature Preservation Foundation. Currently, she proudly serves on the board of the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association (AHATA), including its Environmental Committee, and is a Trustee of the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism as part of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association.
Crescenzia holds a Master of Laws (LLM), Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Bachelor of Politics, Psychology, Law & Economics (PPLE), and a Minor in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Amsterdam, graduating Cum Laude in all disciplines. This extensive education equips her with a unique blend of different disciplines and expertise, which she integrates into her various roles.
Anthia Butler is a Bahamian hospitality executive, entrepreneur and experiential strategist whose nearly two-decade career reflects the evolving possibilities for Caribbean tourism professionals — from employee, to executive leader, to entrepreneur.
After returning home to The Bahamas from The University of Western Ontario in 2007, Anthia supported the development and launch operations of her family’s boutique hotel and restaurant, providing an early foundation in both hospitality and entrepreneurship.
She went on to build her career within two of The Bahamas’ leading hospitality brands, Atlantis Paradise Island and Baha Mar, advancing from special events leadership into executive casino marketing. At Baha Mar, she became the first Bahamian female, as a woman of color, to hold the title of Vice President within the company and the first Bahamian female to earn an Executive Casino Marketing title in The Bahamas. Her career has spanned large-scale events, strategic partnerships, experiential marketing, tourism development and premium guest experiences.
In 2020, Anthia was appointed Group Leader for The Bahamas Tourism Readiness & Recovery Plan, supporting the reopening of the tourism sector with responsibility for casino and gaming operations.
Today, she is Founder & Chief Experience Officer of The Impact Agency, a boutique consultancy specializing in experiential strategy, event design and production, and brand positioning. Drawing on her own journey through family enterprise, corporate hospitality, executive leadership and entrepreneurship, Anthia is passionate about developing Caribbean talent, fostering entrepreneurial thinking and creating pathways for the next generation of tourism leaders and innovators.
April Andras is the Vertical Vice President of Sales for the PMS portfolio at Fullsteam. With more than 25 years of experience in hospitality SaaS, she brings deep expertise across product design, sales strategy, and operational execution. April works closely with hotel and resort operators to align technology with business outcomes—improving efficiency, enhancing the guest experience, and driving revenue performance. She is known for her practical, outcomes-focused approach and her ability to help hospitality organizations navigate an increasingly complex technology landscape.
Alexandra Chirlias is the General Manager of Grand Case Beach Club in Saint Martin, bringing more than 20 years of hospitality experience to her role. She began her career at the front desk in 2005 and worked her way up through the industry to general management, building a firsthand understanding of hotel operations and the guest experience.
Having grown up on Saint Martin, Alexandra brings a local perspective to Caribbean hospitality. Her career journey combines hands-on operational experience with a deep connection to the island she calls home.
William L. Clegg, Jr., CHA, is the regional director of development for WorldHotels and Best Western International in the Caribbean, a role he has held since joining BWH in 2018. He sources and guides prospective franchisees across the company’s 17 brands, spanning luxury to core segments.
A hospitality veteran who began his career as a Marriott bellman, Bill has held operations, sales, marketing, and leadership roles with Marriott, Sheraton, Best Western, and Choice Hotels. Before BWH, he served as Regional Vice President for Choice Hotels International, overseeing owner relations and performance-focused franchise service throughout the U.S. and Caribbean.
Bill holds a B.A. in Communication Studies from Virginia Tech and the Certified Hotel Administrator designation. He has served on numerous industry panels and has been a long-time leader within the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association, currently its Vice President, chair of its Membership Committee, and former nine-year chairman of the CHIEF conference.
Barry Collymore is the Owner and Chairman of the award-winning Mount Cinnamon Beach & Wellness Resort Grenada, an authentic Caribbean, sustainable hideaway with 36 hillside suites and villas that welcomes couples, families, and friends.
Barry is focused on continuing to build a Caribbean super boutique hotel brand, which typifies and celebrates Caribbean excellence. He believes that both Grenada and the Caribbean region have an opportunity to build their presence on the global stage if measures are taken to unify this area.
Barry’s career has seen him work in property development, tourism and hospitality, PR, journalism, and as a director on several boards. His breadth of experience and knowledge has led him to understand what drives people and how to run a successful business with a fulfilled team.
For several years, he oversaw the West Indies School of Hospitality (WISH), a hospitality school founded to create learning paths for Caribbean people in the Hospitality and Service Industries to create a more empowered, confident, and efficient workforce, and in turn a more competitive Caribbean destination. The school operated in collaboration with e-Cornell University and The Culinary Institute of America.
Originally from Barbados, Barry has called Grenada home since 1998. He was inspired to settle in Grenada because of the quality of life, human connection, and the innate wellness that that island offers.
It is this quality of life that Barry wants to introduce guests to, with the aim that they leave feeling better than when they arrived. In 2025 the resort was rebranded as Mount Cinnamon Beach & Wellness Resort and the team has been developing a flexible wellness programme that draws on the naturally restorative setting of Grenada, aimed at travellers looking to incorporate wellbeing into their holiday (and life) without committing to the structure of a traditional retreat. Guests have the freedom to shape their own experience, choosing from a menu of complimentary movement, mindfulness, sport and nature-based activities, alongside additional treatments, excursions and immersive experiences.
Barry is passionate about fitness – he trains regularly with a trainer combining cardio and strength, as well as running, swimming and playing tennis.
Barry has a teenage son who he is incredibly proud of and believes that travel has played an important role in his son’s approach to life and the development of family relationships. Barry wants to ensure that Mount Cinnamon has a really great family that is safe, nurturing and introduces them to the joys of the Caribbean as a way to create strong memories and family bonds.
Barry has a master’s degree in Business, from Loughborough University in the UK, and a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from UWI Mona.
Patricia Affonso-Dass is a distinguished Caribbean tourism leader with over 30 years of experience spanning Barbados, Dominica, and Guyana. Since 2009, she has served as CEO and Group General Manager of Ocean Hotels, where she oversees three boutique properties renowned for exceptional guest experiences, operational excellence, and sustainable practices. Under her leadership, Ocean Hotels has become a premier Barbados brand, consistently increasing occupancy and ADR while fostering staff empowerment and professional development, including establishing O2 Beach Club as an accreditation hub for Caribbean Vocational Qualifications.
Her industry leadership extends well beyond her own properties. Patricia is a Past President of both the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association and serves on the Executive Committee and Board of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA). She chairs the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Education Forum (CHIEF) Programming and Planning Committee and serves on the boards of Fort Young and Secret Bay Hotels in Dominica. The 2024 recipient of CHTA’s Caribbean Hotelier of the Year Award, Patricia is a passionate advocate for recognizing tourism as a true export industry, championing young leader development, and elevating the Caribbean’s reputation as a world-class destination.
Chris Davidson leads MMGY Travel Intelligence, MMGY Global’s research, data and insights division. He is responsible for the company’s broad portfolio of syndicated and custom research, including its Regional Portrait™ Series, TRAVELSAT™ Visitor Satisfaction products, DK Shifflet PERFORMANCE™ data products, and its custom solutions team. He oversees the organization’s substantial commitment to research and insights as the foundation for strategic planning to guide its global portfolio of clients.
Chris has 25+ years of experience in market research, strategic planning, brand strategy and integrated marketing communications. He is privileged to speak at numerous travel industry conferences and events each year.
A graduate of Princeton University, Chris received a bachelor’s degree in history. He also earned an MBA from Vanderbilt University with an emphasis in service marketing.
Sanovnik Destang is the Executive Director and a shareholder of Bay Gardens Resorts, a locally owned hotel group in Saint Lucia operating 233 rooms, seven conference spaces, and five restaurants. He is both a Chartered Accountant (CA) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and began his professional career at KPMG in Toronto, where he spent four years before returning home in 2008 to help lead the family-owned business.
Under his leadership, Bay Gardens Resorts underwent a major transformation driven by a strategic digital marketing focus that increased direct bookings, improved profitability, and preserved employment levels. This turnaround resulted in multiple national and regional accolades, including the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Award for two consecutive years.
Bay Gardens Resorts has maintained a long-standing relationship with the Bank of Saint Lucia and its predecessor institutions, including SLDB and NCB, spanning 31 years as a valued customer and partner. Sanovnik also serves as a Director on the Board of Bank of Saint Lucia Fund Management Company and BOSL Global Investment Fund.
Sanovnik is a past President of the St. Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association (SLHTA) and has played an active role in advocacy related to taxation, alternative energy, and the sharing economy. He has also served as Vice President and Director of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), where he led its Technology Task Force. In 2024, he assumed the presidency of CHTA and was recently appointed to the HFTP HITEC Advisory Board.
A graduate of the Schulich School of Business, Sanovnik has received numerous honors, including the CHRIS Rising Star Award, Caribbean Hotelier of the Year, and recognition as a Global Top 20 Hospitality Executive.
Chris has 25+ years of experience in market research, strategic planning, brand strategy and integrated marketing communications. He is privileged to speak at numerous travel industry conferences and events each year.
A graduate of Princeton University, Chris received a bachelor’s degree in history. He also earned an MBA from Vanderbilt University with an emphasis in service marketing.
Mikael Doumeng leads digital strategy at Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, a small, all-inclusive property on St. Thomas that his family has operated for over 50 years. Determined to make a small independent resort heard in a loud industry, he grew the property’s social presence into one of the most-followed independent hotel accounts in the industry with more than 560,000 followers across TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.
Built entirely through organic content with no paid campaigns or agency support, the results speak for themselves. Bolongo Bay’s direct booking rate has grown from 49% in 2020 to a consistent 70–75% today, consistently outperforming all OTAs combined. In 2025, Bolongo Bay received a CHTA CHIEF Award recognizing its direct booking transformation — a shift driven not by technology investment, but by a community of guests who trusted a brand enough to bypass the platforms they’ve always used.
Mikael serves on the CHTA Board of Directors and Executive Committee as the Young Leaders representative for the 2025–2027 term, bringing an young independent hotelier’s perspective to the future of Caribbean hospitality.
Janine Edwards is an accomplished tourism professional and entrepreneur whose distinguished career spans more than twenty-five years in tourism, property development, hospitality, and business consultancy. Widely respected for her dynamic leadership and her exceptional ability to connect people, ideas, and opportunities, Janine has made an enduring impact on Anguilla’s tourism landscape while championing entrepreneurial advancement, mentorship, and community development.
As a senior business executive with Sunset Homes, one of Anguilla’s premier property development companies, she provides strategic guidance and oversight for the award-winning Tranquility Beach Resort Anguilla and a portfolio of luxury villas. She is also the Founder and CEO of JanineConnects.com, a boutique consultancy advising investors, developers, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit organisations.
As the long-standing moderator and host of Tourism is Key, the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association’s weekly Radio Anguilla programme – a CHTA-inspired regional awareness initiative – she has spent over twelve years making the business of tourism a household conversation within the community.
A committed mentor and board member across the spheres of tourism, business, education, and the arts, Janine remains keenly engaged in tourism advocacy, creating opportunities and contributing meaningfully to the continued advancement of the industry and to the quality of life in Anguilla.
Michael Eugene is a tourism development specialist with over 30 years of experience in destination planning, community tourism and product development. An Engineer by training, he holds a diploma in Rural Tourism from the Colegio de Postgraduados, Mexico, which has sharpened his already well-honed skill set in the tourism industry.
He was integral to the creation of the Waitukubuli National Trail in Dominica, the Caribbean’s only long-distance walking trail. He has also worked as a Tourism Expert within the indigenous Kalinago Community – more recently with the World Indigenous Tourism Alliance, (WINTA) on a UNDP funded project Strengthening Sustainable Livelihoods in the Kalinago Territory.
Michael shares his passion for the industry as a Caribbean Tourism Organization, CTO, Certified Trainer of Tour Guide Trainers, and has been a guest lecturer on UNESCO World Heritage in the Caribbean, and Culture in Dominica on the Seabourn Cruise Line. He has also been the featured presenter on an IICA Jamaica Rural Tourism Online Course.
His dedication to practicing sustainable tourism is evidenced through his company brand Experiences Caribbean, which creates immersive experiences that reveal Dominica through its landscapes, its people, and their stories.
Michael is well known for advancing sustainable tourism, community engagement, and authentic visitor experiences.
Renatta Fielden is the Marketing & Reservations Director at True Blue Bay Boutique Resort, a family-owned, four-star boutique resort in Grenada. Having grown up in the hospitality industry, Renatta has developed a deep understanding of both the guest experience and the business behind it, and today plays a key role in the resort’s marketing, sales strategy and continued development.
Her work focuses on creating meaningful ways for guests and locals to engage with True Blue beyond accommodation, from dining, wellness and retail to events, cultural experiences and strategic partnerships. She is also involved in the Grenada Chocolate Festival and is Co-Founder and Director of Sargas Limited, a Grenadian company developing sustainable solutions that transform sargassum and organic waste into renewable energy and biofertilizer.
Renatta holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Policy and Regulation from the London School of Economics. She is passionate about finding creative, commercially viable ways to diversify hospitality revenue while remaining authentic to a property’s identity, strengthening local connections and delivering experiences that guests genuinely value.
Ms. Kelly Fontenelle is the Chief Executive Officer of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, where she leads international marketing for the destination with a focus on travel trade and airline relationships. She orchestrates integrated strategies across earned, paid, and owned media; cultivates high-value partnerships; and drives effective stakeholder communication. Since assuming the role, Fontenelle has repositioned the Authority’s advertising strategies to sharpen St. Kitts’ global presence and deepen engagement across key source markets. She also oversees leisure and cruise, two consistently high-performing pillars of St. Kitts tourism, while actively growing MICE markets to broaden the island’s tourism economic impact.
Under her leadership, Fontenelle spearheaded the launch of the St. Kitts Yourway (SKY) Program, a dynamic training and engagement initiative designed to empower travel advisors with the tools, resources, and insider knowledge needed to sell St. Kitts with confidence. Through immersive learning modules, interactive webinars, destination incentives, and personalized communication, the program has strengthened the connection between St. Kitts and the travel advisor community across its key source markets. The SKY Program was named a Gold Winner at the 2025 Travel Weekly Magellan Awards in the Hospitality – Overall Travel Advisor Support category, a testament to the program’s effectiveness and the Authority’s commitment to excellence in trade engagement.
A native of St. Lucia, Fontenelle previously served as Director of Marketing for the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority in the USA, where she developed targeted initiatives that contributed to the destination’s growth. She played a pivotal role in building the Saint Lucia Expert (SLEx) loyalty program, which delivered significant growth in brand agents in under 5 years. Through SLEx, she positioned Saint Lucia as a premier destination for romantic travel, including honeymoons and weddings, equipping travel agents with the insights and tools to market the island’s luxury resorts, scenic landscapes, and intimate couple experiences. She also created the Romance Specialist Program and was instrumental in launching the destination’s diaspora program, further cementing Saint Lucia’s market presence.
Fontenelle is the founder of Travel Advisors Selling the Caribbean, a respected Caribbean travel advisory company. She has pioneered online support tools for travel advisors and led the development of real-time travel update services — most notably during the COVID-19 pandemic and weather-related disruptions.
Ryan Forde is the Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) with over 15 years of experience in the tourism industry. He holds a Master’s degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management from EADA Business School in Barcelona and a Bachelor’s degree with honors in International Business from the Barcelona Business School (UIBS), with a minor in Tourism Management.
Ryan’s career spans multiple countries and includes work with both international and local hotel brands, as well as eco-adventure attractions. His roles have covered every phase from development and opening to brand transitioning, reflecting his cultural adaptability and democratic leadership style.
His experience collaborating with owners, investors, regional directors, general managers, and team members keeps him attuned to industry trends. In his current position, Ryan leads the growth and direction of team members and tourism businesses in Barbados, while identifying new development opportunities for property owners.
In 2024, Andrea Franklin assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer at Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), the national agency responsible for promoting Barbados as a premier travel destination and driving the island’s tourism growth strategy.
Franklin began her tourism career as an account executive for Air Jamaica in the 1990s. She later worked at the former Barbados Tourism Authority—now BTMI—holding the posts of Manager, Product Integration, and later Senior Business Development Manager in the New York office as part of the Sales Team. During that time, she built critical networks with key business partners, including airlines, travel agents, and tour operators.
Her experience with the Barbados Tourism Authority prepared her for her role as CEO of Caves of Barbados—now Chukka Caribbean Adventures.
In 2024, Franklin was also appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), the region’s leading tourism development agency. Her tenure as CTO Chair, which concludes in 2026, has been marked by significant leadership in advancing regional tourism initiatives, fostering collaboration among Caribbean destinations, and strengthening the industry’s global presence.
Arlene Friday is the Chief Executive Officer of the Grenada Hotel & Tourism Association and Vice President of the Caribbean Society of Hotel Association Executives (CSHAE). She brings extensive experience in community organizing, strategic management, and stakeholder engagement. Since assuming leadership of the Association in December 2019, Arlene has championed innovation and collaboration, launching impactful initiatives that have strengthened service delivery and industry resilience.
With a career spanning the United States, parts of Africa, and Grenada, Arlene is a passionate advocate for community empowerment and sustainable development. She holds a Master of Business Administration in International Business and has shared her expertise as a guest lecturer at St. George’s University, focusing on international business and cross-cultural communications.
Her achievements include the Destination Resilient Award from the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association for exemplary leadership during the pandemic, organizing and coordinating Grenada’s national vaccination campaign to protect community health and support the safe reopening of the nation’s borders. She also received the CHIEF 2024 Award for Social Responsibility in recognition of her outstanding community outreach and recovery efforts following Hurricane Beryl. Additionally, she led a successful training initiative for 180 hospitality professionals to enhance workforce development in the sector.
Arlene serves on the boards of the Grenada National Emergency Advisory Council, the National Food and Nutrition Council and the T.A. Marryshow Community College Advisory Committee amongst numerous others. A visionary leader, she continues to promote sustainable growth, build strategic partnerships, and foster resilient communities across the tourism industry.
Nicole Antonio-Gadsdon designs Human Magic Systems: the interconnected human and cultural systems that help organisations create, strengthen and protect what makes them unmistakable. Through Banana Pepper HR, her ALT-HR atelier, she works with founders and leadership teams as they build, open, grow and reshape hospitality and experience-led organisations from the inside out.
Her practice is rooted in more than 20 years in luxury hospitality, leading the People & Culture function through 12 openings and transformations across hotels, resorts and private islands in the Caribbean, including Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands, Viceroy Anguilla and, most recently, Moon Gate Hotel & Spa in Antigua. Hospitality has been her laboratory and proving ground, where she learnt that what happens behind the scenes is ultimately felt out front — the human experience inside a business shapes the experience it creates for its guests.
Her book, Help Wanted: The Rule-breaking Guide to Hiring an Extraordinary Team of Hospitality Alchemists, positions hiring as an act of hospitality and culture design, reimagining conventional interviewing through the lens of Human Magic.
Nicole’s cross-disciplinary approach looks beyond conventional HR for fresh ways of understanding longstanding challenges in how organisations hire, lead, build culture and create the conditions for people to bring more of who they are and what they can contribute. She translates what she finds into practical approaches tested against operational reality — helping businesses bring their vision and culture to life in what their people and guests actually experience.
Adele Garbutt is an Owner and Director of Calabash Hotel in Grenada, where she is part of the second generation leading one of the Caribbean’s most recognised independent luxury hotels. Since taking an active leadership role in the family business, Adele has shaped Calabash’s continued evolution, with a focus on strategy, brand development, sales and marketing, guest experience and long-term investment. Her approach centres on moving the business forward while protecting the character, culture and deeply personal style of hospitality that have defined Calabash.
Today, the hotel is a member of Relais & Châteaux, holds Two MICHELIN Keys — the only hotel in Grenada to receive this distinction — and is consistently recognised among the Caribbean’s leading hotels. Adele is particularly passionate about leadership within family businesses, developing local talent, and demonstrating how independent Caribbean hotels can evolve and compete internationally without losing their identity or sense of place.
Andre Gibson is the Assistant Vice President Eastern Caribbean with Tropical Shipping. He received a BSC in Industrial Engineering from Texas Tech University and a Master of Business Administration from Florida International University. He has more than 25 years of experience in energy, project construction, and global logistics.
With over twenty (20) years’ experience in the Hospitality business, Mrs. Madden-Greig started her career in the industry as a customer service representative in the airline industry. During the years she has worked in various sub-sectors of the industry including cruise lines, attractions and hotels. She has held various Management positions and is currently The Group Director of Marketing & Sales for The Courtleigh Hospitality Group which properties include The Courtleigh Hotel and Suites, The Courtleigh Corporate Centre and The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. The group also previously operated The Knutsford Court Hotel and The Holiday Inn Resort, Montego Bay – All-Inclusive. A graduate of Convent of Mercy Academy (Alpha), she pursued undergraduate studies at The Florida International University receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management (Honours) and was enrolled in the Phi Kappa Phi Honours society. On returning to Jamaica, she pursed further studies at The University of the West Indies (Mona School of Business) attaining an Executive Masters in Business Administration (Distinction)
An active participant in the business of tourism she is the Immediate Past President of The Caribbean Hotel & Tourist Association (2021-2024). She is also a two-time past President of The Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association.
She is currently a member of Jamaica’s Tourism Linkages Network and Chair of the Gastronomy Tourism Network. She also currently sits as a Director on the Boards of The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA), The Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association, The Montego Bay Convention Centre and the Convent of Mercy Academy (Alpha). She was recently appointed to Chair the CHTA’s new Caribbean Tourism Linkages Network.
As CHTA President, Nicola introduced several new initiatives like the CHTA Travel Forum, establishment of the Technology Taskforce, The CHTA Sustainable Tourism Day and the Destination Resilience Awards. External to the industry she is the founder and Co-chair of the Kingston City Run (Marathon/Half Marathon/10K/5K) charity run.
In June 2019 she again received the prestigious JHTA President’s Award for her invaluable support to the Association. Nicola previously the JHTA President’s award in 2006 for her Significant Contribution to The Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association and to the marketing and promotion of Kingston in particular and Jamaica in general. Other notable recognition includes the United States Secret Service Certificate of Appreciation in 2007 and the White House Communications Agency Certificate of Appreciation in 2015.
In 2021, received from the Government of Jamaica, the Order of Distinction for her contribution to tourism on the word stage. In 2023 she received the Caribbean Media Exchange CMEX (USA) Award for Excellence in Caribbean tourism and in 2025 the Young Gifted and Black (USA) Entrepreneurial Award Businesswoman of the Year: Sales and Marketing with additional recognition by the State Legislature of New York,
Her passions include travelling to new destinations across the world, dancing, acting and volunteerism.
Jewelle Griffin is an accomplished hospitality executive and certified accountant with extensive experience in hotel management, financial leadership, operations, and strategic business development. She currently serves as the General Manager of Timothy Beach Resort in St. Kitts, overseeing resort operations, including finance, human resources, marketing, guest services, and business strategy.
Jewelle previously held financial roles with the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis and Caribbean Governance Consultants Inc., where she specialized in financial reporting, budgeting, cash flow management, and organizational administration. Her professional journey reflects a combination of financial expertise and hands-on hospitality leadership.
Jewelle holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from the University of the Virgin Islands and a Master of Science Degree in Forensic Accounting from New England College. In July 2025, she completed an Executive Master’s in International Hotel Management at Les Roches. She also holds certifications in Human Resource Management and Digital Marketing.
A member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Eastern Caribbean (ICAEC) and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Jewelle brings a practical, financially informed approach to hospitality leadership, with a focus on strengthening teams, improving operations, and building resilient businesses.
Michaela Guzy is a travel journalist and documentary filmmaker who has traveled to 122 countries filming her award-winning series: “OH THE PEOPLE YOU MEET with Michaela Guzy” and “SLEEPING AROUND SAFELY” which are globally distributed.
She has over 400k+ followers on social media and subscribers to her newsletter. She reports for and is distributed to a number of consumer and trade media outlets, speaks at conferences around the globe and appears regularly as an expert on broadcast television.
She serves on the advisory boards of Global Women’s Foundation and Band of Brothers – working to end Veteran homelessness—as well as The Future Hospitality Summit Africa. She mentors the Innovation Track for the Creator Economy at SXSW and for the Young Creator Program at the International Tourism Film Festival Africa.
Prior to starting her content house in 2012, she served as the VP/Global Travel + Strategic Development for American Express Publishing
Gitti Hernández is an advertising professional and digital marketing strategist with over 20 years of experience in communications, brand strategy, and digital marketing. She currently serves as Digital Marketing Manager at Casa de Campo Resort & Villas in the Dominican Republic, where she leads the resort’s e-commerce and digital marketing initiatives, with a focus on strengthening direct channels, driving digital revenue, and building meaningful relationships with guests.
Before joining the hospitality industry, Gitti built her career in leading advertising agencies, with experience spanning creative writing, integrated marketing communications, digital strategy, and content development. Today, she combines this creative background with data-driven marketing to navigate the evolving digital landscape of luxury hospitality.
Her areas of expertise include e-commerce, direct bookings, CRM and email marketing, digital distribution, content strategy, social media, and the use of emerging technologies to enhance the guest journey. She is also a university professor specializing in Social Media, Digital Marketing, and Copywriting.
Today, the hotel is a member of Relais & Châteaux, holds Two MICHELIN Keys — the only hotel in Grenada to receive this distinction — and is consistently recognised among the Caribbean’s leading hotels. Adele is particularly passionate about leadership within family businesses, developing local talent, and demonstrating how independent Caribbean hotels can evolve and compete internationally without losing their identity or sense of place.
Kendra Hopkin is the Deputy Managing Director of Blue Horizons Garden Resort, a family-owned and operated sustainable resort in Grenada. A third-generation hospitality professional, she represents a family legacy that has helped pioneer and shape Grenada’s tourism industry.
After completing her education in Grenada, Kendra pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Western Ontario, a postgraduate diploma in Business Marketing from George Brown College in Toronto, and a Food and Beverage Management Certificate from Cornell University.
Before returning to Grenada in 2011, she gained valuable international hospitality experience in marketing, operations, and management with global brands including InterContinental Hotels Group and Hyatt Hotels. Since joining Blue Horizons Garden Resort, she has played an integral role in the leadership and continued development of the Green Globe Platinum certified property.
A mother, Caribbean tourism leader and advocate for sustainable development, Kendra is passionate about building a resilient tourism industry that creates meaningful opportunities for local communities. She joined the Grenada Hotel & Tourism Association Board in 2021, serving two and a half years as President from May 2022. She remains on the board as a Hotel Director and serves on the board of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association as the 4th Vice President continuing her advocacy for the growth, sustainability, and competitiveness of Grenada’s tourism sector.
Andy Ingraham, the visionary founder and esteemed president/CEO of the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators, and Developers (NABHOOD), established this influential organization in 2001 when there were no African American-owned branded hotels in the United States. With over 3500 hotels today in the membership association, NABHOOD stands as a cornerstone of support and empowerment for Black entrepreneurs and serves as a beacon of light in the Hotel & hospitality industry. His pioneering leadership and dedication to recruiting potential hotel investors & advancing opportunities for Black & Minority individuals in the hospitality industry has made an impact. Andy has been instrumental in opening the doors by fostering partnerships & joint venture opportunities among African American investors has left an indelible mark, shaping the landscape of hotel ownership and empowering aspiring entrepreneurs. NABHOOD completed its 30th Annual International African American Hotel Ownership & Investment Summit & Trade Show in July 2026.
Born in The Bahamas, Ingraham’s journey led him through schooling in Nassau, Jamaica, and the United States at Florida International University. Andy received his Doctorated from Northern Caribbean University in Jamaica. During college he started working in corporate America but became interested in becoming an entrepreneur like his parents and their parents in The Bahamas. He then formed a marketing company and was instrumental in expanding his expertise with special emphasis on African American, Multicultural and Caribbean tourism. Andy created programs for international, domestic, and Caribbean destinations including Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, The Country of St Maarten, and Anguilla who were all seeking to access the growing African American and multicultural tourism markets. Andy has collaborated with many clients to create conferences including the Vibe Music Conference, FUBU, Impact, and Revolt Music Conference. He was responsible for recruiting the American Tennis Association (ATA) to Fort Lauderdale, bringing the largest African American Music & Lifestyle festival, FUBU Y2K to St. Maarten/Saint Marten/Anguilla, and moving the Acapulco Black Film Festival from Acapulco, Mexico to Miami when they are today as American Black Film Festival (ABFF).
Andy’s diverse background uniquely positions him to drive NABHOOD’s mission to increase African American ownership, investment, and operation of hotels. Ingraham’s leadership has forged crucial partnerships with industry giants like Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Choice, Wyndham, ACCOR, Best Western, Red Roof, ESA, and many others industry partners, including a significant collaboration with the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA). Andy currently resides in South Florida with his Family.
Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Kalina Kennedy is the General Manager of Margaritaville Vacation Club St. Thomas, Elysian Beach Club, and Limetree Beach Club, bringing over a decade of leadership experience within the Travel and Leisure family of resorts. Known for her commitment to operational excellence and people-centered leadership, Kalina has built a strong reputation for driving performance while creating exceptional guest and associate experiences.
Before joining Margaritaville St. Thomas, Kalina served as General Manager at Club Wyndham Patriots’ Place in Williamsburg, Virginia, where she oversaw all aspects of resort operations. During her tenure, she successfully reduced turnover rates, improved owner satisfaction, and implemented innovative processes that enhanced both operational efficiency and team engagement. Prior to that, she was Assistant General Manager at Club Wyndham National Harbor, where she played a key role in financial management, staff development, and strategic process improvement.
Kalina holds a Master’s Degree in Sports, Recreation and Tourism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports, Event, and Entertainment Management from Johnson & Wales University.
As a leader, Kalina is passionate about developing teams, inspiring excellence, and creating meaningful guest connections. Her leadership philosophy centers on empowerment, collaboration, and continuous improvement—principles that have guided her success in the dynamic world of hospitality management.
Claire Kunzman is a seasoned marketing and communications leader specializing in elevating Caribbean destinations, resorts, and tourism brands on the global stage. As Founder & President of ABA Global Marketing, she has spent two decades shaping the reputation and visibility of the Caribbean’s most sought-after travel experiences.
With deep regional expertise and long-standing relationships across hotel groups, DMCs, and industry associations, Claire is known for creating integrated campaigns that authentically reflect the spirit of the Caribbean while driving measurable commercial results. Her work spans brand strategy, PR, social media, digital storytelling, thought leadership, and high-impact partnerships that amplify Caribbean tourism in key international markets.
Claire is a familiar voice within the region’s tourism community, regularly collaborating with CHTA and leading resorts and destinations resorts to strengthen their global presence. She has supported clients through major milestones—from openings and rebrands to crisis communications and long-term positioning—always with a nuanced understanding of the Caribbean’s culture, business environment, and competitive landscape.
Her approach blends strategic rigor with refined, editorial-level storytelling, helping partners stand out in a crowded travel marketplace while honoring the authenticity that defines the Caribbean.
Carlos Lugo is an Executive Technology Advisor specializing in the hospitality vertical, with deep expertise spanning fractional CTO services, strategic technology advisory, and enterprise IT standards development. As a Strategic GAIN Advisor with GAIN Advisors, and Founder and President of Lugatti Consulting Group, Carlos partners with hotel groups and resorts to guide technology strategy across the full property lifecycle, from new-build infrastructure planning to system transitions during renovations, rebrands, and ownership changes.
Carlos brings particular depth in cybersecurity, helping hospitality organizations understand threat landscapes and implement practical, business-aligned protections tailored to the unique operational demands of guest-facing environments. He also advises on AI enablement, working with properties and associations to translate emerging AI capabilities into real operational and guest-experience value.
Through GAIN’s strategic partnership with the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), Carlos serves as both presenter and moderator for member-facing webinars and advisory sessions, bringing practical, execution-ready guidance to hoteliers navigating today’s technology landscape.
Reynaldo Malik is Chief Operating Officer of Muy’Ono Resorts, Belize’s largest hospitality management company, and President of the Belize Hotel Association (BHA).
At Muy’Ono, he leads operations across six properties and 105 rooms, a 140-acre farm, a tour company and a marina, with 222 team members throughout Belize. He joined the company in 2018 as Project Manager and rose through resort and operations leadership roles to become COO in 2024. Along the way he built the systems and standards that tie accommodations, food and beverage, tours and guest experience into a single offering.
Elected BHA President in 2022, he represents an industry that contributes an estimated 55% of Belize’s GDP. He leads the Association’s advocacy on tourism taxation, fiscal incentives, legislation and air lift and he also recently pioneered a group health, life and critical illness insurance program for Belize’s hospitality workforce.
Before moving into hospitality, Reynaldo spent more than a decade in business process outsourcing. He rose to Vice President of Operations at Infotel International, where he led customer service, quality assurance and outbound marketing teams in the US and Belize.
Reynaldo is also Director and Co-Owner of Old Capital Sports Management Limited, which owns the basketball team The Belize City Defenders. That role, along with his postgraduate training in sports management, informs his interest in sports tourism, where events rather than rooms are the reason people travel.
Jacqui has been at the front line of tourism for over 20 years and in over 20 countries. She has a wealth of experience in both commercial and operational roles. Jacqui arrived into the Caribbean in 1999 to head up Virgin Holidays Barbados – one of the UK’s largest Tour Operators and within 13 years moved from local manager to regional Caribbean manager to the Global Operations manager running the entire Overseas Operation.
Since leaving Virgin Holidays to set up her own consulting company, she remained close to the tourism industry while extending her remit to the retail and construction sectors. She also maintained her charitable activities. In 2015, she joined Ocean Hotels to lead their Sales and Marketing team. Her focus has always been to move forward, never standing still and constantly learning and keeping ahead of the curve, therefore improving rate contract management, integrating a new full tech stack and moving the group towards dynamic pricing.
Currently the A Class chairman of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association she is keen to lead Barbados and its independent hotels into a new more digitally connected era
Marie McKenzie is Senior Vice President of Government & Destination Affairs at Carnival Corporation, bringing more than 29 years of cruise industry experience. Since joining the company in 1996, she has held leadership roles across operations, finance, sourcing, and destination affairs.
For the past nine years, McKenzie has led strategic engagement across the Caribbean, the company’s largest cruise market. Working on behalf of Carnival Corporation and its eight cruise brands, she collaborates with governments and community organizations to support operational development and strengthen destination partnerships.
Previously, as Vice President of Global Destinations, Services & Sourcing, McKenzie led sourcing processes across more than 720 ports worldwide. As Vice President of Global Financial Planning and Analysis, she played an integral role in preparing the executive team to shape the company’s overall financial direction. She also held several leadership positions with Carnival Cruise Line, including her first vice president appointment overseeing onboard financial operations across the fleet.
Marie began her career at Arthur Andersen LLP. Originally from Jamaica, she holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Howard University and a master’s degree in international business from Florida International University.
She currently also serves as Chair of the FCCA Operations Committee, supporting regional industry collaboration.
Manny Melendez is a seasoned hospitality professional with over twelve years of experience in the industry. Since joining Amadeus more than a decade ago, Manny has immersed himself in the dynamic world of hotel online booking and direct-booking technology. Throughout his tenure, he has built strong relationships with hundreds of hotels across more than twenty countries, from Quebec, Canada to Patagonia, South America.
Manny began his career supporting web services, where he developed deep expertise in leveraging digital platforms to drive hotel performance. Over the years, his dedication and results-oriented approach led him to take on broader strategic responsibilities within Amadeus. Today, he plays a pivotal role leading initiatives that elevate hotel direct bookings, overseeing key components of Amadeus’ CRS iHotelier and associated web and distribution systems.
Manny is also an international speaker and the author of Factory Reset: Renewed Thinking That Drives Results, where he empowers leaders to rethink mindset and execution in a rapidly shifting industry. As a fully bilingual English–Spanish presenter, he speaks frequently across the Americas and Europe, bringing a practical, energetic style rooted in real-world hotel success stories.
With a passion for helping hotels maximize revenue through direct channels, Manny remains a driving force in shaping how the industry approaches digital strategy, guest engagement, and online reservations.
James McAnally is a hospitality executive with more than 30 years of leadership experience across luxury hotels and resorts in the Caribbean and the United States. As Regional Managing Director for Sandals Resorts International’s Northern Caribbean and Curaçao portfolio, he provides strategic and operational leadership across multiple properties, with responsibility for performance, guest experience, service standards, and the development of high-performing teams.
During more than a decade with Sandals Resorts International, James has progressed from Executive Assistant Manager to Hotel Manager, General Manager, and Regional Managing Director. His earlier career included general management roles at luxury resort properties in Utah and Colorado, following 12 years in operational leadership with Hyatt Hotels. This breadth of experience has given him a practical perspective on how hospitality organizations can balance commercial performance, brand consistency, innovation, and the human connection that defines memorable service.
Beyond resort operations, James serves as President of the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association, having been a member of its Board of Directors since 2018. He previously served on the Board of Directors of the Turks and Caicos Chamber of Commerce. Through these roles, he contributes to conversations that connect tourism growth, public-private collaboration, workforce readiness, and the long-term competitiveness of Caribbean destinations.
For this panel discussion, James brings an operator’s view of the trends reshaping hospitality and the positions that will define its future. His perspective spans changing guest expectations, technology-enabled service, leadership capability, talent attraction and retention, and the need to equip emerging professionals with adaptable skills for increasingly complex hotel and resort environments. He is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, with a Bachelor of Science in Hotel Administration.
Adam is an owner’s representative who combines expertise in development, repositioning, commercial IT, AI deployment, marketing, experiential programming and longevity sciences to derive deep value for independent hotels, small groups and new builds.
Dominica-born Gregor Nassief is a longtime entrepreneur and businessman. Exposed to hospitality early on, Nassief officially began his hotel career in 2011 when his vision to create a lush, family home evolved into the first luxury resort on the Caribbean’s Nature Island—Secret Bay. With a penchant for design, art, architecture and customer service, Nassief established GEMS Holdings Limited in 2016, which includes a portfolio of world-renowned owned and managed properties including Fort Young Hotel & Dive Resort and Secret Bay, and most recently, The Residences at Secret Bay, the company’s initial foray into luxury real estate. Prior to entering the hospitality space, Nassief studied software engineering and finance at New York University. He went on to launch Cerca Technology in Latin America, building a new technology and pioneering an untapped market. Nassief continues to lead Cerca, which now has offices in five countries and customers in over 20. Nassief is married to contemporary artist Sandra Vivas, with whom he has two kids, Manuela and Gaston.
Jack Newkirk is a Senior Enterprise Account Executive at Revinate and a hospitality professional with more than 20 years of experience spanning hotel operations, guest experience, and hospitality technology.
Today, Jack works with independent luxury hotels and resorts to uncover revenue opportunities hidden within the demand they already have. He specializes in using guest, reservation, and voice-channel data to identify where high-intent demand is being lost, quantify the financial impact, and develop practical strategies to capture more of it.
Drawing on his experience both inside hotel operations and advising hospitality organizations, Jack focuses on a simple question: before spending more money to generate demand, how much revenue could a hotel create by converting the demand it already has more effectively?
His work combines data analysis with technology, process, and sales culture to help hotel owners and commercial leaders turn existing demand into measurable revenue growth.
Dr. Kerriann Peart, Ph.D., is a Caribbean organizational psychologist, executive coach, and founder of Peart Consulting LLC. She works alongside global organizations and leaders to strengthen human systems and guide culturally intelligent change in the complex realities where they operate, not just the stable conditions they may hope for.
Her doctoral training in international and organizational systems psychology, together with her expertise in global public health communications, shapes more than twenty years of cross-cultural and cross-sector experience across nonprofit, international development, healthcare, and private-sector settings. Dr. Peart has delivered keynotes, workshops, and board-level engagements for organizations including the Inter- American Development Bank, the Pan American Health Organization, the International Monetary Fund, the Caribbean Risk Management Association, and the University of the West Indies.
Her proprietary frameworks, including GALE for organizational change and ROOTED for leadership coaching, bring together behavioural science and lived Caribbean experience. She is currently developing a Change Lab experience for CEOs and HR professionals, extending her consulting methodology into a practical coaching and advocacy offering that supports the people shaping the future of work.
Daniela Correia Ricalis is the Founder & Managing of DC Global Talent. DC Global Talent is a luxury hospitality recruitment agency specializing in executive search for management and VP-level roles at the world’s most prestigious hotel and foodservice organizations.
Founded in 2016 by Daniela Correia Ricalis and headquartered in the Cayman Islands, the firm is known for its discretion, deep industry relationships, and genuine fluency in the culture of high-end hospitality. Operating on a contingency basis, no retainers, no upfront cost — DC Global Talent delivers senior talent to brands that define the global standard for guest experience. From Caribbean resorts to flagship urban properties, the firm connects exceptional professionals with roles in the destinations where others come to vacation.
Her career began in the Cayman Islands, where years working within the luxury hospitality sector gave her an intimate understanding of what makes prestigious properties thrive, and what they struggle to find. As colleagues and industry contacts began turning to her for hiring guidance, Daniela recognized a genuine gap: luxury hospitality deserved a recruitment partner that matched its own standards of discretion, attention to detail, and personal service.
In 2016, she founded DC Global Talent to fill it. Today, Daniela leads a boutique agency known for its white-glove approach to executive search, placing senior hospitality and foodservice professionals at some of the world’s most celebrated destination properties. Under her leadership, DC Global Talent has grown from a Caribbean-focused practice into a firm with reach across the United States and beyond, without ever losing the personal touch that defines it.
Born in Belize City, Danielle Haylock-Roberts is a people and operations leader with more than a decade of experience spanning hospitality, financial services, corporate leadership and human resource management. She currently serves as People & Operations Manager at Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort, where she helps shape people strategy, organizational performance, workplace culture and service excellence at one of Belize’s internationally recognized hospitality properties.
Danielle believes exceptional guest experiences begin with exceptional employee experiences. Her work centers on connecting people strategy with business performance, developing high- performing teams and strengthening leadership capability.
Her return to Barbados as a CHIEF 2026 speaker carries special significance. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus in Barbados, and later earned a Master of Arts in Human Resource Management from Liverpool John Moores University.
She is a founding member of the Belize Association of HR Professionals and a former International Partner with the World Business Angels Investment Forum. She is passionate about developing people, strengthening organizations and proving that people strategy deserves a seat at every serious business conversation. Preferably one with good coffee.
Paul Salmon is the chairman & CEO of Rockhouse Hotel and Skylark Negril Beach Resort, two award-winning boutique hotels in Negril, Jamaica. With over 30 years in the hospitality industry, the Melbourne, Australia native transitioned from finance in 1994 when he and his partners acquired Rockhouse.
A thought leader in sustainable tourism, Paul is committed to responsible hospitality by investing in the team, enhancing the guest experience, prioritizing environmental sustainability (Green Globe Certified), and supporting the local community. This philosophy is reflected in Rockhouse’s charitable arm, the Rockhouse Foundation, which he co-founded in 2004. Since then, the foundation has invested over US$12M in transforming local education in Western Jamaica, including the renovation and expansion of six local public schools, the Negril Library, and building Jamaica’s first fully inclusive public school in Savanna la Mar for children with and without disabilities.
Under his leadership, Rockhouse has earned global recognition including a prestigious MICHELIN Key, Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best and Top 100 Hotels, Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List, and National Geographic’s Best of the World Awardsl. Paul is also a managing partner at Miss Lily’s, a celebrated Caribbean restaurant in New York, Negril and Dubai and he is a founding partner of Joe’s Pub and The Astor Tavern in downtown New York’s Public Theater.
Tamar Severin is a hospitality leader with more than 25 years of experience in the Caribbean tourism industry, specializing in Food & Beverage operations, people development and service excellence. Beginning her career in frontline service, Tamar progressed from frontline service through multiple levels of hospitality management, gaining firsthand experience of the opportunities and challenges leaders face at every level. She currently serves as Assistant Food & Beverage Manager at Secrets St. Lucia Resort & Spa, A Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection.
Tamar holds an Executive Master’s in Advanced Studies in International Hotel Management from Les Roches Marbella and has just been appointed an official Les Roches Alumni Ambassador for the Caribbean. She is also a member of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s Young Leaders Forum 2024–2026 cohort and contributes to the CHIEF Program Planning Committee.
Passionate about developing emerging leaders, Tamar advocates for continuous learning, accountability, opportunity and people-centered leadership that strengthens both individuals and organizations.
She is currently writing a book for C-suite leaders and business owners focused on results-driven hospitality leadership and how effective leadership can improve organizational culture, employee retention, customer experience and business performance.
In this inspiring keynote, Bruce Poon Tip, founder of G Adventures and pioneer of community tourism, will explore tourism’s role and responsibility in creating a better world. Drawing on more than 35 years of challenging the traditional tourism model, Bruce will share how travel can create meaningful economic opportunities for local communities, empower people to shape the tourism that takes place in their own destinations, and give travellers transformative experiences in return. From founding G Adventures in 1990 to building community tourism initiatives across more than 100 countries, Bruce has demonstrated that tourism can be a powerful force for good when communities have a genuine voice and a meaningful stake in its success. His keynote will offer an inspiring perspective on how destinations, businesses and travellers can work together to build a more inclusive, responsible and sustainable future for tourism.
Dalan is an entrepreneur, published author, and former private banker from the British Virgin Islands.
He serves as Director of Marketing and Technology for the MHV BVI Group which includes a range of supermarkets, hotels, and restaurants in the Caribbean. He’s also the founder of LimeList Travel and LimeList Traders, facilitating tourism and business between Panama and the Caribbean. Outside the office he catches flights, plays saxophone professionally, and talks about Caribbean business matters via Bush Tea Business.
Dalan’s WHY: To help Caribbean businesses play more prominent roles on the global stage.
Albert Vasquez is Vice President of Sales, Americas, at Triptease, where he leads efforts to help hotels across the region grow their direct booking revenue. Based in Dallas-Fort Worth, Albert has built a reputation for turning sales teams into strategic, high-performing units—moving them beyond instinct and into data-driven, consultative selling.
With over 15 years of experience in the SaaS industry, including more than a decade in advertising and marketing and 5+ years focused on hospitality, Albert brings a well-rounded perspective on how technology and strategy intersect to drive growth. He has deep experience in software sales and a strong track record of developing talent at every level.
At Triptease, Albert works at the intersection of hospitality and technology, helping hotel teams understand how smarter direct-booking strategies can transform their bottom lines.
Timothy Williams is a Caribbean hospitality executive, General Manager of Blue Horizon Hotel Barbados, and hospitality asset strategist with experience across Caribbean hotel and resort operations, commercial performance, guest experience, and property repositioning.
He has a particular interest in the practical application of artificial intelligence and automation within hospitality, exploring how emerging technologies can improve operational decision- making, workforce productivity, financial controls, guest experience, and commercial performance. Through independent consultancy and business ventures, Timothy has also worked across hospitality advisory, real estate, and asset strategy, fashioning a unique perspective to better serve his teams and community.
A First-Class Honours graduate in Tourism Management from The University of the West Indies, Mona, Timothy approaches AI from the perspective of the hotel operator and business leader, examining how hospitality organizations can adopt technology strategically while preserving the human experience at the heart of the industry.
Maya Wiltshire, is Area President for Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago and the Eastern Caribbean at Gallagher Insurance Brokers, one of the world’s leading risk management, insurance brokerage, and consulting firms. She provides strategic leadership across multiple Caribbean territories, driving business growth, fostering key client relationships, and delivering risk advisory solutions that help organizations navigate an increasingly complex risk and insurance environment.
Maya works closely with business leaders and decision-makers to strengthen organizational resilience, support informed risk and insurance decisions, and develop effective approaches to managing uncertainty. She serves clients across many of the Caribbean’s key industries, including hospitality and tourism, healthcare, utilities, financial services, government, and large commercial enterprises.
Recognized for her collaborative leadership style and understanding of the regional business landscape, Maya advises clients across the Caribbean on insurance market developments, emerging risks, and risk mitigation strategies. She brings practical insights on resilience, innovation, and strategic risk management, helping organizations make informed insurance decisions and navigate an increasingly complex risk environment.
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