IIC Caribbean Chapter meeting: Caribbean FutureScapes: Regulation at the Intersection of Technology, Tourism and Finance

Dr Allyson Leacock, Chairman of the Barbados Broadcasting Authority and Director of National Transformation Initiative, Government of Barbados, is also an independent media and human development consultant. She led a coalition of 112 Media Houses in 24 Caribbean countries for 12 years and trained over 2000 Caribbean broadcasters. She served on the Executive Board of the Global Media AIDS Initiative (GMAI) and was elected for 2 terms as Chairman of the Global Steering Committee for the World AIDS Campaign. She was also Cultural Affairs Specialist at the US Embassy covering the Caribbean and Officer-In-Charge and Student Coordinator at the University of the West Indies Distance Education Centre (UWIDEC), now the Open Campus.

Dr Allyson Leacock was conferred with the Order of the Republic (OR) in Barbados National Honours on 30 November 2023. The award was given by the President of Barbados – In ‘recognition of sterling contribution to broadcasting, media relations, corporate communications, training, human resource development and educational technology, as well as distinguished service to Barbados as Head of National Transformation Initiative’.

Dr Leacock has a wide-ranging professional background including in executive management in corporate communications, media, needs assessment, training, human resource development and leadership, as well broadcast media including production and presentation as TV News Anchor, and as General Manager of the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation.

She holds Masters and Ph.D. degrees in Educational Technology, Concordia University, Canada and BA (Double First Class Honours) in English and Education and the Diploma in Education (Dip.Ed with distinction) from Stirling University, UK. Her training also includes Diplomas in Human Resource Management, Facility Management, Arts Management and Alternative Dispute Resolution.

A former national athlete, gymnast, dancer and actress, Dr Leacock is trained in sign language, is a volunteer with Special Olympics and Barbados Council for the Disabled.

Averad Penn, JD, MBA is Chief Executive Officer of Caribbean Cellular Telephone (CCT) and BVI Cable TV, where he leads corporate strategy, network investment planning, regulatory engagement, and organizational development for national communications infrastructure in the British Virgin Islands. A seasoned executive, attorney, and telecom strategist, he brings over two decades of experience across telecommunications, financial services, management consulting, and real estate development. Averad holds a Juris Doctor from Cornell Law School, an MBA from Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management, and a BA from Dartmouth College, and is admitted to the New York State Bar.

From the Nature Island of the Caribbean, Dominica, I launched my IT career in 2000 as a Hardware Technician and have since grown into a cybersecurity professional and IT leader. As the CEO of Q C Grant Ltd, I also oversee the **IT infrastructure for Dominica’s largest pharmacy*, ensuring security, efficiency, and reliability.

A strong advocate for open-source technology, I am committed to leveraging it to drive digital transformation across the Caribbean. My Company is backed by multiple industry leading certifications, including CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, Pentest+, and SecurityX.

I also hold a Master’s degree in Cybersecurity and Forensic Information Technology, with research focused on securing IoT—an essential challenge as our region embraces digitalization. My mission is to enhance cybersecurity, promote open-source solutions, and drive technological progress throughout the Caribbean.

Christopher Roberts is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Workflow Specialist, and  a seasoned Digital Transformation leader. He also holds a Masters in Computer science and has over 20 years of verifiable success in managing complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives across the public, private, and NGO sectors. While recognized as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in national-level ICT and institutional transformation, Mr. Roberts’ core strength lies in integrating technical complexity with administrative, policy, and executive coordination, supported by a strong focus on Capacity Building.

This unique cross-functional expertise ensures success in roles requiring high-level strategic planning, rigorous financial and regulatory compliance (e.g., World Bank procurement), and effective management of diverse, geographically distributed teams.

With extensive experience  in various aspects of Digital Transformation and ICT for Development(ICT4D), leveraging AI in Automation was a logical next step to Digital Transformation. He has subsequently  developed AI Applications and tools for beneficiaries in various sectors including Education. Samples of these are accessible on his website and include:

AI Powered Bid Evaluation Tool
AI Powered Chatbots for various sectors using RAG prompting.

Bio coming soon…

Bio coming soon…

Bio coming soon…

Felipe Olchenski is responsible for business development in emerging markets at Cullen International and has experience in the telecoms and digital markets. Before joining Cullen, Felipe was with Huawei Brazil as Account Manager for its Telefonica key account and also supported the company’s government relations and regulatory department. He holds an Industrial Engineering degree from the University of Brasilia and has a special interest in China and tech regulation.

Gary Kalloo is a seasoned Telecommunications and ICT professional with over thirty years of experience in the field. Gary possesses a diverse skill set encompassing ICT environment knowledge, digital governance expertise, project management skills, and a deep understanding of regional and international telecommunications and ICT domain.

Gary’s journey in the ICT space began in 1991 when he joined Trinidad and Tobago’s incumbent telecom operator, TSTT. Over the next 15 years, Gary held various senior-level positions within the organization, playing a pivotal role in navigating the company through significant transformations, including market liberalization, regulatory compliance and increased competition.

In 2007, Gary transitioned to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, where he served as the Head of Regulatory and Policy Affairs in the Ministry of Public Administration. During his tenure, he spearheaded the implementation of strategies outlined in the country’s first National ICT Plan, laying the groundwork and implementing policies for subsequent plans aimed at advancing the nation’s digital agenda.
In 2009, Gary took on a new challenge with the establishment of the e-government company of Trinidad and Tobago, iGovTT. As the Head of Delivery, he was responsible for overseeing the implementation of whole-of-government transformation projects, including the development of GovNet, the government’s wide area network, and various e-services integration platforms.

In this capacity, he was also responsible for managing on behalf of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, Infocom Development Authority of Singapore, for the implementation of key projects aimed at modernizing Trinidad and Tobago’s electronic infrastructure. This engagement resulted in the successful implementation of initiatives such as the single electronic window and an updated national plan for ICT development.

In 2013, Gary joined the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) as an ICT Consultant, where he continued his mission of fostering digital innovation and growth in the Caribbean region. His role involved provided consultancy services at the Caribbean level focusing on ICT, policy harmonization and Digital Government Transformation, and Telecommunications. He has played pivotal roles in coordinating and managing regional telecom and ICT initiatives on behalf of international financial agencies and intergovernmental organizations, including the World Bank, the Inter- American Development Bank, the European Union and the ITU. He has worked on various regional projects, including spectrum harmonization, internet governance, and the development of a Single ICT Space.

Gary was also instrumental in building out national ICT and e-government strategies for CTU member states such as Belize, the British Virgin Islands, Grenada, Anguilla, Montserrat and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. Today, Gary serves as the Director of Business Development at the CTU, where he continues to leverage his wealth of experience to drive digital transformation initiatives across the Caribbean. Gary leads strategic initiatives to promote growth, strategic partnerships, private sector membership and revenue generation within the organization.

His contributions have been instrumental in advancing digital innovation and transformation across the Caribbean region, shaping the digital landscape of the Caribbean and ensuring that the region remains competitive and innovative in the telecommunications and ICT space.

Gerry E George has been a Commissioner with the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC) of Saint Lucia for the past 6 years.

He is an ICT Consultant and had been providing technical solutions to businesses in the ICT space for over 20 years. Mr George’s background is in technology and economics. He is an active member of the Saint Lucia ICT Association (SLICTA) and the Caribbean Network Operators Group (CaribNOG) and his advice is frequently sought after by fellow colleagues on technical matters. Mr George was a part-time lecturer for the University of the West Indies Management Information Systems program for more than 7 years.

An avid supporter of Open Source software and technologies, Mr George also takes an active role in Caribbean development and social issues and is always interested in exploring ways in which technology can be applied to improving the way of life in the Caribbean region.

Bio coming soon…

Guy L. Malone is the Chief Executive Officer at the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (the Commission).

Mr. Malone began his career working with the government of the Virgin Islands in 1979 and has been working in the telecommunications sector for the past forty(40) years. He worked in various capacities before his appointment as CEO, a position he has held consecutively for the past eight(8) years, from 2012 to present.

Mr. Malone is a graduate of Brail brook College of Technology in Bristol England, where he was awarded a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Communications Electronic Engineering. He also holds a certificate in Telecommunication Management from the University of Southern California (USC), as well as several other certificates in the field of telecommunications.

Internationally, Mr. Malone serves on the Regulatory Board of the Organization of Caribbean Utility Regulators (OOCUR) as an Executive Board member. He is also a member of Caribbean Association of National Telecommunications Organization (CANTO), as well as also being an executive member of Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU)from 2010 until 2020.

Mr. Malone is very dedicated to giving back to his community and supports several charitable organizations. He is a sports enthusiast and an avid basketball fan and was the President of the local basketball Federation from 2007 –2019. Mr. Malone is currently an executive member of the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC).

Jasen H. Penn serves as the Director of the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) in the British Virgin Islands, a role he assumed in 2021 following nearly three decades of dedicated service to the Territory. His journey with the DDM began in 1994 as a volunteer, eventually joining the staff in 1999 and ascending through the ranks to lead the organization.

With over 25 years of specialized experience in Emergency Management and Disaster Emergency Communications, Mr. Penn has been instrumental in modernizing the BVI’s disaster response infrastructure. His leadership is backed by a robust academic foundation, including a Masters Certificate in Development and Public Investment Project Management from the University of Laval, Canada, and an Executive Diploma in Management from the Chartered Managers Institute in the United Kingdom.

A recipient of the Long Service Award from the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), Mr. Penn is recognized regionally for his commitment to resilience-building. Beyond his administrative duties, he remains a technical practitioner as a licensed General Class Amateur Radio Operator, a skill that underscores his deep-rooted expertise in maintaining critical communications during crisis events.

Javed Sajad is a Technology Lawyer and Consultant from Trinidad and Tobago working across the Caribbean, USA, United Kingdom and European Union in Artificial Intelligence (AI) Regulation and Policy. He is certified in AI Policy and Cyber Security Incident Response. Drawing on his experience, he designs AI strategies, guardrails and policies to future-proof organizations using AI. He builds robust compliance frameworks for AI standards and creates effective regulatory landscapes that foster innovation while mitigating risks. Through the University of Oslo, Norway, he produced research into the intersection of AI sandboxes and the integration of human rights principles, shaping a promising venture for innovation, law and technology. He has been recognized as a leader in AI by the Internet registry for the Latin American and Caribbean regions (LACNIC) and is now part of the Líderes Program undertaking his research for AI in the Caribbean.

He is presently consulting with Dynamic Management Services in New Jersey, USA where he assesses privacy compliance for AI, and develop policy for the responsible and safe use of AI through the application of ethics using the standards of the OECD, NIST and UNESCO. He seeks to assist the private sector and government in applying the President of the United States executive order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of AI. Utilizing the European Union AI Act, he builds compliance mechanisms for companies doing business in the EU.

During his eight-plus-year tenure at the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs in Trinidad and Tobago as Legal Counsel, he has engineered Cybersecurity legislation and amendments to the Data Protection legislation. He has served as a technocrat member of the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago Joint Select Committee for the Cybercrime Bill. Javed’s academic excellence is evident in his recent achievement of a Master of Laws from the University of Oslo, Norway. He acquired a deeper expertise in technology law where he focused on robot regulation and AI, European Union data protection (GDPR), and cybersecurity regulation.

Kevin Green is the Sr. Director, Public Policy and External Relations for Somos.  In this role, Kevin represents Somos in industry and regulatory interactions, further deepening relationships between Somos and regulators, the industry, with strategic alliances and customers.

Kevin is an accomplished Senior Telecom Executive with a demonstrated history of success working in the telecommunications industry.

Prior to joining Somos, Kevin was the Senior Telecommunications Policy Analyst at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), where he was responsible for conducting rulemaking proceedings regarding media ownership while examining the economic aspects of existing and proposed rules and policies. In addition, Kevin analyzed the competitive and financial aspects of proposed merger and acquisition transactions.

Prior to joining the FCC, Kevin was the Executive Director-Federal Regulatory Affairs for Verizon, serving as the corporation’s Public Policy lead on select issues including as their representative to the North American Numbering Council (NANC) and the Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC), related to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and other external organizations.

Kevin received a B.S. In Human Resource Management from the New School for Social Research in New York, and an M.B.A. from the State University of New York-Albany. Kevin is an Air Force veteran.

Bio coming soon…

Bio coming soon…

Lasse Nagel is a Manager at Frontier Economics with more than fifteen years’ experience advising stakeholders in the communications sector.

Having advised regulators, policy makers and industry players across the globe on a range of regulatory, competition and policy matters, Mr Nagel has developed a deep understanding of key trends in the sector, as well as current and emerging issues pertinent to the sector. Mr Nagel has direct experience in working in Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East & Africa, and the Caribbean.

Mr Nagel holds an undergraduate (BA) and postgraduate (MSc) degree in Economics.

Lynn Robinson became Director General of the International Institute of Communications (IIC), in March 2020.

Lynn is an experienced senior director and trustee / non exec-director, having held key senior leadership positions in the technology, built environment, regulation, accreditation and dental industries. She has extensive experience of professional membership bodies working within the full spectrum including, Regulatory bodies, Industry associations and Chambers of Commerce. Lynn is a well-known and established ambassador in these areas having led on many strategic programmes to aid engagement, growth, retention, change management, stakeholder and political engagement.

Bio coming soon…

Bio coming soon…

Bio coming soon…

Nekita Turnbull is a communications strategist and public-sector leader with more than 15 years of experience in media, communications, and public engagement. She currently serves as Chief Information Officer at the Department of Information and Public Relations for the Government of the Virgin Islands, where she leads national communication strategies centered on transparency, audience trust, and meaningful connection with communities.

With a background in advertising and digital marketing, Nekita has built a career focused on ethical storytelling and strengthening the relationship between institutions and the public.

Throughout her career in public service, Nekita has developed impactful campaigns that champion information integrity, promote responsible communication across traditional and digital platforms, and advance the fields of advertising and public communication in the Virgin Islands.

Bio coming soon ….

Rhodni A. Skelton is a dynamic business leader and entrepreneur with over two decades of experience spanning tourism, financial services, hospitality, and real estate development.

He is the Director of Marketing & Business Development at BVI Finance, where he drives global promotion of the British Virgin Islands as a leading international financial centre. Previously, he served as Acting Director of Tourism with the BVI Tourist Board & Film Commission, where he also held senior roles including Deputy Director of Tourism, Film Commissioner, and Events Marketing Manager.

Mr. Skelton is also Project Manager with Skelton Properties Ltd, overseeing real estate and development initiatives, and an entrepreneur who has owned and operated multiple successful ventures in the Virgin Islands, including Sips n Soups, a culinary brand, and Serves Up Bistro Beach Restaurant & Bar at Josiah’s Bay.

He holds an Associate’s and Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Marketing from Northwood University (West Palm Beach, Florida), an MBA in Human Resources & Finance from Wright State University (Ohio), and an MSc in Tourism & Project Management from the University of the West Indies.

Throughout his career, Mr. Skelton has chaired and produced numerous large-scaled and tourism-centric events such as the Anegada Lobster Festival, BVI Food Fete, BVI Music Festival, Big Ballers Basketball Tournament, the annual Emancipation Festival, and New Year’s Eve festivities on Jost Van Dyke. He has been featured in international publications on destination marketing and film, and has lectured at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) and the Elmore Stoutt High School on tourism, destination marketing, hospitality, business, and marketing.  He has also spoken on these topics at firesides at CTO, Rotary meetings, the IDEAS Festival, YEP.

Marilyn Monroe said, “Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world”.  As a former Director of Tourism for the British Virgin Islands Sharon Flax Brutus is leaving her indelible footprints across the British Virgin Islands.  Sharon has utilized her knowledge and verve to successfully steer through the hospitality and tourism sector, making notable accomplishments along the way. Under her tenure, overnight arrivals grew continuously, reaching as much as 11.4 %, with 2016 being a historical year for the industry.

From the increase in tourism arrivals, to strategic vision for the rebounding of the sector after Hurricanes Irma and Maria, to her destination training program for the British Virgin Islands in conjunction with the Disney Institute and her precedent setting Seeds of Love program. Sharon’s love of tourism is all encompassing.

Sharon currently calls herself a Tourism Experience Curator and runs her own Destination Management Company White Oleander Destinations along with her husband Mark. Most recently she was named Managing Partner at Virgin Gorda Villa Rentals -a luxury portfolio of over 40 villas and Interim Chair of BVIYHTA.

Sharon was recently named the first Virgin Islands Icon in Tourism by The VI ICON Awards. She is also a community leader and activist and Chair of the Virgin Gorda Recovery Operations Center (VGROC), Sharon has dedicated her time to focusing on the preservation of cultural and environmental heritage, through community involvement.

This includes pro-active projects in partnership with the government and the private sector such as beautification projects, and spearheading and active participation in island wide cleanups. When asked what the driving force is behind her involvement in the tourism industry, Sharon says, “Teamwork makes the dream work.

I have a passion for the community and the destination. It warms my heart when I see community collaboration working to strengthen sustainability in the tourism industry”.

Sharon currently resides in Virgin Gorda with her husband Mark and their three dogs Passion, Symba and Coco.

Ms. Sherri Ortiz is the Managing Director of Sterling Group BVI Ltd. and brings more than 35 years of capability in finance, corporate business, and regulatory compliance. Her career reflects a distinguished record of leadership and governance across both in the public and private sectors, with particular emphasis on international financial services development.

Ms. Ortiz previously represented the Virgin Islands Government in Hong Kong for the promotion and advancement of BVI financial services in China and the wider Asia Pacific region. She has also served as the Executive Director of the BVI International Finance Centre, leading strategic initiatives to expand and strengthen the Territory’s global financial services profile. Her professional portfolio extends beyond financial services and regulation to include international affairs and diplomatic engagement, where she’s played a pivotal role in advancing the BVI’s external relations and representation across major global financial markets.

A recognized industry leader, Ms. Ortiz hosts an annual financial services Conference in the BVI and is well regarded among senior financial professionals in China, Shanghai, Dubai, India, Switzerland, London, and the United States. She is a Professional Member of the UK International Compliance Association (ICA), and a member of both the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) and the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS) and also currently serves as a Director on the Board of the Virgin Islands Deposit Corporation.