COVENTION 2024 PRESENTERS' PROFILE

Master of Ceremony, President – JEF & Convention Director  

Wayne Chen, LLB, is a prominent Jamaican business and media figure. He has served as President of the Jamaica Employers’ Federation (JEF) and past President of the Caribbean Employers’ Confederation (CEC). He demonstrates exceptional leadership as Chairman and CEO of Super Plus Food Stores. 

With a diverse portfolio, he has chaired the CVM Television Group and sat on the boards of influential Jamaican entities like the National Commercial Bank and the National Land Agency. 

He was honoured as the Jamaica Observer’s Business Leader of the Year and co-authored the acclaimed book Reggae Routes: The History of Jamaican Popular Music.working conditions for all of our members.

  Minister of Labour & Social Security  

The Hon. Pearnel P. Charles Jr. MP is the Minister of Labour and Social Security, bringing extensive experience across various ministries including Agriculture and Fisheries, Economic Growth and Job Creation, Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, and National Security. 

As an Attorney-at-Law qualified in Jamaica and the United States, he has served as President of the Law Society and Guild President of the University of the West Indies.

 Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon is Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister and has direct oversight for Skills and Digital Transformation and was appointed a Senator and Cabinet Minister in May 2023. Dr. Dixon has also served in senior public sector roles in the Office of the Prime Minister and JAMPRO.

She is fiercely committed to the advancement of women on boards, and in politics and is very committed to the educational advancement of children in Jamaica, and has served on numerous boards and committees in these areas including the Jamaica Education Transformation Commission, the Archdiocese of Kingston Education Commission, and the International Women’s Forum.

 Senior Specialist, Employers’ Activities, Bureau for Employers’ Activities (ACT/EMP), ILO Decent Work Team & Country Office for the Caribbean 

María Victoria Giulietti is a distinguished lawyer with advanced Environmental Management, Ethics, and Compliance qualifications. Currently serving as the Regional Coordinator of the International Labour Organisation for Latin America and the Caribbean, she has spearheaded successful initiatives such as the Win-Win Programme, "Gender Equality is Good Business," in collaboration with UN Women and the European Union.

Vice President Palace Resorts

1ST Vice President Jamaica Employer’s Federation

Clifton Reader, Vice President of Palace Resorts Jamaica and Turks & Caicos Islands, boasts a distinguished hospitality career spanning over four decades across local and international hotels. He served as President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) from 2020 to 2022.  

Additionally, he holds the position of 1st Vice President of the Jamaica Employers’ Federation, further showcasing his commitment to the Jamaican business landscape.

Attorney-At-Law 

LAW OFFICE OF VANESSA THOMAS WILLIAMS

STRATEGIC SCRUBBING OF EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS – Transforming employment contracts to eradicate workplace abuse

Vanessa is an Attorney at law whose Law Firm focusses on industrial relations, and Caribbean employment law matters. The Firm represents Clients in both the private and public sectors in Trinidad and

Tobago, and in litigation at the Industrial Court of Trinidad and Tobago.

She has lectured at the University of the West Indies (St. Augustine Campus) for several years, and previously headed the Safety Council of Trinidad and Tobago.

  Partners, Moncrief One Team 

Building Your Best High-Performing Organization

Sidney Moncrief is the managing partner of Moncrief One Team, a people development company specialising in Team Enhancement, leadership, workplace readiness/soft skills, and entrepreneurship development. He partners with his wife, Dr. Takisha Moncrief, an accomplished educational expert focusing on literacy and leadership development.

He is a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, a five-time NBA All-Star, a five-time member of the NBA All-Defensive team, a two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and an NBA All-Pro. He is a former head coach and assistant coach. He has authored 12 books, including “Sidney Moncrief: My Journey to the NBA,” “The GRIT Factor in Leadership,” and “13 Game-Changing Principles for Living Your Best Life NOW.”

Dr. Takisha Moncrief, a beacon of educational expertise, focuses on literacy and leadership development. Her multifaceted background as an instructional coach, facilitator, and presenter has been instrumental in the development of educators, administrators, parents, and community partners. 

With a shared vision and a forward-thinking mindset, the dynamic duo of Sidney and Dr. Takisha Moncrief bring a unique blend of expertise to the Moncrief One Team. Dr. Moncrief's specialisation in adult learning principles, coupled with Sidney's extensive experience in leadership and team enhancement, forms the backbone of their professional learning experiences in Emotional Intelligence, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Team Enhancement. 

Vice President Human Resources

Scotia Group

Talent Management & Retention in Challenging Times

Sheila Segree-White serves as the Vice President of Human Resources at Scotia Group Jamaica Limited, where she spearheads human resources initiatives to enhance employee engagement, talent development, and organizational effectiveness. 

With more than 20 years of experience in operations, customer experience, and general management in the financial services and banking sectors, her tenure at Scotiabank since 2007 has been marked by substantial contributions to the organization's success.

Managing Director

Right Insights - Belize

Embracing Greater Opportunities for Increasing Employee Well-being

Dr. Minerva Pinelo Alvarez is a versatile professional with extensive experience across governmental, private, and non-governmental sectors in Belize. In 2016, she founded Right Insights, a company dedicated to facilitating learning and development through impactful content strategy and instructional design. 

Over the past seven years, Dr. Pinelo Alvarez has played a pivotal role in supporting numerous development projects, collaborating with international and national partners from project design to implementation. Her contributions encompass research, community engagement, and education, demonstrating her commitment to fostering sustainable growth and progress.

SHRM-SCP,  HR Consultant

Transitioning From Team Member to Team Leader/Supervisor

Dr. Patrick Sterling is a seasoned Human Resource and Industrial Relations Practitioner with a wealth of experience spanning various industries such as insurance, retail, telecommunications, manufacturing, and distribution. Throughout his career, he has held senior HR management positions at prominent organizations including LIME Jamaica, Pepsi-Cola Jamaica, Carreras Limited, and Seprod Group.

In these roles, Dr. Sterling has played instrumental roles in talent acquisition, organizational change management, transition initiatives, and training and development programs, showcasing his expertise in optimizing human capital and fostering organizational growth.

Productivity Consultant 

Gain-Sharing Plans … Should It Be A Part of Your Compensation Strategy?

John Pilgrim, former Executive Director of the Barbados Productivity Council, is a distinguished author and expert in productivity enhancement. 

His publications, including "Productivity in Focus – Performance Based Incentive Schemes" and "Lost and Found: Sound Perspectives on Creating Productivity Gains in the Business," highlight his profound insights into productivity strategies. 

As a former PROMALCO (ILO) board member and a regular columnist for the Barbados Advocate newspaper, Pilgrim has been instrumental in promoting productivity discourse and fostering growth in Barbados and beyond. 

Chief Executive Officer, Companies Offfice of Jamaica 

The Companies Offices of Jamaica – Compliance under the Companies Amendment ACT 2023

Shellie Leon serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of Companies at the Companies Office of Jamaica, bringing extensive legal expertise to her role. 

An attorney admitted to both the Jamaican and California Bars, she holds a Master's Degree in Business and Commercial Law and has been actively shaping young legal professionals as a faculty member at the Norman Manley Law School since 2004. 

Miss Leon's dedication to the legal profession is evident through her membership in the Jamaica Bar Association and her involvement as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Executive Agencies Pension Scheme.

Data Security Architect IBM Canada -

Canada & Caribbean

Navigating Compliance: Understanding Jamaica 

Data Protection Act, 2020

Pirabu Pathmasenan is a Data Security Architect at IBM, overseeing the Canadian and Caribbean markets. With over 15 years of experience in Data and analytics, Cybersecurity, Customer Success, and Consulting, he is dedicated to innovatively simplifying solutions to drive business results. 

Previously, at TD Bank, Pirabu played pivotal roles in the bank's digital transformation and Big Data and AI initiatives, showcasing his commitment to advancing technological innovation in the financial sector. 

  Manager

Jamaica Social Stock Exchange

JSSE - Give a Little

Nora Blake manages the Jamaica Social Stock Exchange (JSSE), leveraging her extensive experience and expertise in social entrepreneurship. Previously, as a Special Advisor in the Ministry of Industry Investment & Commerce (MIIC), she played a vital role in developing the MSME & Entrepreneurship Policy to incorporate the social sector of the economy. 

A local pioneer in social entrepreneurship, Nora possesses in-depth technical knowledge in facilitating micro and small businesses at the community level, showcasing her dedication to fostering economic empowerment and social impact. 

Executive Director

Transformation Implementation Unit (TIU)

Transforming the Public Sector 

Maria Thompson Walters is a seasoned leader in Human Resource Management, boasting extensive expertise in industrial relations, compensation, communication, and general management across both public and private sectors. Trained as a Compensation Specialist, 

Maria has spearheaded numerous special projects throughout her career. Currently serving as the Executive Director of the Transformation Implementation Unit (TIU) in Jamaica, she leads efforts to drive transformation and excellence in the public sector. 

Maria's leadership is dedicated to leveraging technology to revolutionize public services, ensuring they meet the needs of all Jamaicans. In her vision, Maria advocates for making excellence 'business as usual,' prioritizing the delivery of exceptional services to the people of Jamaica. 

Productivity Consultant

Walt Disney’s Secrets to Hiring, Training, and Treating Right Helps You Build a Winning Team and a Successful Business Culture …Today!

John Formica is a renowned figure in the global arena, recognized as a top 10 influencer and thought leader in customer loyalty. Additionally, he is one of the foremost presenters on Disney philosophy worldwide. 

With a remarkable track record, having delivered over 3,500 keynotes and workshops worldwide, he is hailed as a leading authority in customer loyalty, customer experience, employee engagement, and fostering winning team cultures.

Productivity Consultant

Transform You … 

Transform your Business

John Sherman is the Manager of Pipeline Talent Development at Altec Industries, a global leader in manufacturing and servicing utility vehicles for various industries. 

With a distinguished career spanning 23 years at FedEx and expertise as a consultant, Sherman brings extensive knowledge in sales, marketing, human resources, labour relations, quality, communications, learning/development, and leadership education. 

John is also a motivational speaker, professional vocalist, business consultant, and certified executive coach, showcasing his versatility and commitment to personal and professional growth.