Zhivargo Laing is a Bahamian business consultant. He is a former Minister of Economic Development and Minister of Finance in The Bahamas who lead the government’s policy efforts in the areas of financial services, international trade, foreign investment and e-government development for some ten years. A graduate of the University of Western Ontario, with graduate studies at The George Washington University, the Robert Kennedy College/University of Cumbria School of Business and Bangor University in Wales, England. Zhivargo training is in economics, finance, business and leadership. Zhivargo was a key government leader during the Great Recession of 2007/2008. He was responsible for leading the country’s fiscal stimulus programme, developing the country’s 24/7 E-government platform, laying the foundation for the country’s small and medium size business development legislation, and re-engineering the country’s business license and fiscal reform regime. Zhivargo’s work with the Bahamas Financial Services Board help to craft the country’s strategic direction for the industry. He was also the lead policy negotiator on the country’s response to a number of international regulatory developments impacting the financial services sector. Zhivargo is now the Executive Director and Senior Policy Fellow at the University of The Bahamas. He is also an author, radio talk host and columnist. He is married and has four children.

Valdez K. Russell serves as the principal of VKR Insights, a communications and reputation management agency. Throughout his professional career, Valdez has been instrumental in facilitating public relations and communication strategies to help individuals and organizations to build relationships and influence change.

Valdez sharpened his communications and qualitative research skills throughout his career as a college administrator and educator. He served as the Assistant Manager and Academic Dean at The Bahamas Technical & Vocational Institute (BTVI). Prior to his appointment at BTVI, he worked at The College of The Bahamas as the International Relations Liaison Officer where he coordinated the development of faculty, staff and student exchange programs. He was instrumental in the development of international partnerships with colleges and universities. Valdez represented the College and The Bahamas internationally to promote research in the areas of maritime studies, banking and finance, healthcare and sustainable island living.

For the past decade, Valdez has served as a leadership facilitator and corporate trainer, where he helps individuals to develop their leadership skills. He has presented leadership, communications and motivational presentations throughout The Bahamas, Canada, the Caribbean, and the United States and the United Arab Emirates.

In celebration of The Bahamas 40th Anniversary of Independence, The Tribune newspaper recognized Valdez as one of 40 Bahamians under 40-years old shaping education in the country. Valdez’s previous work at The Ohio State University earned him recognition as an honorary member of the Student Alumni Association.

Valdez currently serves as president of Kent State University’s Center for Intercultural and International Education. In this role he provides leadership for the institution’s international outreach and supports faculty and student initiatives around global competence.

Valdez received his undergraduate degree in Communications and Public Relations from the University of Nebraska and a master’s degree in College Administration and Leadership Development from the University of Kansas.

Valdez brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to leadership, communications and brand reputation management. He continues to promote national development through preparing individuals to be globally competitive and economically independent.

With over 10 years of experience in the Film & Entertainment Industry, working on movie sets like Der Sea Wulf, Dolphin Kick, The Bachelorette TV Show, and with networks like National Geographic, WWE, ABC and Disney, Aryana Joy Roberts - Sole Proprietor and Head Producer at ASPS - pairs her experience of Visual Marketing, TV and Film production with the continued growth of the Film & Entertainment Industry in the Bahamas. ASPS (Artistic Soul Productions Studio) is currently a virtual production company, specializing in concept driven productions and visual marketing (ie. commercials, films, scriptwriting, crewing, consultations etc). At ASPS, quality is their way of life - from conception to completion, and they take pride in their motto - Quality . Creativity . Transparency . Community.

Born and raised in the City of Freeport on Grand Bahama Island, Brinard Sweeting is a Certified Internet Webmaster (CIW) and Certified Web Design Specialist, who serves as the President & Digital Director of Digital Media Visionary Ltd., a leading website design & development and digital strategy agency in Freeport, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas; where he manages a team dedicated to digital vision implementation for numerous SMEs and major corporations, locally and internationally.

The majority of Brinard’s experience as a web developer comes from his previous and current work with local & international clients who require a web expert with steady focus to implement and provide top-notch work and effective solutions to solve their day-to-day business needs that relate to having a greater internet presence.

Brinard’s knowledge in the field extends from the awareness of current industry standards, experience as a project manager and supervisor at previous organizations. This knowledge is also informed by his fluency in semantic design patterns and proficiency in the world’s most structured programming languages.

In 2018, he was nominated and awarded as one of the '40 Under 40' Most Influential and Successful Professionals In The Bahamas by The Professional Services Bahamas Organization.

As a devout man of the Christian faith and an avid believer in creating indelible change, Brinard also formerly served as co-founder and mentor of the Young Masters Gentlemen’s Club of St. Georges High School. The organization nurtured young men into disciplined, respectful, and responsible young adults by learning to set personal goals, working hard to achieve them, accountability for their behavior during school and in the community, and enabling them to become productive members of society through strategic mentoring sessions and charitable community events.

Kerel Pinder is a storyteller, who utilizes books, productions, speaking engagements and Brand strategies to tell a variety of unique and creative stories. Kerel’s mission in life is to inspire others to discover inspire discover, activate and flourish within their purpose, by recognizing the importance of growth and a genuine relationship with God. Kerel’s vision is to not only make an impact within the Bahamas but to carry her passions throughout the entire world.

Kerel graduated with a Bachelors degree in Psychology from Acadia University, a Masters in Education from UNC-Chapel Hill and a 2nd Masters degree in Communication and Leadership from Park University. She is a TEDx Talk speaker, three-time Bahamian Icon nominee and recent Bahamian Icon winning playwright. Kerel has held the title of Miss Grand Bahama 2008 and Miss Bahamas Earth 2011, representing our country in China, Columbia and the Philippines. Kerel currently serves as the founder and Managing Director of Island Dreams Management, a boutique brand management firm in Freeport, Bahamas.

“Those who are crazy enough to think they can change the world usually do.”
― Steve Jobs

Carmel Churchill (nee Forbes), philosophy in life is “to succeed you must believe that with hard work and determination you can achieve anything that you want.” This philosophy was instilled in Carmel at an early age by her parents, in her native home, Eight Mile Rock, Grand Bahama, and has propelled her throughout her life.

Carmel is co-owner of Doncar Management, a management company specializing in destination sales and marketing services, including vacation rentals, attractions, hotels, hospitality consulting services, turn arounds for distressed businesses, hotel sales and real estate.

Carmel served as the Director of Marketing Services for The Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board from 2014 – 2018. During her time at the Board she served as Chairperson of the Marketing Committee and has more than 22 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Carmel’s quick thinking, fast actions, passion, efficiency and professionalism resulted in a measureable level of success for the Board in many areas.

Carmel’s experience in the hospitality industry includes positions in Grand Bahama, as Operations Manager at H. Forbes Charter Services, General Manager at the Garden of the Groves, and Weddings Sales Executive at Old Bahama Bay Resort. She also served for six years at the Grand Lucayan Resort as an Executive Sales Manager.

Carmel’s studies at Howard University focused on the Development and Administration of Small Businesses which has left an indelible mark on the largest ground transportation provider on Grand Bahama Island. Upon completion of her studies she earned a certificate in Small Business Administration. Her desire to make a greater impact on the tourism industry on Grand Bahama Island, prompted her to pursue a Masters Degree in Hospitality and Tourism at Revans University, Auckland, New Zealand where she graduated with credit at Oxford England in May 2011.

Carmel has also been certified from a number of learning institutions. Among them are Certified Professional Manager - James Madison University, Certified Weddings Specialist - Weddings Beautiful Worldwide and one extraordinary accolade - the third licensed female General Contractor from the Grand Bahama Port Authority.

Carmel’s civic and community involvement includes her previously serving as Co-host of a local radio talk show – “Natural Resources” that aired on 96.1 FM radio station (Cool 96) in 2002 and Secretary of the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce 2013-2014. Carmel is currently serving another two years as a Director at the Chamber of Commerce and chairs the Public Relations Committee.

Carmel is married to Donald Churchill of Ontario Canada and they are the proud parents of one son, Kenroy Alexander. She enjoys spending time with her family, singing, dancing, and watching classic movies. She is also a spiritual person and is proud of her membership at the Jubilee Cathedral church under the leadership of Bishop Godfrey R. Williams.

Carey G. Leonard, Attorney-at-Law was called to the Bahamas Bar in 1977. Mr. Leonard’s legal expertise spans over four decades in all areas of Commercial Law, including aviation.

He is a former President of The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce during which Sunday Shopping, Duty Free Shopping were legislated for, and Privatization of Government Corporation put to the for front. He sat on the Free Trade Area of the Americas Committee spending a considerable amount of time on trade agreements, including the lead into the World Trade Organization (“WTO”).

He has sat on several Government Advisory Committees (Nassau Airport, National Health Insurance, National Development Plan and currently on both the Air Transport Advisory Board and Lucayan Renewal Holdings Ltd.)

He is the former General Counsel of the Grand Bahama Port Authority and Port Group Ltd. group of companies on Grand Bahama Island having spent 10 years with those organizations.

He has extensive knowledge and experience in dealing with all aspects of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement and has written several articles on the subject one of which was featured in the Bahamas Handbook 2015 Edition.

He is frequently interviewed by the news media on the topic of Grand Bahama’s economy and the WTO for which he assisted in writing the section for the Port Area, an Economic Development Zone under WYO.

Ms. Blair is the Executive Director of the Access Accelerator, Small Business Development Centre, with responsibility for realizing the Centre's mission to increase the ability of Micro, Small and Medium sized Enterprises (MSMEs) to provide employment, diversify wealth and drive the development of a robust and resilient economy.

Previously, as the Vice President of Advancement (2015-2018) at the University of The Bahamas she provided leadership for collaborations with key stakeholders to garner financial support for projects and programmes that benefit the University. She has served in various leadership capacities at the University for the past 8 years. Additionally, she serves on various boards and committees including 3 terms as a Director for the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers’ Confederation.

Ms. Blair has 17 years of experience in the finance industry ranging from financial regulation, commercial banking, private banking and financial consulting for small businesses and industrial projects. She holds a M.Sc. in Decision Sciences from the London School of Economics (L.S.E.) and received her B.A. in International Economics at the American University of Paris. She is also a member of the International Honor Society in Economics, Alpha Chapter of France.

Paul D. Moss Jr. He holds a Bachelors of Arts Degree from Lee University in Cleveland Tennessee and a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of Wolverhampton in England, U.K. Mr. Moss is a member of the Bars of both England and Wales and the Bahamas.

Paul was born into business and worked each day with his siblings and parents in the family business of food stores. At the age of 13 he began his career in management by managing one of the family stores and this is where he got his business acumen. This is also where Paul interacted with fellow citizens and got his passion for people.

He is a human rights activist and have championed the cause of many particularly the ones that cannot speak for themselves. He is the founder and Co-Chairman of Bahamians Agitating for a Referendum of Free Trade (BARF) and has been credited with educating the Bahamas on a number of trade agreements and their affect on the Bahamas.

A businessman, Mr. Moss is the Managing Director of Dominion Management Services Ltd. an Investment Fund Administrator, Managing Director of Orbitex Management Ltd. and Managing Partner of Colonels Chambers Law Firm. He is also founder and Chairman of Wisdom Institute for Children and God’s Little Ones elementary Schools in Nassau. Mr. Moss is a member of the International Tax Planning Association and is involved significantly in international financial services. He is a former director of the Bahamas Financial Services Board and serves on numerous boards of international companies including investment funds and international banks and trust companies. He has spoken to various professional organizations on financial matters in Europe and North & South America.